Chapter 19

I like the new routine of having a quiet breakfast with my baby. After dropping her off at school, I walk up to the neighborhood. When I arrive, everyone stares at the car. It attracts a lot of attention; it’s normal. There are not many of them here. Chucho approaches me, and we hug lightly.

“What happened, parce?” he says to me, and I smile. We both lean against the cart, looking at them, nervous and expectant. “Here you all are.”

“What happened?” I look up at the men waiting. Some are calmer than others, but not bad. I notice the man who was doubting me and he notices me staring at him.

He looks down, and Chucho laughs. They are a few meters away, waiting.

“Come.”

I don’t need to raise my voice; they come with a determined step and stand next to my car. I remain silent, looking at them all. Those moments of tension that bother me so much about Mireya really make me enjoy my new status. Now I understand why she does it.

“Good morning,” I say at l