By the time I reached Mateo's neighborhood, dusk had settled in. Everything looked picture-perfect: trimmed lawns, glowing porch lights, clean sidewalks. My chest tightened. I felt out of place, like I didn't belong in a street like this. My hand hesitated before knocking on his door. Maybe they wouldn't hear it. Maybe I could turn around and walk back home before anyone saw me.
But the door opened, and there stood Carolina, her smile as bright as ever.
"Aleluya!" she cried, lifting her hands dramatically toward the sky.
Before I could react, she stepped forward and pinched my cheek like she had known me for years. Her hands cupped my face, warm and steady, and she looked at me with such care it made my throat ache all over again.
"Are you okay, conejito?" she asked gently. Her eyes lingered on my swollen cheeks and red eyes. There was no hiding what kind of day I'd had.
