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“Laura, that’s—that’s wonderful,” I say between sobs.
“Mom had this exact reaction. You both are so lame,” she grins.
I sniff.
“Between her job and Antonio’s monthly stipends, Mom has enough saved up for part of the cost of college for me. She has a decent job. Ray helped us make some promising investments, and Mom might be able to buy her own house eventually.”
Laura squeezes my hands. “Even without Antonio, Mom, and I are in the clear. We don’t have to be poor ever again.” Her eyes light up. “Don’t you see it, Alyssa? We’re finally free. You don’t have to be around nasty men all day. You can stay home all day or go out and have fun. You can finally make friends, find love—anything.”
The word love strikes a wound in my heart.
“You, Mama, and I can finally live in peace.”
She gets up and hugs me from behind. I caress her arms.
“We don’t have to suffer anymore. We can finally breathe.”
She breathes in audibly, and when I try to follow suit, I feel a strong restriction.
The door opens, and our mother walks in.
“Wipe your face,” Laura whispers.
I wipe my tears, and I sit up straighter.
“You girls are a bit too quiet. No more fighting, I hope,” my mother says as Laura relieves her of the paper bags full of groceries in her arms.
Laura is right. Mom does look better. Her thin arms have more flesh on them, her eyes aren’t so hollow, and they have a twinkle of hope.
I grin and pull out a chair for her.
“Now, why would I ever fight with my favorite sister?” I ask.
Mama stops and peers at my face.
“Your eyes are bloodshot, sweetie? Have you been crying?”
“It’s probably the pollen. She was out a few minutes ago,” Laura answers hurriedly for me.
I nod. “What she said, Mama.”
“Did you get my favorite chips?” Laura asks before Mama can scan my face more.
I settle into my chair and listen as my mother shares the story of her day.
Laura is right. For the first time in our lives, we are in the clear.
I have nothing to worry about, and I can live the rest of my life happily. But with his child in my womb—well, that complicates everything for me.
The night falls, and I settle into bed restlessly.
I pull out my phone and dial Giovanni’s number.
“This better be good,” he blurts out, surprisingly picking up after the first ring.
“I—I just wanted to say that I am back with my family now.”
“And why am I supposed to care about this?”
