Page 108 of Cemetery Boys

Lita stood on the steps of the church, calling out instructions and directing people this way and that, like a maestro. She wore one of her best dresses, a white one with short sleeves and brightly embroidered flowers along the neck and hem. A heavy beaded necklace was around her neck with a gold pendant depicting the Maya calendar. Bracelets of gold and jade clacked on her wrists.

His father stood by the gate, pointing people in the right direction as he tried to pat down his wavy hair. He wore a pair of slacks and a short-sleeved guayabera. It was bright red, which Yadriel knew was his mom’s favorite color.

He was about to make a run for it when his dad stopped him. “Yadriel!” he called after, waving him over. He looked nervous, continuing to fuss with his hair.

“I’m in a hurry, Dad,” Yadriel tried to deflect. “Late for school.” Julian slipped out behind his dad’s back, dodging between brujx and spirits alike.

“We need to put the finishing touches on the ofrenda for your mamá, so don’t be late,” his dad said, combing his fingers through his mustache. He smoothed down his shirt and stood up tall, sucking in his gut.

Yadriel just nodded. While he was getting used to sneaking around, he still didn’t have it in himself to lie so blatantly to his dad’s face. He would not be home right after school, probably wouldn’t be back until very late, after—

His stomach clenched. No, he didn’t want to think about that. Right now, he was only looking to make Julian happy. He wouldn’t let himself think past midnight.

Luckily, his dad didn’t seem at all suspicious. Enrique let out a breath, and his stomach pushed against his shirt, spilling a little over the edge of his belt.

Yadriel used his dad’s distraction to his benefit. “Okay, see you tonight!” he called, giving his dad a wave as he ran out the gate and down to where Julian was waiting at the corner.

“So, where to first, patrón?” he asked, walking backward in front of Yadriel.

“The store,” he said.

“For what?”

“Your favorite food. Whatever you want.”

Julian’s eyes lit up. “Whatever I want? But—wait.” He frowned. “For me? But I thought I couldn’t eat normal food?”

“You can’t,” Yadriel agreed, looking both ways before he crossed the street. “It’s for later.”

“What’s later?” Julian asked, jogging after him.

“It’s a secret,” Yadriel told him. He expected Julian to put up a fight, or at least whine and demand answers.

Instead, Julian bit his bottom lip, a wide smile splitting his face. The tips of his ears tinged red, and satisfaction thrummed in Yadriel’s chest.

They went to the local Mexican market. It was a large cement building painted yellow. As they strolled down the aisles, Yadriel dumped anything Julian pointed out into a red hand basket. Quickly, it filled up with packages of Gansitos, two glass bottles of Coke, pink coconut cookies, and some potato chips.

“TAKIS, TAKIS, TAKIS!” Julian crowed, running up to the display rack.

“Limón or fuego?” Yadriel asked, holding up the two bags.

Julian’s face contorted, like he’d just tasted something bitter. “Tch, fuego, obviously.” He shuddered. “I don’t like stuff with too much lime.”

Yadriel laughed and tossed the bag in. “You’re a disgrace to your people.” He bought the snacks with the cash he’d been saving over the past few weeks. When they stepped outside, there was an older man with a cart. Bags of fried dough in the shapes of pinwheels were tied around it.

“OOO, DUROS, YADRIEL!” Julian shouted so suddenly it made Yadriel jump.

“Okay, Jesus,” he whispered under his breath. He went up to the man and asked for a bag. The vendor opened one of the bags and dumped in chamoy, a pickled fruit and chili sauce that reeked of vinegar.

“No lime, no lime, no lime!” Julian panicked when the man reached for a small green bottle.

“Sin limón, por favor,” Yadriel told him. When they got a safe distance, he stopped to shove the contraband into his already stuffed backpack. “Ugh, my bag is never going to smell the same again,” Yadriel said, crinkling his nose.

Julian, on the other hand, inhaled deeply, sending his eyelids fluttering. “Mmm, I’m literally drooling right now,” he moaned.

“Have you decided where we’re going?” Yadriel asked.

Julian tapped his fingers against his chin. “Hmmm. I’ve got a couple ideas, but nothing Last Day on Earth worthy.” He frowned.