Silvia scanned the area as her mother pulled into her parking spot of the townhouse she’d rented.
Yes, she was on guard; she was always on guard. But really, she just wanted to convince herself that the area was safe for her mother and sister. After all, a great deal of her paycheck went to her mother. She’d set her account to automatically transfer money into her mother’s account every two weeks when she received her automated payroll deposit.
It was the least she could do after sending her father to prison and assuming her adopted sister’s identity.
Phoenix was a sprawling metropolis of more than five-hundred-square miles with more than 1.6 million people. Although the neighborhood was only twenty-six miles from the city center where they used to live, it was an entirely different world. Although it lacked the ease of walking to cultural festivals, historical landmarks, science centers, and museums, it also lacked another great thing—Luis and his gang. She’d known that if she could get her mother even twenty miles from the city center, the chances of Luis ever finding her were slim to nil. Especially since her mother had also gone back to her maiden name. And she’d been correct. Eight years and Luis had yet to fulfill his oath of revenge.
The neighborhood consisted of single homes with a row of townhouses next to a greenway. Even nearing dusk, several families with small children picnicked and played on the grassy, treed area.
“I love the neighborhood, ma-ma.”
Her mother glanced over her shoulder before getting out of the car. “Now that I have a car, it’s nice. It’s still a bit far away from your sister’s doctors, but we love it here. Your sister loves to play in the park after dinner every night.”
Silvia sighed in contentment. At least something positive had come out of the ordeal. Her mother hadn’t even allowed her sister out of the house at their previous address.
Daire hopped out of the front seat. “Holy cow! There’s that heat again. The AC lulled me into forgetting I was in the desert.”
He opened the sliding door, which Silvia appreciated since it was heavy. Her mother’s caravan was older than she was, so it didn’t have power sliding doors and an automatic liftgate. It did have faux-wood panels, though. She couldn’t help but wonder how that had ever been in style.
“I never knew what an over-actor you were, Daire,” she said as she walked to the rear of the van. “It’s not even a hundred and four degrees. You should stay for a month. July is the hottest.”
“Last year, we hit 118 degrees in June, mi’ja,” her mother corrected. “And our record high was 122 degrees, also in June, if I remember correctly.” Her mother patted Daire’s shoulder. “It’s cool inside, Daire, and I hope you brought a hungry stomach. Christiana said you’ve never eaten authentic enchiladas.”
Daire looked over his shoulder at Silvia and rolled his eyes, then turned back to her mother as he pulled the luggage out of the cargo area. “No, Mrs. Vargas, I suppose I haven’t.”
Her mother waved a hand. “No need to be so formal. Call me Sonia.”
“Mmm… I’m looking forward to your authentic cooking, Sonia. And your salsa. Christiana says you make the best salsa in the world.”
Sonia and Daire started walking toward the building. Silvia hung back with her sister, listening to Daire and her mother’s conversation with one ear. At the same time, she listened to her sister chatter happily and point out the play area where she wanted to go after dinner.
“It is my mother’s recipe,” Silvia’s mother continued. “The trick is the home-grown tomatoes and peppers. Now that I have a small lawn, I planted a miniature garden. Nothing like my ma-ma had, but I love fresh tomatoes and peppers. The ones at the store taste like water.”
“Ma-ma, when Daire was growing up, they planted a lot of their own food and hunted their meat.”
“Venison?”
Daire nodded. “Yes, to the point I don’t even eat it today. My mother eats a plant-based diet now, so there’s rarely any meat in our house.”
Her mother turned to him, eyes wide. “You eat chicken, though, right?”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Gracias a Dios.”
Silvia rolled her eyes. “I don’t think we need to start calling out thanks to God because Daire eats chicken.” Her mother never spoke much Spanish when Silvia was growing up. Still, there were specific phrases she loved, phrases her abuela never stopped using. “Didn’t I tell you I’m vegan now, ma-ma?”
“No! Why?” Her mother whipped around as if she’d blasphemed their Lord and Savior.
“Sorry, ma-ma. I was only joking.”
Her mother put her hand over her heart. “Pense que hasta aquí me la presto Dios.”
“You weren’t going to die, ma-ma. And stop speaking Spanish around Daire. It’s rude.”
Daire leaned sideways and mock-whispered, “I don’t mind. I like it. I have a sister-in-law from Argentina—” Daire stopped and shook his head, then continued, “Already, she’s teaching my nephew how to speak Spanish, so I’d like to learn.”
Silvia knew precisely what just popped through Daire’s head. Nora wasn’t his sister-in-law anymore. Technically, she was his stepmother. And now, he really did have a brother. A baby brother, not a nephew. And a mother he never knew he had.
Daire had just been hit with a whirlwind of revelations, and yet, he hadn’t thought twice about leaving Alaska and coming with her to Phoenix.
Neither of them knew how much time his birth mother had. Every day could be her last. And yet, here he was, accompanying her. Protecting her. Meeting her family. He really did love her.
As soon as her mother opened the front door, the pungent aroma of cumin, pepper, and garlic filled her senses. A hunger pang instantly stabbed at her stomach, and her mouth watered up so quickly she thought she might start drooling. Her mother was correct; it didn’t matter what the recipe was. The difference was the home-grown vegetables and spices.
“Dear Lord, that smells good,” Daire said before she could clear her mouth.
Silvia dropped her luggage in the living room. “Can we eat first?”
Her mother laughed. “Of course! The table is set.” She pointed to the left. “The bathroom is off the hall if you need to wash up.”
Silvia nodded to Daire. “Go ahead. I’ll clean up in the kitchen.” She’d headed to the restroom as soon as they exited the plane. Daire had been too nervous about leaving her for a second, saying he’d go when they arrived at her mother’s house.
He looked over her shoulder, then offered her a quick peck on the lips. “I like your mother and sister.”
“I’m glad. I’m sure they like you, too.”
She swatted him off, then trotted toward the back of the townhouse. “It’s nice. Cozy but roomy.” Silvia looked out the sliding glass door before heading to the sink. The backyard was small, but as her mother’d said, she had two small rows of vegetables lining the west fence. The rest of the area was the typical stoned yard. It took a lot of water to keep a grass yard.
Silvia headed to the sink. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear the plastic soap dispenser was the same one she had when Silvia lived with her. Her mother was notorious for buying warehouse-sized cleaning products and refilling the smaller, more-expensive versions.
After washing up, she joined her mother at the stove. “What can I do?”
“Nothing! Sit! You are a guest.”
She kissed her mother’s soft round cheek. “I’m your daughter. I’m never really a guest.”
Her mother turned to her, fisted hands on her hips. A soft tear trickled down her cheek. “When I haven’t seen my daughter for eight years, she’s a guest.”
“Oh…” Silvia leaned forward and hugged her, sniffing to hold back her own tears. “Don’t cry, ma-ma. Because then I’ll cry. I’m so sorry—”
“It’s not your fault, mi’ja.”
“I know it’s not, ma-ma, but I still hate that I’m so far from you. I really wish…” Silvia leaned back and swiped the tears from her face. Now was not the time for empty wishes. They needed to enjoy their time together. Tomorrow, who knew what they were in store for. If the courts retried Dominic, anything could happen. She rested her hands on her mother’s shoulders. “I don’t wish for anything more than I have right now, ma-ma. I love you.”
Her sister slammed into them, wrapping her arms around them. “I love you both.”
Silvia laughed and hugged her sister, long and deep. “I love you, too, sweetie. Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Daire walked in but stopped when he saw the three women in an embrace.
Her mother waved him in. “Come in. Come in. Don’t mind us old ladies. Grab a bowl and dig in.”
Silvia smiled as Daire marched over to the stove. He knew the drill. She’d eaten with his family twice and noticed the men didn’t hold back. She could only imagine what it had been like when they were teenagers, especially with the age span between the brothers. More than likely, there had always been some big-brother territory going on. First, with Sam, she would guess. Then Alex—who was five years younger than Sam but five or so years older than Vince and Erik—would surely have passed down the big-brother dominating. Then when Daire was just trying on his pre-teen swagger, he had two brothers, five or so years older than him, and two brothers that were adults. It was probably, move or become kibble beneath the stampede.
She knew that she’d bullied her sister. Even though her sister was technically older than her, theoretically, she was younger. And she’d taken advantage of that too many times, something she planned to make right this week. Even if her sister hadn’t recognized her taunts and wouldn’t understand if she tried to apologize, she would make up for the years of mental abuse by showering her with love, attention, and even gifts. More than likely, her sister wouldn’t want for anything physical, but she liked goodies. She would make sure they visited some of her favorite haunts while she was here.
Once seated, her mother bowed her head, offering a quick prayer of thanks for the food they could afford and their time together.
“Amen!” said the four of them in unison.
Daire dug into his street corn first. He dramatically rolled his eyes back into his head. “Oh…what was it you said? Gracias a Dios? This is amazing!”
“Si!” Sonia laughed. “Thanks to God. No need to thank me yet. Eat!” She repeated the order in Spanish, which sounded like Co-may! Co-may! Sonia lifted her chin to his Silvia. “He wants to learn, and you should teach him, mi’ja.”
“I will, ma-ma.”
Daire grinned with his mouth full.
If we make it through the week, I’ll start teaching him, she thought. Because as wonderful as all this was. As much as she would love to believe that they were on vacation… The truth was that they were walking into a real firefight.
Luis would undoubtedly be at the courthouse to defend Dominic tomorrow. Whether the courts released Dominic or not, his brother would be there to exact his own personal justice.
Silvia hated that, once again, she wasn’t risking just her life; now, she was risking Daire’s life. She’d already made it clear to her mother that neither she nor her sister could accompany her to the courthouse, but Daire had also made it clear that nothing she said or did would stop him from standing beside her.
As hard as she tried to enjoy the delicious food, Silvia couldn’t get the image of Luis confronting Daire out of her head.
Daire thought he knew what bad guys were made of. She’d seen the bad guys Daire knew in Alaska; they were good ole boys compared to Luis.
Luis was evil with a capital D, the devil incarnate.
~ Daire ~
After dinner, Daire insisted, with much protest from Sonia, that he be allowed to wash the dishes. “Sorry, Sonia. That’s the rule in my house. The person who cooks never cleans.”
“Okay. Silvia likes to go to the park after dinner anyway. Christiana, would you like to come?”
The elder sister put her hands up in prayer. “Please, Christiana. It’s been so long since we’ve played together.”
Daire nodded that she should go. “I’ve got this. Really.”
“Are you sure?” She looked doubtful. Or was she nervous about going without him?
“Yeah, I’m sure. I wash dishes all the time, obviously. You’ve even demanded my services at the station, remember?”
“It seems so long ago.”
He scrunched up his face. “It does, but it’s not.” He stepped away from the dirty dishes and wrapped his arms around her, whispering, “Would you like me to come with you? I’m sure the dishes can wait a few minutes.”
“No, no. It’ll be fine. He hasn’t found them so far.”
Daire nodded, but he wasn’t so sure. What if he’d been waiting for her to come home? What if he’s known all along where her mother and sister lived? If Luis was going to attack, the night before a retrial seemed the night he’d do it.
“You know what?” Daire said. “Life’s too short not to go to the playground. The dishes’ll be here when we get back.”
“Yay!” Her sister gave a little hop. “Come play, Daire.”
Together, the four of them walked to the small park.
The sisters walked together again, swinging their linked hands between them.
Daire walked alongside Sonia.
When the swings came into sight, the sisters ran toward them.
Sonia stopped walking where the sidewalk met the grass. She wrapped an arm around Daire’s waist. “You’re good for Christiana. Much wiser than I’d expect of a twenty-three-year-old. Then again, Christiana has always been old for her age, too.”
“I think it comes from having older siblings.”
“Es verdad.”
Daire stared down at the petite woman.
“It’s true,” she repeated in English. “You must make Christiana teach you. It’s good for her.”
“Yeah, she immediately opened up to Nora—the sister-in-law I told you about. But I will make an effort to learn.”
“Last one, then. In Costa Rica, my people tend to be relaxed and worry-free. If you really want to habla como tico—speak like a Costa Rican—you must learn our favorite term, Pura Vida. It literally means pure life, but we use it in multiple ways. As a hello or goodbye, or even an exclamation. Say it to Christiana and watch her face light up.”
“I’ll do that.” Daire squeezed Sonia back, then trotted off toward the sisters. As soon as the two women looked up from their swinging, he shouted, “Pura Vida!”
“Pura Vida!” they said back in unison, and Sonia was correct; he also received two bright smiles.
Daire ran behind the elder sister and pushed her so she could catch up with her sister.
“Pura Vida, Daire!” she called.
“Pura Vida, Silvia!”
His Silvia watched the exchange, offering him another soft smile.
Daire felt utter love pump through his veins. Yes, he knew for sure that he would take out anyone who dared to hurt this wonderful family. He’d always wondered how anyone could hurt his Silvia, but now that he saw her sister, he was angrier than he’d been. How could anyone hurt a child, a true child in all aspects? Such a sweet smile.
An unwanted image of her running to protect her sister bombarded his brain. The idea that anyone could stab such preciousness baffled him.
Daire pushed the thoughts aside and forced a smile as he continued to push the woman. Then he ran behind Silvia. “You have to catch up. She’s winning.”
He took turns pushing them, loving the squeals of delight. After a few minutes, he caught Sonia’s eye. She was smiling, too, but there was a deep sadness behind her smile. She was worried.
It wasn’t fair that this family should suffer so much. He would have to make it better somehow. He’d find a way.
Back at the house, after the eldest Silvia went to bed and the dishes were done, the three of them settled in the living room.
“Sonia…” Daire hated interrupting their chat, but he remembered what he’d wanted to ask since they’d arrived. “Do you have a copy of the letter the State Attorney sent? I’d like to read it.”
“Yes, of course.” Sonia stood.
Silvia stared at him. “What difference does it make?”
“I just want to know what we’re up against.”
Silvia nodded, then moved beside him.
Sonia walked back into the room with an envelope. She untucked the tab, then pulled out the letter, handing it to Daire.
After a few seconds, both Daire and Silvia looked up, then stared at Sonia.
Daire spoke first. “This isn’t a retrial, Sonia. This is a resentencing.”
Silvia leaned back, a relieved sigh escaping her lungs. “It’s not a retrial. I won’t have to sit through hours of testimony.”
“I don’t understand,” Sonia said. “What is the difference?”
“According to this, the defense is challenging a few charges, but that shouldn’t affect the outcome. Even if they pull the prior weapons possession charge because it was in another state, that shouldn’t change the overall sentencing too many years.”
“Que dicha! Gracias de Dios!”
“Que dicha!” Silvia agreed. “Thank goodness.”