Carmen found me in the kitchen. I was making dinner for what had become our Sunday tradition.
The Rodriguez family had officially taken ownership of the cabin in Beacon Falls. James drew up the deed himself. Miguel and Carmen and Sophia Rodriguez. Free and clear.
But every single Sunday, they drove forty-five minutes to Maple Ridge for supper.
And every single Sunday, Sophia insisted on showing me her newest drawings.
“The dining room table’s all set,” Carmen said. She was wiping her hands on an apron. She insisted on wearing one, even though I told her a hundred times she was a guest, not help. “And Miguel finished fixing that loose board on the front porch.”
I smiled and looked out the kitchen window.
Miguel was teaching Sophia how to use a screwdriver properly on the porch railing. She was nine now. Turning into quite the little carpenter.
“He doesn’t have to keep fixing things around here,” I said. “It isn’t his job.”
Carmen laughed.
“Try telling Miguel that. He says it’s his responsibility to take care of the people who took care of us.”
The doorbell rang.
Through the frosted glass of the front door, I could see a familiar shape.
Andre.
Thinner than I remembered. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other. The exact way he used to do when he was seven years old and had broken something.
Carmen’s face went hard.
“Do you want me to send him away?”
I thought about it.
It had been six months since James filed those papers. Two months since Andre’s sentencing. He was due to report to prison in three weeks.
This was the first time he’d dared to come to the house.
“No,” I finally said. “I’ll talk to him.”
I opened the front door. But I didn’t invite him in.
Andre looked older than thirty-seven. His face was gaunt. His expensive clothes hung loose on him.
“Mom,” he said. His voice was barely a whisper. “Please. Can we talk?”
“We can talk here,” I said.
I stepped out onto the porch. But I left the front door open behind me.
I wanted him to see the warm light pouring out of that house. I wanted him to hear Sophia laughing in the backyard. I wanted him to understand what a family actually looks like.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
Sophia holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Toronto, where she developed her skills in news reporting, media ethics, and digital journalism. Her expertise lies in identifying key stories, crafting compelling narratives, and ensuring journalistic integrity in every piece she edits.
Known for her precision and dedication to the truth, Sophia thrives in the fast-paced world of news editing. At TheArchivists, she focuses on producing high-quality news content that keeps readers informed while maintaining a balanced and insightful perspective.
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