And she had been out there the entire time, cold and nameless, while I philosophized about who deserved help.

Chapter 9 — You Knew

When we came down the stairs — my mother clean now, wrapped in one of my robes, moving like a woman uncertain of her welcome in any room — Alejandro was waiting in the living room, and I went straight to him with the tears still running down my face.

“You knew,” I said.

“You knew, and you brought her here on purpose.” He shook his head, gently.

“I wasn’t sure, Mariana.