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“What does this mean?” She points to the phrase ripped him a new one.
I grin and lean over to whisper in her ear, “Ripped him a new asshole.”
“Oh!” She laughs even as she cringes. “I’m sorry I asked, but that sounds painful.”
“That was the goal.”
“And this? What does that mean?” She points to solitary confinement.
“He’ll be in a cell by himself.” I squeeze her hand to convey my relief that Joaquín got what he deserved in court. I glance at Mateo and then at Jon and Kathy. “We’ll fill you in later.”
“Mateo,” Kathy says, “why don’t you come with me, and let’s see if we can find some dessert?”
He gets up to take her hand like he’s known her all his life and goes with her to the kitchen.
“You’ve all been so sweet,” Sofia says. “Thank you so much for everything.”
Jon shakes his head, his expression full of regret. “I had no idea, Sofia, or you would’ve met me long before now.”
“That’s good to know. I guess all we can do is make the best of it going forward.”
“And we will. For sure. About your mother…”
“She’s not really in my life.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Sofia gives a small shrug. “It’s for the best. She isn’t supportive of me.”
Jon’s deep sigh says so much. “Tomorrow, I’ll show you around.” With a smile, he adds, “Maybe I can convince you guys to move to the Twin Cities area.”
The thought of that hits me like a lightning bolt of fear that strikes out of nowhere. Will she want to move up here to live closer to her new family? Who could blame her for wanting that? What will I do if she does?
That possibility never occurred to me before Jon suggested it.
We tuck Mateo into bed on an air mattress in the room the three of us are sharing, and then we join Jon and Kathy for a nightcap in the living room. Their kids have gone to bed, so it’s just the four of us. Jon lit a fire in the fireplace that sends a cozy glow over the room.
“Is it always this cold here?” Sofia asks.
“From about November to May,” Jon says. “You get used to it.”
“I’m not sure I ever would after growing up in Mexico and Miami.”
“Same,” I say. “Our blood is too thin for this weather.” I thank God it’s so cold here. Maybe that will keep her from wanting to move, even with all the pluses she’d gain by living here.
We fill Jon and Kathy in on what’s been going on with Joaquín and what happened today in court.
“Good Lord,” Kathy says. “I’m so sorry you’ve been through such an ordeal.”
“Thank you,” Sofia says, “but he’s where he belongs, and I’m trying not to think about him anymore. Our divorce will be final any day now.”
“And your brother, Nico,” Jon says. “He’s all right?”
“On his way to a full recovery, thank God.”
“What does Mateo know?”
“Not much,” Sofia says. “He doesn’t like going to his dad’s house, so he hasn’t asked for him. We’re hoping it stays that way for a while longer. Eventually, I suppose I’ll have to tell him the truth.”
