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“Actually, I am.” I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water, unscrewed the cap, and took a gulp.
“Carlos and I were hoping we could have some of this for lunch,” Stone said.
“You know you can. I'll fix you a plate.”
“What's the best way for me to get in touch with Daniel?” I asked.
“I heard my name,” Daniel said from the doorway, his hand in his wife’s.
“I was hoping to have a word with you when you have some time.”
“My door is always open to you,” Daniel said as Vivian bounced over to me. She was stunning, full of energy, and I was grateful for the friendship she'd given my sister.
“Hi, Carlos.” She wasn't short but had to stretch to press her lips to my cheek. “Glad to see you’re up and about.” I wasn't sure Muriella had told her about my meltdown, but if she trusted these people, I would too. At least on some level. They'd never treated me any differently than one of their own.
“I'm feeling much more myself.” That was the truth, yet I wasn't sure if that was necessarily a good thing. After being idle for a couple of days, I was itching to get back to some sort of action. Even though the old man was dead, there was still unfinished business.
“Then you'll be at dinner this evening.” She patted my arm and gave me a pleasant smile, one not to be argued with.
“I wouldn't miss it.”
“Hey, where's the little man?” Vivian asked, looking around the kitchen.
“He's in the living room, working on a puzzle,” Muriella answered. “I'm almost ready to go. I need to finish packing our lunch. Why don't you get him ready to leave?”
“I'll do it,” I volunteered, and looks fired at me from all directions as I left the room. Gabriel was in Muriella's chair, puzzle pieces spread on the ottoman.
“Hi, Mr. Carlos,” he said, shoving a giraffe in the correct slot.
“Are you ready to go to the park?”
Immediately, he dropped the next piece in his hand. “Yeah! Is it already time?”
I laughed and caught him in my arms when he launched himself at me. “It's time.”
“Are you taking me?” he asked hopefully.
“Not today. My sister is.”
“Tomorrow?”
“We'll see.” His arms tightened around my neck. “Would you like to hang out this afternoon when you get home? I'll teach you how to play soccer.”
“Okay. I've never played before.”
“Then I'll be honored to introduce you to the game.”
Muriella, Vivian, and Gabriel left for the park, leaving Daniel, Stone, and me to share a meal.
“Muriella says you can help me with obtaining legal status here,” I said to Daniel, forking a bite of lasagna. “I'd like it to be done quickly.”
“Do you need a new identity?” he asked.
I hesitated. The short answer was probably. There were plenty of people who wanted me dead. A new name would thwart them but not forever. Some of them could still reach me here, and they'd pursue it. Others would let it go once they found I was out of the game. Just because I'd gone off the radar didn't mean I was invincible.
There was also the issue of shedding the name of my father. I wanted to cut anything that tied me to him, yet Carlos Calderón was who I'd been for forty years. Changing my name wouldn't erase that.
Daniel watched me expectantly. Stone ate his lunch like it might get away if he let up the pace. “Would it make it easier?” I asked.
