SOFIA
For the first time since Miguel suddenly stood and ran for the front door of the restaurant, I think of Mateo at Nico’s with Gladys.
I step outside into the humid night and pull my phone from the pocket of my apron. My hands are shaking so badly, I can barely put through the call.
“Hi there,” Gladys says. “All is well here. He went down nice and easy and has been asleep for more than an hour.”
“Gladys.”
“What, honey? What’s wrong?”
I can’t get the words past the massive lump in my throat.
“Are you all right?”
“Nico’s brother, Milo, was shot. He’s in surgery. It’s bad.”
“Oh God. Oh no.”
“It was Joaquín. They must have thought he was Nico. They shot him because of me.”
“Oh, honey. My Lord.”
“He was shot in the neck. The doctor said he could die or be paralyzed.”
“And you’re blaming yourself for what that son of a bitch and his friends did. Am I right?”
“They wouldn’t be targeting Nico or his brother if it wasn’t for me.”
“This is about them, not you. How long have I been telling you that man was trouble?”
“As long as I can remember.”
“I was so thankful when you finally listened to me and left him, chica.”
“I don’t know what to do. The Giordinos have been so good to me and Mateo, and this is the thanks they get? One of their beloved family members fighting for his life because of me?”
“It’s because of him, not you.”
“I didn’t pull the trigger, but dear God, Gladys. Milo could die because of my ex-husband. And Nico… He’s blaming himself. He let Milo take his rides tonight knowing Joaquín and his boys were harassing us. We just never imagined they’d go this far.” And then another thought occurs to me. “Oh my God. The flowers. I sent back his flowers.”
“What flowers?”
“He sent dozens of roses to me at work with a note apologizing for everything and promising it would be different if I gave him another chance. I sent them back.” I slide down the stucco wall to sit on the sidewalk as sobs shake my entire body. “I made him mad, Gladys, and he took it out on poor Milo.”
“He’s a sociopath, Sofia, who should’ve been locked up forever years ago. This is not your fault!”
“I didn’t even know he’d made bail until the flowers arrived.”
“What did he think sending flowers was going to do? Change your mind about leaving him? He’s insane. We knew that before he shot Nico’s brother. The best thing you ever did was get yourself and your son away from him. If there’s any good news in all of this, perhaps the court will ban him now from seeing Mateo.”
That’s a speck of good news in a sea of despair.
“I’ll be here for as long as you need me. Don’t worry about me or Mateo. Take care of Nico and do what you can for the family.”
“Are you sure I should be here? Maybe I should go back to my place—”
“No! Do not go near there, do you hear me? Stay with Nico. You’re safer with him.”