It landed directly on her head.
Water soaked her blouse.
Silence followed.
Then laughter.
Luía slowly looked up.
Beatriz and Bianca were hiding behind the hallway wall.
They expected screaming.
Instead, Luía wiped water from her face.
“Good aim.”
The twins stared.
“What?”
“That was actually pretty impressive.”
They looked at each other.
Bianca whispered, “She’s weird.”
Luía picked up the bucket.
“Next time, use less water.”
The twins froze.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to mop twice.”
Then she walked away.
No yelling.
No punishment.
No threats.
The girls stared after her.
Mariana watched from the staircase.
She didn’t laugh.
She was studying Luía.
Later that morning, Laura came into the kitchen.
She stood silently near the refrigerator.
Luía was washing dishes.
“Can I help?”
Laura didn’t answer.
Luía continued washing.
After a minute, Laura asked:
“Are you leaving?”
“Eventually.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
