“Laura!”
Luía immediately checked her breathing.
The girl was conscious but shaking.
“She needs medical attention,” Luía said.
Ricardo picked her up.
“Call the ambulance.”
Then Laura whispered something.
“Dad.”
“I’m here.”
“Don’t let her leave.”
Ricardo looked at Luía.
“Who?”
Laura pointed weakly toward Luía.
“Her.”
PAGE 9
Laura spent the night in the hospital.
The doctors said it was an anxiety episode.
Nothing physically dangerous had happened.
But the emotional damage was real.
Ricardo sat beside her bed.
Luía sat on the other side.
At three in the morning, Laura opened her eyes.
“Dad?”
“I’m here.”
“Is Luía here?”
“Yes.”
Laura looked toward the chair.
Luía smiled.
“I’m here.”
Laura closed her eyes.
“I thought everyone leaves.”
Ricardo took her hand.
“Not us.”
Laura looked at him.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
She looked at Luía.
“Promise?”
Luía nodded.
“Promise.”
The girl smiled weakly.
