“Because I’ve helped her from the beginning. She may think I’m abandoning her.”
Carly raised an eyebrow. “You’ll be learning more about the system, and helping the girls in court. That hardly counts as abandonment.”
“She always says she’ll be lost without me,” Zita said quietly.
“It’s an expression, Z. She appreciates your help, I’m sure she does, but if you’re not happy, we have to fix it.”
Tears rose to her eyes and she blinked rapidly to prevent them from falling.
“Chiquita, I’m sorry,” said Carly. “I should have asked you what you wanted. We all assumed you were happy.”
Zita didn’t blame Carly at all. She’d always spoken up about small things she was unhappy with, but this was too big. It affected her whole family.
“Is there anything else you’re not happy about?” Carly asked.
Zita glanced around the garden. Was it best to fix one thing at a time? Would she appear like the most ungrateful cow if she asked for more?
“What is it, Z?” Carly urged, her voice stern.
Her throat choked up. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does.”
She shook her head. “I’m being too selfish.”
“You’re the most unselfish person I know, Zita Flanagan, so spill.”
Zita sighed. “Eventually, if we find a caregiver, I’d like to move out of home. I’d like my own space.”
“Oh,niñita. Of course you can. We’ve been so neglectful of you, making these assumptions while you’ve been unhappy all this time.” Carly pulled her into a hug.
“Not always. Just lately.”
“We’re going to fix it. You find out about law school and tell me what the next step is.”
“All right.”
“We should go in, otherwise Mama will wonder what we’re up to,” Carly said, getting to her feet.
“You’re right.” Zita didn’t need her mother asking questions.
***
Zita woke early on Monday morning before the girls were up.
She fed Bess and Saint, who were always quick to appear when anyone was in the kitchen. Alejandra came in, carrying Julio.
“I didn’t hear him last night,” Zita commented. “Did he sleep through?”
“Yes. He was a good boy.” Alejandra took a seat at the breakfast bar while she breastfed her son.
Zita placed a bowl of cereal in front of her.
“Thanks, Zita.”
The other girls came downstairs one by one, dressed for the day. Elena was getting slower and slower, with her pregnancy causing her a lot of discomfort. She was due any day.
Carmen came inside from the garden and fussed around Elena. “We’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
