“Of course.”
Zita hung up and turned to Beatriz and Teresa, who were waiting next to her. “Elena’s had a baby girl. Both mama and baby are doing fine.”
Beatriz closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanks.
“We’ll visit after dinner.” Which she should start making. The other girls had arrived home from school and were doing their homework, and Julio was finally sleeping. “Can you pick me some beans?” she asked Beatriz.
The girl nodded and headed outside.
Zita went into the kitchen and Teresa followed.
“Any news about my family?” she asked.
Zita shook her head, feeling bad for her. “We’re still waiting for your mother to go to the office in the city and fill out the paperwork for asylum.”
“Could you call them again?” Her voice was quiet, pleading.
Zita couldn’t refuse. “I don’t want to risk making your father suspicious, but I’ll call Fernando and ask if he’s been in contact.”
Teresa beamed at her.
She dialed the number and Fernando answered. “Hola.It’s Zita. How are things?”
“I was going to call you tomorrow. Johanna submitted all of the paperwork today. Now we have to wait for it to be processed.”
Zita put her hand over the receiver and told Teresa. The girl burst into tears. Zita hugged her. “That’s great news. Thank you for your help.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Zita hung up and handed Teresa a tissue.
“They’ll be here soon, won’t they?” Teresa said.
“I hope so.” She wouldn’t make promises she couldn’t keep. So much could happen between now and when the application was approved. “Why don’t you go and wash up? Dinner won’t be long.”
“OK,” Teresa said and walked out.
Zita breathed out, pressing her palms into her eyes to stop the tears. This was the worst part. The waiting, the uncertainty. Teresa hadn’t even received her own approval to stay. Her hearing was a couple of weeks away and they were still putting together evidence to prove her story. Fernando had helped, as he was quietly building a case against the gang who had captured her.
In the meantime, there was nothing else Zita could do.
With a sigh, she turned her attention to dinner.
***
It was Friday before Zita had a chance to investigate law school. She’d been too busy caring for the girls and a teething Julio, and double checking that everything was in place for new baby Xaviera. Carmen had spent most of her days at the hospital with Elena, supporting her and teaching her about baby care.
Zita hadn’t even had much time to talk to David, who had called a couple of times, but generally during the rush that was dinner time. They had arranged to go out on Saturday night and she couldn’t wait.
The house was now quiet and the girls were all in bed. Zita switched on her laptop and searched for law school entry requirements. As she read through the information she discovered there was a law school admission test she had to do for entry, and there was one coming up in a couple of weeks.
It had been such a long time since she’d sat a test. Her skin tightened thinking about it. After her mother had begun fostering girls, Zita had had little time to study, and now there was even less time in her day.
She’d probably fail. But if she didn’t tell anyone about the test, no one would ever know. She’d only disappoint herself.
And if she didn’t register, she’d disappoint herself anyway.
She took a deep breath and filled in the registration form. Then she downloaded the sample questions. She had to be positive. She tutored the girls every day, she just needed to tutor herself as well.
Zita opened the first document.
Shecoulddo this.
