Mrs.Hernandes took apastelitooff the plate, and Drea handed her a napkin.“God bless your momma,pequeña.May He bear witness to her struggles and reward her in His kingdom.”
“Amen,” Drea said, because it was expected.
“You are a good girl.Una buena chica.” Mrs.Hernandes patted her arm.“You did your duty.Now, go live your life,pequeña.”
If only she knew what she wanted to do.She’d been good at English, but had no real inclination to teach, like Harper did.She’d thought about writing a book once.Hmm.Maybe.She was quick on her feet with café math, but didn’t have the capabilities to go further in that field.
The house was busier than she’d expected.Aunt Celine had arrived with some family friends.Mr.Escudero was sitting on the sofa.Nine or ten more neighbors, Trent and Harper, a couple of people who had gone to school with Rosa, and Dina, who ran the day center her mom had gone to a couple of days a week before she got too sick.
Cujo caught her eye and tilted his head to encourage her over.Thepastelitos.He’d already eaten five.She narrowed her eyes at him and he pouted.Full on, bottom lip sticking out pouted.
“Fine,” she said, walking over to him.
“See.Knew you liked me.”He popped a whole pastry into his mouth and chewed.“Man, this is some good shit.”
“Funeral, bro,” Trent said, knocking him in the stomach and pinching a pastry off the plate.
“Sorry, Drea,” Cujo mumbled.
She wandered back into the kitchen to grab another pot of coffee.
“Drea, can I have a word?”Mr.Ibarra stood in a suit two sizes too small while dabbing at a thin line of sweat along his receding hairline.He held a manila folder under his arm and smelled like bread, a by-product of his law office being above a local bakery.
“Of course,” Drea put the coffeepot back down.
“Firstly, my deepest condolences.Your mom called me several years ago, asked if I could help her get her documents in order.She had a small policy for funeral expenses.”
“What does it cover exactly?”He passed her a small pamphlet from the folder, and she looked inside.
“It’s a simple package.To cover the cost of the coffin, cremation, and such.The details of how to claim are in there.”
There was no mention of insurance in her mom’s files, but she sent her a silent prayer of thanks.Any help would come in handy.As it was, there hadn’t been a single frill in her mom’s funeral.She’d managed to cover the deposit, but paying the full amount had involved asking José for a large advance on her salary.
“The will is straightforward.She left everything to you.I can recommend a reasonable accountant who can help you figure all this out.”
Accountants cost money.She wondered if H&R Block dealt with stuff like this.
He slid an envelope across the table.Seeing her name in her mom’s handwriting brought tears to her eyes.“Your mom called me recently and I came to see her.She left this with us for safekeeping.This is the only copy.”
“How much does my mom owe you for all this, Mr.Ibarra?”
“Oh, no charge, Drea.My wife used to go to school with your mom.They were very good friends at one time.In hindsight, I think we both wish we had done more to help you while she was still here.I’m sorry for your loss, Andrea.”
Mr.Ibarra left the kitchen.Drea stared at the envelope he left behind.She should do another round with the coffee, but she was desperate to read what her mother had written.
Without another thought for her guests, she grabbed the letter and stepped outside.She ripped the envelope and pulled the letter out.
Dear Andrea,
I’m sorry.I should never have been your problem to care for and look after.But you did an amazing job, baby girl.I know it’s been hard.And I didn’t help when I could have, or should have.I am proud of you, the smart, capable, responsible woman you have become.
Forgive me, Andrea.I wanted so much more for you than I was able to give you.Live your life, experience the things I stopped you from doing.
I love you,
Mom
***
