Chapter 11 - Officer López's Promise
María and Emily remained in occasional contact through appropriate channels.
On Emily's fourteenth birthday, Sarah invited María to a small backyard celebration.
Emily had grown taller.
María almost didn't recognize her.
“You look different,” María said.
“So do you.”
“I've gotten old.”
Emily grinned.
“I wasn't going to say it.”
Later, Emily asked María something serious.
“Did you know that night?”
“Know what?”
“That something was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
María considered her answer.
“Because you were afraid.”
Emily looked down.
“That was enough?”
May you like
“To check? Yes.”
That answer stayed with Emily.
