Page 110 of Cavern of Silence

He kisses me and leaves.

The youngest two girls sit stunned and in tears on the couch, huddled together, with the baby.

I cautiously approach them. In Spanish, I say, "I'm Julieta. What are your names?"

The older girl sniffles. Her blue eyes are wet, and she says, "I'm Alma. This is Paola." She points to her sister then to the baby. "This is Atzel."

I smile. "Those are pretty names. How old are you?"

"I'm eight, Paola is six, and Atzel is ten months old."

The baby cries. I check his diaper, and it's full. I ask the girls, "Can you show me where I can change Atzel?"

Paola jumps off the couch and takes my hand. She and Alma lead me to a nursery, and I change the baby.

I want to keep them occupied, and I'm not sure how, so I ask, "Have you eaten breakfast?"

They shake their heads, and Alma's eyes water again and her face scrunches. "We usually wait until Papa comes back from the barn with the eggs. But Dany said he got hurt and isn't coming back?"

What do I say to her?

I put my arm around her. "Let's go see what we can make that doesn't require cooking. I'm sure your mama will appreciate it." I'm not sure if it's safe to turn the gas on right now.

"Is my mama okay?" Paola asks.

I shift the baby in my arms and hug her, too. I quietly say, "She will be. Your mama needs to rest right now. Let's make breakfast and help her out, okay?"

Alma sniffles and nods.

I steer the girls into the kitchen and put Atzel into the high chair and gather avocados, berries, and some leftover ham from the fridge. There are tortillas and beans, but I set them aside until Ryker is back and can tell me it's okay to use the stove.

"I know how to heat the tortillas," Alma proudly states.

"I don't think we should use the gas stove right now."

"Sometimes, we do it outside at the fire pit."

"You do?"

"Yes. When it's really hot. Mama says it keeps the house cooler."

"Your mama is smart. Can you show me where the griddle and pots are for the fire?"

She opens a cabinet and pulls a pot and flat skillet out.

"Can you show me where your oil is?" I ask her.

"I'll get it," Paola says.

"And we put everything in this." Alma removes a large brown basket.

We place all the food, cutlery, matches, and cooking items in the basket, and I hand Atzel to Alma. I crouch down, face level to Paola. "Is there a blanket we can take outside for you to sit and play with Atzel?"

Her blue eyes widen, and she points to the kitchen door.

I tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Will you get it and bring it outside?"

"Okay."