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10:22 p.m.

The best of planners are prepared as if they have already seen the future, but no one, not even Gloria, could have foreseen

that such an intense family dinner would have led to an opportunity for Pazito to act again—for Death-Cast no less!

It is tragic, of course, that the closing of one door has led to the opening of another for Pazito. Gloria feels for Marcel

and his family on this young man’s End Day. She knows that Pazito has often felt as if his life and dreams ended on the first

End Day because what is a life without dreams, even when you’re still breathing? But today a family will mourn their own son

as he takes his last breath, if he has not already. It’s ripping Gloria apart, and since she cannot go to New York, she wants

to hold Pazito close here, but between Alano’s amazing influence, the protection of the Shield-Cast agents, and the loving

care of Naya, and yes, even overprotective Joaquin, Gloria knows that Pazito will be in good hands. That he needs this trip

to get his life back on track.

The road to this moment has been long and winding, but you can only overcome roadblocks with persistence. Gloria could not

be happier that Pazito is being rewarded for staying the course.

As Pazito showers and Rolando continues his job search in the bedroom, Gloria is tidying the kitchen and enjoying flamenco guitar songs on the radio. She is getting so lost in the music that she almost misses the knock at the door.

Who could it be at this hour? Did the Rosas forget something? She hopes this isn’t some bold reporter disturbing their peace.

Gloria opens the door to find a woman around her age. “Hello?”

“Good evening. Are you ?”

“I am, but I am not speaking with reporters. Have a good night,” Gloria says, closing the door until the woman asks her to

wait.

“My name is Margie Hunt. I’m the shopkeeper at Present-Time in Hollywood.” She pulls out a light green gift box with a beige

bow. “My store was attacked a few nights ago, and the cleanup has been a mess, but I wanted to deliver this personally along

with my apology and condolences.”

Gloria is confused as she inspects the gift box. It’s not as if Gloria has many friends out here, but someone regarded her

enough to take time out of their End Day to send her a present. Her heart breaks over the possibility that it was a woman

from the shelter, but she can’t find a tag.

“Who sent this?” Gloria asks.

The Present-Time shopkeeper is confused. “Your son...?”

“My son is not dead,” Gloria says. What a horrible thing to say.

Then Gloria’s heart breaks because Pazito may not be dead, but he tried to die again.