I wish Moy had told me the name of the girl who was letting him paint in her apartment. Maybe Papa could have found out where she lives.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Papa brought Manman a bouquet of roses because it is Saint Valentine’s Day. At school some of the girls wore red. Even Immacula wore a red scarf with her black dress.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Moy came by tonight right before we went to bed. I was so happy to see him again. His sneakers were covered with paint and he looked a little thinner, but otherwise he seemed fine.

He and Papa didn’t say much to each other during the visit, but I could tell Papa was relieved to see him.

Manman was happy beyond her wildest dreams. Papa stayed alone in the living room while Manman and I took Moy to the kitchen to fill up a plate of food for him.

She asked him where he was staying. He said he was with a friend from school. He was going to get a job and maybe continue school while working.

“Our Moy, you are truly a man now,” Manman said, clutching the hand he was not using to eat.

“When are you coming to see us again?” I asked Moy.

“Soon,” he said, gently tapping me on the head, the way he always has. “You know, if I didn’t see my sister for too long, I would be too sad to live.”

It was just like Moy to say something like that when you were least expecting it.

“Come see us soon,” I said.

“Okay,” he said.

After he finished eating, Moy collected a few of his things, and with a nod toward Papa, who kept his eyes on the living room floor, he left again, but not before slipping me a piece of paper with a phone number where I can call if I need to reach him.

After Moy left, Manman and Papa got into an argument.

Manman asked Papa why he hadn’t even said a single word to Moy.

Papa said he didn’t want to talk to someone so stubborn.

“Oh yes, he is very stubborn,” Manman said. “You and he are fruits from the same tree.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

In homeroom, Immacula looked very agitated and worried. When I asked her what was wrong, she told me that her landlord had come over again, looking for her mother.

Immacula’s mother has been working both a day and a night job since Immacula’s father died.

Immacula is often late for school because she has to get her younger sisters ready as well as herself. Whenever one of Immacula’s sisters is sick, Immacula must stay home. This is why she is often absent from school.