Seth cleared his throat, and when he spoke, his voice sounded flat. “I love you like a brother, Cyrus,” he said, his eyes darting back and forth like scattering pebbles. “I remember the first time I saw you. You were bigger, stronger, and better looking than anyone we’d ever met, and you could do anything with your hands. You caught every eye in the room. Especially Izzy’s. The two of you were like one person for so long. Like you could read each other’s minds. Nephy and I watched you. We wanted to be like that. We learned from you. It’s possible to overcome shit and find love, that’s what you taught us. It’s still possible to love. I miss you, man. Find a way back to us somehow.”

Seth wandered off to the side near Ever, who stood alone, leaning back, arms and legs crossed, against one of the cars; he and Izzy had decided it might bring up too many questions if they sat together. Seth dropped his cigarette butt at Ever’s feet and stomped at it with his boot. Ever glanced sideways at Seth, then dipped his chin and raised his eyebrows in Izzy’s direction. I’ve got your back. I’m here.

It was Del’s turn to speak. He carried a beer in his hand and took a swig, spilling some as he set down the can. It seemed he had shrunken in width and height since Cyrus’s disappearance.

“My son is missing,” Del read from a tattered sheet of paper. “I like to believe things happen for a reason. Like the way Cyrus came into our lives. But now I’m wondering, what reason was there? There’s no meaning. There’s just shit. I’d rather die than lose a kid. And if someone hurt my kid, we’re coming for you. You will never sleep again. Because we’re coming for you.”

Larry stood and walked over to Del, putting his hand on the other man’s shoulder and leading him back to his seat. Then Larry walked back up front. “Everyone knew Cyrus Rivera and I had our differences,” he said. A palpable quiet fell over the group. “I wanted to protect my little girl, is that so wrong? I will always protect my little girl. But I know now that what I was trying to protect her from was wrong. I was trying to protect her from Cyrus and all the while there was something else lurking, someone else in the dark, waiting out there. Who knows, maybe Cyrus was trying to keep Izzy safe? Maybe he’ll make it back to us. Either way, he’s gone now. I wish him back if only for my girl. And if you’re gone Rivera, rest peaceful.”