“I can’t believe Jorge has to go back to court with your dad tomorrow. I was hoping he’d be there with me. I just—”

“It’s okay, Ma. You’ll be okay.”

“I don’t know, mijo. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this.”

I wish desperately that I could be there—that I could hold her hand during her hearing, or that I could go back to court with Pa, but I know I can’t. I need to be at school tomorrow. I have a trigonometry test that I can’t miss.

“You won’t be alone,” Jorge says suddenly. I turn toward him, unsure of how long he’s been standing behind me.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Ma asks.

“People have been calling, asking how Ernesto’s hearing went. So many of them asked if they could come with you that I had to turn down their offers, but you’ll have two people there: your neighbor, Mrs. Solís, and Lola Suárez, your coworker from the hotel. She became a citizen last year, and she really wanted to be there for you.”

“Okay,” Ma says with a small sigh. “Okay, that’s good.”

“Everything’s gonna be okay,” I say to her. “Just call us as soon as you can tomorrow. And who knows—maybe, if we’re able to pay the bond, you could even come home.”

“Yes,” Ma says, but she doesn’t sound convinced. “Maybe.”

When I wake up the next day, I know right away that there’s something unusual going on. I’m just not sure what it is. Truth be told, I feel good. I feel rested, the muscles in my back are loose, and the light of the rising sun is coming in softly through the curtains.

That’s when I realize what it is—I woke up before my alarm went off. Last night must’ve been the first real sleep I’ve gotten in weeks. I’d forgotten what this felt like.

I pick up my phone and look at the time. I could easily fall back asleep for another hour, but I decide not to. I roll out of bed and turn to take a quick look at Sophie, who’s still sleeping peacefully under the covers. Sneaking out the door as quietly as I can, I head straight for the bathroom to start getting ready for the day.

Since we first came to stay at Uncle Jorge’s, I had never gotten up before him and Amy. They’re early risers, but today is Friday and they probably want to take advantage of the fact that Ellie hasn’t woken them up yet. The apartment feels calm and silent as I tiptoe my way to the living room to review one last time before my trig test.