At first, I turn down her offer. In the back of my mind, I hear Pa’s voice telling me to look after the business, to keep the bodega running, because the family depends on it. After a couple of hours, though, when things slow down and Erika and I are just standing around waiting for the bell at the front door to ring, I finally find the strength to tell her that I’m heading home early.

“Don’t worry,” she says to me. It’s almost as if she can sense the guilt I feel about leaving her alone. “Try to take it easy tonight, maybe go to bed early. You look like you need it.”

“Thanks, Erika,” I say as I push the front door of the bodega open.

I’m walking across Avenue A with my thoughts firmly set on taking a shower and a nap as soon as I get to Uncle Jorge’s, when my phone buzzes inside my pocket.

It’s a text from Adam. Hey, it says. What are you up to?

I don’t know what to say. I almost shove my phone back inside my pocket, but I choose to ignore my instinct and begin to type. Hey. Just leaving the bodega. Heading home now.

My hands feel sweaty as I start making my way down Eleventh Street. Ironically, all of my exhaustion has vanished. Now that Adam’s text has brought adrenaline rushing through my veins, a part of me wonders if I should just head right back to the bodega and finish my shift.

Before I can make up my mind, my phone buzzes again. I’m on my way downtown, Adam writes back. Can I see you for a bit?

My fingers hover over my phone for a second. Trying not to overthink it, I write, Okay.

Where should I meet you?

You could come to my uncle’s place. I send him the address, and then I speed up a little, wanting to make it to Jorge’s before Adam gets there.

When I walk into the apartment, I find Sophie sitting on the couch next to Amy. They both stare at me with a surprised look on their faces, which makes me feel as though I just interrupted them doing something important.

“What are you guys doing?”

“We’re reading books,” Amy says.

I smile at them, but then I notice the way Sophie is slumping on the couch, staring blankly at the book she has open in front of her, and the same old helplessness washes over me.

I’m about to go sit down next to her, but then my phone buzzes again. I’m here.

“I have to go meet someone,” I say to Amy. “I’ll be back.”