I peer over her shoulder at the kitchen entrance. It looks like a hurricane went through the room. There are puddles everywhere. All the furniture has been pushed to one side, covered in dust, while part of the wall and tiles are ripped open to expose pipes like a gaping wound.

“What happened here?” I ask.

“It’s a mess, I know. We’ve been having issues with our old pipes for a while but kept postponing repairs. And now the problems have caught up to us. I feel there’s a life lesson in here somewhere, no?” She chuckles sadly.

“How are you cooking for the kids?”

Dona Selma launches the stove a mournful look. “We can’t cook anything here. I’m bringing some food I prepare at home, but God knows I should stay away from the stove. We’re relying heavily on donations, now more than ever.”

She steers me out of the kitchen.

This is a disaster. Most families rely on Vozes being a free all-day day care service. How will they go on if they’re not able to feed the kids?

“What’s going to happen?” I ask her.

“I’m gathering price estimates from construction companies at the moment, but we can’t afford anything just yet.” She gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry. Maybe we’ll do a fundraiser event. A potluck with community leaders and small business owners, perhaps?”

I can’t help but feel like I let Vozes down. I haven’t been back in so long.

“I’m really sorry. I want to help.”

Dona Selma takes the box of bread from my hands. “You’re already helping.”

The sound of children playing in the back playground reaches us, and suddenly my eyesight blurs with tears. Dona Selma smiles, pulling me into a side hug.

“How are you this morning, love?” she asks. “Last night was tough. I’ve already heard rumors about the meeting in Romário’s office... I wish I’d been able to stop your mother, but I think Alice needed closure.”

“Closure? More like she wanted to set everything on fire.”

“Was it that bad?”

“Bad is an understatement.” I let out a long sigh, and she gives me an understanding look. “But I’m more worried about Salt’s future. It feels as if Grandma was the last force keeping us safe.”

I tell her everything about this morning’s encounter with the Deals Deals lawyer and Dona Selma listens, her expression growing more and more grave. When I’m done, she holds my hands in hers.

“Julieta knew this was a possibility,” she says. “Don’t let it scare you. That’s what they want—to make us all feel cornered. But you aren’t alone, Lari. There’s a whole community linking arms against them.”

The first tears roll down my cheeks.