She doesn’t like asking Pazito how he thought he did during an audition because if he believes he did his best and doesn’t get the job it’s made him sad in the past. Focusing on how the work made him feel instead has led to less disappointment down the line.

“I had a lot of fun!”

“Good. Did you thank them for their time?”

“Yup! And they thanked me for mine too!”

“Great job. You want to go get some lunch?”

“Okay.”

Gloria grabs her purse, but right before she gets up, her phone buzzes. She’s immediately uncomfortable, almost like her heart is being pinched, but it’s not Frankie calling her home. It’s Rolando, and Gloria is able to breathe again.

“Hello?”

“Gloria, hey. How are you?”

“I’m good, I’m good. Pazito and I are about to leave an audition.”

“He’s a star.”

Gloria plays with Pazito’s hair. “He sure is. How are you?”

“Having a bit of a day,” Rolando admits. It hurts her heart to hear a heaviness in his voice. “Are you and Paz headed home right now?”

“We’re actually about to go find some lunch. Take advantage of being in the city.”

“Do you mind if I join? I’d love to see you.”

Gloria freezes. “You’re more than welcome. Pazito would love to see you.”

Rolando is quiet long enough that Gloria wonders if she said something wrong. Before she can ask, Rolando says, “Do you know where you’d like to eat?”

“I think we’re going to do McDonald’s or Burger King.”

“How about we grab a bite at Desiderata’s?”

The restaurant where Rolando first told Gloria he loved her, back when they were babies in college. Gloria knows she should think this is inappropriate, or even that it’s harmless because not only does Rolando know she’s married—he was a groomsman at her wedding, after all, since Frankie is short on friends—but Rolando also knows she’s a mother who would never break her family apart.

Not even if she wants to follow her heart elsewhere.

But what if she did?

What if instead of waiting to follow her heart, she picks it up and carries it where she wants to go?

Gloria tells Rolando, “Desiderata’s sounds wonderful.” And before she can hang up, she adds, “I’d love to see you too.”

Orion

11:33 a.m.

I’m going to Ground Zero.

I send the text to Dalma, and she calls immediately. I’m not surprised. I always imagined my first visit to the site would be with Team Young, especially Dalma, who also knows the pains of losing a parent. I bet she envisioned it that way too.