He and Angel had never exchanged phone numbers, so she had no way of saying no until he went to pick her up. Is it right to do this to her? He could only hope she’d be swayed by the invitation and Kinley’s present. There was a fifty-fifty shot he’d show up and Angel would be wearing yoga pants and slam the door in his face. I bet she looks cute in yoga pants, though.

Angel stood over Jose. He smiled in his sleep as early-morning sun streamed through the grimy window. The boy’s small chest rose and fell rhythmically under the quilt his abuela had made for him, each knot imbued with the deep love of a grandma. Angel wanted to climb under the blanket, cuddle up to her son’s warmth and his innocence, and sleep for a week.

He was so peaceful, not a care in his little world. She bent over and kissed his forehead lightly, blanketing him with more love, pouring prayers of protection onto him. Because spring, with its pollen and molds, was on the way. Death was on the horizon. A tear rolled down her nose and dropped onto his forehead.

No more of that. It’s not the zombie apocalypse. Get ahold of yourself.

Fifteen minutes later, a sleepy Jose shared an apple, egg, and toast with Angel while she watched CNN. When she asked Jose if he knew where his shoes were, she heard a reporter say Duke’s name. And hers.

A national network was playing a video clip of the green-eyed Bronx Bolt pitcher holding a startled woman in scrubs. It was like a scene out of Gone with the Wind as he locked his lips onto hers. She saw herself shut her eyes and respond enthusiastically. His expression was intense, passionate. It made for good TV.

“Mama?”

“Yes, I know. That’s me.”

“You are hooking up with the Duke!”

“I am not hooking up with anybody. He was giving me a thank-you kiss, for helping him with something. Like the other day.”

The announcer said, “It looks like the Duke’s heart has been mended after what was undeniably a rough year for the seasoned pitcher. Hopefully, a smooch from his new girlfriend bodes well for the season. Good luck, Duke!”

Jose grinned at her, now wide awake. She could only imagine the excited gossip among the kids in his classroom that day.

As he finished tying his shoes, she changed out of scrubs, into jeans and a T-shirt, put on a peacoat with a high collar, and tugged a beanie down over her hair. Catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror, she felt like an actor in a movie. She was a student nurse; who was she to be going incognito?