After Robbie’s death, all her mother’s warmth and softness vanished, replaced by an icy indifference to everything and everyone. Most days she acted as if Robbie’s death were some singular event that only affected her, like Becca’s brother dying hadn’t ravaged the entire family. Becca dug her nails into her palms, doing her best not to say something she might regret.

“Virginia, that’s enough!” Rafi snapped. Everyone turned toward him, his brown eyes dark slits. By nature, Rafi was as quiet and reserved as Virginia was outspoken and brash. To hear him shout, especially at her mother, was entirely unprecedented.

“Rafi, she can’t keep…”

“Virginia, shut up. Do not say another word,” Rafi said again. Virginia stood with her mouth hanging open, staring back at him in stunned silence.

He regarded Becca with his wise, knowing eyes. “Becca, what do you need from us?” he said.

Until that very moment, Becca wasn’t sure what she needed. She wasn’t sure of anything. Suddenly it all came into focus. “Christian and I are going to look for Ash. Can you stay here in case she comes home?” Becca said.

“Of course, mija. As long as you need us to.”

Becca glanced over at Christian. “Can we please go?”

“I don’t know. I forgot how entertaining the Ortiz family could be,” he said.

Becca spent her entire marriage ignoring Christian’s ill-timed attempts at humor. Today was no exception. She hurried into the kitchen, grabbed a plastic Baggie and a handful of Freud’s treats. Freud was such a big baby, he would likely be uneasy when she found him. The treats would calm him. She tucked them into her pocket and headed for the front door. She told herself to keep going, but something stopped her. She had spent so long staying quiet, allowing her mother to say whatever she wanted about Ash. It seemed disloyal now. She spun around, all her anger and frustration directed at Virginia. “Mama, I want you to listen to me carefully. I will not allow anyone, especially you, to disparage Ash. She’s a child who has been through hell and is clearly dealing with something now. If you can’t accept that, if you can’t respect me and Ash, I don’t want you in my home,” Becca said angrily. She didn’t bother to wait for her mother’s reaction. She was almost out the front door when Rafi stopped her.

“Becca, wait.”

“Papa, I have to go.”

“I know, mija.” He reached out and pulled her in close, holding her tight, the same way she hugged Ash. “Good for you for standing up for Ash.”