Chapter 3
—Life insurance—Lucía said suddenly. Too fast. Daniel turned to look at her angrily. Roberto took out another sheet of paper. —Beneficiaries were also changed. And the insurer was notified that any prior attempts at processing are under review. Lucia pressed her lips together. —You can’t just do that like that. Roberto looked at her over his glasses. —Yes, you can.
Daniel walked towards me. —Dad, you’re making a huge mistake. —The mistake was giving you keys to my safe. It stopped. I saw him there. A blink. A crack. —I never… —There were missing copies of documents that were only there. The notary confirmed that someone tried to schedule a signing for a transfer of rights. With my CURP (Mexican ID number). With a scanned copy of my INE (Mexican voter ID). With an email address that isn’t mine.
Lucia stood up. —This has become offensive. —It was offensive to sit in front of my cake yesterday and list my things on a napkin. I took the folded napkin out of my shirt pocket. I put it on the table. House. Workshop. Insurance. Investment account. Signature pending.
Daniel stared at her. He did not deny it. He couldn’t. “I just wanted to tidy up,” she finally said. “You don’t know what it costs to support a family.”
I laughed. Short. Sadly. “I opened the shop at six in the morning for thirty years, son. In the rainy season, when cars would arrive flooded from Viaducto. During emergencies, when everyone wanted to get their vehicles inspected. In December, when people spent money on posadas and didn’t want to pay for brakes. Don’t come telling me what a family costs.”
May you like
Sofia looked at me with her eyes full of tears. -Grandfather… Daniel turned towards her. —Get in the car with your brother. —No—I said. Daniel fixed his eyes on me. —Don’t involve my children. —You brought them to a meal where you thought you could convince me to sign over my own property. Don’t talk to me about protecting children.
Emiliano was crying harder. Lucía went to him, but Sofía didn’t move. “Did Dad want to take your house away?” he asked. Daniel froze. —Sofia, shut up. I felt something ancient stirring in my chest. —Don’t talk to him like that. —She’s my daughter. —And this is my house.
