Carmen was waiting beside the iron gate when Lucia came home with her son.
For an instant, the courtyard looked ordinary: cobblestones darkened by rain, washing overhead, a bicycle leaning against the stone wall. Then Lucia noticed Carmen’s leather gloves. Her former mother in law wore them whenever she wanted something unpleasant done without leaving a trace of herself.
“Come here, Mateo,” Carmen said.
The boy slowed. Lucia tightened her grip on his hand.
“We haven’t arranged a visit.”
“I am his grandmother. I don’t need an appointment to see him.”
“Seeing him and taking him somewhere are different things.”
Carmen glanced toward the entrance. Beyond the gate, a car idled at the curb. Its rear door stood open.
Lucia felt her stomach contract.
“Who is driving?”
“Someone who doesn’t need your permission.”
Carmen stepped forward and reached for Mateo’s shoulder. Lucia pulled him behind her navy trench coat, placing herself between them.
“Stay behind me, sweetheart.”
“You have kept him from us long enough,” Carmen snapped.
“Step back.”
Carmen caught the edge of Lucia’s sleeve and tried to reach around her. Mateo pressed his face against his mother’s back. Lucia twisted free. But Carmen advanced again, close enough that Lucia could smell her perfume.
“My son made a mistake marrying you. I won’t let his child pay for it.”
Her gloved hand reached past Lucia’s waist.
Lucia struck her.
The sound cracked against the stone walls. Carmen stumbled backward, one hand flying to her cheek.
For a heartbeat, nobody moved.
Then Mateo began to cry.
That sound brought Lucia back to herself. She lowered her hand immediately and turned enough to gather him against her side.
“I’m here. I’ve got you.”
Carmen stared at her, outrage replacing surprise.
“You hit me. In front of my grandson.”
Lucia’s fingers trembled. She did not strike again.
“You are not taking him.”
From a balcony above them, someone called Lucia’s name. A window opened across the courtyard. Carmen looked upward, calculating who had seen what.
Then she smiled.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Now everyone will know what kind of mother you are.”
