The Mare

Ginger

Mrs. Vargas’s friend called and asked for me. Mrs. Vargas was in the room, I could hear her, but it was her friend who spoke English on the phone. She said, Silvia wants you to know Velvet’s report card had an A on it. They wrote a note on it saying she’s done better than ever, even though she didn’t come enough. She says because of that, please have her for Christmas. She’s getting into trouble here and Silvia knows she’ll be safe with you.

It was the first time she’d ever said please. It was the first time I’d heard her first name.