Saint shrugged. “I learned from the best.”

Papo scowled and mumbled something about his past biting him in the ass.

“Also,” Saint continued, “since he will no longer be going anywhere without me, he has the time to volunteer where extra help is needed. It will be good for him to see all the work that goes into caring for people like him. Maybe that way he will learn that he’s not the most important person in this facility and his actions affect everyone around him.”

Well, damn. So far this was a pretty good punishment.

“That’s not enough,” Benny yelled in Spanish. He pounded a fist on the table. “I want him to be kicked out. I don’t want to see his stupid traitor facemore. I want to see it less.”

“Who are you calling a traitor?” Papa tossed right back at Benny.

“You. I’m callingyoua traitor.”

Now both men were standing and yelling at each other across the table.

“I don’t even know you like that! What is your problem with me?”

“I don’t like you. I don’t like anything about you!”

“That. Is. Enough,” Maria said loudly and firmly. She stood. “You will both sit down and you will stop acting like children.”

Benny and Papo plopped into their seats, but continued to slaughter each other with looks.

“As you can see, this is not as black-and-white as it appears. Both men are guilty of being the aggressors in this situation and as such, both will receive a warning and consequences.”

Lola was ready to open her mouth, but Maria raised her hand. “Please, let me finish before you unleash your fire, Lola.”

They’d come to know each other better ever since Lola returned and had been stopping by to check on Benny daily while volunteering a few hours a week. They’d built mutual respect, so Lola closed her mouth and ceded the floor. For now.

“Because what Mr. Vega did was far beyond anything Mr. León has done. His consequences will be far more severe. Not only will he do everything Saint has suggested, but this is also his last warning. Any other incidences of this nature will result in an immediate expulsion from the center regardless of intent or his state of mind. I will not budge on this. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

Both Vegas nodded their heads.

“As for Mr. León, as soon as he is fully recovered, he will also volunteer during our community activities. I think it is imperative for him to learn that while no one can or will force him to be friends with the other residents, he cannot and will not antagonize someone else, especially not because they just happen to be someone he doesn’t like.

“Lola, if this resolution does not meet with your approval and you’re still concerned about your grandfather’s safety, we will cover all contract termination and relocation fees so your grandfather may move to another facility. Of course, you are also welcome to submit a formal complaint with El Vecindario.”

She stood and brushed down her wrinkled skirt. “Now. I ask that if you would like to continue to visit with your grandfathers you do so in their respective lodgings.” She motioned to the door. Clearly, they were all dismissed.

Papo Vega was the first one to leave the room. Saint hung back. He stared at her, the look on his face saying he wanted to talk.

Too bad. Lola had done all of the talking to him that she was going to do. Instead, she turned to Benny. “Do you want to stay, or do you want to go?” she asked him. “I’ll get you out of here right now if you want.”

“Oh. Now you ask me what I want? After you disappeared with the enemy for twenty minutes then did nothing to help me?” The sarcasm was thicker than his accent.

Out of the corner of her eye she watched Saint engage Maria in conversation in front of the door.

“I was trying to defend you,” she said. “Although lord knows why since you did a great job of making yourself look like the instigator and him like the victim.”

“Don’t start,” Benny told her in Spanish. “And you can forget about whatever plans you have to complain to the city or whoever, because I’m not leaving.”

Lola sighed. “Benny, don’t you want to be safe and happy? There are plenty of other places.”

“I’m telling you that I’m not leaving.”

“What if you moved in with me?”

He snorted. “Where? You live in a closet. You don’t even have a bedroom.”