Page 23 of Brandishing Beginnings

Arturo shook his head and ran his hand through his short black hair, slicking it back before he pulled his hat over his head.

Kara’s phone continued to ring on the table beside me.

“You should answer that,” Arturo said, nodding toward the phone.

It had already stopped ringing, so I shrugged. I was stoned and feeling lazy. “Not my phone. It’s Kara’s.”

“Bet it’s important,” Arturo said.

When it rang again, I picked it up. Turning it over, I saw it was Marcos and frowned, answering it quickly. “Marcos, hey, it’s Maya.”

“Where’s Kara? I need to speak to her.” Marcos’s voice was thick with emotion, his words rushed.

“She’s outside. Is everything OK?” I quickly stood up; phone pressed to my ear.

“No. I need—” Marcos choked up, like he was stifling a sob.

My heart plummeted to my stomach as a chill went down my spine.Something was wrong.“Hold on, let me find her.” Rushing toward the back patio door, I heard Marcos sniff and clear his throat.

Opening the door, I looked around the back porch, cursing when I didn’t immediately see Kara and Kyle. “Fuck,” I grunted. Turning around, I closed the door and rushed to the front door.

I threw open the front door, startling Kara and Kyle mid make-out session. They jumped apart as I rushed forward. “Kara, it’s Marcos.” I pushed the phone at her, knowing I probably looked frazzled—because I was.

I’d never heard Marcos sound like that before, and it tore at my heart.

“Marcos?” Kara asked.

I hovered, not giving my friend space to speak to her brother. I needed answers.

“What do you mean? Mom?” Kara choked out.

My heart broke as I watched Kara’s face fall, before her whole body fell as her knees buckled and Kara collapsed onto the front porch.

“Shit,” Kyle swore, swooping in to catch Kara before she could hit the concrete.

I jumped with him, grabbing the phone as it ground. “What happened?”

“Mom’s—” A sob tore out of her.

Carlita is gone. I just knew it in my heart, the panic in Marcos’s voice, Kara’s knee-buckling reaction—I just knew it.

I wrapped my arms around Kara and held her tightly, “I’ve got you.” I looked down at the phone in my hand and saw the call with Marcos was still connected. “Hey Marcos,” I murmured softly, “we’re going to call you back in a little bit, OK?”

Marcos cleared his throat. “Yeah, Maya. Thanks.” His voice was thick, the tears evident.

I ended the call and tucked the phone in my back pocket. “Come girl. Let’s get you in the house.”

Kyle and I helped Kara to her feet, sobs wracking her body as we guided her in the house. Kara was inconsolable, and I felt helpless. Our friends were startled as they took on the scene, as everyone realized that something serious had happened after I had rushed outside.

“What happened?” Stephanie asked, her eyes wide, as she rushed to Kara’s side.

I shook my head and mouthed,her mom.

Stephanie’s eyes widened in shock. Karma gasped from the dining room.

“What happened?” Arturo’s deep voice carried from the dining room of the open concept layout.

I ignored them as I held and rocked my devasted friend.

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