There was no escaping the things pounding in her head. There was no denying the changes she’d been through. And no way to pretend they never happened. Jade gazed out the taxi’s window, seeing but not seeing the passing scenery. 

Did she want to return to Mexico? 

It was true, she’d run to California under duress. And she hadn’t taken all her things. Neither had she put the school up for sale. Did that mean she had a subconscious expectation of returning? Or simply that she couldn’t wait to get away...

She smiled. In spite of the speedy departure, and avoidance of Miguel’s messages, she’d had no conscious plans to stay in the States. Whether opening a hotel or a school, Chi’país was her home now.

That final pronouncement to her mother, rather than sadden Jade, had brought a gargantuan measure of relief. All the lies were bared. Some hadn’t received exact clarification, but they were open, like festering wounds, for her to either heal or allow to bring her down.

Jade messaged Mari and congratulated her on the job. No response. She must be in a meeting or conference. The schedule at those things was a bear. Barely a moment to go to the ladies room. Probably Mari wouldn’t see the message until three in the morning.

Her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten anything since the cookies at Mom’s. She groped inside her handbag but there was nothing to eat. 

A familiar looking sheet of yellow paper fluttered to the floor. 

Where did this one come from? It read: 

Life is good; life is easy. All things I want come to me.

My dearest Jade,

My time is waning on this side of the sky. Promise not to grieve for me; I have a lot of life still to live. And I will be behind you, guiding you—until you find someone to carry on for you. I suspect it will be the young Miguel. He is a great prodigy with amazing innate abilities. I have been schooling him in the ways of the earth.

Your father never admitted it, but I know your mother was the reason you did not come here more often. I am not casting blame, merely explaining why we did not have our time together. Your mother’s strict religious upbringing demanded that she keep you away from me. She, like our townspeople, did not understand. 

What an understatement—this whole mess was her mother’s fault—unintended as it was. Jade had no doubt Mom had what she thought were everyone’s best interests at heart, but…