Chapter 9
Jojo entered the house, after waving to Janeth and Erwin, who were pruning some shrub roses on the side of the house, no doubt for their statue of the Virgin Mary and St. Martin de Porres that Janeth had in their small apartment across the courtyard. He kicked off his shoes and lined them by the stairs. He walked toward the voices he heard, after folding the paper he had with the list of things he needed for their apartment. He stuck the list of clothes and sundries in the back of his pocket.
At the dinner table sat his mother, father, and Mateo. Jojo froze for a moment, caught off guard with Mateo’s appearance at the dining room. The dinner dishes had been put away, and there they sat, drinking coffee.
“Ah, Jojo, look who’s here finally?” Margarita said. “Did you have dinner?
