"That friend of yours must be really important to you, huh? How come he didn't come with you?" Leona asked.
The moment Calixta crossed his mind, Eliseo's heart gave a sharp, painful twist.
"Yeah. But she left over half a year ago."
Leona froze mid-movement. Looking at the heavy, palpable sadness hanging around Eliseo, she was instantly flustered, not knowing what to do with herself.
"I'm so sorry. I ran my mouth without thinking and brought up something painful for you."
Eliseo shook his head. "Don't blame yourself. I'm the one who lost her."
"What'd you lose?" Dennis called out as he walked down the stairs.
Washed clean, he'd shed the soft, delicate look he'd had earlier, now carrying the sharp, unyielding edge of a young man. Even the slouchy oversized T-shirt he wore looked brig
