Tess and Paolo returned to Elenita’s house three hours later, long after the sun had set. To their embarrassment, the family was seated
at the dinner table picking at a meal of sisig, steamed fish, and rice sprinkled with fried garlic. “You couldn’t call?” said Lola Josefina, her nostrils flared in
disapproval.
“I’m sorry, Lola,” said Tess. She felt Paolo squeeze her shoulder, encouraging her to go on. “And everyone. We’re sorry. I guess we thought you needed your
privacy—” Her eyes landed on Dina, and she was surprised to find that much of the anger she felt towards her young cousin had diffused. Dina looked properly chastised; her eyes were
still rimmed with red from what Tess imagined had been an entire day of tears. She smiled, and a relieved-looking Dina smiled back.
Tita Elenit
