Page 49 of Loco

It was when I glanced over that something made me still.

Kairo had woken up at some point. He was lying on the couch where Roque had left him, his head tilted slightly and his eyes watching me and his sister quietly.

I offered a soft smile and leaned forward a little. “Hi, Kairo. I’m Sayla,” I said gently, not too loud or bright. “Would you like a popsicle to help cool your tummy down?”

He didn’t say anything but gave the faintest nod, his eyes wide and tired. I could see the wariness and hesitation there. It hit me like a punch to the chest.

Roque had gone to grab a quick shower—he’d looked like he needed it—and now all I could think about was how much better Kairo would’ve felt if he were here.

Still, I got up quietly, grabbed another popsicle, and poured some Gatorade into a second sippy cup, just in case.

When I returned, Kaida was chattering softly to him, as toddlers do—completely nonsensical but full of conviction. She pointed at the screen, back at me, and then to the popsicle like she was explaining a very important system.

Whatever it was, it seemed to make sense to Kairo because when I knelt beside him and handed him the treat, he took it with a small, hesitant smile.

“Fanks,” he whispered.

I blinked back at the sudden sting in my eyes. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Roque came in just then, hair still damp, clean t-shirt clinging to his chest. He clocked Kairo immediately, a relieved smile tugging at his face.

“Hey, buddy,” he said, crouching beside the couch. “This is Sayla. She brought some cupcakes and soup over for when you feel better. They’re the best ones you’ll ever taste.”

Kairo’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Roque. He didn’t say anything, but he looked settled.

Kaida had started to droop again, her little body wilting like a flower in the sun, so I tucked her in beside her brother, pulling a light blanket over them. She curled into him instinctively, and he didn’t move away.

They watchedShreklike that, quiet and soft and close, and I stood for a moment longer just watching them.

Then, I padded into the laundry room and transferred the sheets into the dryer. The smell of detergent filled the space, clean and grounding.

When I stepped back into the kitchen, I turned to Roque. “I’ll leave you to it,” I said softly. “They’re okay now, and you’ve got this.”

He glanced over at the couch, then back to me. “Do you have to go?”

I hesitated. “It’s probably better for them if I do. They’ve had a rough night.”

He nodded reluctantly. “Yeah, okay.”

I moved through the living room to say goodbye, crouching to brush Kaida’s hair back when Kairo’s small hand suddenly closed around mine.

“Can you stay?” he asked, voice small but certain.

My heart stuttered. I looked up at Roque, who just nodded once.

“Okay,” I said, squeezing Kairo’s hand. “I’ll stay.”

And I did.

The day passed in a haze of cartoons, cold compresses, and soft voices. I rubbed little backs when the kids curled beside me, helped Roque cycle through endless loads of laundry, and tried to stop the dogs from knocking me over every time I stood up. Even Dog head-butted my leg once like he was starting to accept me again.

By evening, the kids hadn’t thrown up for hours, and their eyes were brighter, so we gave them some soup—just a little, warm, and careful. They ate it without fuss.

That was when I saw it in Roque’s eyes—the shift. The weight was still there, but underneath it, something softer. Something hopeful.

And somehow, I felt it, too.

Chapter 16

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