Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
______________________________________
Estrella smiles wide as she pulls away from Big John. The man smiles down at her before turning toward JJ, "JJ, come on, come on."
The man begins play fighting with him before Pope jumps in. The girls laugh at them as Big John tries to keep up.
•••
"Yeah, yeah, so we, um... we went to the archives in Charleston, and, uh..." John B pauses, "it was... it was a dead end. A dry hole. So..."
"So that's the gold, the cross, and now El Dorado." Pope says before he scoffs, "We're three-for-three, guys. The streak continues. That's great."
"See you, John B." Kie says before she walks off
JJ and Estrella look toward each other before JJ sighs, "I'm going fishing. Thanks for the beer."
He walks off just as Estrella stands up. She rubs her hands on her pants, "I'll see you guys."
She smiles toward John B and Sarah before leaving like the others.
______________________________________
Upon hearing the bad news about the archives, Estrella decided she'd work on some surfboards. While some of her supplies were at John B's, she had to go back home to get an extra surfboard.
She unlocked the door to her shed before pushing the door open. She planned to be in and out seeing as she had no idea when her mom would be back. She had been looking around for a specific set of brushes for a few minutes before she sighed, "Where the hell is it?"
"Estrella?" The girl jumps as she turns around. Her heart races as she stares back at her mother. The woman's eyes go wide as she sighs, "Oh my god, Estrella."
"I-" She stammers
"Oh my god, you're alive." Pamela cries stepping closer. Estrella takes a step back shocking the woman, "Estrella?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" She stammers, "I was just trying to grab some stuff to paint and then I'll leave."
"No, no, no." Pamela says, "Don't leave."
"What?" Estrella mumbles
Pamela takes a few steps closer before reaching out and placing her hand on Estrella's cheek. Estrella's brows furrow as the woman smiles, "I'm so happy you're alive."
Estrella's frown deepens when her mom pulls her into a hug. She feels Pamela let out a deep sigh before she pulls away. She cups her daughter's cheeks, "I'm so happy to see you."
"You're happy to see me?"
"Of course, I am, mija." Pamela chuckles
"The last time you saw me you told me you never wanted to see me again." Estrella says removing her mother's hands from her face.
