Miss Bala

Chapter 14: The Revelator

"She wasn't supposed to be the truck, brother."

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Next earlier morning, Lino was driving to Chivo's house. Once he got there and went inside, he seen a kitchen full of ladies preparing food. Everybody was silent, working to the low sound of the radio.

He walked up to Mary, who was just standing at the sink, staring out the window to the backyard.

"Hey, Mary."

She glanced back before slowly turning around. She had this face of trying to hold everything back. Her bottom lip quivered as she tried to say something but closed her mouth into a thin lined smile.

Lino hugged her.

She regrouped herself and pulled back.

"Where is he?" Lino asked.

"Outside. With the kids." Mary motioned to the back window.

"It's good you're here, Mary."

"Yeah." She knew she could never make up for what she did before and she absolutely hated herself for needing an reason like this to have a change of heart.

Lino walked outside, Kenny and Keila were on the built-in swing set that came with the house. They were doing nothing but sitting there, moving there legs back and forth. Chivo was sitting at the outside table and he didn't bother to look as Lino sat down.

"How they doing?" Lino asked, looking towards the swings.

"She's been crying all morning. Kenny still doesn't get it." Chivo replied, his voice sounding monotone, "Boys."

"Anything you need.." Lino reminded.

"I know."

"You want me to stay around?"

"No." Chivo looked down and ran a hand through his hair, "I'm okay."

The birds chirping from atop of the backyard tree was heard and Chivo started talking.

"She knew. She knew I was gonna bring on something like this."

"Chivo, you didn't bring this." Lino shook his head.

"A banger shot my girlfriend," Chivo raised his voice, "and killed my unborn." He said the last part to himself. Despite everything, the story still went into play with how José wanted it. Everyone thinks this was a Niners hit.

"I had nothing to do with that?" Chivo looked at Lino, who didn't say anything but look away.

Chivo noticed Keila and Kenny looking at him, and he cursed himself for saying what he said in a high voice. He got up and walked over to the swings. All Lino could do was look on, not knowing what happens next.

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Gemma walked into the dinner area and seen José, looking to be in deep thought with himself.

She hesitated before sitting down at the table, bringing him out of his little trance.

"Can I help?" She asked, breaking the silence.

"No." José took a sip of his coffee.

Gemma took a deep breath, "you were upset last night at the dinner...Was this our mistake?"

José didn't say anything but grabbed the newspaper and started reading.

"And Lino?" She sighed.

"He knows what everybody else knows. Adriana's death was Niner retaliation."

"She was all those kids had. Child services is going to do drastic things. This is bad.."