The Witness

Chapter 14 - Advent

Rosa woke up to children's laughter. Ingrid scolding Sean and Sean's rambunctious giggle as he chased a shrieking (yet happy, Rosa deduced) Ella down the stairs. It sounded like they were jumping two steps at a time, like Rosa and Miguel did when they were smaller. Rosa sat up on her bed, hugged her knees, and admired her surroundings.

It's real, she thought. It's still real.

She fixed her bed, combed her hair, and put on some new clothes, realizing then that she might run out of things to wear soon. Then she went downstairs for breakfast.

It was as pleasant as last night's dinner, and as rowdy as breakfast for a family of six could be. Seven, if you counted Rosa, and they did. She took her old place and said the grace on her own, out of respect, since it appeared that they had already started without her. Rico was at the pantry, toasting some bread for himself and Ella, who waited for him eagerly. Sean almost spilled his cereal. Ingrid and her father were enjoying Mely's bacon and sunny side-ups. Then Mely turned to Rosa and smiled.

"Did you have a good night's sleep?"

"Yes, and again, I am very thankful."

"Good. Because you'll be quite busy in the next few days. You and me, actually." Steven looked and sounded serious.

"Don't worry, Rosa. You'll be protected here," reassured Mely. "And if you feel uncomfortable with the whole process,  you can just talk to us privately."

"We'll discuss several things in my office. Along with my legal interns," explained Steven.

"Discuss what?" Ingrid asked. "Can Kuya Rico and I join? I think we're old enough."

"This is a legal process, anak, and I'd like to keep such important information as confidential as possible. That means you'll only know about them when it's safe enough."

Rico was frowning. "I'm honestly scared, Dad."

"We're doing the right thing, son, and that's all that matters. Now is the time to be brave. Look at Rosa. If it weren't for her bravery, we'd still be in square one."

Rosa felt uneasy. She did not feel brave. At all.

"Someone has to do something," Steven continued. "We can't just let that innocent boy die for a crime he didn't commit. If there's a chance we can put Sylvia's true killers behind bars, we must take it." He smiled at Rosa. "Don't worry, Rosa. After office hours, we'll visit Joaquin."

In the car, Rosa sat beside Steven while the kids sat on the two rows behind them. They were dropped off at school first.

The drive to the Public Attorneys' Office did not take long. It was in a government-owned building, with a dull, cold-colored interior, complete with tight office cubicles, boxy computers, and fluorescent lights. A few of the men and women glanced at Rosa and Steven when they passed by them, but promptly returned their gazes to their screens.

The attorneys each had their own private office, the size of which was determined by their rank. Steven had a modest-sized one, with his own desk and computer, and another desk where two legal interns were busy studying files. They looked up in greeting when Rosa and Steven entered.

"Charmaine, Owen, this is Rosa," Steven introduced. "Rosa, these are my legal interns, Char and Owen. They'll help us with Joaquin's case."

They all shook hands.

"So you're the witness he told us all about," said Owen. He was a pleasant-featured chubby guy with small eyes and curly hair. "What a crazy story."

"How much of it was real?" teased Charmaine. She looked a bit older than Owen, had shoulder-length hair, glasses with thick bright red rims, and braces. "Just kidding," she added quickly. "Nice to meet you, Rosa. You are literally a miracle. We were so ready to give up on this case."