For a few seconds after my mother said she could not congratulate me for “defying God’s will,” no one moved.

”

He placed his hand gently on my stomach, and when the baby kicked, his face crumpled.

“Strong girl,” he whispered.

At twenty-eight weeks, my father told me he had moved into Abuela’s spare room.

“Temporarily,” he said, though we both knew temporary can become truth when home is no longer safe.

“And Mamá?”

“She is staying at the house. Pastor Abel’s people continue reading …