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

things are beautiful. When Lucía cried for the first time, Andrés bent over the bed and sobbed into my shoulder. Dr. Moncada laughed through tears. My father, waiting outside, fell to his knees when Andrés told him both of us were safe.

Abuela Teresa held Lucía that afternoon and whispered, “You took your time, little light.”

My mother did not come to continue reading …