“Conchita.” Her mother called from inside the apartment and walked out onto the balcony. “I found something.” Mom held up the God Box Dad had given Conchita 10 years before. “Remember this.” Conchita had given it back to Dad several…

The funeral was over, and Maria and Conchita pulled into the Arlington Heights apartment complex. They’d moved into the apartment after Conchita graduated from high school. They had less square footage than they did at their previous apartment, but they…

He’d called her his final night alive and left a message on her answering machine. “Hey, Chita, it’s your old man. Just wanted to tell you I love you and am missing you. I hope you’re doing all right. I’m…

1989 Conchita promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She greeted a small gathering of people during the viewing but was unable to smile. We’re so sorry . . . He’ll be missed . . . He was such a passionate man,…

After a few moments, Eric appeared, grinning. As he entered the day room, Maria put her arms across Conchita’s chest and held her tightly; she wanted to protect Conchita; Maria wasn’t sure what to expect. She hoped for Conchita’s sake…

They arrived at the Foggy Bottom Metro stop on Christmas Day at 9:07 AM. The stop was twenty minutes from their home in Arlington. There was little traffic in D.C. Christmas Day, but finding a parking place was always tenuous…

After Maria and Conchita got home from the hospital, Maria tucked Conchita in her yellow and white plaid, canopy bed. Maria took one last look at Conchita and closed the door behind her, the cover to the canopy lifting and…