“So, Carmen, I hear your Mother practically disowned you the other day.”

As if on cue, Carmen, Simon, and Mercedes all gagged on their food, trying desperately to stop it from falling from their mouths. As soon as she had recovered, Carmen shot a death glare at Mercedes.

“It wasn’t me, I swear, Carmen.”

“Then who was it?”

“I don’t know, her husband, maybe?”

She looked back over at Simon, betrayed.

“I didn’t tell her, either, Carmen.”

“Then how the fuck did she find out?”

“I don’t know.”

Hector was looking from person to person as they spoke, trying desperately to follow the group’s conversation. He took Spanish in school, and Mercedes and Simon taught him some slang and things like that, but hearing your teacher speak Spanish and hearing a native Spanish speaker speak Spanish are two entirely different things.

“I’m sorry, is something wrong?” Sarah asked politely, looking seriously confused.

“Yeah, something’s wrong!” Mercedes yelled, “You’re an eavesdropping bitch!”

“Hey!” Hector, now fully understanding the situation, jumped up to defend his mother. “I admit that wasn’t the smartest thing to say, but she’s my mom, and she’s not a bitch, so cut it out, all right?”

The room was rendered silent by the young man’s order, and a small smile slowly crept across Mercedes’ face.

“You’re right, kid.” She got up and walked to the door, turning to address the rest of them once more. “I’m glad you learned that lesson before I did. Not to get angry and blow up at people. Not doing that would have saved me many a beating. So, you’re right. I shouldn’t stand here and yell at her, and call her a bitch. I should just leave. That’s all your mom wants, anyway.” She turned and walked out the door, quickly followed by Carmen who had decided that running after her friend was probably a good way to have an excuse to leave.

“Hey, wait up!” Carmen yelled, catching up with Mercedes at her car. “Good job.”

“Thanks.”

“So, I’ll see you later?”

“For sure.” Mercedes replied, pulling her into a hug before pulling out of the driveway. Carmen was right behind her, dialing her cell phone.