pequeña-little

Yay, it's my birthday! I'm staying healthy with COVID-19 going on, so all is good.

"Holy shit, it's so dirty in here!" Alison comments as Diablo lets her, Nicky, Shani, Karla, Taystee, Poussey, Daya, and Lorna inside his apartment. "Everything's out of place..." There are clothes strewn everywhere, dishes unwashed and piled on top of each other in the sink, and empty beer and wine bottles on the floor.

Lorna wrinkles her nose. "Smells like stale liquor, too."

"Blanca's not here, if you're looking for her. She got in trouble for skipping escuela with me today," Diablo tells the girls. "You can have a seat on the couch if you want."

"Alright, but we really gotta talk to you, man," Nicky lets him know as they all plop down. Something crinkles under her and she pulls out an empty packet of Cheetos. "Really, though, you don't own a trashcan?" Scoffing, she throws it on the floor.

"I'll clean after I shower," Diablo says as he lowers himself to the ottoman.

"That's great, but...it's more about Blanca...and you. She's been drinking nonstop and...so are you, seems like, so how are you even getting it?" Shani wonders aloud.

"I use a fake ID," Diablo admits. "Pero, we can handle ourselves, okay? Don't worry about it!"

"Well, we are...because it's fucking scary to be an alcoholic," Taystee points out.

"Yeah, I remember when I was drunk and yelling at Vee…it turned into Suzanne beating the shit outta me," Poussey chimes in.

Diablo rolls his eyes. "Vee won't cause anyone to hurt mi amor because she's dead!"

Daya hits his shoulder and scowls at him. "Arturo isn't. Don't be stupid! Remember when he crashed your girlfriend's quinces? He could get out again and try to kill you both if you're in a vulnerable state. Don't think he couldn't."

"I can protect her from anything, alright?" He throws his hands up in the air. "Look, you don't get why we're drinking-"

"Then educate us!" Karla demands. "We took care of Badison, we got no idea what's wrong with you or why she's still acting like she just got home from a bender!"

"It's none of your business! What is this, some kind of intervention?"

Nicky folds her arms across her chest. "Yeah, you could call it that...and of course it's our concern, because you and Blanca are our friends. You're the best straight couple in our group and it's jarring to see you both doing this disturbing shit. It's not healthy. I should know, I used to be a junkie. I've almost died a few times, even. We don't want it happening to you two!"

"Mm-hm, whatever you guys are going through, we can help...because alcohol is not the answer, but talking to friends is," Shani adds as she combs her fingers through her hair.

"Can you bring my parents back from the dead?" They stare at him in shock. "Yeah, I didn't think so. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time and got shot by Honduran gangsters. Y'all good now?"

Nicky feels bad for him and it appears as if the others do too, but it doesn't change the fact that he and Blanca really shouldn't be destroying themselves.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Diablo...but maybe you could do grief counseling. I know alcohol makes you forget reality and softens the blow, but it doesn't take away your pain forever. You'll never really get over someone you love dying...but therapy will do you wonders. The more time that goes by, the easier it gets, too," Karla informs him. "I should know...my husband was killed in a drive-by shooting back in El Salvador. I saw him wither away before my very own eyes. As he lay still, barely moving, on the street, I knelt down beside him and cried. I told him I loved him. He was gone in the middle of his telling me he loved me, too. I knew right then that I had to get the hell out of El Salvador. I couldn't have anything else happen to me or my kid."

"Lamento tu pérdida también."

I'm sorry for your loss too.

"Gracias, pero the point is, I wouldn't get trashed, even if I wasn't pregnant. I'd cope in a better way that wouldn't put me or my significant other in danger. Where were you when she was with Kubra?"

Diablo wears a confused expression. "Huh?"

"At the Sparrow Tavern, you know, where he works," Alison quickly says. "Blanca didn't get there by herself."

"She got hungry and I drove her. Why, what's the problem with her ordering from there?"

"Dude...she was completely wasted," Daya mutters. "Thanks to you."

"Yeah, she wasn't even cautious of her surroundings...you should've been there to make sure nothing bad happened to her!" Lorna scolds him. "Aren't you her king, her knight in shining armor?"

"Of course, and she's my reina. I don't force her to drink!" His eyes widen with worry. "What are you hinting at?"

"It ain't our story to tell," Poussey snaps. "Come on, y'all, we're leaving." She waves them all out.

"Yeah, take your damn shower, you stink, bro," Taystee says over her shoulder and then shuts the door behind them.


"So, no candles?" Maritza asks.

Theresa shakes her head no. "They smell like patchouli and we're eating steak, it's a bad combination."

"Pero las velas son tan románticas!" Flaca protests.

But candles are so romantic!

"Yo sé...pero there's no time to get unscented velas, so..." Theresa shrugs. "I need to go get my hair done." She and Kubra peck each other on the lips. "Maritza, do you want me to take you home so you and your mamí can get ready?"

"Sure, gracias, Señorita Gonzales." Maritza stands on her tiptoes and Flaca leans down so they can kiss passionately. "Adiós, Flaca, see you at la fiesta!"

the party

"Adiós, mi amor," Flaca murmurs, smiling against her girl's mouth.

Once they depart, it's just Flaca, her brothers, and Kubra in the Gonzales apartment. She's a bundle of nerves and the noise from their video games isn't helping her relax.

"Excited to be the maid of honor?" Kubra asks as he sets his paper flowers on the table beside hers.

"Oh...sí." She shifts away from him as she looks over the guest list. With a disappointed sigh, she scribbles Blanca's name out with pen. "It'll be fun, I never been one before."

"I bet! You looked nice in your dress."

"Mm." She's uneasy at what he thinks is a compliment.

"What's going on there?" He points to the paper in her hands.

"Blanca said something came up, so she ain't gonna be there," Flaca responds, anticipating his reaction.

"Ooh, that sucks. Did she tell you?" There's no trace of agitation on his face, but maybe he's hiding it.

Flaca shakes her head no. "Guess it's private."

"That's too bad."

"Yep," she mutters under her breath.


"How'd you get here?" Diablo asks Blanca in amazement when she walks through the door silently. She looks utterly exhausted, and he's happy to see her.

"I had to tell Mamí that I needed to talk you down from killing yourself, but really...solo quería estar aquí contigo." She sinks into a loveseat and he joins her.

I just wanted to be here with you.

"¿Que esta pasando?"

What's going on?

Blanca flips on the television and changes the channel until she finds a Spanish-speaking film that they've both seen many times. "Nada...solo estoy deprimida." She glances around. "It's neat..."

Nothing...I'm just depressed.

"Yeah, I figured this place needed some organizing. Ahora...¿por qué estás deprimida?"

Now...why are you depressed?

"Primero, dame eso, por favor." Before he can answer, Blanca grabs the beer bottle from him and downs the rest. "Aaah..." She burps.

First, give me that, please.

"I shouldn't be supplying this, lo siento," Diablo mutters. The girls were right; there are better ways to handle someone important being gone from this earth.

Blanca narrows her eyes at him. "¿Y qué te hizo cambiar de opinión?"

and what changed your mind?

"No nos ayuda. Oye...nunca respondiste mi pregunta."

It doesn't help us. Hey...you never answered my question.

She looks down at her lap and blows a piece of hair to the side that had fallen in her face. He tucks it behind her ear and lifts her chin up with his finger. She appears so sad and emotionally distant. He doesn't want to pressure her into answering, but he has a strong suspicion that Kubra was an asshole in some way when she was getting a snack at the Sparrow Tavern.

"Blanca," he tries again. "Me sorprende que no quieras ir a la fiesta de compromiso...parecías tan emocionado por eso antes. So, I just wanna know why. You love parties and dancing...and there's free food. You go outta your way for that! My tie would match your dress again, sé cuánto amas eso."

I'm surprised you don't want to go to the engagement party...you seemed so excited about it before. I know how much you love that.

"Pues a la mierda eso. It's not happening, Diablo!" she says fiercely. "La mayoría de los matrimonios no funcionan. Mira a mis padres."

Well, fuck that. Most marriages don't work out. Look at my parents.

"Así es, y lo siento...pero I don't think you're really down about marriages in general. You love weddings and fancy things and romance." She's quiet this time and focuses her attention on the screen in front of them. "You're assuming Theresa and Kubra won't last."

That's right, and I'm sorry.

She tearfully meets his gaze, her bottom lip quivering. "Ellos no lo harán porque es un pedófilo," Blanca mumbles. "He's so creepy, flirted with me in the Sparrow Tavern the night before last and yesterday morning, he crawled into your truck while you were getting beer...y puso su mano sobre mi muslo así..." Blanca squeezes her own thigh with a disgusted look on her face. Diablo's blood boils and he's so angry with Kubra, but also at himself. He wishes he were there to protect her. "He handed me his digits and said quería tener sexo conmigo," Blanca continues weakly when he doesn't speak. "I told Alex, Flaca, Maritza, Nicky, Daya, and Lorna, pero básicamente pensaron que estaba mintiendo." She goes quiet and her face grows pale, void of any emotion at all. The only sound in the room for a few seconds is her quick, trembling breaths mixed with him blowing out a huge gust of air. He's aware that he has to say or do something to comfort her.

They won't because he's a pedophile. he put his hand on my thigh like this-he wanted to have sex with me-they basically thought I was lying.

"Well, I don't think you're a mentirosa." He wraps her in his protective embrace. She's shaking and he understands it was so hard for her to talk about. "I know for sure that you're telling the truth. Baby, ¿cómo es que no me lo dijiste?"

How come you didn't tell me?

"No es importante." Her voice is bleak.

It's not important.

"¡Por supuesto que es!" he states strongly.

Of course it is!

"Estaba borracha. Fue mi culpa."

I was drunk. It was my fault.

"¡No, no te culpes! It's his fault, mi amor, not yours. I swear," he insists.

No, don't blame yourself!

Blanca wasn't even that tanked; it's not like she was vomiting or losing her footing. She was fully aware of what was happening. Even if she wasn't though, he would never put any blame on her. She breathes out a supposed sigh of relief. "Gracias for believing me, pero...estaba humillada. No quería cargar a nadie más con esta información."

I was humiliated. I didn't want to burden anyone else with this information.

"Él es el que debería estar avergonzado!"

He's the one who should be embarrassed!

"Solo quiero que la tierra me trague," Blanca murmurs, rubbing her forehead. It's hurting him to watch her fall apart, so he has an idea. He doesn't really wish to leave her at such a vulnerable moment, but he really wants to kick that scumbag's ass.

I just want the earth to swallow me up.

"Well, I don't," he tells her sincerely. Diablo kisses Blanca's lips and then her temple. "Oye, dame una hora, saldré a buscarte unos chilaquiles." He stands up with his hand still on her cheek and rubs it with his thumb, brushing away a tear. "Go ahead y mira tu película favorita, it was on late last night y la grabé para ti."

Hey, give me an hour, I'm gonna go out and get you some chilaquiles. and watch your favorite movie, and I recorded it for you.

She nods and gives him a half-smile. "Gracias."


"So, ¿cómo me veo?" Theresa wants to know as she spins around in her black, glittery, knee-length evening gown. She appears hopeful.

how do I look?

Flaca beams. "Real beautiful, Mamí, me encanta el silver chunky necklace! Va fabuloso con tu atuendo. Y tu pelo...lovely! I don't see it down and curly that often."

I love. It goes great with your outfit. And your hair...

Theresa beams and sighs. "Oh, gracias, fantastic! I know I can always count on mi fashiontista." She gestures to Flaca. "¡Te ves linda tambien!"

You look nice, too!

"¡Gracias!" Flaca is in a black halter top paired with a flowy pink satin skirt. Her outfit is complete with silver heels on her feet and she slips dangly gold hoops through her earlobes. She feels very pretty on the outside. However, inside, she really doesn't want her mom to go through with marrying this sleazebag. She's thought about it for a full twenty-four hours and has come to the conclusion that she was a hundred percent wrong about him. She wants her mom to be happy, but Kubra is not a good person. He's a great actor, though.

Theresa turns to go. "Espera, Mamá..." Flaca stops her in her tracks.

Wait, Mom...

"¿Sí?" Theresa looks at her quizzically. It'll break Flaca's heart to have to tell her mom to dump Kubra, but she has to do it sooner rather than later.

"¿Estás de acuerdo con pasar por la boda? I know it's only the engagment party, but it all seems...fast." Frowning, she wrings her now sweaty hands.

Are you okay with actually going through with the wedding?

"Lo sé, pero estamos muy enamorados, eso es todo. Sin embargo, si crees que es demasiado rápido-it's just an engagement party, nena. We wouldn't tie the knot until months from now."

I know, but we're just very much in love, is all. However, if you think it's too quick-

Flaca shakes her head. "It's not the fact that you fell hard for a man and wanna be his wife, it's...it's Kubra. ¿Cuánto te ha contado sobre él?"

How much has he actually told you about himself?

"¿Qué quieres decir?" Theresa asks warily. "Did he do something to you that made you uncomfortable?"

What do you mean?

Flaca takes a few steps toward her mother. "No. Pero...Blanca had an issue with him. He, um...he made a pass at her. A couple times. Lo siento..."

Theresa just stares at her with tears glimmering in her eyes. "¡Oh, ese maldito imbécil!" she hisses.

Oh, that fucking creep!

"Lo sé," Flaca murmurs sympathetically. She grasps her mother's hands and gives them a soothing squeeze. It's clear that Theresa is heartbroken and Flaca feels so sorry for her, but for Blanca as well. "Um...how'd you guess that?"

"Cuando estábamos en España, coqueteó con una joven camarera. He talked to her the whole night, more than he did with me. Incluso besó su mano en agradecimiento," Theresa explains shakily. "I brushed it off as him being polite and that's their culture. She was barely eighteen. That's...that's why I came home a little earlier than him." She blinks rapidly.

When we were in Spain, he flirted with a young waitress. He even kissed her hand in thanks.

Flaca hugs her mother. "Lo siento mucho, Mamá..."

Theresa returns the gesture. "Gracias, bebé. Ahora, let's call things off."

"Okay," Flaca agrees, resting her chin on Theresa's shoulder.


Crepe paper and lights are hung everywhere at the Sparrow Tavern and the tables are decorated with tissue paper in the shapes of flowers. It's supposed to resemble a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, but it's a complete lie. This asshole just crossed the line with Blanca and he doesn't love Theresa at all. Once Diablo spots Kubra directing caterers carrying plates of seafood and steak on fancy plates, he sees red. Balling his hands into fists at his sides, he storms up to the counter where Kubra is standing.

"You one of the help? I feel like I've seen you somewhere-"

"Yeah, you have, but I'm not on your staff," Diablo responds tightly. "I'll give you a little time to figure it out, but you know...it doesn't really matter. I just wanna have a few words with you."

"Can't chat right now," Kubra tells him. He gestures around the room. "Party's gonna start soon. Or as you people say, la fiesta, right?" He chuckles to himself and Diablo is sure his knuckles are turning white as he digs his nails into his palms. "I should know, my fiancée is Mexican."

"Really? I wonder how she'd take it knowing that you felt up my girl," Diablo nearly growls. "Are you just going on a rampage, scoping out Flaca's amigas and trying to score with 'em, or is Blanca your favorite?"

Realization washes over the creep's face. "Shit, you're her novio."

"Damn right I am! You're sick, you know that? She's fifteen, cabrón. Even if she was over eighteen, I'd still hate you for putting moves on her when they were unwanted!"

"Hey!" Kubra puts his hands up in surrender. "You don't need to get all defensive, man. I wanna clear it up, I wasn't being serious. She's gotta come to her senses about that."

"Mi Blanca thinks a lot of things are hilarious, but you ain't one of 'em!" Diablo snaps.

"Maybe wait 'til she's not buzzed anymore, alright? She was slurring her words last time I heard her." He scoffs. "Your señorita's probably mortified."

"Oh, she was sober enough to know that you're a gross motherfucker!" He pounds his fist on the counter. "So stop trying to mess with my head, and don't call her that again, ¿entiendes?"

Kubra sighs and pulls a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. "Hate to break it to ya, son, but look, I wanted to show her that her thing for me wasn't unrequited." He shows Diablo the note, which reads Lo siento I didn't have a lot to say, I was hammered, pero we can bang anytime you like, sexy! xo, Blanca

Diablo grits his teeth. "It's not Blanca's handwriting, and I ain't your son!" he growls, but Kubra still isn't backing down. He even looks smug.

"You just don't wanna face the fact that she gave me that. It's basically a love letter."

That's it. Diablo's had enough. He hurriedly clenches his fist again and delivers a powerful blow into the ugly old man's face so hard that Kubra stumbles back a few steps. People around them gasp audibly and Diablo kicks Kubra in the balls so he trips over his own feet and crashes to the floor. "Go fuck yourself, dumbass!" With that, he walks away while shaking out his hand. "I'm not attending this whole shebang, so you don't need to be alarmed about me ruining it...but just know that the groom-to-be deserved that punch," he lets everyone know over his shoulder as he exits the Sparrow Tavern.

Then he gets the chilaquiles for Blanca as promised.


The door clicks open in the middle of Blanca watching Frida and she turns around in her seat. Diablo strolls in and sets a paper bag on the coffee table. Blanca opens it and grins when she finds the chilaquiles. "¡Gracias!" She pulls one out and starts eating it. The fact that it's from her boyfriend makes it so much more delicious than usual.

"¡De nada!" He goes to the freezer, grabs a bag of ice, and places it on his hand.

"¿Que pasó?" Blanca asks in concern when he walks back over to her.

What happened?

"I hit him," Diablo responds nonchalantly as he sits down. "Then I got him in his precious jewels. The pile of shit just went down like the loser he is!"

Blanca gasps. She's honored that Diablo had done this for her, but she feels guilty that he hurt himself in the process. "Muchas gracias..."

"Of course, mi amor."

"Pero lamento que estés herido."

But I'm sorry you're hurt

"Hey." He strokes her hair and presses his lips to hers. Gazing deep into her eyes, he grins. "I don't care. I'll always protect my girl."

Blanca giggles and leans into him. "Just like I stand up for my boy." She offers him some of her snack. "¿Quieres uno?"

You want one?

"No, gracias," he declines. "It's your treat."

"I'm so lucky to have you." She's beaming so hard her cheeks ache.

"Sí, y también tengo suerte de tenerte."

Yes, and I'm lucky to have you, too.

"I hope Flaca won't be too pissed at you...or Theresa."

"Good thing we're not going, huh?"

Blanca nods. "Hopefully they'll wise up before he molests Flaca or somethin'."

"Sí, ojalá," Diablo echoes her in Spanish. "Oye, before this slips my mind...sé que no le diste esto a Kubra..." He digs a folded-up paper out of his pocket and opens it for her to see. Shock and repulsion fill her entire being, but she's thankful that Diablo is positive she never came onto Kubra in any way. "Pero...maybe P did."

I know you didn't give this to Kubra...

"You think Maria struck again? She's in the mental ward, locked up," Blanca mutters.

"Perhaps they let her out...or this is a new P."

Blanca closes her eyes and sighs exasperatedly. "Oh, no. It explains why Kubra never seemed to get the message that I wasn't feeling him at all! I even spat at the gross fucker."

"I hope you got some in his eye! P or no P, he's still lousy," Diablo points out.

"Sí, you're right...and I probably did!" Blanca smirks and kisses his cheek.


"I'm sorry, everyone, but I just came down with a bad case of food poisoning!" Theresa announces to the crowd as they're filing in.

"For real?" Maritza groans. "Ew, I hope she throws up on Kubra."

"I mean, she did eat him at some point in their relationship, probably, and he made us all sick, so..." Flaca shrugs and the girls stare at her.

"That was too much info," Alison complains.

Nicky cracks up. "Nah, it was just enough! The perfect burn for that dopehead."

"I think y'all owe Blanca an apology," Karla tells them.

Kubra saunters up to Theresa and snakes his arms around her. Flaca wants to puke and her mother just whirls around and pushes him off of her. Theresa slaps him with so much force that he groans aloud and covers the area where she'd struck him. "Ow! What'd you do that for? We're about to-"

"This party is canceled," she informs him. "Why don't you tell everyone the reason?" She takes the microphone out of its stand and hands it to him, but he scoffs and refuses, turning fully around. "What's that mark on your face?" she yells louder. "You pissed off Blanca's novio that much, huh? Or did her friends do that to you?"

"I wish we had," Flaca mutters.

"It's not too late, go up there!" Taystee urges her, and her friends push her forward.

"Theresa, stop it!" He makes a grab for the microphone, but she whacks him with it. "Ow! I was just-"

"¡Basta ya, pendejo! I can't believe I let you near my children! I'll beat your ass, so help me Dios!"

Enough already, asshole!

"Such a loser!" Juliana comments loudly.

"Oh, you pig-fucker!" Red exclaims.

"Rot in hell!" Tricia screams.

"Yeah, you tell him!" Mercy hollers.

Marco and Pedro start throwing peanuts at Kubra. He just ducks and shields himself. "Theresa, por favor, tell your sons to stop!"

"Never!"

Flaca and her girls laugh together and then she hurriedly goes behind the counter with a set of keys Diane has just given her to unlock the liquor cabinet. She easily opens the glass door and pulls out one of the large wine bottles.

Gloria cups her hands around her mouth. "Make that creep pay for it, girl!" Everyone cheers loudly. Flaca sees her girls jumping up and down excitedly while clapping.

"Yeah, maybe get him shipped back to Turkey in a jail cell!" Flaca's Tía Mariana adds, shifting her son up on her hip.

"Don't let him flee just after Diablo punched him out!" Diane chimes in.

Charles gets a pair of handcuffs off of his belt loop. "Get ready, you twisted fuck."

Flaca sneaks up behind Kubra and thunks it right over his head. It shatters, probably since he has such a hard skull, and the liquid gets into his eyes and all over his gray suit. "You little brat!" He blindly grabs for her, but she has faster reflexes and kicks him away from her. She digs the broken glass into his skin until she draws some blood. It's not enough to kill him, but she just wants to wound him-and she does. He's howling in misery.

"Who you callin' pequeña? Don't you dare mess with my mamí or one of my besties, you slimeball!" She then hugs her mom and goes back to the audience, filled with pride.

"Ohhh, shiiiit!" Maritza hollers as she jumps on Flaca. "You go, girl!"

"Yesss!" Aleida calls out. "Get that motherfucker!"

"Stupid bitch!" Christina adds.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch!" Emiliano echoes her.

Daya hi-fives her brother and sister's palms. "You're right, guys, Kubra is a fuckin' bitch."

"Damn, he got owned!" Leon comments.

"What'd I miss?" Fahri asks as he walks in with Lourdes and Gloria's sons. Trina is behind him.

"A whole lot, but basically, Kubra really is one of the worst people in the world," Alex responds.

"Oh no! No more party?" Benny asks.

"No, lo siento, bubbaloo," Lourdes tells him sadly.

"Whyyy?" Julio wonders aloud.

"Kubra does not love Flaca's mommy!" Lorna says.

"Mm, hm, he's a big, fat jerk!" Poussey adds.

"Ohh!" the boys murmur and then run to Gloria.

"What'd he do?" Trina wants to know and looks over at Theresa in concern.

"No sé, maybe you can ask her," Flaca says, not really wanting Blanca's mother to know what her daughter had been through with him. It's not Flaca's nightmare of a tale to share.

Shani places her hands on her hips and faces the girls once they no longer have anyone within earshot of them. She puts her hand on Nicky's arm and rests her elbow on Flaca's shoulder. "Okay...now you need to tell Blanca you're sorry."

"I know, sweetie, I'm so ashamed of myself," Nicky mumbles. She kisses Shani and then beckons Daya, Alex, Flaca, Maritza, and Lorna over to follow them.

Flaca blows her mom a kiss as Charles is arresting Kubra. He looks hilarious down on his knees with his wrists handcuffed together and his neck bleeding. Straight up slitting his throat is very tempting, but Flaca's not a murderer. "I just gotta do somethin', but I'll help you clean up afterwards."

"¡Okay, gracias, nena!" Theresa waves at her, beaming.

"De nada, Mamí, anytime!"

"I bet you anything she's at Diablo's," Karla states, and they all nod in agreement. She goes along with the group, even though Shani and Karla had believed Blanca about the horrible creature.


As she's pouring white wine into a glass, Blanca hears someone knocking at the door. She thinks it might be Diablo, so she goes to let him in. To her surprise, Flaca's on the other side, surrounded by the girls Blanca thought she'd lost. She's not shocked to see Karla and Shani, though; they, along with Taystee, Poussey, and Alison, had given her hugs of support earlier today and said they were with her.

"Is it cool if we can tell you lo sentimos?" Flaca asks cautiously.

we're sorry

Blanca folds her arms across her chest. "Not really sure what you're apologizing for, the catty insults, treating me like the pariah I was before I became friends with you, or not buying my true story about Kubra." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Go back and be a good little maid of honor, alright? Congrats on getting a stepdad, even though he's-"

"Terrible," Maritza interrupts her. "We know that now. That's...that's why we swung by. We're real sorry." They all appear to be glum and sincerely apologetic. Tears are even in their eyes.

Blanca sips her drink and then gulps it down.

"We feel bad we all ganged up on you, we really shouldn't have done that," Nicky continues. "Especially since I did drugs once..."

"Same here, I was a big hypocrite like Nicky," Daya mumbles.

"Yeah, I apologize, too. If it makes you feel better, Flaca and Theresa got Kubra good!" Lorna exclaims.

"He's going to prison far away from here," Alex chimes in. "I wish I'd seen it earlier, that he was no good...Fahri tried to warn me, since Kubra was my drug boss and all...and I guess I got my punishment when my mom caught me-"

"Espera..." Blanca lets out a dry chuckle. "Shit, you got soooo busted...you're right, I'm glad she found out. Serves your ass right."

Alex closes her eyes and reopens them. "I am too, honestly. When Kubra took off his shirt in front of me after driving me home this afternoon, I was sure he was bad news."

"That's creepy...but this is about Blanca right now and how he affected her," Karla states and Shani nods in concurrence. "For the record, though, Blanca, I was aware you were being completely honest when it came to that pig...and so were Shani, Alison, Taystee, and Poussey."

"Yeah, it seemed legit," Shani added.

Blanca embraces her and Shani, smiling though her oncoming tears. "Gracias, pero..." She turns to the others. "So, the engagement party?"

Flaca shrugs. "Ruined. Because of him, not you. I...I just wanted you to know that none of us blame you."

"Mm." Blanca shoves her hands in her sweatshirt pocket, letting her hair fall forward on either side of her face. She walks toward them slowly. "So, that's great, and I ain't callin' him a saint, but P...a new one, I guess...they got him going."

"Chica, he agreed to do it. That makes him just as awful," Maritza points out.

"How come you knuckleheads trusted that viejo over me?" Blanca asks, finally fully glancing up at them. She blinks back tears and bites her trembling bottom lip.

old man

"It ain't that, it's just...my mom's been burned by love in the past, and I didn't want it to happen to her again. She deserves true bliss and joy. I refused to even think that the cocksucker could be a cruel monster...but I'm hella relieved she dodged that bullet, actually."

"Entiendo," Blanca mumbles. She truly does understand, and she knows that if it'd been anyone else, Flaca would've taken it out on them, too. "Just don't do it to me ever again."

"I promise I won't." Flaca touches Blanca's arm softly and then pulls her into a hug. Blanca squeezes her eyes shut as she tries not to cry in her taller friend's embrace.

"That goes for the rest of you, too," Blanca murmurs as the remaining girls envelop her, and they all meld as one. Karla and Shani join them, much to her delight.

"We ain't gonna pull that shit for the rest of our lives," Nicky tells her, sounding genuine.

Blanca sniffles as the love surrounding her expands. "Gracias."

"De nada," Daya answers and the rest of the girls echo her.


The next day, Flaca can tell her mom is trying to keep it together as she sits on the couch in sweats with her hair in a messy bun. She's calling to cancel the reservation for the banquet hall. Theresa's voice sounds broken through her sniffles and Flaca sits down beside her, holding a plate of bean and cheese enchiladas with hot sauce drizzled over them. There's also rice on the side.

"It's none of your business why! I just am! Accept it. Now goodbye." Theresa snaps and hangs up the phone quickly. "Fucking busybodies," she hisses as she scratches her pen through the written words cancelar la recepción del salón de banquetes.

cancel banquet hall reception

"Yo...Mamí."

Looking up at Flaca, she blows her nose. "Why do they always ask for the reason? For the cancellation, the return, all that shit?"

"I dunno, but...why don't you take a break? I don't like seeing you so stressed and upset."

Theresa wipes at her eyes and tucks a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "I wanna get this over with."

"I'm hella worried about you, Marco and Pedro told me no estas comiendo. You can't starve yourself, and I understand you got no energy to cook, so I made you some authentic Mexican food." Flaca holds it out to her. "Nice and warm."

you're not eating

Theresa manages a smile. "Muchas gracias, Marisolita, you're such a good daughter, and I know you spent a lot of time on the meal, pero...no tengo hambre."

I'm not hungry.

Flaca deflates and sets it down on the ottoman. "Maybe just a few bites, then? Um, whenever you feel up for it? Otherwise, I'mma have to call nine-one-one in case you pass out from not eating."

"Okay." Theresa squeezes Flaca's hand. "I'll make sure I don't faint. I just need to do all this work." She holds up the list of cancellations she needs to make.

Flaca takes it from her. "Mamí...hey, I got this."

"Gracias. Um...I don't know why I didn't see the red flags. I guess I thought I was reading things wrong, or that he'd switch back to the charming person he was at first. I was so naive, and I'm ancient, too...he was probably at least ten years younger..."

"No, that's not true, you ain't some vieja! Also, a lot of women don't know their man's true colors until he's too far gone...look at Gloria with Arturo! It's not that he was so awesome from the start...you just hadn't discovered his inner asshole yet...and how could you have? He had to make a positive first impression and lead you on like all jerks do." Flaca sighs. "Could I maybe give you some advice, though? I'm like a therapist over the loudspeaker with Cindy every morning at school, and I ran a column in the Martin Van Buren High newspaper called Flaca Say."

old lady

"Let's see what you got," Theresa murmurs.

"Okay. You gonna find romance again someday, but even if you don't, you gotta love yourself." Flaca grins. "So, how about tonight, you get together with the other ladies and go shopping, treat yo'self! Retail therapy is great for heartbreak or any other type of sadness you're going through. Also...we can hang out when you get home with a big bowl of popcorn, wine for you and soda for me, and an awesome chick flick!"

Theresa's shaky smile gets bigger. "Hmm, you're good at this."

Flaca smirks. "Gracias."

"¡De nada!"


"My mamá was wearing sweatpants! She's never done that a day in my life, so that means she's really hurt." Flaca announces as she comes up to her girlfriend and Blanca at Friendly's.

"Lo siento," Blanca says, rubbing Flaca's back. "Your papá abandoned her and then her novio just had to try having a fling with me."

"Blanca, por favor, you don't gotta rub it in," Maritza tells her. "She's aware."

"I'm not trying to, but I just feel really bad," Blanca mumbles.

Flaca throws her arm around Blanca. "Gracias."

"De nada."

"So, what's up con tú y Diablo?" Flaca asks.

"I threw out all his junk food since this isn't a healthy lifestyle. He complained, but he got my point," Blanca responds. "Then, we went for a run this morning...anything to keep our minds off alcohol, right? Also to burn off steam por todo lo que ha estado sucediendo últimamente."

because of everything that's been going on lately.

"Yes! That's wonderful!" Maritza exclaims. "Honestly, I hate running-"

"Me too," Flaca says, and they all giggle. "Pero, it's good for you to get exercise when you can!"

"Sí, we were breathing heavily, but not because of fucking this time!" They all laugh hysterically. "De hecho, también necesitamos agua después del sexo, además de correr. So, while we're kicking our bad habits, how about you two work on yours?" Blanca points at Maritza. "Pothead."

We actually need water after sex, too, as well as running.

"Hey, don't look at me, I just smoke occasionally like Flaca!" Maritza defends herself. "We ain't addicted."

"Okay, but just be careful," Blanca advises them.

They nod. "We will," Flaca assures her.


Later, Flaca has to finish neatening up the Sparrow Tavern and she does so, with Maritza and Juliana's help. They all try getting everything inside Juliana's trunk, but one of the boxes filled is heavy and something falls out when Flaca tips it accidentally. Huffing, she throws it in the trunk and Maritza picks up a framed photo of Theresa and Kubra, grinning together and hugging.

"Do you want this?" Maritza asks softly, showing Flaca. If it were up to her, she'd throw it across the street, let it get run over, and make Kubra pay for the damages since he'd smashed Theresa's heart to pieces.

"Mi mamá se ve hermosa y felíz en esto, so I'll keep it," Flaca mutters. "I'll just take the picture out of the frame and cut his lousy ass out."

My mom looks beautiful and happy in this.

Maritza nods in understanding. "Okay."

"Are you sure it won't serve as a painful reminder for your mother?" Juliana wants to know.

"Nah, I'll fix it before she's got the chance to look at it," Flaca tells her.


"I think yelling at Kubra was enough energy for me last night," Diane announces as she browses the shops with Theresa, Gloria, Aleida, Red, Juliana, and Mariana, Flaca's tía and Theresa's sister. Theresa had invited Trina along with them, too, but Trina needs to be home with Blanca.

"Oh yeah, you had quite a scare, how you doin' now?" Gloria asks.

"A little better...it's just that life needs to go much slower."

"With all the shit our daughters get into, good luck with that," Aleida mutters.

"The worst with mine is over, at least I hope it is," Diane says. She'd told them about Alex's business in the drug cartel just to vent.

"Me too," everyone murmurs in unison.

"Marisol took care of me today, it was a side of her I don't usually see," Theresa murmurs. "I appreciated it, though."

"Once again, Theresa, lo siento mucho...I know how it is to be fooled into believing the man you're dating is the one," Gloria mumbles.

"Gracias...I'm just lucky he didn't turn violent."

"Yeah! He was just a pathetic old fart," Aleida grumbles and they crack up together.

"Ohhh!" Theresa breathes out. "You ladies are fun to hang out with!"

"I'm glad," Red tells her. They all pick out a bunch of clothes to try on.

"Hey, check it out!" Theresa holds up a red sequin top.

Aleida squeals. "Gimme!"

"Get one in your size, chica! I'll probably just give this one to Flaca!" Theresa puts in her cart.

"Or you could wear it yourself," Diane suggests, pulling a bright green blouse off the rack. "This is cute..."

"Nah, it would look weird on me, I'm not skinny like you three." Theresa gestures to Gloria, Diane, and Aleida.

"You just gotta live your best life," Gloria advises her.

"Try it on! They have it in a large..." Juliana urges Theresa.

"We dare you!" Mariana puts in.

Theresa chuckles. "Okay...as long as it doesn't make me look like a box!"

It ends up being too tight and showing her belly, and her friends wolf-whistle as she poses in it. "Ay dios mío, we totally gotta take you clubbing in that outfit!" Aleida determines aloud.

"Nooo!" Theresa protests. "This is for my daughter only. She'd call it a fashion don't for people my age!"

Diane raises an eyebrow. "I'm forty, too! Are you trying to insult me? I'd wear that in a nanosecond!"

"Of course you would, you could pass for thirty," Theresa retorts. "I can't rock this outfit, I promise you. I just...I don't feel comfortable baring my midriff."

"Ladies, she has a point," Red tells them.

"Alright, fine, but we gotta get you something else hot!" Gloria says. She takes a neon pink dress and brings it up to Theresa. "This is beautiful, no?"

"It's lovely, gracias. Such a calming color!"

"I know, right? Hey, whaddya say we girls all go for mani-pedis tomorrow? Hopefully, Trina can come then."

"¡Sí!" Theresa agrees excitedly, and the rest of them do, too.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, VeraRose19 and Juliette45!