Behind her, the washing machine was running.
It was packed with clothes.
I recognized Patricia’s expensive blouses, Bianca’s colorful shirts, and Teresa’s thick towels.
Everyone’s clothes were being washed except my daughter’s.
“Sofia?”
She jerked around so violently that the sweatshirt slipped from her hands.
“Dad?”
Her face changed when she recognized me.
She didn’t smile.
She didn’t run toward me.
She looked terrified.
That frightened me more than the sight of her raw hands.
“What are you doing down here?”
She quickly stood up, knocking the bucket against the wall.
“Nothing. I was just finishing.”
I looked at the washing machine, then at the clothes in the bucket.
“Why aren’t you using the machine?”
She stared at the floor.
“Patricia said I shouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because electricity and water cost money.”
I looked around the room. The machine was full of other people’s clothes, spinning beneath the dim light from the window.
“Apparently, there’s enough electricity for everybody else.”
Sofia said nothing.
I took one step closer.
“Where is Patricia?”
“They went to Cancún.”
“Who went to Cancún?”
“Patricia, Grandma Teresa, and Bianca.”
I stared at her.
“When?”
“Yesterday morning.”
“And they left you here alone?”
She nodded.
I felt a cold sensation travel down my spine.
“You’re sixteen years old. Why would they leave you here alone for several days?”
“They said I was old enough to take care of the house.”
“How long will they be gone?”
“Until Sunday.”
I checked the time on my phone. It was almost eleven on Friday night.
“They left you alone for two nights already?”
Sofia nodded again.
“Did they leave you money for food?”
She hesitated.
That hesitation told me more than an answer could have.
“Sofia.”
“They said there’s rice in the kitchen.”
“Anything else?”
“Some beans.”
I glanced at the washing machine again.
“Why were you washing clothes at this hour?”
“Patricia said everything had to be clean before they came home. She said if I didn’t finish, I’d regret it.”
“What did she mean by that?”
Sofia pulled down her sleeves.
It was a small movement, but I noticed it immediately.
For the first time since entering the house, I looked at her arms instead of her face.
“Sofia, look at me.”
She didn’t.
“Please, Dad. I’m tired.”
