One day we came home and Daddy was gone, too. He left us a note and Mama said it was for the best. He just up and left. There weren't no reason for it. It was just out of the blue.

"Conchita" He looked at me and made it feel like this was a real serious moment, and he said, "You know better, right? You will not go to fast. You are a smart girl."

Once when Papi and I were waiting for the bus after he took me shopping on Elmwood for a new purse for my birthday, we were sitting on bench. I remember Papi looked so old at that moment, and for a second I thought he might be having a heart attack or some gas or something because his face screwed up all weird.