can a frustrated single mom and failed big city journalist save her family and salvage her career by returning to a town run by a gang of bungling thugs?


“The Resurrection of Puerto Cielo” is a novella published in serial form, 43 posts.




24


Manny couldn’t get Maria out of her mind. Since the breakup, she’d scarcely seen the girl in the wheelchair, occasionally spotting her rolling alone through school hallways.

Who am I to judge Maria by her father, Manny thought, absently walking past the benched Bernie brothers without responding to their nods.

I don’t even know my own dad.

She nearly tripped over Lazy and Arnold lying snuggled, in the warm afternoon sun. Lost in dreamland, they didn’t move.

The stumble snapped her back. She stopped, took a deep breath, and pushed through the door into the Star office.

For a moment, she immersed her mind in the sea of sunflowers dancing on the vibrant blue wall. So many of them, each one different. For the first time, Manny noticed an empty sky space near the door. This end of the wall, about six feet long, was missing the bright waving blossoms.

I wonder why Grandma stopped, she thought, realizing how much she missed the times Sophia would simply sit beside Manny, patiently listening to her granddaughter’s constant questions before offering an answer, an answer that was usually another question.

She so wished her grandmother was here to talk to.

Laughter rang out from the editor’s office. Manny heard two female voices and poked her head inside the open door.

“Manny,” her mom called out, “Carmen and I have an idea. Come in and tell us what you think.”

Sensing their excitement, Manny joined the conspirators.

***