One week later, everything began moving along.
Winter completely gave way to Spring. The sky was clear, casting warm light, and you could sll fresh grass all over the Montoyas’ yard.
Life keeps going even when you’re sad, and Diego’s football career was keeping on, too.
Maltide did exactly what she said she would do. That morning, she arrived in a Toyota Highlander, driven by her aunt. Matilde got out looking like she had a big job to do, holding her bag tight before walking to the house.
Diego was actually two days late to start at EDM San Blas. Matilde knew that, but she didn’t think it was a big deal. She thought he needed a break after the loss of his father. Also, she heard from people that the first two days were just boring stuff, like an orientation and eting people.
Because of that, Matilde decided today was Diego’s real first day.
She walked across the grass, past the mango tree and the little path to the door. She looked like she was in a good mood, but also trying to look serious, too. At the door, she straightened her clothes, stood up straight, and knocked firmly.
It didn’t take long for the door to open. Olly had seen her through a window and ran to tell her older sister. So, by the ti Maltide actually got to the porch, the latch was already rattling.
The wood swung open, revealing Yazmin. She was a bit taller than Matilde and had a look on her face like she was never impressed by anything.
For a second, the two girls just looked at each other. Then Yazmin snorted. "So... Diego says your dad is on the alcade’s board or sothing?"
Matilde blinked, not expecting that. "Oh—um, not exactly. He works with the municipal planning committee. He isn’t... on the board," she corrected.
Yazmin only tilted her head. She sized Matilde up and down, checking out her clean shoes and her nice dress. Without smiling or saying anything polite, she just gave her a once-over before she stepped back into the house, leaving the door halfway open.
Matilde swallowed hard.
From where she was standing, she could see inside the house. It had a narrow hallway and tiles that looked pretty old. Olly was peeking from behind the couch with big eyes. The little girl waved like this was the most exciting thing ever.
Matilde wasn’t sure what to do, but she thought the open door ant she should co in. She was just about to step inside—
—when Diego suddenly stumbled out and almost crashed right into her.
He looked like a ss. His hair was all over the place, his shirt was wrinkled, and his face looked like he had just woken up. He stepped out onto the porch and slamd the door shut behind him.
"Diego, you look like you slept in the attic!" Maltide exclaid right away.
Diego, who was right in the middle of a big yawn, stopped. He closed his mouth, rubbed his eyes, and just shrugged. He knew he looked bad.
Without even asking him, Matilde stepped closer to him. She reached up and started fixing his hair, smoothing down the ssy parts toward the back. Then she ssed with his collar, pulling it so it looked right around his neck.
Diego stood still, unusually patient.
When she was done, he breathed out and whispered, "Thanks."
"You look like you slept on a bed of flowers," he said in return.
For a second, Matilde looked like she had lost her cool. Her face got really red, and she looked away fast. She started acting like she was busy fixing her bag strap so he wouldn’t see.
They stood there on the porch for a minute, sharing an awkward silence. But when Diego heard his sisters giggling behind the walls, he decided it was ti to move.
"Did you bring a ride?" he asked.
"Yes, my aunt," Matilde said, pointing toward the roadside.
There, a slim woman leaned against the car, her arms folded as she watched them. When Diego saw her looking, he fixed his shirt again and stood up straight as they made a beeline for her.
The woman said her na was Aunt Chickie, and that it was a pleasure to finally et the Diego, whom her niece talked about all the ti.
Chickie confird that she would be driving them to the club. She said whenever she was free and still in town, she’d be happy to give them a lift anyti.
A few seconds later, they all got in, and the car started up. The Highlander drove off toward Canillejas. The place was only about 3.9 kiloters away, which isn’t really far, but to Diego, it felt like a long trip. He kept his eyes glued to the window, looking at every turn and every street he didn’t recognize. This was the farthest he had been from his house since this new life.
The view changed as they drove. The sparse houses turned into big streets with taller buildings and brighter signs. There were way more people walking around and more cars because of the main road nearby and a tro station.
Pretty soon, Auntie Chickie slowed down and turned under a big gate. Right away, Diego knew they’d arrived because it matched the image from the pamphlet he was given.
Auntie Chickie parked in a small lot that was pretty full. She turned off the car and got out first, looking like she knew exactly where she was going. She waited for Diego and Matilde, and then they all walked toward the main building together.
Diego started walking a bit slower because he was busy looking at the big green field behind the building. It looked way bigger and nicer than it did in the photos. It wasn’t just for football, either. He could see a basketball court and a volleyball court off to the side, too. Everything appeared really clean and professional. The grass was very green and looked soft, especially with the orange sunlight hitting it.
Over on the pitch, so older boys were already running drills. They looked a year or two older than Diego, moving in sharp, practiced patterns. Two n dressed in all black stood on the sideline with their arms crossed. They occasionally shouted out instructions that sounded pretty serious, even from far away.
Matilde leaned on Diego. "I already talked to my aunt about your precarious situation," she whispered. "She’s going to help you get registered so you don’t have to worry about anything. And if they ask why your mom isn’t here, I told her she might have to pretend to be your guardian, too. Like she’s your own aunt."
Diego looked at her, feeling pretty surprised. He looked back at the field, feeling a bit better.
With his mother still hesitant about all of this, he was happy that he’d found a redy.
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