Mariana said nothing, but a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Months passed.
Alejandro never pressured her. He didn't call her to come back, he didn't talk about marriage, and he didn't try to convince her with sweet words. He was simply there.
When Mateo came down with a fever early in the morning, Alejandro made the trip from downtown Guadalajara to Zapopan in less than twenty minutes. He walked in the door looking disheveled, his shirt half-unbuttoned, his face tense with worry.
Where is my son?
Mariana, exhausted and with tears in her eyes, could barely speak. Alejandro took the girl in his arms, rushed her to the hospital, and didn't leave her side for a moment.
At five in the morning, Mateo was resting peacefully. Mariana was sitting in a chair in the hallway, with a cup of cold coffee in her hands.
Alejandro slumped down in the seat next to her.
"You should have called me earlier," he said kindly.
—I didn't mean to bother you.
He looked at her with a silent sadness.
"Mariana, he's my son too. And you... you don't have to carry everything alone anymore." She gripped the mug.
I've gotten used to doing it now.
Let me help you break that habit.
Mariana observed his face. The harshness that had previously been reflected in his eyes had softened. The weariness was still there, yes, but beneath it, something small and warm was returning.
A year after that phone call, Mateo turned four.
The celebration was modest: in Mariana's backyard, with blue balloons, a dinosaur piñata, and a table with gelatin, tamales, and tres leches cake.
Alejandro arrived early to help. He hung the decorations, set up the chairs, and ended up completely covered in confetti when Mateo finally broke the piñata.
As night fell, after the last guests had left, Mateo ran towards his parents with his face covered in cake.
Mom, Dad... will you be together tomorrow too?
Mariana and Alejandro exchanged glances.
No one responded immediately.
ssed Mateo's hair.
The day we signed the divorce papers, I didn't know I was pregnant. I found out almost a month later. I called you several times, but you never answered. I went to your apartment, but the doorman told me you'd been out with another woman. Later, I learned from your friends that you were moving on with your life, that you didn't want anything to do with me anymore.
Mateo looked down and hugged his stuffed dinosaur.
I like it when the three of us are together.
Mariana felt a lump in her throat.
Alejandro crouched down until he was at the child's eye level.
—I'll have breakfast with you tomorrow, champ. And the day after tomorrow too. If your mother lets me.
Mateo turned to look at Mariana.
Yes, Mom?
He remained motionless for a moment. Then, he nodded slightly.
-Yes.
Mateo's smile lit up the whole courtyard.
Later, after Alejandro stacked the last chairs, Mariana accompanied him to the door.
"Thank you for today," he said.
Thank you for allowing me to be here.
A long silence settled between them.
Then Mariana said:
—Alejandro… I am no longer the same woman who signed the divorce papers four years ago.
He nodded.
