Madeleine Corstolla-Klein Leo helped me into his car. I still felt slightly woozy from earlier. I sighed, wondering if anyone had called Ba. "What's up?" Leo asked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Just thinking about my Ba." I say. Leo glances at me, "No one called him, did they?" He said solemnly. I rubbed my temple with my thumb, anxiously. I hated having to tell Ba these types of things. Most of all he hated hearing it. "Well, can't you tell him?" He asked. "I can't. It's...complicated." "I have time." His voice was calm. "I'll...tell you at the house." When we got home, Lupe was barking up a storm, jumping all over Leo. "Lupe!" "Oh, it's fine, Madeleine. He's just a pup." He laughed as Lupe licked his face like he was trying to eat him. "Niña? Where have you been?" Ba walked out of the pantry, holding a bag of flour. His eyes were clouded with worry. "Ba...I--" "We can talk in your room later. In the meantime, come help me make chalupas." Ba walked back into the kitchen setting the flour on the counter and pulled out a pot & a pan. I couldn't understand how he was so calm. Leo walked over, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Mr, uhh," He looked at me, "Corstolla" I whispered. "Mr. Corstolla. I'm Madeleine's new partner." He held out his hand, smiling his bright, amazing smile. Ba smiled back, and set down his spatula, walking over to shake Leo's hand. Ba let Leo talk with us, since he would have been a witness. Me and Leo explained everything, his expression changing drastically throughout our explanation. "Oh, pecècillo." He held my face in his hand. "I wish I could have known." He hugged me. "I'm alright, Ba. And Leo helped me." I looked over at Leo, he smiled at me. His spectacular smile.
