Yadriel sent Maritza one last thank-you text. Twice she’d asked if she could go with them. Whether it was because she wanted to get out of class, or because she didn’t want Yadriel going off on his own with Julian, he wasn’t sure. Either way, Yadriel was letting himself be selfish.
Hoisting the especially heavily backpack onto his shoulders, Yadriel turned to Julian. “Ready?”
But he really hadn’t needed to ask. Julian was all raw electricity and blazing eyes. “God yes.” A wicked grin cut dimples into his cheeks, and Yadriel couldn’t stop himself from grinning back.
“Don’t draw any attention to yourself,” Yadriel warned him. “We still have to get through the cemetery.”
It was the morning of October 31. While most families were decorating for trick-or-treaters, or dressing their kids up for school, it was a very different scenario in the brujx cemetery.
As Yadriel quickly dashed between headstones, men and women filed in and out of the church and down the stone pathways, carrying boxes of candles, stacks of papel picado, and stalks of sugarcane. The resident spirits were also out, walking among the living and chatting excitedly. There were enough that Julian blended in with the crowds, a safe distance from Yadriel.
Lita stood on the steps of the church, calling out instructions and directing people this way and that, like a maestro. She wore one of her best dresses, a white one with short sleeves and brightly embroidered flowers along the neck and hem. A heavy beaded necklace was around her neck with a gold pendant depicting the Maya calendar. Bracelets of gold and jade clacked on her wrists.
His father stood by the gate, pointing people in the right direction as he tried to pat down his wavy hair. He wore a pair of slacks and a short-sleeved guayabera. It was bright red, which Yadriel knew was his mom’s favorite color.
He was about to make a run for it when his dad stopped him. “Yadriel!” he called after, waving him over. He looked nervous, continuing to fuss with his hair.
“I’m in a hurry, Dad,” Yadriel tried to deflect. “Late for school.” Julian slipped out behind his dad’s back, dodging between brujx and spirits alike.
“We need to put the finishing touches on the ofrenda for your mamá, so don’t be late,” his dad said, combing his fingers through his mustache. He smoothed down his shirt and stood up tall, sucking in his gut.
Yadriel just nodded. While he was getting used to sneaking around, he still didn’t have it in himself to lie so blatantly to his dad’s face. He would not be home right after school, probably wouldn’t be back until very late, after—
His stomach clenched. No, he didn’t want to think about that. Right now, he was only looking to make Julian happy. He wouldn’t let himself think past midnight.
Luckily, his dad didn’t seem at all suspicious. Enrique let out a breath, and his stomach pushed against his shirt, spilling a little over the edge of his belt.
Yadriel used his dad’s distraction to his benefit. “Okay, see you tonight!” he called, giving his dad a wave as he ran out the gate and down to where Julian was waiting at the corner.
“So, where to first, patrón?” he asked, walking backward in front of Yadriel.
“The store,” he said.
“For what?”
“Your favorite food. Whatever you want.”
Julian’s eyes lit up. “Whatever I want? But—wait.” He frowned. “For me? But I thought I couldn’t eat normal food?”
“You can’t,” Yadriel agreed, looking both ways before he crossed the street. “It’s for later.”
“What’s later?” Julian asked, jogging after him.
“It’s a secret,” Yadriel told him. He expected Julian to put up a fight, or at least whine and demand answers.
Instead, Julian bit his bottom lip, a wide smile splitting his face. The tips of his ears tinged red, and satisfaction thrummed in Yadriel’s chest.
They went to the local Mexican market. It was a large cement building painted yellow. As they strolled down the aisles, Yadriel dumped anything Julian pointed out into a red hand basket. Quickly, it filled up with packages of Gansitos, two glass bottles of Coke, pink coconut cookies, and some potato chips.
“TAKIS, TAKIS, TAKIS!” Julian crowed, running up to the display rack.
“Limón or fuego?” Yadriel asked, holding up the two bags.
Julian’s face contorted, like he’d just tasted something bitter. “Tch, fuego, obviously.” He shuddered. “I don’t like stuff with too much lime.”
Yadriel laughed and tossed the bag in. “You’re a disgrace to your people.” He bought the snacks with the cash he’d been saving