Easter's Lilly Read online

  Somehow we became a safe house for those who were testifying in the world’s scariest trial. Witnesses were dying before they hit the stand, so Max and Hector decided to bring Diego to our house until the trial was over. We all stayed in Diego and Max’s house except this time, I was sleeping in Max’s room. It was really weird, at least for me. Diego spent many hours reading his bible out by the creek. Hector had his eye on him. Max was oddly comfortable with him. They always had sort of a strangely close, enemy like relationship. They always saved each other when life or death was involved. But this time was different. Diego never touched me or even made a gesture that he wanted to. He was a perfect gentleman at all times and even made breakfast a time or two like Max used to do when things were the other way around. His religious conversion started rubbing off on Max and I found the whole thing disheartening. Max and Diego had heated theological discussions often and I found them reading together like… brothers. Hector was not as biblically moved as Max was and this began to put a little tension in the house.

  We finally decided to have the birthday party. It was ridiculously late but it was time: Two dads, two uncles and me. Diego was oddly uncomfortable around Johnny. I had to sit little Diego down and explain Diego’s Sr.’s religious conversion. Not an easy story for a five year old. The party went on without a hitch. When it was finally time for John to go, I overheard him and Diego talking in the kitchen.

  “I tried, man. She gave in a little, but not enough to make a difference,” Johnny said.

  “She would never choose you over him. They’re way too close,” Diego told him. He was pacing around the kitchen like they were up to something.

  “You think you can break through. You’re crazy.” John laughed a little and threw out the empty beer bottle he had been nursing.

  “She is still my wife,” Diego said. “I never agreed to that divorce. It was Max’s old girlfriend who granted it. Otherwise, she’d still be mine.”

  All of that freaked me out. Max never talked about his old lovers but I guess Diego would know. “I realize she would rather die than take me back,” Diego admitted. “I will ask God for forgiveness. Maybe she will forgive me someday too.”

  “Don’t give me that garbage,” Johnny responded. “I don’t believe you’ve found God. Come on…. You’re Diego Montiago: Drug Lord.”

  Diego laughed. “You think what you want.” He started cleaning up cake dishes in the sink. “God knows where I stand. I just hope Lilly does too.”

  I quickly ran off so they wouldn’t see me. John came out of the kitchen first. “May I say goodbye to my boy?” he asked.

  “Of course,” I answered. I went and got Dieguito and called Max over to say goodbye.

  “Son,” John said. “I love you very much.” Dieguito threw his little arms around his neck. Max smiled at me. “Be good for your mommy. I will see you as soon as I can.”

  “I love you daddy,” he said. Johnny’s eyes welled up with tears. He hid his face from me for a minute.

  “It’s okay,” Max told him. “Children will do that to you.” John bent down and hugged Dieguito. Then he kissed his forehead and stood up. “Look John,” Max said. “I don’t appreciate your trying to steal my girl but I do understand it.” John smiled and looked at me like it was the last time we would see each other. “I owe you for taking care of her and Christian.”

  “I’d say we’re even now, Max. Good luck with Diego hanging around.”

  “I can’t catch a break, can I?” Max observed. They actually hugged each other and John left. “One down,” Max said to me. “One to go.” We watched John get into his car and drive off. I wondered how long it would be before he caused trouble for us again.