Everything seemed so pointless. I wished I hadn’t pretended to be sick, because now I felt like I really needed to stay in bed.All day long, I’d been convincing myself that I didn’t want to see Mathias or do the Friday deliveries, but as I walked home and saw him on the front stoop, a sliver of anticipation crept back into my chest. Quickly I pushed it away. I had to remember that I was nothing more than the daughter of the sardinera.“Hurry up!” Mathias waved me over.I kept my slow stride.He tapped his foot, waiting for me to get closer.“The sardines are upstairs. I’ll go get them.” I spoke with no emotion.“No, wait.” He gave me a slightly wicked smile. “I’ve got an idea. Can I go up with you?”I stared at him. It was completely wrong to allow a boy into our apartment without Mamá being home.“Are you crazy? There’s no—”He pulled out an envelope and showed it to me. “Look, the back flap isn’t completely sealed. If we steam it, it’ll probably come unglued and we can see what’s inside.”I took the envelope and flipped it over in my hands.Mathias nudged me.
