The versatioween Agustina and Jerry Wrexler didn't end with the simple search to sign a tract. The old man patiently waited fustina to speak with the wyer friend she had, a chubby, white man, very different from what one might expect of Agustina, a friend of her te husband. A man who unfortunately passed away, who was the bae of the household.

  -Thomas passed away six years ago, - Matheus Man said, watg Agustina. - Sihen, her life has turned upside down. Even though Thomas had medical insurahe bills piled up to the point where it became very difficult fustina to pay all the medical expehey sold the house; the estate wasn't friendly. The poor woman has been w everywhere to sustain her and her son's lives. She's a very g woman, Mr. Jerry,- the wyer said.

  -I uand, and my tract is more than generous. I iated it myself with the boss. Believe me, Mr. Man, when you hear Agustina's son sing, you won't regret my words. The boy is excellent, - Jerry said.

  -He's quite good, although I'm unfamiliar with the industry, I don't see any mali the tract. The boy's profits are high for a mere novice; I expected something stricter. What do you gain from this? - Man asked, taking a sip of his beer.

  The beers scattered oable were a tale of sorts. Spencer was drunk, sleeping on his hand after two pints of beer, while Jerry was on his third. Age dulled his senses, but Matheus was a true drinker, an avid drinker, on his fifth pint in an hour.

  -I see what I see when I see him, - Jerry said.

  -A businessman, - Matheus replied.

  Jerry just nodded.

  -You think highly of me, Mr. Matheus, although I must say, not even alcohol removes the deherent in wyers. I am a purposeless old man, but seeing the boy sing gives me purpose. I don't need money anymore, and I tire of saying it, but as his representative, I'll take seven pert of his earnings. I'll be a multimillioh det care of the child. Let's guide him to leave behind those bad habits he's picked up. He's rebellious and talented, but we o el his rebellion, which is why his mother is so important, - Jerry said.

  Agustina tried to overhear the versation, pag recurrently among the tables. But she couldn't catch much; she was anxious, hoping to see a glimmer of hope, a sign from God that He hadn't fotten her iime of need.

  Matheus beed her over, and Agustina ched the tray against her chest. Though strong, she was now a very naive woman, but fortunately, this time nothing happehat would harm her iure.

  She sighe dots and smiled.

  -Well, now I'd like to get back to work. My phone number, - she said, jotting it down below her signature. -- You said you'd get Billy out of the correal facility. I want that to happen; my boy 't tinue in that degrading enviro. He's beeen numerous times, and it's unfair for this to happen to my child. -

  -Before we leave, could y us the bill? And I'd like to propose a job, Mrs. Agustina. Better paid than these handouts, - Jerry said.

  -Very well, you'll have five minutes, - Agustina said, rushing for the bill.

  To Matheus's sternation, Jerry Wexler pulled out the third tract of the night, handing it to Mr. Matheus, an Assistant tract, an assistant for his son. It involved taking care of meals, looking after the boy, and providing sel and assistance. A tract to be a mother, Matheus thought, finishing his beer, surprised by the old man's expertise; paying the mother to care for him would earn goodwill, and there was no oer to take care of Billy.

  ****************************************************************************

  A week ter.

  Billy received a visit.

  -Carson, you have a visitor, - the security guard said.

  Weekends were chosen for long visits. Although visits could happen any day, weekends allowed for loays. Billy adjusted his uniform; he was engaged in sports. Diligently, he exercised in the m to improve his physical dition—a habit he adopted after realizing that better physical health enhanced his singing ability. However, he felt his progress pteauing; what once seemed effortless now felt challenging.

  The sight surprised him; there was his mother, as beautiful as ever. He felt warmth in his heart upon seeing her, like heaven in hell. His mother was a bea of genuine e in his life—a source of ughter, fort, and motivation.

  -Mama, - Billy said, approag her with a hint of shyness. He didn't want the other boys to see him embrag his mom, although the thought felt silly. He hugged her, almost feeling like g against her chest, feeling the warmth enveloping him, a sense of strength he hadn't felt in a long time, inexplicably renewing his vigor.

  -What are you doing in Arizona, Mama? - Billy asked.

  -I moved to Arizona. For now, I live here. I got a part-time job as a secretary at a pany. I'm staying at a motel, but I want to visit you every day, - Agustina said.

  Billy's mother was a very good woman.

  -You didn't have to, - Billy said.

  -You don't tell me what to do, young man. Your mama is an adult woman who decides what she wants to do. It's always good to ge the sery. Besides, don't worry, I have support. I'll take you to see him, - Agustina said mysteriously.

  -You'll take me to see him? - Billy said, almost incredulously.

  -Yes, but let's eat first, - Agustina said, unveiling a tray of food—chorizers, fries, lemon juice, and dulce de leche. Everything a child could ask for.

  -You made so much, - Billy said.

  -Yrowing up, and besides, I brought some to give to the security guards, but they're grumpier than those at the previous correal facility. I even thought they might ihe food. I 't believe the prison's ck of trust. I only have oion now—to give some to your friends. You have friends, right? - Agustina asked.

  -A gang, - Billy said.

  Agustina's happiness evaporated in an instant. - Fet it. Don't tell me anymore. I don't want to ruin the day. -

  -A gang! Is it just a term the kids use, or is Billy following the wrong path that led him to the Correal? Could they have threatened him to join the gang? - Agustina thought, her face t into a series of expressions, tapping her with her fingers.

  -Call your friends, bring them; I'll set the table, - Agustina said, standing up te the metal tables. She saw two giant guards trying to say something to the petite woman, who just smiled at them.

  -What's wrong, Billy? Hurry, bring them, - Agustina said, following the two men.

  Billy tried to make ohing clear. He walked to the basketball court and called or, Sam, Fred, Jimmy, and Joseph. He had to tell them it was something good; they'd apany him for a while, and then they could go about their usual activities—hanging out iands, pying basketball, or causing a ruckus over some trivial issue.

  -What's the mystery, Billy? - Sam asked.

  -Nothing, my mom arrived, and she said to invite you guys to eat. She brought food; she loves cooking for others; it's one of her favorite pastimes, - Billy said.

  -Food? What nonsense, - Jimmy said, the most outspoken alongside Sam, both being the troublemakers of the group.

  -You leave me your portion, Jimmy, - Fred said, the troll.

  -You wish, big guy! - Jimmy replied.

  As they walked to the visitor area, Billy was the only one among the three boys who received visitors. Joseph's father was a military man who visited only to express his disappoi every four months, scolding him repeatedly for his criminal behavior.

  The tables were set close together, with a guard assisting Agustina with the arras. It wasn't her power of persuasion; it was just that very few people resisted when someoreated them kindly, and Agustina used kio deal with people; she was calm and peaceful, her demeanor alone minimizing issues.

  There were napkins in front of each table. Agustina greeted each boy with a hug, even the reserved or, who didn't know how to react.

  -I thought, why not get to know Billy's friends? - Agustina said aloud, pulling out the stacked burgers. There were twelve of them, and the boys' eyes widened like lions, big and yellow, smelling the delicious aroma. But that was to be expected. There itcher of juice, disposable cups, and fries served on napkins—each boy stopped talking for the en minutes, eatiily, which pleased the mother, who only sampled some fries at her station.

  -You eat more; help yourselves to another one, - Agustina said to Fred, who aking a bite of another burger. They were so delicious that Billy sighed, feeling like he missed out on such food for so long.

  -Wow, ma'am. I haveen anything this delicious since I robbed that fancy restaurant, - Sam said.

  Billy wao sm him against the table, but in front of his mother, Sam was just being stupid.

  -Stealing is nht. Although I usually do it before eating, we have to say a prayer to thank God for the food He's provided, - Agustina said, making the boys uneasy.

  -The little thief will say thank you today. e on, you do it, - Agustina said.

  Sam agreed, feeling nervous uheir gaze. - Lord, I thank you for the burgers; the pork is delicious. I mean, they were as good as those from the er near my house. Thank you, Lord, fiving us something tasty to eat, - Sam said.

  ...