12 days later
*Pilar*
"It's almost weird to be back in the world". Emilia smiles at me as I park Zac's pickup outside the store.

It is the first time we are driving into the shop alone.. we needed to get away for a bit, now when things are clearing up.. at home things are much better too.. Nina and Zac are both out of bed, even though they both tire fast, and Zac still coughs if he pressures himself.. LZ is still mostly in bed, but he is off oxygen and doing much better.

"Yeah.. kinda.. almost scary". I put on the mask.. even having had it, and luckily being out on the other side, we simply do not know enough about this to take any chances.

Emilia gets a shopping cart and I pull out the list.. Luckily there aren't many people in the store, and we are let straight inside. Sometimes you are just lucky I guess. And we start getting everything on the list, plus a few extra things.

As we get to the cash register we hear someone that sounds upset and then the sales clerk. "If you can't pay you need to leave".

"Maybe just the diapers and the baby formula then.. how much ?" A small nervous voice asks.

I look at Emilia and we both walk that way, not hearing the price, but the girl clearly still lacks the money and she begs. "Please.. I need it for my baby".

"Typical". A harsh voice mumbles. "Mexicans.. coming here thinking they can just get everything for free.. and not even wearing a mask".

"I don't.. sorry.. but I am in trouble and my baby..". The young woman sounds about to cry as she stutters her defence.

The woman with the harsh voice huff. "Then go home to your own country.. someone should call the police.. take that poor baby..".

I quickly walk past the racist idiot and up to the cashier. "How much.. for her things.. I'll pay".

The cashier, who looks very uncomfortable by it all, tells me and I pay, from my own wallet and not the money Zac has sent with me.. I can afford that bit.

"There you go sweetie". I tell the girl with a smile.

"Waste of money if you ask me". The bitch huff.

Emilia curses in spanish and answers back. "Well better than being a waste of space like someone else".

"More mexicans.. taking our jobs and money.. you do not belong here.. you hear me.. go home to mexico". She hiss at Emilia.

"Oh you bitch.. first of all I am from fucking Argentina.. not that it matter.. and I am a canadian citizen.. at least my forefathers were all born on this continent.. while yours migrated here.. so what about you piss back to Europe ?" Emilia is almost in her face.

The woman turns to the poor cashier, who has just finished up ringin up her stuff. "Mexicans.. delinquents and drug dealers the bunch of them.. taking our jobs and our money".

"Do you need me to pay for your stuff too ? I'll be happy to do it, if you are in need ma'am". I tell her with a sugary smile.

"I am not ... I can pay for my own things". She hurriedly pulls out her credit card and swipes it.

I fake surprise. "Oh.. I must have misunderstood you then.. I thought you just said the Mexicans took all your money".

She just grabs her things and hurry off.. and we get our own stuff.. as we are about to leave the young girl shows up. I just wanted to thank you.. both for.. paying and for standing up to that woman.. Thank you".

"You are welcome sweetie". I smile at her.. she looks so young.. to young to have a baby.. and kinda scared. "Are you okay ? Do you need any kind of help ?"

"Oh no ma'am". She shakes her head. "You have already done a lot.. I just wanted to thank you.. I need to get out to my baby.. he is sleeping in the car".

I don't know why.. but I just have this feeling. "Or you could go get him and join us for lunch at the little cafe across the parking lot".

"I.. I can't.. the money you know". She is shuffling her feet.

"No worries.. it's my treat". I smile at her. "I would love to meet your little son".

She looks slightly nervous, but her eyes tell me she might be hungry. Emilia smiles warmly at her. "Yeah come on.. I'd love to see your baby too".

"Okay then.. for a little bit". She finally says.

*Emilia*
"Table for three". Pilar says, as we enter the cafe. They only have outdoor serving, but it is fine, as the weather is very pleasant today. "In the shadow please.. for the baby".

The waiter shows us to a table and we sit down, Margarita, which turned out to be the girl's name, places the baby carrier on the floor, beside her chair. "It's a very nice place".

I can see Pilar is struggling internally, then she softly says. "Maybe we should move him over here.. on the other side, where no one risk .. walking into him by accident".

"Oh yeah.. of course". Margarita moves the carrier. "It is all so new.. he is just five weeks old tomorrow.. and I've had no one to help me".

"No worries sweetie.. no one here is judging you". Pilar reaches out, touching her hand softly. "I hope it's okay to ask.. but.. where is his father ? And your family ?"

She looks slightly scared. "My family is back in Mexico.. and his father.. I am not with the father".

I smile at her. "Don't feel obliged to share.. but I'd like to share my story.. I am from Argentina.. my family is there.. I was engaged to a Canadian man but.. Well it was a big mess and I fell for someone new who lives here and well he nearly died from the virus.. right now I kinda don't know what will happen".

"And I know all about how men can be.. I was with a guy for a long time.. turned out he had a family.. he chose them". Pilar says, shaking her head.

"That's what happened to me too". Margarita looks at her. "I was naive.. I thought he loved me so.. I ran off with him here to Austin.. turned out he had a family already.. he just used me".

Pilar just hugs her. "Oh your poor thing.. I feel you.. you are not alone anymore okay ? We are here for you".

The poor girl starts crying and she just holds her, telling her it will all be okay.. I have a feeling this will be a lot more than lunch.