The Guardians

Regina

Gabo is hiding out at Father Juan Bosco’s house. Regina has never been a fan of their local priest, and she is dubious of Gabo’s choice to stay with the man. She goes to see her son, but the priest tells her that Gabo does not need to see her and that he is going to remain with him until he is ready to enter the priesthood. He judges Regina for having “let” Jesse, El Toro, and Tiny Tears befriend him and feels that he can keep the boy safer than she can. As she is leaving, Gabo pokes his head out of the door to tell his aunt that he is fine. She reflects that losing both of his parents to treacherous border crossings must have been traumatic for him and that he has clearly found solace in God.

Gabo

Gabo thanks God for delivering him from a prisoner’s fate. El Abuelo Milton picked him up from the police station and allowed Gabo to drive his truck on the way back to his house. He disparaged El Toro and Los Palominos, and Gabo had to admit that Milton was right: Jesse claimed to be his friend but took his shoes as “payment,” and El Toro took Gabo’s Saint Christopher medal, his only keepsake from his father.