But one fear had softened.
Elena was not coming to take her children.
Her sister had been searching for truth too.
Esperanza reached for the envelope.
Mother Caridad turned slightly.
“You do not need to read it now.”
“I know.”
Esperanza opened it anyway.
Inside was a single sheet.
Ana,
You asked me to write down what happened in case your memory became uncertain again.
You chose to help me once, and then you chose to stop. Both choices were yours.
After the first procedure failed, you told Mother Inés you were frightened by how easily others spoke about your body as though it belonged to a plan instead of to you.
You asked her to destroy every remaining authorization.
She promised she would.
You also asked one more thing.
You said that if you ever became pregnant without remembering your choice, someone must tell Mother Caridad immediately.
You trusted her to protect your right to decide.
