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Author Insight
Mami's Surprising Bravery
The day Marcos's mother finds her courage is the day her kids leave the safety of Hocking Hills State Park to confront their nation's dictator. As a mother of three young adults, I nearly bawled writing this scene. Letting your kids go is so hard, but Mami makes it look easy here. If you've read the entire series, though, you know this hasn't been her story from the beginning. We don't see Mami "on-page" that much in United, but it's obvious how much Marcos and his sister Flavia love her and how much she loves them back. The best twist in this scene: Mami's bravery surprises Marcos. He never expected her to step into this role. And yet she did.
Book Excerpt
United
Marcos darted into the cave where his mother slept, encountering Flavia already standing in the doorway to Mami’s room.
“Marcos, good timing,” Flavia said. “I’ve already told Mami what’s happening.”
With an exclamation, his Mami threw herself into Marcos’s chest, wrapping her arms around his middle and squeezing the air from his lungs. He pressed her further into him and absorbed her affection like a dry sponge.
“Mami,” he said, the word getting choked in his throat. “Te amo.”
Mami burst into full-on Spanish and Marcos struggled to keep up, darting his gaze to Flavia’s to see if his sister knew their mother could speak fluent Spanish. Flavia shrugged back at him, as if this was also news to her, and joined their hug.
“I will miss my hijos,” Mami said, wiping her eyes and lifting her head. “Take care of each other, okay? Marcos, I know you’ll watch out for Flavia, but Flavia, keep him out of trouble. This is a very dangerous thing you’re doing. And every day I will be thinking of you both. Plus, I’ll make Amy promise to tell me news. Not where you are or anything, just that you’re okay.”
Mami reached up and grasped Marcos’s face, bringing his lips to hers in a loud smack, then did the same to Flavia. Marcos couldn’t recall the last time his Mami had hugged him — let alone kiss him, even on the cheek. He’d probably been a baby.
When Mami released them both, Marcos stood, stunned, before jolting himself back to reality. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “And stay out of trouble here.”
Mami smiled. “As long as they let me cook, I’ll be fine. Even if more bombs come, I won’t react like I did last time. I won’t be scared. Without Hector around to do it, I have to be brave and bold.”
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