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Tomorrow is another day. A new day. It’s going to be whatever you make it.
    Never one to follow her own advice, Ariel flopped down on the bed and was asleep within minutes. Her dreams were invaded by a tall, slender, black-eyed boy with a halo of ebony curls and the sweetest smile in the world.
    “Don’t be scared, Aggie. He’s just going to say some words. They’re going to be in Spanish. I’ll whisper the meaning as he goes along. I have the ring. I made it from fishing wire. I braided it. I made one for me, too. You have to put it on my finger just the way I have to put it on yours. Someday when I’m rich and famous, I’ll buy you one that’s full of diamonds. What kind will you buy me?”
    “A thick, fat, gold one, maybe with a design on it. Our initials on the inside and the date. How long will we have to keep our marriage a secret, Felix?”
    “Until your parents start to like me. Maybe that will be soon. How long do you think it will be, Aggie?”
    “I don’t know, Felix. I think we might have to wait until I’m twenty-one. Then I can do whatever I want. They won’t be able to say anything. It makes me mad that my mother used to let your mother clean our house, but says you aren’t good enough for me. I wish my father didn’t hate you. He’s not tolerant at all. He doesn’t even care that you have a dual citizenship. I wish your mother hadn’t told my mother that you were born on her employer’s kitchen floor. I heard my mother talking to my father. She said you told her that after she cleaned you up, she continued to clean the kitchen. She knew she wouldn’t get paid if she didn’t finish out the day. I cried when I heard her say that.”
    Felix’s face burned crimson. “My mother worked herself into an early grave. She did all she could for us. There’s no shame in hard work, Aggie. I wish . . . I wish she was alive so that when I get rich and famous I could buy her a big house and have some Anglo lady clean it for her.”
    She squeezed Felix’s hand. “I love you so much. This is right, what we’re doing, but I’m scared. How about you?”
    “I’m excited. It’s going to be wonderful because we love each other. Don’t be scared. I found the perfect place. I fixed it up yesterday. It smells so good, Aggie. I put flowers all around and there’s moss all over the place. My people call it a wedding bower. It’s perfect, just the way you’re perfect.”
    “Are you sure no one will find out, Felix? My father will kill you if he . . . he will, Felix.”
    “No one will find out. That’s why we’re going up to the mountains. The man who will marry us is a very old priest. I’ve known him since I was a small boy. He will keep our papers safe until we want them. I thought that was best. Do you think so, too, Aggie?”
    “I can’t keep them at home. My mother goes through my things. She’s always looking for something. She shakes out my school books. I always tear up your notes after I memorize them. It’s good that the priest is willing to keep them. You can always go back and get them when the time is right. I think I’m getting excited. More excited than scared. At this time tomorrow I’ll be Mrs. Felix Sanchez. It sounds nice. Agnes Sanchez. Someday I’m going to get writing paper and have my name at the top. Should I put Aggie or Agnes?”
    “I like Aggie best. It’s time to go, Aggie. We’re going to cross the bridge—it’s a long walk. Then we’ll go through town till I find the path that will take us up to the mountains. It’s a three-hour walk. If you get tired I’ll carry you. I’m stronger than I look.”
    “You’re perfect, Felix. Two whole days! The most time we’ve ever spent together. I’m so happy. We wouldn’t be able to do this if my friend Helen hadn’t agreed to say I was spending the weekend with her. Promise me we’ll always be this happy.”
    “I promise. Promise me you’ll love me forever and ever.”
    “I promise if you promise,