The Guardians

Regina

After monsoon season ends, Regina wonders if the next plague that will be visited upon Cabuche will be locusts. The locusts do not materialize, but she does hear through the rumor mill at the school that her job may be cut at the end of the year. Regina understands that to the school, she is replaceable, no matter how hard she works or how good she is at her job. While she is lost in thought about the possibility of being laid off, she gets a call from Gabo’s principal asking her to come in for a meeting. The principal explains that Gabo, although very bright, has been struggling socially in school. She reports that he wears a robe and huarache sandals to class and that he has been proselytizing. The school does not have a policy against his behavior, but they are supposed to keep religion out of the classroom. Regina is concerned.

Gabo

Gabo recalls feeling heartbroken when the priest left, and he worries that he somehow caused the priest to desert the church. He also worries that he is not devout enough and tries every day to prove his devotion to God.