“Hello,” I pick up, excited to know it is my mom calling.

“Daughter, oh my love, Happy birthday—" my mother almost crying— “Ah, Donna...I'm missing you so much, my daughter. I'm sorry I didn't call before, but you know how things are here. I miss you; Mom and Dad love you. I have to be quick; the call is expensive, but wait for a few minutes, let me pass it on to your brother.”

“Hi Lena, happy birthday,” my brother Miguel says cheerfully.

“Oh, thank you, little brother. I miss you.”

“I don’t.” He breaks into an annoying evil laugh but later says, “I miss you more. By the way,...