Clara sighed weakly. "I can't sleep, I have insomnia, and I miss my kids."
Nestor let out a puff of air. "I get you; if you can't sleep, don't force it. Come, let me show you how to plant flowers. I just bought these seedlings; they’ll look stunning when they bloom."
Nodding, Clara crouched down to accept the tools Nestor handed her, and they started digging together.
As they dug, Nestor tried to comfort her. "I know you must miss your kids like crazy, but you gotta keep your chin up. After all, both your kids are safe and sound. I saw the news too; they were both rescued. Ain’t that a silver lining?”
After taking a deep breath, Clara replied, “Yeah, from that angle, you’re right.”
“You gotta stay positive, or else you’ll get stuck in your head, and that's a one-way ticket to mental illness. On the news, it was said that people struggling with mental health issues are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. It was very alarming."
Clara looked up at Nestor and gave him a small smile. "Thanks for looking out for me; I'm okay. As long as I know that both kids are safe and back with the Melendez family, I should be able to rest easy. It's just that I miss them a ton and wanna see them."
"Then why don't you give Mr. Melendez a call? I reckon Elio would let you leave. He said he's not holding you here anymore; you're free to come and go."
"I can't go back, not now." Clara lowered her head and continued digging.
Nestor squinted slightly as a complex look appeared in his eyes that Clara didn't see.
Soon, Elio's car pulled up, and he parked outside the house.
He walked in with breakfast ingredients and was surprised to see Clara gardening. “Why aren’t you getting some more sleep?”
“I can’t sleep.”
Nestor chimed in. “Elio, you’re back. You two chat. I’ll whip up breakfast.”

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