HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

Thomas overcooked the turkey. Lucia forgot sugar in the pie. Rosa arrived with tamales and announced she had expected failure, which was why she brought backup. Mrs. Estelle came too, carrying a casserole and wearing earrings shaped like tiny Christmas trees.

Before dinner, Thomas stood at the table and looked at the people who had helped save his daughter.

“I used to think a good father was a man who worked until his hands hurt,” he said. “I thought if the bills were paid, the fridge was full, and the roof stayed over our heads, I was doing my job.”