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CHAPTER 1

Victor

Victor didn't go to the airlock to see Alejandra leave the family forever, to ood-bye to his best friend, not without revealing how close he had co in love with so ship

The Italians were a four-ship operation, and their lead ship, a beheer named Vesuvio, had been attached to El Cavador for a week, as the faoods and infor; the wo he had ever eaten, with colorful spices and creamy sauces and oddly shaped pasta noodles Victor's own invention, an HVAC booster that could increase the central heating terees, had been an immediate hit with the Italians "Noill all wear one sweater instead of three!" one of the Italian hter and thunderous applause The Italians had been so sht inelse the family had offered So when Concepcion called Victor in to talk to hi to commend him

"Close the door, Victor," said Concepcion

Victor did so

The captain's office was a small space adjacent to the hel instead to be out with the crew,them in the amount of labor they put in each day She was in her early seventies, but she had the energy and coe

"Alejandra is going with the Italians, Victor"

Victor blinked, sure that he had misheard

"She's leaving from the airlock in ten minutes We debated whether it ise to even tell you beforehand and allow you two to say good-bye to each other, thinking perhaps that it ht be easier for you to find out afterward But I don't think I could ever forgive ive me either"

Victor's first thought was that Concepcion was telling him this because Alejandra, whom he called Janda for short, was his dearest friend They were close He would obviously be devastated by her departure But a half second later he understood as really happening Janda was sixteen, two years too young toher The fa her away And the captain of the ship was telling Victor in privatehi her off because of him

"But we haven't done anything wrong," said Victor

"You two are second cousins, Victor We would never be able to trade with the other fa"

Dogging, fro The as like a slap "Dogging? But I would never in a est that ould do such a thing?" It was vile to even think it; to the belter fa side of the incest taboo