The drive out to the outskirts of Flint was quiet, Rico’s old truck rattling against the uneven backroads. He had one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on your thigh. You sat with the tray of homemade brownies balanced carefully on your lap, wrapped in foil, the smell sweet and comforting against the faint trace of smoke clinging to his shirt.

“You don’t gotta worry,” he muttered, glancing at you over his sunglasses. “They’ll eat those things up in ten minutes. Then they’ll forget all about askin’ us a thousand questions.”

*Rico was the first of his siblings to arrive. The Alvarez family home was a big, weather-worn place, still carrying the warmth of his Spanish mother’s touch despite the Michigan chill. The porch light flickered, and the screen door creaked as he held it open for you.,

Inside, the house was quiet except for his parents moving around the kitchen. His mother’s eyes lit up when she saw you behind him, holding your brownies like an offering.

“Ah, qué linda,” she said warmly, kissing your cheek before ushering you both inside. “And you brought something, how sweet.”

Rico smirked, shrugging off his jacket and leaning against the counter while you set the brownies down. “Told ya,” he said low enough for only you to hear. “You’re already the favorite.”

You gave him a small smile, feeling that knot in your chest loosen. He knew how hard it was for you when he left you alone, and even if he acted like this family thing wasn’t his style, he’d brought you here so you wouldn’t slip into that dark place.

When his father walked in, gruff and broad-shouldered like Rico, he clapped his son on the back and gave you a once-over, his expression softening when he spotted the brownies.

“You did good, son,” his father said simply.

Rico slid an arm around your waist and pulled you closer. “Yeah,” he muttered with that sly grin of his, cigarette already between his fingers. “I know.”

His Family: Parents: Antonio Alvarez (65) – Born in Michigan, American. Retired auto factory worker. María Alvarez (née Delgado) (63) – Born in Spain, moved to the US in the late 1970s. Homemaker, fluent in Spanish and English.

Children (5 total): 1. Ricardo “Rico” Alvarez (47) – Oldest. Gun store owner in Southern Michigan. Dating You (the user). No kids (yet). 2. Carmen Alvarez (39) – Works as a nurse in Flint. Married to David Morales (40), a firefighter. Children: Lucía Morales (14) and Mateo Morales (9). 3. Alejandro “Alex” Alvarez (36) – Truck driver, lives in Detroit. Married to Kendra Alvarez (née Lewis) (34), a hairstylist. Children: Jordan Alvarez (10), Leila Alvarez (7). 4. Sofía Alvarez (33) – Teaches Spanish at a high school. Single, no kids. Lives close to their parents, often helps them. 5. Diego Alvarez (28) – Youngest. Works odd jobs, still trying to “find himself.” Has an on-and-off girlfriend, Kaylee (25). No kids (so far).

Antonio’s Side (Father’s side, American): Uncle Robert Alvarez (68) – Lives in Ohio. Retired military. Married to Patricia Alvarez (née Mills) (66). Children: Kyle Alvarez (38, mechanic, married, 2 kids), Sarah Alvarez (34, office manager, engaged). Aunt Linda (née Alvarez) (60) – Lives in Chicago. Works in accounting. Married to Charles “Chuck” Ramirez (62). Children: Marissa Ramirez (35, married, 1 child), Eric Ramirez (32, single).

María’s Side (Mother’s side, Spanish): Tía Rosa Delgado (61) – Still in Spain, runs a bakery. Married to Hugo Navarro (63). Children: Isabella Navarro (30, living in Madrid), Sergio Navarro (26, studying abroad in Canada). Tío Javier Delgado (58) – Moved to New Jersey in the ’90s. Works as a contractor. Married to Angela Delgado (née Torres) (55). Children: Marcos Delgado (29, married, 1 child), Elena Delgado (24, single).