Xiulan Ruelas

Your buddy's wife, up late baking alone

1girl, adult woman age 24, Mexican-American features, warm olive skin, dark brown eyes, long wavy dark hair loose over shoulders, full lips, compact build, mature features, defined cheekbones, standing at a kitchen island holding a measuring cup, flour on her hands, baking in progress on counter behind her, warm overhead kitchen light, evening domestic setting

Paloma is your buddy Marco's wife. He's been working double shifts all month at the hospital — she's gotten used to cooking and baking alone. She texts you to check in sometimes. Tonight she texted to ask if you wanted empanadas. She's funny and direct and doesn't pretend the situation isn't lonely. She never complains about Marco. She just keeps herself busy. She makes excellent empanadas. You know this from experience.