Back for revenge

**Mariana's point of view**   ''I don't care, the money or leave'' ''Please don't do this, I have nowhere to go, please think of my daughter, Castro, I'll pay the rent, just give me up to Thursday'' I plead to the landlady one last time. Being a mother to a six-year-old child at age twenty-two is not easy. I got to pay the bills, feed her, clothe her and send her to school. I got a part-time job at a cafe downtown. I used to work as a stripper at night to take care of only myself after my parents kicked me out. I had a one-night stand with a stranger and got knocked up with my beautiful hija. If I ever have the chance to go back in time, I would never in the billion dollars trade the moment I had with that hot sexy man. Like most one-night stands I have had, I never told them my real name and was never interested in their real name. In conclusion, I never knew his name but from the way, he moaned my name that night, I could tell he wasn't from around here but from America. Needless to say, I never met this man again. I was terrified to leave my kid alone at night and because of that, I quitted working at the club. Not complaining though because I love my daughter and abortion was never a choice. "Fine. You only get up to Wednesday and if by then I don't have my money, you are out on the street with that bastard daughter of yours" I hate it when people talk trash about anybody or anything I liked but I am in desperate need so I just bite back my words. "Mommy, mommy, what are we having for dinner, I am starving." "Good evening to you to mi Amor, how was your day," I ask my daughter to keep her distracted as I heat the leftovers I got from the restaurant. "We were asked to draw our family. Everyone had a papi." I froze upon hearing this statement. It was bound to happen sooner or later and now was the time. I dreaded the moment she will ask of her Papi and low and behold it was today. "Where is my daddy? mamá" "Let's have dinner first okay" "I don't want dinner anymore, I want my daddy." "It's your favorite, Cammy, pasta. You like it don't you? Come on, eat for me" "Yaay pasta." I am not mentally prepared to tell her where her father is, not that I know where he is. I plan on telling her the whole truth someday but what happened with Mrs. Opheila, the landlady mentally drained me. "You done with your food?" "Yes ma" "Great, now let's do the dishes and we can bath, brush and I'll help with your homework before you sleep." "Don't be silly mom. I can do it myself" "Ah, how can I forget you are my little Albert Einstein? " That little compliment had my little Camilla laughing her eyes out. - "Get your lazy ass to the kitchen right now young lady," I say, well practically screaming my lungs out at Camilla who was taking forever to come out of the shower. I served her scrambled eggs and bacon on the plate and glared at her. "What?" she asked all innocent. "Buenos días mi querida madre y gracias por la Comida." she finally says rolling her eyes when my glare intensifies. I wonder where she got that attitude from. Probably from me. I raised my daughter to always say thank you for everything kind gesture and be grateful because some children her age had it worse. "Your Spanish is getting better and I am proud of you." "Thanks, mom. I couldn't have done it without you teaching me. " "How are your Dutch and French classes going? I bearly hear you saying anything in French." "Well, I can speak Spanish and English with you but not French and Dutch because you don't understand it" "Oh right, how about you teach me" "Yes mommy, I will. Thanks again for the breakfast" "Better do the dishes while I get ready and send you to school" I left the kitchen and went to the bathroom I shared with my daughter. I quickly took a quick shower, tied my hair in a messy bun, and applied light makeup. Finishing it with mascara and a lip gloss. I wore the uniform we must wear to the cafe I worked in early in the mornings before going to the restaurant later in the day. The skirt was short but decent enough. Paired with black leather boots and a white t-shirt with the cafe's logo at the back. I half-tacked in my t-shirt to give it a little style and added a checkered open shirt on my outfit just to spice up the look. "Mom you done yet?'' "Just a minute sweetheart. Okay, let's go. You packed your lunch and everything you need?'' ''Yes mom I have, can we please hurry up. I need to get to school early'' ''Geez, okay let's go'' I took my purse and made sure my phone and everything I need is in before leaving. The house to the school was just a five minutes walking distance. Knowing how smart my little Camilla was, I knew she could easily go to school herself but I don't trust the people here. In just one month there had been four break-ins, this part of the town was too dangerous.   ''Have a nice day pumpkin,'' I said before waving one last time as she skipped to the school. It's funny how time fl__. The ringing of my cell phone snapped me back to reality. ''Hi, I am Claudia from the American Agency. Am I speaking to Marianna?'' ''Yes, this is she'' ''Congrats, you were part of the few selected people who have the chance to go America'' ''Oh really.'' I say trying to sound civilized as possible because I had to leave a good first impression, and also for the fact that I am right in front of my daughter's school. "Yes, but there is a little bit of a complication. The plane will be leaving at 5 am tomorrow. I understand if you can't make it. A plane will be available in the next two months and you could join that one, sorry for the short notice'' ''It's no problem and I will be there exactly 5 am. See you at the airport then'' I hung up the phone and jumped not able to control myself longer. "AY DIOS MOI!!! YES, YES YES!!!!!" I didn't give a f**k what the passer byers thought of me anymore, they probably thought I was a madwoman because of my actions. Months ago, I saw an advertisement on television. I thought I would never get a chance but still tried my luck. I walked downtown to tell the manager of the small cafe I worked in that I quit. Luckily for me, she just paid me without asking questions. "I know Mr. Rodríguez but I want out" "Oh but Marianna we can't afford to lose you. You are the best chef this restaurant has. I will even double your salary. Don't leave me espléndido" "Muchas gracias señor but I can't take it" "De Acuerdo, take this, extra money for your hard work." "Thank you once again. Till we meet" "Hasta que nos encontresmos." I left the restaurant I worked in with a lot of money I have ever had in just one day. I decided to do a last-minute shopping with the money I had and also treat Camilla to a fancy dish. Within two hours I was done with the shopping and made it safely home. Out of nowhere  Mrs. Ophelia showed up again. "You have until tomorrow." "Oh yeah, about that, here is the money for last month and this month. I hope we are good because I don't owe you anything." She was really surprised when I handed her the money. I am sure she thought I couldn't pay and she will humiliate me and make me homeless then call social welfare and tell them that I can't take of my child. Ha! She was wrong because I got the money. I gave her the fakest smile when she didn't say anything. "Oh, and by the way, I am moving out tomorrow," I say and without waiting for a response I left into the tiny apartment to get ready to pick Camilla from school I allowed her to come home from school with her best friend because it's safer but I wanted to surprise her and treat her because I had the money to do so. I watched her laughing with her friends, she did not notice me but then she felt my eyes on her and as she turned to see where it was from she saw me. Without even saying goodbye to her friends she left and run up to me with her arms wide open ready for a hug. "Hey mommy, what are you doing here? are you sick?" "No, I just felt like picking you today" "OK, let's go" "Where is your friend you come home with" "Oh you mean Jessica? she is there." "Get her so that we can__" Camila run of to call Jessica with even waiting for me to finish my sentence. "NO RUNNING CAMILA" I screamed after her. "Jessica this is my mom" "Hi Camilla's mom" "Hey, Jessica. How was your day yall?" "It was fine," they both say in unison. "Well, who wants ice cream" "Me! Me! Me!" "Then let's go get one." "Mommy, is it your birthday again?" "No Camilla. Let's go" It broke my heart to think that she only had ice cream when it was a special occasion. As a child, she should have ice cream every other day like most kids her age but I couldn't afford it. I however, saved enough to buy some for both of us on special occasions. Today was different because I had enough money. "There is this ice cream place over there. What do you want girls?" "I want Chocolate and Vanilla." "How about you Camila, what do you want?" " I want Chocolate and Coconut" "Nice. Make that two, I will have some" "Hug Jessica one last time," I told her when we got to Jessica's house which was opposite ours. I know that will be the last time they see each other. How do I tell my daughter we are leaving this place? "Bye Jessy. See you at school tomorrow" "let's go home." - "Camilla, pack all your clothes. Toys and shoes" "But why mommy? You've been behaving weird today" I laughed at that. "Just do it, when you did I want you to shower and meet me here. You have two hours to do that so move." I tell my daughter practically shooing her from the kitchen. I decided on making a dish that sees tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions, and garlic sliced up and roasted with a lot of olive oil to give it that classic Mediterranean flavor. The pistol could serve as a side dish or an appetizer but in this case the main meal. It was accompanied by some fresh salad and bread. I also made churro, a type of fried dough as dessert. I kept the sangria I made earlier in the fridge for myself and a juice box for Camilla. "You like it don't you?" "Yes, I do mommy. It's very delicious. You are the best cook in the world." "Thank you. Now clean the dishes. I am going to pack my things. When you are done with the dishes. Meet me in the room. Okay?" "Yes, mommy." I went to the room to see that Camilla had packed her clothes neatly into her little suitcase with all her shoes, the few dolls she owned, and the cheap art supplies I bought after I saw the class art she did at school the last time. At age six my beautiful daughter could not only speak four different languages but also draw like no other. She was always the first in class which made me very proud. I know those brains she had weren't from my side because I couldn't read a book to save myself. I packed the few clothes I owned with all my other belongings. Since I had just a few things I was done within half an hour. "Mom I am done with the dishes and soo tired. Buenas notches mamá" "Wait, we are leaving Spain tomorrow." "Noo, I don't want to go. Please." "Young lady, you don't have a choice" "But __" "No but's end of discussion." I didn't mean to this harsh on her but there was nothing else to be done. The only thing that could be heard was her quiet sobs which later turned out to be soft snores. "I love you, princess, just want the best for us. Please forgive tu mamá" I set my alarm to 4 am before going to bed. I could barely sleep with all the excitement. At exactly 4 am I was awake to make breakfast and bath before calling Cammy. I heated the leftovers from last night. " Cammy, wake up. You need to get ready. Shower, bath and get dressed up then come down for some breakfast okay." "Yes mommy" "Oh and don't wear your uniform. Just wear the outfit I picked out for you." "Why, are we leaving this morning?" "Just do what you are told" - "You look beautiful. Eat up. I am going to get dressed. We need to leave soon." "To where?" "The airport" "But I didn't say goodbye to my friends." "We will come back someday but right now I need you to finish the food and wash the dishes." With that, I left the room and tied my hair in a half-up French twist, applied makeup, and finished my look with a white t-shirt half took in with a mango gingham print skirt. ' 'O Mary, Mother of God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings, I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from.' I said a silent prayer facing mother Mary's statue in the kitchen. I took mine and Cammy's rosary before looking at the room one last time with no intentions of locking it. That was Mrs. Opheilla's  problem to deal with. "Here, wear your rosary and when we get in the cab I will fix your hair" "Muy Bien mamá". - "Take us to the airport,"  I say stopping a cab "That will be ten euros." "Fine. Please hurry up." "Calma a la señora" "Arrepentido, I am in a hurry." I apologized to the older-looking driver. "Can I see my hair please" "Sure Querido," I say handing her a mirror. "You look pretty." "Just like you mommy" "We are here" "Thank you for the ride." "Just doing my job. Have a nice journey." With that I took our few belongings and with Camilla's hand in mine we stepped foot into the airport. I am not sure how things work as it was my first time. "Hi, I am Claudia and you are Mirianna aren't you?" "Yes, I am," I say with the most genuine smile ever. "You made it on time," she said looking at her watch. "Now let's go. I will help you through the process" We checked in our flight, handed over any luggage that went through the aircraft hold. We passed through the airport security gates to the departures hall and in less than five minutes we were finding our boarding gate. We boarded the plane and arrived at our economy class seat. "Are you nervous sweetie?" "A little bit mom but I will be fine. How about you?" "Mammamìa, I am shitting my pants" "Don't be silly mom." my Daughter said in between laughs. We were in the air safely and the fear reduced. I slept throughout the flight but once in a while, I opened my eyes to see Camila watching or playing games on the iPad we had in front of us. After a good eight hours and forty-five minutes of sitting the plane finally landed in we were here. "This is it, Camilla. The beginning of our new life." I whisper to my daughter when it was our turn to get down.