Loving Vicente

DANIELLA’S POV: "Orders up Dani!" Shouts Michael, our cook. I stop myself from wiping counters and load up my customers' food. Walking over to their table, my thoughts are filled with all the homework that awaits me. I'm in my second year of nursing classes and it's exhausting. Luckily my summer break is coming up next week and it'll be three months with no stress. After serving the family in my section, I walk back towards the register. My boss stands in front, counting the till out. "You can go after that table leaves, we're pretty slow tonight." She offers. I give her a smile and a thank you, turning to begin closing procedures. After about an hour, my table finally clears out. With a quick goodbye to my co-workers, I grab my things and dash out to my small Honda. As I made the short drive home, I felt my eyes growing more and more tired. With so much work looming over my head, I think about how nice an early night sounded. When I pulled into my driveway, I noticed my dad was home early. Weird. I think to myself. My father is a DEA agent and typically has busy nights. Walking into my house I'm hit with different smells of my mom's cooking. I come from a mixed household and I was grateful for it. Spotting my mom in the kitchen, I kiss her hello and set my things down. "Hi ma, how was your day? Why is Dad home so early?" She looked at me with a smile but had this look in her eyes I couldn't quite place. "My day was well, we actually would like to talk with you. But listen, I made your favorite. Enchiladas and beans. Even some rice." My mouth waters at her words, almost letting her "we need to talk" comment slide. "Well, what's going on?" I further question, "Let's enjoy our dinner, si?" My mom answers. Shrugging my shoulders and making my way upstairs, I gather my clothes for a shower. After tossing aside my work clothes and turning my shower to an acceptable temperature, I stare at my reflection. Blue eyes bore back at me, I had a slight tan and brown messy curls that reached past my waist. I took after my father, only getting my mom's beautiful curly hair and her slightly curvy figure. I think about how I don't look like a typical Mexican beauty with their gorgeous dark features. Stepping into the shower, I try washing away the insecurities. After finishing up my routine, I throw on some comfy sweats and an oversized T-shirt. Making my way back downstairs, I start setting the table for my mom. We make small talk as the food finishes. Thirty minutes later, my father breezes into the kitchen kissing my mom and greeting me hello. "Hi sweetheart, how was your day?" He aims toward me as we take a seat at the table. "It was good dad, I got some great tips today," I reply with a tired smile. My mom sets our plates down and we say our prayers over the food. After blessing myself I look up to see my parents exchanging glances. Suddenly, I remember my dad was home early and my mom's previous comment. "Alright, what's going on? Why are you guys acting so weird?" My voice breaks the awkward silence that hangs in the room. My dad looks at me with his we need to talk face. "Remember how your mother and I were never able to go on our honeymoon?" I shook my head yes and continued listening, "Well, after saving up for a while we've decided to take a summer cruise!" My father finishes, enthusiastically. A smile reaches my face, "I'm so happy for you both! I hope you have a wonderful time." I think about what their trip entails. And that means having the house to myself. The thought alone made me anxious. I've never stayed by myself for so long, but I knew this would come eventually. "Don't worry about me, we'll check in every day. The house will be fine." I give them a confident smile. They again share an unreadable look. My dad looks back at me, "That's the thing, Daniella. You know how you being alone in this big house makes me feel. I can't enjoy my vacation if I feel you're in harm's way. We've decided that you'll be staying with your Uncle Ernesto and Cousin Anna while we're away." I sit there, stunned. They're talking about sending me to Mexico with people I hardly know, speaking a language I hardly speak. They must see the panic on my features because my dad tries to reassure me. After composing my thoughts I launch into my argument. "Wait Dad, I can't just take off to Mexico for the summer. My life is too busy right now. I have so much work coming up with my classes and what about the diner-" I'm interrupted by my mom. "Mija, I know this is a shock. But I would love it if you would do this for me. You're going on break soon and I want you to see my hometown to embrace your culture. Also, since his wife passed, his daughter Anna could use the company." I think about my mom's words. My cousin Anna was really sweet, we talked here and there. Her English was limited so we've always had that barrier. Seeing my mom's face full of hope made me push my fight aside. She's such a selfless woman and I couldn't deny her. Giving her a smile I say, "Alright ma. When are you guys leaving?" They fill me in on the details of their trip. It was coming up in three short weeks. My thoughts were buzzing with anxiety and doubt. After clearing my plate, I make my way back up into my bedroom and collapse on the bed. Looking over to my desk, I see my books waiting to be opened. Shrugging off the sleepy feeling that took over me, I pull myself from the mattress and make my way to my books. After finishing the mountain of homework, I fall into bed and drift into a deep and dreamless sleep. I'm awoken by my mom's loud music. Clicking my phone screen on, I see there are only twenty minutes before class starts. Groaning, I throw my covers over my head and sulk until the last second. Luckily this lecture was online and all I needed to do was throw my hair in a bun and get my note-taking supplies. After turning on my desktop and signing into my Zoom call, my professor's face pops onto the screen. Along with several classmates. Hitting the record on my voice memos, I try to keep up. Recording the lectures has always helped me. It makes it easy to go back instead of waiting for an answer from an overworked professor. A few hours pass and I'm finally finished with the class. Deciding to get my studying out of the way for the day, I get started on homework. I have my final coming up at the end of the week and want to be prepared for it. After a few more torturous hours of overloading my brain, I finally emerge from my room and go check in with my mom. She sat on the couch with a book in hand, her beautiful curls full and shiny. My mother was gorgeous. She had this beautiful dark skin and striking brown eyes. With a delicate nose and full pink lips to finish. I've always longed to look more like her. My mom finally looks up from her book and notices my presence. "Hey mija, how was class today?" She asks. I give her the rundown and try to shut down the subject. My days were filled enough with classes, I disliked my conversations being filled with them too. After our chatter dies down I offer to make us some lunch. I set my phone down on the counter and take out things for a sandwich. While spreading mayo on the bread, my phone lights up with a notification. I noticed it was my cousin Anna. We hadn't spoken in 2 years. When her mom died, her father said she took it pretty hard and closed herself off to everyone. Her message was in Spanish and read, "Hola prima, estoy emocionada por tu visita!" (Hey cousin, I'm excited about your visit!) After typing a response in my limited Spanish, I continue making the sandwiches. Placing them on a plate I take my mom hers. "Hey, I need some clothes before the cruise. Let's go shopping?" My mom asks me. I give her a yes and we continue eating. My phone vibrates in my pocket, pulling it out and seeing Anna's name on the screen. "Who are you texting?" My mom's nosy voice breaks through my thoughts. Show her my phone, she laughs and resumes reading. My parents have always been the hovering type. Even at 19, I'm still treated like a child. Once, I tried asking my dad if I could take a date to prom and he lost his mind. I ended up going with friends. It wasn't the same, I never even got to slow dance. After finishing eating, I got myself ready for the mall. A few minutes later, I shouted to my mom that I'd start the car for us. The hot Texas weather hit me as soon as I stepped out of my cool home. Starting up the car and blasting my small AC, I wait for my mom's arrival. She finally comes bounding down the steps, her purse in hand. Taking her place in the driver's seat, we started our journey to the mall. Her calm voice fills the car. "Listen, we need to talk about Anna." I focus on what she's saying, it must be serious because she has this anxious look on her face. "When her mom passed, things changed for her. My brother said she's been acting out a lot and has been partying..." She continued cautiously. To me, it made sense. I couldn't imagine losing my mom and coming back the same. "OK, what's that to do with me?" My whole life, I've been the perfect daughter. No back talk, no bad grades, no boys, and no parties. "It's just easy to fall into peer pressure Daniella. I don't want that to happen to you." She finishes softly. After reassuring my mom, we arrived at the mall. I push our conversation aside. I don't see myself straying from my path. Since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be a nurse. Helping others and feeling accomplished has always been my goal. Walking around for hours and picking outfit after outfit, we finally head back home. Looking towards the time, I realize my shift for work was coming up shortly. Slipping on my uniform and throwing my hair into a ponytail, I rush down the stairs and out the door. Stepping back into my car and tossing my bag into the passenger seat, I begin the drive to work. Pulling into the parking lot, cars are lined up. Great, right in time for the lunch rush, I think to myself. For hours, I took orders out and placed orders in. The end of the evening couldn't come fast enough. After talking with my boss and informing her of my upcoming plans, she gives me her approval. Thank goodness my boss was flexible and willing to work with me. Making my way back home, I think about my trip. What if something happens? What if I don't get along with Anna? I try to shake the feelings of doubt that seep through my thoughts, but they linger. After telling both my parents good night, I drag myself up the stairs and crash into bed. Laying there for hours, my mind nags at me. Something about this trip gave me an unsettling feeling.