Beyond the Runway

"Mama." Carmen looked over her shoulder. Melissa stood by the back door, watching her. "Yes, dear?" "Are you busy?" Carmen glanced at the basket beside her. There were still a few clothes left to hang. "Not particularly. What's wrong?" "Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you." "Then talk." Melissa came closer, rubbing her palms together. "I've been thinking about moving to the city." Carmen stopped hanging the clothes. "Moving?" "Yes. I was thinking of staying with Aunt Martha for a while." "Martha?" "I know what you're going to say." "Then you should already know my answer." Melissa gave a small smile. "Mama, at least hear me out." Carmen folded the shirt in her hand before placing it over the line. "All right. I'm listening." "I have my college certificate now. I don't want to keep working at the same place when I know I could find something better." "And you think Martha will help you?" "She lives in the city. I could stay with her while I look for a job. Once I start earning properly, I'll get a place of my own." Carmen shook her head. "Melissa, you know that woman has never particularly liked us." "I know, Mama. But I'm not going there to become her best friend. I just need somewhere to stay until I find my feet." "You're making it sound so easy." "It won't be easy. I know that." "Then why put yourself through it?" Melissa looked at her mother. "Because I'm tired of watching you work yourself to death." Carmen's expression changed. "Don't say that." "But it's true." "I'm doing what I have to do." "And that's exactly the problem. You're always doing something. Another cleaning job, another bill, another expense. When was the last time you had a proper rest?" Carmen picked up another piece of clothing. "Don't worry about me." "How can I not?" "You're my daughter. You should be thinking about your own future." "I am. That's why I want to go." Carmen didn't answer. Melissa moved closer. "Mama, look at us. We can barely get through the month without worrying about money. Even with both of us working, it's still not enough. And most of the time, you're the one carrying everything." "Things could be worse." "They could also be better." Carmen looked at her. Melissa sighed. "I'm not saying I won't miss home. I will. And I'll miss you and Kenny. But I can't keep pretending this is all I want for myself. I want to do something with my certificate. I want a job that pays well enough for me to actually save money." "You make it sound as though there's nothing for you here." "There isn't much, Mama." Carmen looked away. She couldn't fault her daughter for wanting more. If anything, she had spent years hoping Melissa would have opportunities she herself had never enjoyed. Still, the thought of her leaving wasn't an easy one. "Have you spoken to Martha?" "Not yet. I'll call her this evening." "And what if she says no?" "I'll figure something out." Carmen gave her a look. "You and this your confidence." Melissa laughed. "Someone has to be confident." Carmen was quiet for a moment before finally nodding. "All right. You can go." Melissa's face brightened. "Really?" "Didn't you hear me?" She hurried forward and hugged her mother. "Thank you, Mama." "Don't thank me yet. You haven't even spoken to Martha." Melissa laughed. "When are you planning to leave?" Carmen asked. "Next weekend." "That's soon." "I know." Carmen pulled back to look at her. "Be careful with Martha. Don't let anybody make you feel like you're a burden because you need somewhere to stay." "I won't." "And call me when you get there." "I promise." "Good." Melissa smiled. "Love you, Mama." "Love you too, dear." She turned towards the house, but Carmen called her back. "Melissa." "Yes?" "Take care of yourself." "I will." Carmen watched her disappear inside before returning to the laundry. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of her daughter leaving, but she knew she couldn't keep her there forever. It hadn't always been this difficult. Before her husband's accident, Carmen had been a housewife. Their home wasn't particularly big, and they certainly weren't wealthy, but her husband earned enough to keep things running. She looked after the children while he handled most of the bills. Then he died. She had barely known where to begin. There were two children to raise, a house to maintain and expenses that didn't disappear just because their father was gone. So she started taking cleaning jobs. One became two, then three. Before long, she was spending most of her days working in other people's homes and returning to her own with barely enough energy to do anything else. Melissa had helped as much as she could, even while attending college. Perhaps Carmen had become too accustomed to having her around. She shook her head and reached for the remaining clothes. In her bedroom, a torn page from an old fashion magazine was still taped to the inside of her wardrobe. The picture showed a model standing with one hand resting on her hip, her head held high. Melissa had kept it for years. Whenever she was alone, she sometimes tried to imitate the pose. She had never told anyone why she kept the picture. --- Kenny was sitting on the floor when Melissa came into the house. He had a toy car in one hand and a half-eaten biscuit in the other. "Are you ready?" she asked. He looked up. "Ready for what?" "To come with me." "Where?" Melissa stared at him. "Work, Kenny. Where else?" "Oh." He returned to his toy. Melissa folded her arms. "Are you coming or should I leave you here?" "I'm coming!" "Then get up." Kenny scrambled to his feet, nearly dropping his biscuit. Melissa laughed and picked up his bag. "Honestly, you're something else." "I'm not trouble." She gave him a look. "Who broke Mama's flowerpot yesterday?" Kenny frowned. "It wasn't my fault." "Of course." "It was already weak." Melissa burst out laughing. "You're lucky you're cute." Kenny grinned and followed her outside. At ten, he had more energy than the two women in the house combined. His curly black hair was almost always untidy, and his dark eyes were just like his father's. Melissa, on the other hand, had inherited most of Carmen's features. People often stared when she walked past, something she had never quite understood. She usually assumed they were being friendly. Carmen had once told her that she needed to pay more attention to the world around her. Melissa hadn't understood what she meant. She was too trusting for her own good, and her mother knew it. The thought of her moving to a busy city without someone looking out for her was unsettling. But there was only so much she could do. --- Melissa adjusted Kenny's bag as they walked away from the house. She glanced back once. The little building had never been much to look at, but it was the only home she had ever known. She had grown up there, gone to school from there and spent most of her life within those walls. Now she was preparing to leave. Kenny tugged at her hand. "Are we going to be late?" Melissa looked down at him. "No. Come on."