CAMILITA

Chapter 2: Sold

"Camilita, come to the living room, sweetheart. Your father and I need to talk to you."

Her mother's voice sounded unusually gentle.

Camilita stood from her desk, smoothing the front of her faded T-shirt before stepping into the hallway. She had spent the last few minutes wondering about the stranger who had come to their house, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

When she entered the living room, three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

Her father sat on the old couch, his elbows resting on his knees. Her mother stood beside him, twisting the edge of her sweater between her fingers.

The stranger occupied the only armchair.

He was a tall man, perhaps in his early forties, wearing a charcoal-gray suit and polished black shoes. His watch looked expensive, and a leather briefcase rested beside his feet. Unlike her father, he appeared calm and comfortable in the shabby little room.

He looked at Camilita as though he had been expecting her.

"Come and sit down," Richard ordered.

Camilita lowered herself onto the edge of a chair.

"Who is he, Dad?"

"His name is Mr. Alexander Hayes," her father replied. "And he has come here to discuss your future."

"My future?"

Alexander offered her a small, practiced smile.

"Your parents and I have been discussing an arrangement that could change your family's circumstances."

Camilita glanced at her mother.

"What kind of arrangement?"

Margaret swallowed.

"Sweetheart, you know how difficult things have been for us lately."

"Yes, Mom. I know."

"The bills are piling up, your father can't find steady work, and we're struggling to keep this house."

Camilita nodded slowly. She didn't understand why they were explaining things she already knew.

Then Richard leaned forward.

"Mr. Hayes is willing to help us. He can pay our debts, take care of our financial problems, and make sure this family never has to live like this again."

For the first time, Camilita felt a little hope.

"Really?"

"Yes," her father said. "But there's a condition."

The hope disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

"What condition?"

Nobody answered immediately.

Alexander crossed one leg over the other and folded his hands.

"I have been looking for a wife," he said. "Your parents and I have discussed the possibility of you marrying me."

Camilita stared at him.

For a moment, she wondered whether she had misunderstood.

"Marrying you?"

"Yes."

"But I'm seventeen."

"I am aware of your age."

Her mouth went dry.

She turned toward her parents, expecting one of them to laugh and tell her that this was some terrible joke.

Neither did.

"Dad?" Her voice trembled. "What is he talking about?"

Richard's expression hardened.

"You're going to marry Mr. Hayes."

"No."

The word escaped before she could stop it.

Her father rose from the couch.

"What did you say?"

Camilita stood too, her hands shaking.

"I said no. I don't want to marry him. I don't even know him!"

"You don't need to know everything about a man before making a decision that will benefit your family."

"But it's my life!"

The room fell silent.

Camilita had never spoken to her father like that before. Even she seemed surprised by the words that had come out of her mouth.

Richard stepped closer.

"Your life?" he repeated bitterly. "Who do you think has kept you alive all these years? Who has put a roof over your head and food on your plate?"

Camilita looked down at her hands.

"I know we're struggling, Dad. I know. But I can finish school. I can find a job. I can help you pay the bills."

"With what money?" he demanded. "You don't even have a job!"

"I'll find one!"

"And how long will that take? Another year? Five years? Do you think the landlord will wait until you become somebody?"

Her eyes filled with tears.

"I never asked to be rich. I just want to finish school."

For a brief moment, Margaret looked as though she might defend her daughter.

Instead, she looked away.

"Sweetheart," she whispered, "sometimes we have to make sacrifices."

Camilita turned toward her mother in disbelief.

"You're my mother. How can you ask me to marry a stranger?"

Margaret's lips trembled.

"I'm trying to save this family."

"By giving me away?"

The question hung painfully in the room.

Alexander cleared his throat.

"I understand that this is difficult for you, Camilita. But I can offer you a comfortable life. You won't have to worry about money, and your parents will be taken care of."

"I don't want your money."

His expression changed slightly.

"Perhaps you don't understand what your parents are facing."

"I understand perfectly. We're poor. We don't have enough money. But that doesn't mean you can buy me!"

Nobody moved.

Even Richard seemed momentarily stunned by her words.

Alexander closed his briefcase.

"I believe the discussion has become unnecessarily emotional," he said coolly. "Richard, I trust you will speak with your daughter and explain the situation."

He stood, adjusted his jacket, and looked at Camilita one final time.

"We will speak again soon."

Then he walked toward the front door.

Richard followed him outside.

Camilita remained in the living room, staring at her mother.

"Please tell me you didn't agree to this."

Margaret began crying silently.

That was all the answer Camilita needed.

"You agreed," she whispered.

Her mother reached for her hand, but Camilita stepped away.

"Please, sweetheart. Try to understand."

"Understand what, Mom? That you want to sell me?"

"Don't say that!"

"Then what should I call it?"

Margaret covered her mouth.

Camilita backed away, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I thought you would protect me."

Her mother had no answer.

A moment later, the front door opened, and Richard returned. His expression was colder than before.

"Mr. Hayes has agreed to give us a little time to prepare," he announced. "The arrangement will proceed."

Camilita wiped her cheeks.

"No. I won't do it."

Richard stared at her.

"You don't have a choice."

She looked from her father to her mother, searching their faces for some sign that they still cared about what happened to her.

She found only fear, shame, and determination.

That evening, Camilita locked herself in her bedroom. She sat on the floor beside her bed, holding the photograph of her parents from happier days.

She remembered her father's old promises.

You can become anything you want, sweetheart.

Had he forgotten those words?

Or had poverty changed him so completely that his daughter's future had become nothing more than a price he could negotiate?

Outside, a car engine started and faded into the distance.

Camilita rose and peered through the cracked window.

A black luxury sedan was disappearing around the corner.

She didn't know where Alexander Hayes was going. She didn't know why he had chosen her, or what kind of life waited for her if her parents got their way.

But she knew one thing.

Her childhood was slipping away, and the people who should have fought for her were preparing to hand her over.

For the first time in her life, Camilita wondered whether home was still a place where she was safe.

And downstairs, while she cried alone, her parents began discussing the money Alexander had promised them.