Chapter 2: Larissa
2018 Words
Larissa
He is staring intently into my eyes. I feel intimidated. Those intense blue eyes. My heart is racing. It feels like it's going to jump out of my chest.
Larissa: I've never stolen anything in my life. I live in the favela, a Brazilian shantytown, but my parents taught me to be honest and never to steal.
Ryan: Hmmm, but you did steal.
Larissa: I stole because I was very hungry. I could ask, but they wouldn't give me. I know what I did was very wrong, but I couldn't find another solution. I live with my father and my son. My father lost his job because of drinking. I've been searching for a job for a long time and can't find anything. I'm desperate.
Ryan: And your mother?
Larissa: My mother died when the police raided the favela some time ago.
Ryan: The police killed her?
Larissa: Either the police or the traffickers, we never knew for sure, we preferred not to find out.
Ryan: Hmmm. And your father, is he looking for a job?
Larissa: No, he only cares about drinking. He already owes several bars. The owners keep coming to my house to threaten us. I also don't know what to do with him anymore.
Ryan: And your son's father?
Larissa: He never knew about my son and I will never tell him.
Ryan: Why?
Larissa: I don't think there's a need to talk about it.
He remains silent.
Ryan: Why did you steal?
Larissa: (crying) I already said, because I'm hungry, my son is hungry. I've been trying to find a job for months. Sometimes I do odd jobs that are enough not to run out of milk for my son.
Ryan: Wouldn't it be easier to ask his father for help?
Larissa: No.
Ryan: His father needs to know about the son. You're selfish.
Larissa: Selfish? You don't know me. The best thing for my son is to never know who his father is.
Ryan: I see. How are you going to convince me not to take you to jail?
Larissa: Mr. Collins, as I mentioned before, I have a son. I don't want him to end up in an orphanage, and I promise never to steal again.
Ryan: I was expecting a different answer.
He gives me a sly smile.
Larissa: I'm not that kind of woman. I'd rather go to jail than degrade myself.
Ryan: I didn't expect that.
Larissa: Take me to jail. But I won't do that.
Ryan: Are you sure?
Larissa: I am.
Ryan: Absolutely?
Larissa: Yes
Ryan: Hmm, what a shame.
He stands up and approaches. My heart is racing, I don't want to go through the same thing again. He looks into my eyes, and starts fiddling with his pants. I close my eyes, he removes my handcuffs, and I rub my wrists relieved.
Ryan: What area are you looking for a job in?
Larissa: Any.
Ryan: Any?
Larissa: Yes, I need to work.
Ryan: I can offer you a job.
Larissa: Really?
I'm quite excited.
Ryan: Yes, I need someone to help with household chores at my house. Do you know how to wash, iron, and cook?
Larissa: I do.
Ryan: The lady who takes care of the house will come tomorrow. She'll teach you everything, exactly how I like things.
Larissa: Alright.
Ryan: I'll pay you 8,000 BRL, plus transportation and food allowances, and since you have a child, I'll also give you a daycare allowance.
When I hear the salary amount, it's much higher than the usual pay for this kind of work.
Ryan: Is that good for you?
Larissa: It's great.
Ryan: You start tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Larissa: Ok.
Ryan: I don't like delays.
Larissa: I won't be late, I promise.
Ryan: Great. What's your clothing and shoe size, so I can get your uniform ready?
I tell him, and he writes down my phone number.
Ryan: I'll give you a ride close to the hill.
Larissa: No need.
Ryan: I'm heading that way, I can give you a ride.
Larissa: No, it's fine, really.
He opens his wallet and hands me some money.
Ryan: Take an Uber and get something for you all to eat.
Larissa: Thank you very much.
I'm so happy to have gotten this job. With the meal voucher, I'll be able to cover household expenses, and with my salary, I'll be able to buy clothes and toys for Henrique.
I take an Uber that drops me off close to home, and stop by the supermarket to pick up some fruits and other things to cook. I'm heading back home, feeling happy, when I see my dad has fallen.
Larissa: Dad, dad, wake up.
Dad: Larissa, what are you doing here?
Larissa: Come on, get up, let's go home.
Dad: I had a bit to drink, Lari.
Larissa: A little?
I helped him get up. He couldn't stand on his own, and the smell of cachaça was very strong. He leans on me, and we climb the hill. We get home and I take him to the bathroom.
Dad: Get out of here, I can bathe myself.
Larissa: I know you can manage.
I close the bathroom door, and go to the neighbor's house to pick up Henrique, who runs towards me when he sees me.
Henrique: Mommy...
I scoop him up in my arms.
Larissa: Hi, my darling.
I tell the neighbor I managed to get a job.
Neighbor: That's great, Lari. I have a friend who has a little school in the neighboring area. If you want, I can go there with you.
Larissa: Yes, please.
We go to the little school. I talk to the person in charge, and I manage to enroll Henrique to start tomorrow at 7 a.m., there's a bus stop in front of the school, so I'll be able to get to work on time. I return home, put Henrique on the floor, and go check on my dad.
Larissa: Dad? Haven't you come out yet?
He's sitting on the bathroom floor.
Larissa: Dad, come on.
Dad: (crying) I miss her.
Larissa: I miss her too, but that's not why I go out drinking all the time.
Dad: I treat you very badly, Larissa.
Larissa: I know.
I help him get up.
Dad: I can't even take care of your son, I'm worthless.
Larissa: Don't worry about that, Dad.
Dad: We never heard from Déborah again, not even her body.
Larissa: Yes, but don't dwell on that, Dad.
He cries.
Larissa: Dad, I got a job.
Dad: Really?
Larissa: Yes, Henrique will be at the little school. I start tomorrow.
Dad: That's great.
Larissa: Dad, I want you to stay home.
Dad: But...
Larissa: Please.
Dad: Okay. I promise I'll stay.
I went to the living room, and Henrique was playing.
Despite everything that's happened, and who his father is, I love my son so much. I played with him a bit, then headed to the bedroom to pack his little backpack for school.
Henrique: Mommy tête...
Larissa: Mom will prepare it, but first you need to take a bath.
I fill the bathtub with water and bathe him, dress him in a Hulk pajama that Manu sent us as a gift, take a quick photo, and send it to her. She immediately replies.
Manu: He's getting more and more handsome. I miss you all so much.
I chat a bit with Manu, then put him in the crib and hand him the bottle. He drinks and falls asleep.
I take a quick shower and lie down to sleep. I wake up at 5:30, freshen up, choose an outfit, get ready, take Henrique out of the crib, change his clothes. It's already 6:30, and I leave the house. I go down the hill with Henrique sleeping in my arms, the backpack, and my purse.
At 7 a.m., I drop Henrique off at the nursery. He continues sleeping. At 7:10 the bus passes. I'm nervous about starting my new job. At 7:45, I was in front of Mr. Collins' house. I ring the intercom, the gate opens, I enter the house and am greeted by a lady.
Lady: Good morning, you must be Larissa?
Larissa: Good morning, yes, that's me.
Maria: My name is Maria. I'll teach you everything exactly the way Mr. Ryan likes.
Larissa: Alright.
Maria: Come with me so you can change.
She takes me to a room at the back. In this room, there's a single bed and a wardrobe.
Maria: You can store your things here, and during your lunch break, if you want, you can rest.
Larissa: Alright.
I changed into my uniform and put my hair in a bun.
Larissa: This uniform feels a bit short.
Maria: You're young, and the boss is a man, I already imagined.
Larissa: Imagined what?
Maria: That he might try to make advances towards you.
Larissa: I don't like that kind of thing.
Maria: Yes, but Ryan is a very handsome man.
Larissa: Yes, but I know my place. I need the job much more than any adventure.
Maria: I like your attitude. I hope you don't fall for Ryan's charms. I heard you have a son.
I'm not going to fall for Ryan's charms.
Larissa: Yes, I do.
Maria: What's his name?
Larissa: Henrique.
Maria: He must be a cutie.
Larissa: He is.
Maria: Who did you leave him with?
Larissa: I enrolled him in school.
Maria: Poor thing, he's so little to be going to school already.
Larissa: Yes, but I need to work.
Maria: Of course.
We leave the little room and go upstairs. She explains how he likes his closet arranged, his bed, and his belongings in the bathroom. I've never seen so many creams in my life.
We go downstairs, pass by the guest rooms, living room, and kitchen, and start preparing lunch.
Maria: Lunch must be served at noon, Mr. Ryan is punctual.
Larissa: Alright.
Maria: He doesn't like many things, the onion has to be grated to disappear in the mix.
Larissa: Hmm...
Maria: You must be thinking he's picky about food.
Larissa: Yes.
Maria: He really is. You know those kids who don't like almost anything? That's Ryan.
At exactly 12 p.m., we serve lunch and stand by the table, Mr. Ryan arrives and sits down, eats calmly, gets up, and leaves. We clear the dishes, go to the kitchen, and have lunch. In the afternoon, she taught me how to sort and wash clothes the way he liked. This guy is quite particular.
Maria: You can't use too little fabric softener or too much. Look, it has to be this exact amount.
Larissa: If I use a little more or a little less, will he notice?
Maria: Yes, he notices.
Larissa: But... isn't there any room for flexibility?
Maria: No buts about it, it has to be exactly his way. I've worked for him for a few years, and it's always been like this. He's very bossy and intimidating. If you do something wrong, he'll say something. And he's not usually gentle with his words.
This guy seems to be a pain. You can't just use any amount of fabric softener, and you can't put onion in the food. Who's ever heard of that?
Maria: Come, I'll show you how we fold the underwear.
Folding underwear? He's really picky. We go to the room, and put away the clothes Maria had ironed, everything has to be exactly the way he likes it. It's already 4:30 PM, the end of the workday. We're leaving, and Maria says goodbye to Ryan.
Ryan: Thank you so much, Maria, for being with me all these years. I hope you enjoy your retirement.
Maria: Thank you, Mr. Ryan, I will. And don't be too hard on Larissa.
Ryan: Maria, you know I'm not hard on anyone.
Maria: I know exactly how you are, Ryan. We're leaving now. See you later.
As we're leaving, Ryan says...
Ryan: You stay, Larissa.
My body freezes.
Great, what does this guy want now? I did everything right.
- Writer
