I want to congratulate Johanna for getting into nursing school! Great job, girl.
So wow, that final season. I've got so much to say about it...spoilers at the end of this chapter, just my thoughts, though, if you're interested and wanna discuss it ;)
Hey, this story is three years old! Yay haha.
Warnings: racist talk, many mentions of pedophilia
The screaming and thrashing doesn't happen until later that night.
He looks like Freddy Krueger. That's all thirteen-year-old Aleida knows about the creepy old guy sitting at the bar who her mother wants her to dance with. She hates being pimped out by her own mother, who is supposed to protect her from these kinds of things. The stench of dog treats on Aleida's previous customer still makes her gag to this day, and she can feel his fingers pinching and twisting her nipples and her lower region, even though he's not around. She wishes her mom would be the prostitute instead of her. She's wearing a black tank top with a very low V-neck, exposing too much cleavage for her liking, and a tight, leopard-print miniskirt. Her hair is all the way down and straightened and she's wearing large silver hoop earrings.
She reluctantly goes up to the gross customer and tells him her name when he asks for it. She's skeeved out when he says her name is pretty and starts swaying to the music with her. He fondles her and gropes her butt, but she forces a smile, bats her eyes, and laughs only when he starts getting her drunk. He's worse than Jack. At least her mother's boyfriend is willing to wait and then Aleida can move out for good and never have to see Jack again. The child predator brings her to his house and throws her on his bed. She wants to vomit. He pushes himself into her over and over, making her cry out in agony, but she tries to just think about the amount of money she's getting.
Aleida wakes up in a cold sweat, hyperventilating. Her brown curls are disheveled and she sweeps them over one shoulder. Leon sits up against the headboard immediately, and she crawls into his embrace. "I had the fuckin' nightmare again, it's like, recurring..." She whimpers and hiccups as she glances up at him, and he meets her gaze.
"Aleida...you wanna talk about it, honey?" Leon asks her as he slowly strokes her hair.
"Not...not right now," Aleida responds in a soft, shaky whisper. At his concern, she breaks. Her shoulders start to shake with sobs and she moves closer to him. She only barely has time to reach both hands out for Leon before he's there, pulling her in closer.
Leon takes Aleida's hands first, kissing her knuckles and palms. Then, he leans his head down and holds Aleida's face, pressing soft pecks around her cheeks and her mouth. "It's okay," he murmurs. "You're alright, I'm here," he further soothes her in between kisses. He beams down at her, and she manages a smile. They lock lips a few times and he continues assuring her that she's safe until her quiet, even breathing returns and her heart rate isn't so erratic. They hold onto each other tightly, his lips pressed to her temple. Then, they're able to slip back under the covers and cuddle until they fall back to sleep.
"So, my dad turned his life around just in time for my quinces," Blanca announces to the group. "He and my mom are still divorced, but at least he's coming to this special occasion!"
"That's great, baby," Diablo tells her, and their friends murmur in agreement.
"I'm so excited for your party!" Maritza squeals.
"Yeah, me too!" Flaca chimes in.
"Mm-hm," everyone says in unison.
"Holy shit!" Nicky exclaims while standing up from the lunch table. She waves at a beautiful girl with fair skin, striking chocolate brown eyes, and beautiful curly dark hair that cascades down her back and shoulders. She's wearing black jeans, brown boots, a royal blue button-up shirt with gray cuffs, a sheer army green shawl, and a matching scarf that looks more fashionable than warm. She's just wandering around the cafeteria with a tray of two mini cheeseburgers and tater tots covered in ketchup, probably looking for a place to sit. She doesn't notice Nicky, so Nicky makes her way towards the girl. "Shani?"
The girl looks up, and a huge smile appears on her face. "Nicky!" She runs up to Nicky and puts her food down on a nearby table. They embrace tightly while gasping shakily and giggling together, on the verge of happy tears.
"I missed you so much!" Nicky cries while Shani spins her around and then sets her on her feet.
"I never forgot you," Shani tells her as they pull apart, but still hold hands. "I thought about you every second when my cousin, Andy, you know the one who ratted me out to my parents for locking lips with that chick, the daughter of the leader of the private school in Al Bairat, forced me to return to Egypt. They saw pictures of me and her in our email conversation and totally freaked. My father Youssef promised not to harm me, but he'd allow the rest of my family to kill me. I think you are what gave me the strength to cut them off for good with the assistance of an understanding and caring uncle, the satellite dish owner, and come all the way back here. You kept me alive." At this, Nicky beams. "I'm no longer on the streets! He enrolled me into school! Fuck Youssef and the rest of our family."
"That's awesome! I'm so happy you're safe," Nicky says as Shani lays her hand on Nicky's cheek and stares into her eyes lovingly. "I'm not homeless anymore either. I'm living with Red, the head chef in the school kitchen, my girlfriend Lorna, and my little sister figure, Tricia."
"Oh, I'm glad you told me your heart belongs to someone else now," Shani murmurs as she lets her hand fall to her side. "I was gonna kiss you. Is she here?"
"Yeah! I'm sorry...it hurt too much to think about you."
"I understand. We were each other's first love. It's been a long time, anyways." Shani still looks hurt, and it brings a twinge of guilt to Nicky's heart. "Of course you'd move on." She picks up her tray of food.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to my peeps." Nicky links her arm through Shani's and leads her to the table. "Everyone, this is Shani Abboud, my...ex-girlfriend...from when I was homeless. I apologize for never bringing her up, but it was painful to share."
"That's alright," Alex tells her.
The group pleasantly shakes hands with Shani. Lorna is the only one to hesitate, but she plasters on what Nicky knows is a fake grin. "Nice to meet you," Lorna mumbles.
"You too," Shani says with a smile. Nicky and Flaca make room for her in between them. She sits down, takes off her black purse, and sets it on her lap.
"You look like me, only taller and white," Maritza says.
"Take that as a compliment," Flaca adds while beaming. "She's calling you pretty."
Shani chuckles softly, appearing shy. "Thank you."
"Where are you from?" Lorna asks. "You got some sorta accent. Lemme guess...Pakistan? Or wait...Afghanistan?"
Daya elbows her. "Don't ask people that!" she whispers loudly.
"It is okay...um, Luxor, Egypt...and no, I am not a foreign exchange student, in case you were wondering. I am the new girl."
"How are you liking it here?" Allison wants to know.
"I love America!" Shani responds. "It is definitely better than Luxor. Your tater tots are to die for! You can just pop one in your mouth and taste the delicious saltiness. I only left because I had to...but I'm glad I was able to make a safe return."
"Me, too," Nicky murmurs. The two girls share a smile and Nicky again, finds herself mesmerized by Shani's eyes and her heart flutters in excitement. She loves Lorna more than words can say, but Shani means a lot to her, as well. She knows she shouldn't have feelings for someone when she has a girlfriend, an especially possessive one at that, so she tries to push them away, back in the past, like she'd been doing all along.
"Well!" Lorna practically shouts, jerking Nicky from her wandering thoughts. "We're all going to a party tomorrow night." She clutches Nicky's hand and squeezes it tight. "Blanca's quinceañera. Nicky and I are gonna dance and sway until our feet hurt!"
Nicky wishes that Lorna had had this enthusiasm at Maria's birthday bash, but instead, all she could talk about was that she wanted Christopher to be dancing with her and seeing her in her pretty dress. Now that the shoe seems to be on the other foot and Lorna is acting jealous of Shani, Nicky can't help but feel a little smug. She knows Lorna wasn't on her medication at that time and they weren't even a couple back then, but those two facts don't mean it didn't twist Nicky's heart whenever her girlfriend mentioned some other guy who wasn't even into her. "That's right, kid." Nicky puts her arm around Lorna and pulls her in for a kiss to her temple. "You're probably gonna have to drag me out there, but I'll do it for you."
"Aw, so sweet," Michelle gushes. "Alex is like that with me."
Alex nods while smiling. "It's true." She pecks the top of Michelle's head.
"That sounds fun!" Shani comments. "I don't think I've been to anything like that..."
"Oh, you can come if you want!" Blanca says. A flicker of anger appears in Lorna's eyes as she kicks Blanca's knee under the table. "Ow!" Blanca hisses.
"No, it's okay...I would not want to intrude. Besides that, we do not really know each other," Shani murmurs. "I wouldn't have a clue of what to get you."
"Yeah, but you're familiar with Nicky...and there are no strangers here. Only friends you haven't met yet!" Flaca points out.
"Did you just quote William Butler Yeats?" Shani asks through a chuckle.
"Mm-hm...but it's true!"
Nicky doesn't mind her friends inviting Shani to Blanca's quinceañera, but she doesn't want Lorna to be jealous if they dance together, since no matter how many times Nicky will assure her girlfriend that she and Shani are just friends, Lorna won't believe it.
"Maybe we should hook you up with another chick, then, if you decide to show," Lorna mutters. "Stella Carlin would be good for you."
Nicky forces out a guffaw and pats Shani's back. "She's joking." She turns to Lorna and shakes her head slowly. "Babe, could we talk for a minute?"
Lorna sighs and rolls her eyes while standing up. "Sure." She and Nicky walk away from the table. She crosses her arms over her chest. "What's up? You wanna get into her panties?"
Nicky's cheeks heat up in embarrassment and she frowns while shaking her head rapidly. "No, of course not! You're my girl. Shani's just-"
"Uh-uh!" Lorna points at Nicky. "I've seen how reunions between ex lovers go! Seeing her again has brought up strong emotions in you that have been buried for a long time, hon. Don't forget, I know a lot about romance." Lorna taps the side of her head. "I can sense it. Hell, if I wasn't yours, I'd encourage you to get back together with that cooze." She purses her lips and raises an eyebrow. "You gotta tell Blanca to uninvite her."
"Don't call Shani a cooze, alright?" Nicky reprimands her gently. Lorna's jaw drops and she appears to be offended. "Look...she's nice, okay? She's not trying to steal me from you. She just wants to be included in our group. People who aren't accepted by any of our family members...we need friends."
"She's from a foreign country!" Lorna whispers furiously.
Nicky scoffs. "So?"
"I don't trust her! She's probably a terrorist-in-training," Lorna hisses. "Her purse conceals a bomb, I betcha anything. Why else do you think her purse is so big? She'll probably wear the burqa when she's an adult and hide the explosive in that."
"You did that with Angela's car! This is not the time to be racist, Lorna," Nicky mutters. "Weren't you the one who said it should be a private activity? As in, keep your bigoted thoughts to yourself?"
"Who said I was being-"
"I did, because you're acting it. You're just jealous...and you got no reason to be! Cut that shit out," Nicky demands.
"Okay, what if she scams you? Or the rest of us?" Lorna worries aloud. "Or worse, blows up the whole school?"
"She won't!" Nicky insists while throwing her hands up in the air.
"Yeah? How do you know? She could be pickpocketing Flaca right now while planning her attack on all of us!"
"I see her just eating her lunch, honestly." Nicky blows out a gust of air. "Lorna...I get it. There was a time when I would've done anything to have you stop talking about other boys because I liked you so much...more than as a friend. Even though we weren't together, I got...knots in my stomach and my heart hurt whenever you crushed on all these losers. It felt like you were rubbing that in my face."
Lorna gasps. "Is this revenge? Are you fucking serious?" she hisses. "I ain't playin' games with you no more! You got no excuse to do that shit to me, and besides, we're official girlfriends!"
"No, I'm saying that I understand where you're coming from. The thing is, I knew you and those guys weren't together, so I didn't need to worry about 'em...or even you, since we weren't a couple yet, so since Shani and I aren't a thing anymore, you're panicking about things that don't have a chance of happening. I don't cheat, Lorna. I never have, and I never will."
"Okay, then prove it. Let Blanca know that Shani can't go to her party since it wouldn't be fair to me."
"I can't do that, it would be rude. Blanca can invite whoever she wants, it's her quinces. Besides, you mentioned it in front of her, so obviously, Blanca felt guilty and let her join in on the fun."
Lorna points at Nicky. "That shows you still love Shani! I gotta go take my medication again, I feel it starting to wear off!" she growls with tears forming in her eyes. She stomps to her backpack and snatches it off the seat.
Nicky follows her. "Lorna, slow down! You'll fall and injure yourself. I'll go with you."
"Leave me alone!" Lorna snaps icily. "Hey, birthday girl and her boyfriend, sit between Nicky and y'all's new friend!" Then, she sprints to the girls bathroom with her backpack.
The group is quiet while a puzzled expression crosses over Shani's face. She and Nicky scoot away from each other to make room for Blanca and Diablo, as Lorna had requested.
"Don't worry, she'll calm down," Nicky answers Shani's unspoken thought. "She needed a minute to breathe, that's all. It's a little overwhelming...she was just shocked."
"I wasn't aware that you went to this school and had a girlfriend, Nicky, honest," Shani mumbles just before stuffing three tater tots into her mouth, kind of like Lorna does with her pasta.
"No, it's cool, I know that."
"Too bad you had no clue about Lorna la loca! You're lucky she's taking her antipsychotics instead of killing you right now!" Juanita Vasquez says meanly from behind them. She and Crystal Tawney start cackling hysterically together.
"Shut up, Juanita!" Nicky hollers as her blood boils. "You too, Crystal! It's drugged up cunts like you who make the world an unpleasant place. Quit with the rumors!" She doesn't want to admit it's true in front of Shani, since it's Lorna's business.
"Or what?" Juanita asks with a smirk. "You're gonna sic your crazy girlfriend on me? I can totally take her."
"Yeah, we can both squash her like a pancake!" Crystal insists.
"I think you better go check up on her," Juanita tells Nicky cattily. The others look on in horror.
"Oh my god!" Nicky yells and runs to the bathroom with her heart beating wildly in her chest. She wants to beat those girls up so badly, but she's too frantic about Lorna.
"What the fuck did you do to my best friend?" Alex asks roughly as she pushes Crystal and Juanita against the table. Flaca and Blanca help her corner them.
They snigger. "Nothing, Four-Eyes," Crystal responds. "Tormenting idiots like you is fun. We just wanted to make the blonde ditz think a bunch of our friends kicked her girlfriend's ass while she was using the potty or whatever it is she's doing in there."
"Yeah, Lorna la loca ain't worth getting into detention over," Juanita adds.
Flaca bangs their table. "Don't you ever call her that again!"
"Why not? That's her name, isn't it?" Crystal asks tauntingly.
"No," Blanca says coolly. "Fucking catty bitches, I'd smack you two if we weren't in school!"
"Ay dios mío, what's goin' on here?" Gloria cuts in.
Maritza points at Crystal and Juanita. "Those two losers keep making fun of Lorna, sayin' she's wacko, and we're just fed up with it!"
"Alright." Gloria rubs her hands together and walks up to them. Blanca, Alex, and Flaca step back. "You both gotta leave these guys alone! They ain't done nothin' to you!"
Juanita scoffs and gives her a once-over. "Like we're gonna listen to a kitchen lady."
"You bet your asses you are!" Aleida puts her hands on her hips. "You're bullies, you know that?"
Crystal snickers. "Whatever."
Red comes up beside Gloria and Aleida. "I know what you both are doing to our girls. You are fully aware of how I can ruin meals, yes?"
They quickly straighten up. "Oh gosh, Ms. Reznikov, we are so sorry!" Juanita apologizes, but it sounds fake.
"Yeah, we didn't mean it," Crystal adds. "We were horsing around, is all."
Nicky and Lorna return to the cafeteria, holding hands and smiling. "Calling someone a name isn't funny," Gloria reprimands Juanita and Crystal.
"You know what we cafeteria workers think is hilarious, though?" Aleida asks them rhetorically. "I guess you'll find out sometime. You won't even expect it."
The friends snigger altogether. "Bloody. Tampon. Sandwich." Allison says slowly. "Happened to Piper on her first day. She joked about the kitchen workers' hairnets. You didn't really expect to get away with messing with Nichorello and the queens of the cafeteria at the same time...right?"
"I am very confused, but also entertained," Shani murmurs with a grin.
By now, Juanita and Crystal appear to be freaked out and they quickly walk off. Everyone starts hi-fiving each other and cheering.
"Do you like this one for Blanca's quinceañera, honey?" Gloria holds up a pink dress that looks like it would fit Michaela. She and Fahri decided to take the small girl shopping that afternoon. He had just started fostering her and he wants her to feel as comfortable with him as possible. Gloria being with them is helpful, since Michaela needs proof that not all women are horrible like her flesh and blood mother is.
Michaela nods happily while taking it from Gloria and hugging it to her chest. "I want a yellow one too, with purple butterflies on it!"
Gloria and Fahri glance at each other and chuckle at her being so specific. "I'm not sure if we'll be able to find an exact dress like that, but we can definitely look around," Fahri tells the child.
She ends up trying on almost all the dresses in the store and at the end of the day, she decides on a dark purple dress with bright pink flowers. She looks adorable in it and as she spins around while giggling, she reminds Fahri of a younger Allison. He wonders how anyone could ever hurt this little one. She has bad dreams frequently, so whenever he hears her crying out for help, he soothes her back to sleep by reassuring her that everything is okay and her mommy can't harm her anymore.
Since she doesn't have much in the way of food or clothes, he had bought many things for her and painted her room just the way she liked it. He can't wait to teach her stuff like how to ride a bike and play basketball.
"I can do your nails tomorrow for the big day if you want," Gloria offers.
"Okay," Michaela says shyly.
"We'll watch another scary movie tonight, if that's okay?" Fahri asks, referring to the Halloween films on the Disney Channel that Allison had kept on VHS tapes.
"Yay!" Michaela jumps up and down. "Twitches, with pizza and fettuccine and ice cream!"
He smiles at her. "You got it, kid."
"Sounds like fun!" Gloria comments.
"Mm-hm!" Michaela agrees.
"So, I'm here because I decided it was time I get my ass to therapy, you know...to talk about what happened to me," Aleida starts out. She's sitting between Leon and Gloria, with Daya on Gloria's other side. They're all on the couch in Lourdes' apartment and the older woman is on a chair across from them. "Good time to do it too, since the little ones are with Sophia and Crystal, so we're all free." She takes a deep breath, in and out as she grabs Leon's hand. "Um...it's not about the...the rape. It's like, this other deep, emotional trauma...that I buried within me. Can I gather all my thoughts together?"
"Yes, we'll listen to you. Go ahead, whenever you're ready," Lourdes tells her.
"There was this, um...okay, when I was thirteen and fourteen years old, um...I...was a...prostitute...for gross pedophiles," Aleida mumbles, looking anywhere but at her family. She hears them gasp and she senses Gloria squeezing her free hand. Leon slides his fingers through hers and rubs his thumb up and down her wrist. "My mom forced me into it...she said it was to earn cash for me and her, since my dad was in the slammer and couldn't support us financially. Fuckin' alcoholic bitch even changed her name from Valeria to Lourdes...for some reason I dunno and couldn't give a shit less about. Maybe a while later...I ran away and lived with a friend...Juana...and we played hooky from school, we split orange vodka sodas and...we were just giggling...like teen girls do, you know?" Aleida's voice cracks, but she tries her best to keep herself together until she's done talking. "She wanted rum and tequila, but I stole what I could get. I had absolutely no money. Of course, she didn't have much on her, but shit, she was cheap." Aleida scoffs.
"There was Mr. Chill-man...he drove an ice cream truck. Um, of-of course me and Juana wanted some, and uh...we raced each other, right?" Everyone in the room nods solemnly as their faces turn paler. Aleida wonders if they can tell where this story is going. "Laughing and shit. We got on our white sneakers, high-waisted jeans, and bright-colored shirts on, for her, it was purple and matched my backpack, and I wore a white, holey long-sleeved shirt and a neon pink tank top underneath. Scrunchies in our hair, mine blue, hers pink...obviously, tiny earrings. It was the real late eighties, we was in early high school. Ninth grade."
Aleida sniffles and clutches Gloria's and Leon's hands even tighter as she continues. "Um, so Juana beat me, and I had to pay. I got myself a vanilla ice cream cone with chocolate sprinkles while Juana got a chocolate ice cream cone with chocolate dip. The only way I could pay the gross motherfucker was...I mean, he offered me thirty dollars. I did what I had to do...and got fifty bucks and ice cream at no cost whatsoever for the rest of my life." She chokes up and the lump slowly growing in her throat gets bigger and tears swim in her eyes. She blinks a few times, letting them slide down her cheeks. "I had Juana hold my cone while I got in his truck, and...yeah." She stares up at the ceiling and her breath hitches. "I...I threw up immediately after...then rinsed my mouth out with water...so I could eat my treat."
"The most ironic part, was that the sign...on-on the front of that white truck read in big, capital, red lettering...watch for our children." Aleida gulps and shivers, even with the heat that is emanating from Gloria's and Leon's hands over hers. "The ice cream truck music has haunted me ever since then. I was later arrested for selling drugs, and when me and my other friend, Rita, were released from juvy hall, I got picked up by my dumbass mother, who hit the back of my head and called me a brat, but I left her and went home with Rita and her brother, Ricky, who I thought was cute at the time. He was a old-ass pervert who liked little girls! Still can picture him smirkin' at me in my pink crop top with black polka dots and jeans. Only good thing I remember was the wind whipping through my hair as the car drove away, and I flipped her ass off while cracking up hysterically. Dumb bitch Valeria, Lourdes, whatever the fuck you wanna call her, brainwashed me into thinking prostitution was normal! I hate her so much!" Aleida growls. "Ugh...callin' me young and pretty...that was the reason why she basically sold me for sex, too. My dad was no better, wanting to beat the shit outta me every chance he could."
"Oh, baby, what sick pedophiles you had to deal with. I wish I would've been there to protect you!" Leon tells her while catching a tear about to slide off her chin and brushing it away. He sounds upset, near tears.
"Yeah, me too...and your quote, unquote, friends were so damn unsupportive," Gloria mutters shakily and presses her lips together, probably to prevent herself from also crying. "We all love you, though."
"I know," Aleida says emotionally.
"If I was your mother, I would've slashed their throats. That's repulsive, what Valeria made you do, and equally revolting that those pedophiles went along with it!" Lourdes declares.
"I nee-needed you all in...m-my life back then, and I-I didn't even know it!" Aleida bawls, shaking in both anger and sadness as everyone embraces her, so she's in the middle of their tender group hug. "I didn't know what to do, we needed the money..." Her voice is muffled against Leon's chest. She's getting the front of his shirt wet with her endless tears.
"Oh my god, Ma, I'm so sorry," Daya mumbles.
Aleida glances over at Daya. Her daughter is blurry through her tears, so she releases Leon's and Gloria's hands to wipe her eyes free of moisture. She balls her hands up into fists and then relaxes them. "I got no clue of why I was so cool with you dating that John Bennett, when he was hella older than you, an adult, in fact...but...I should've killed him on sight. It's how I reacted when I found out about you and that pimp...ugh. You're fuckin' fifteen years old!" Aleida shudders. "I guess John giving you the baby was like, a trap for me to allow him to be with you. Anyway...I swear to God, if I ever see that Daddy cunt close to you again, I'll bitchslap her so hard she'll go blind. Please, Daya...stay away from her. She's only eighteen, so not like some crusty ancient man, but even if she wasn't a drug dealer, she's still an adult and you're a minor. Por favor, nena. Let that bitch go."
Daya nods. "I will. I promise."
Aleida presses her lips to Daya's cheek and runs her fingers through the girl's dark, sleek hair. "Thank you."
What were you thinking, inviting that Muslim Arab girl? You know I don't feel safe around those types. At least Allison is an American. Holy shit, Blanca, we have no idea who the fuck Shani is! You're supposed to have my back and respect mine and Nicky's relationship, not invite some random ex of hers. You gotta tell her she can't come after all.
Blanca sighs and rolls her eyes at Lorna's text. "Not gonna deal with this today..." she grumbles while closing her flip phone. She'd decided to go off the grid and only stay in contact with her mother so Trina wouldn't worry about her.
"Oh, maldición, me pinché un neumático," Diablo grumbles as he pulls to a stop on the freeway, interrupting their road trip after school. They would sleep together in a hotel that night and return to New York the next morning, just in time to get ready for Blanca's quinceañera. Trina thought Blanca was sleeping over at Maritza's house.
Oh, damn it, I got a flat tire
"Lo siento, baby. You got a spare?" Blanca wants to know. The message from Lorna is soon forgotten, as she can't handle that girl's drama on top of the stress of being temporarily stranded on the side of the road.
"Sí, it's in my trunk." Diablo gets out and shuts the front door.
"¿Necesitas mi ayuda?" she asks.
You want my help?
"¡Claro, gracias, mi amor!"
Sure, thanks, my love!
Blanca joins him at the trunk. "Good thing you're outta your wheelchair!"
"Oh, ¡sí!"
"Help me! ¡Ayudame! Dios mío, help! Please! Oh, por favor, ¡ayúdame!" Blanca hears a female voice screaming and crying in the distance. She and Diablo whip their heads in the direction of the sound and she jumps when she sees a figure rolling down a mountain and crashing against the fence separating greenery from freeway.
Blanca gasps. "Ay dios mío. We gotta help her...hope she's not dead!"
"Me neither!" They both rush over to the girl whose bloody face is contorted in pain. She twitches slightly and they breathe a sigh of relief. She's wearing light, dirt-stained blue jeans with large, jagged rips in the knees, a tattered beige jacket, and a pale pink shirt that appears to be almost brown with all the mud caked into it. A ratty pair of Converse shoes are on her feet.
"Hey...te podemos ayudar," Diablo tells her.
We can help you
"Owwww..." she groans. "Nunca volveré a Nueva York ahora..." They can barely hear her.
I'll never get back to New York now...
"Ya casi estás ahí. Estás en Duncannon, Pennsylvania," Blanca informs her calmly. "We need to get you to a hospital."
You're almost there. You're in Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
"Oh, gracias a Dios..." she rasps out. "No creo que pueda moverme más...y también estoy embarazada, y mi esposo murió y...no puedo volver a El Salvador, ¡no puedo! ¡Es muy peligroso allí!" The injured girl takes a few gasps of air as Blanca and Diablo both help her up. She winces and shrieks in agony as soon as her foot touches the ground. She limps a little, sways from side to side for a second, and then falls to her knees with a sob.
Oh, thank god...I don't think I can move anymore...and I'm pregnant too, and my husband died, and...I can't go back to El Salvador, I can't! It's too dangerous there!
Blanca's heart breaks for her. "Okay, we'll carry you to the car and get you some help. Soy Blanca y este es mi novio Diablo. ¿Cuál es tu nombre?"
I'm Blanca and this is my boyfriend Diablo. What's your name?
"Karla." She sniffles as Diablo and Blanca lift her off the ground and assist her into the car. "I was abandoned on the trek back to the United States..." She hiccups and lets out a wail as tears slide down her cheeks. Blanca presses a rag against the lacerations on Karla's face to stop the bleeding. "I-I fell and sprained my ankle...or broke it, I don't know...but the coyote carried me a little bit, but he had to put me down under some tree in the desert...and I was able to get some medical help. After I got somewhat better, I left the hospital and crossed the border to Texas. I hitchiked from there to Charlottesville in Virginia, until the asshole got too creepy, so I was able to get out and crawl on my hands and knees for forty days and nights, mostly on the Appalachian Trail...and I am in a lot of pain. I've barely slept. I haven't really eaten anything except lizard tail meat. I really hope my baby is okay..."
"Oh, I can imagine. Me, too." Blanca frowns and shakes her head. "You poor girl. We need to change his tire, but we will take you to get medical care right after, okay?" She fishes through her purse and pulls out Tylenol and a small water bottle. "Toma dos. Ayudará con el dolor." Blanca unzips a bag full of food. "Además, coma huevos duros y queso en cadena. Sé que se está muriendo de hambre."
Take two. It'll help with the pain. Also, have some hard boiled eggs and string cheese. I know you're starving.
"Gracias," Karla mumbles as she takes the pills with water. and then chows down.
Blanca grins at her. "De nada."
You're welcome.
One more person to add to the guest list, Blanca thinks to herself. After all, Karla deserves a good time after all the hardships she'd suffered.
Hello
Talk to me because I want to return your money.
I bet you miss my monster dick too right nine inches remember?
"Ugh, god damn it!" Flaca hisses and slams her phone face down on the counter of Gloria's bodega as the older woman is ringing her Hot Cheetos up.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Gloria asks.
"Nothin'..." Flaca jumps when her phone vibrates while playing her ringtone and won't stop. She picks it up and sees that it's the scammer's number. Her heart skips a beat and she gasps shakily while turning her phone off completely and shoving it into her pocket. "It don't matter anymore..." Her breath hitches and she bites her quivering lip, trying to stop the oncoming tears. She grabs her snack that she'd purchased and runs out of the bodega. She shrieks when she feels someone put their hand on her back. She whirls around and is relieved to see that it's only Gloria.
"Honey, of course it does. I know about this cyberbullying that you girls been though...is it happening again? I'mma have a talk with Maria soon, I swear, okay? No one hurts you and gets away with it!"
Flaca sighs sharply. "No. It ain't Maria...or anyone you know, really. I gotta go..."
"Bebe, you looked scared to death and sounded angry as hell when you received that message and phone call. It's the same way I'd react if Arturo contacted me. If someone's stalking you, then we need to go to Charles."
"No...I can't tell nobody..." Flaca sniffles and shakes her head.
"What do you mean?" Gloria squeezes Flaca's hands comfortingly. "Talk to me, please, I can help you. Just like you and Maritza did for me, right?"
"I'm soooo humiliated!"
"Come in the backroom with me, alright? You never have to be embarrassed in front of me. I won't ever judge you, I swear."
"You might," Flaca mumbles as she follows Gloria into the private section of her little store. They sit down across from each other. "Okay...so my friend online was a soldier and needed seventy-five dollars last year. I couldn't pay him as my mom would see it on my bank account and I didn't know if it was a scam, but he owes me some money-"
Gloria appears to be perplexed. "Hold up. If you couldn't give him money, why does he owe you it? He ain't your friend if he's askin' for somethin' like this from you!"
"I know, I know...I'm aware that he scammed me last year, I had to return some of my lava lamps back to Walmart to get cash back, buy a bunch of things I didn't need and return them for cash back, and sometimes I even asked people to borrow money and got a shitload of cash back from my debit card and told my mom I gave money to charity. He wanted to meet up, but I never seen him in person and he blocked me on MySpace, which is good, since it proved that he's a scumbag scammer! Also, it can be dangerous to meet strangers from the internet." Flaca's eyes are glued to the floor.
"Yeah, no shit! How much money he owe you?"
"I just gave him a hundred bucks one time to help, since I've done that before with friends online for a signed picture of our shared favorite band and I got the signed picture in exchange, and I thought this would be the same thing, a one time deal! Then, he kept asking, and asking...I felt like I had to give him more since at the time, I had no boyfriend or girlfriend...and we were in a relationship, or so I thought. He would blackmail me into giving him all sorts of gift cards like iTunes and Amazon..." Flaca holds her face in her hands and wails. "I did it because I didn't want my pictures online! I gave him nine hundred and thirty dollars until I finally fucking had it!" Slowly, her eyes travel up to meet Gloria's.
"Ay dios mío," Gloria murmurs and purses her lips. "I'm glad you ain't contacting him no more. Thank you for talking about it with me. I'm happy you opened up." She embraces Flaca and squeezes her tight while kissing the top of her head. "Never, ever do this again, you got it?"
"I won't. I promise."
"I'm so sorry this happened to you! You got all the people you need in your life. Why were you looking for more?"
"I was desperate for a boyfriend last year..."
"Sweetheart, you were fourteen. You got your whole life to find your one true love..."
"Yeah, I'm lucky I got Maritza now. Um...you mind calling his commander to help me sort this out?" Flaca shows Gloria another message she'd gotten from an Eric Smith, who sounds just like the scammer. Good day ma'am. I'm here to let you know that the card we got only two can be used out of it and that delayed the flight of the sergeant but I'm working possibly on it so he can still leave Somalia base today and I will send you his flight logistics and ticket for confirmation...kindly reply ASAP! Regards Com Eric
So madam keep your mind at rest I told you I'm working on it Bd gonna fix it ! That?s the message get back from the America Airline madam, I told im gonna tried but we need to try more
Below the message is a picture of a fake document that is marked flight delayed in red lettering.
"He spelled passenger wrong, it's not pass-anger," Gloria snaps. "He wants another two-hundred fifty bucks outta you, but you ain't gonna do it!"
"No," Flaca agrees. "I just wanted you to help me see if this was the same scammer. I think it is, but...I'm sorry to ask you, but I'm panicking..."
"I'm not calling anyone. I don't feel comfortable with it, I apologize...this is a damn scary criminal you were dealing with here! However, you can ask Charles, since he's a cop. It's a good thing you didn't give him your social security number or your address." Flaca is quiet and Gloria's eyes widen. "Oh, fuck, no. You didn't..."
"I thought I was getting paid back two-thousand eighty-nine dollars!" Flaca protests. "Then he said I couldn't get the money back since I didn't have an ID card."
"You need to tell your motha."
"Gloria, no, it's been a year and he hasn't done shit except repeatedly message and call me, and I've been ignoring the hell outta him! Look...here's somethin' from someone else, Hendrick Elan, sent last year and nothin' happened." Good day madam, I'm texting you in the respect of your package, already talk to commander Eric Smith a base commander in Somalia over your fiancé benefit we are currently in Litchfield, New York, kindly reply because they seized all the package and your SSN to proved owner of the money but they insist it is a money Laundering and it's against US policy, kindly reply me back here or talk to the commander or they are coming with FBI to your house and that lead to case and I know you won't want that to happen to your fiancé money and your stressed, sorry for inconvenience you ! Regards
"Then, he checked with me about my address and social security number, but I told him everything on there was fake and goodbye, and then blocked his number..."
"He knows it's real, Flaca. He's using burner phones to contact you. Ay, nena, come on, I know you're smarter than this. The best thing to do is go to Charles and change your phone number if need be."
"Okay, I will. I even know his real name...Cameo Mabry. I did a lotta detective work! I did a Google Image search of a picture he sent me of his daughter...and he's such a pedophile...he's twenty something, but I thought he was seventeen!"
"I hope he goes to prison for a long time," Gloria says bitterly.
Flaca sniffles. "I do, too."
At Friendly's, Shani appears to be admiring the place as she sits down with Maritza, Allison, and Lorna. Nicky and Flaca are in the restaurant's bathroom and Diane is making delicious meals for them.
"Did she tell you about the time she was molested by her uncle?" Lorna asks Shani bitterly, referring to Nicky.
"Yes, it was a very sad story. I would've thought she'd want you to keep that between the two of you, though," Shani murmurs as the other girls stare at Lorna incredulously. "I promised her when she first confided in me about it, that I wouldn't spill it to anyone else. It is not like an interesting piece of gossip. We are survivors, the both of us."
"Well, luckily we know about it," Maritza says. "I know what you're sayin', though, Shani."
"You should still respect Nicky's privacy," Allison chimes in.
"Right," Lorna mumbles. "Sorry about that, I just wanted to see if you made it safe enough for her to share things with you, and it looks like you did, so that's good. I'm what they call an overprotective girlfriend."
"Ah, noted. I can assure you, that Nicky was in excellent hands with me, and I'm happy that you're taking care of her just as well."
"We look out for each other," Lorna informs Shani.
"I guess Nicky's got a type...strikingly beautiful, with dark hair and brown eyes," Maritza comments. "It makes me wonder why she never showed an interest in me." Lorna glares at her and Shani raises an eyebrow while the other girls giggle. "Just kidding, jeez! Besides, I got Flaca."
"No, you're right, Maritza. I even had some intimate relations with Blanca on the Greyhound while I was homeless, before Shani," Nicky confesses as she and Flaca take a seat beside Lorna. "Then Alex in the cornfield before I got really interested in my Lorna!" At this, Lorna smirks.
"Don't forget that ugly Stella!" Flaca reminds Nicky, who shivers with disgust.
"Really?" Allison wonders aloud. She whistles slowly. "Damn, girl, you're a player!"
Nicky shrugs. "Not so much that...I'm not disloyal, I just didn't have a steady girlfriend at those times with Blanca and Alex...and Stella was seriously just sex in exchange for drugs. I felt no pleasure with her whatsoever."
"I never thought Blanca was anything other than straight," Lorna mutters. "Maybe it was like, a romp to her. She needed some excitement, someone thinkin' she was sexy. Nothin' wrong with that, but I just feel bad if she led you on, Nicky."
Nicky shakes her head no. "She didn't. It was just a fun thing...I think she could've been experimenting, too, but it doesn't matter. She's got Diablo and I have you."
Lorna beams as Nicky kisses her cheek and then her lips. "That's right..."
"Hi, girls!" Barb announces as she comes into the restaurant. Diane gives her a polite wave and Lorna runs up to the woman while squealing and putting her arms around Barb's waist. "What a warm welcome this is!" Barb hugs Lorna back.
"Hello," the girls respond in unison.
Adeola, Daddy, Annalisa, and Tina arrive next. Juanita and Crystal, much to Nicky and her friends' dismay, trickle in after Adeola. They have to keep the peace though, so they don't make sour faces. They greet Taystee and Poussey with fist bumps and Allison cheerfully encircles both of them.
"Where are Daya and the rest of the black girls?" Barb wants to know.
"Cindy's at home with her strict dad, and Daya got grounded. No idea about Suzanne, though," Poussey reports.
"I see." Barb juts her chin towards Shani. "Now this chick looks like she just stepped out of a magazine. Where'd you get her? I know she ain't from around here."
Nicky stands to her feet, effectively blocking Shani from Barb's view. Taystee knows Nicky's just being protective, but they have to tell Barb who their new friend is, otherwise there could be consequences. Diane keeps her eyes on the group. "Um...Shani, Nicky's former girlfriend," Taystee answers. Diane nods in approval. "So sorry," she mouths.
"She's Egyptian," Lorna adds. "Been around sand dunes and pyramids, you know?"
"Wonderful!" Barb nearly shouts and the African American girls, Flaca, and Shani all jump. Barb clasps her hands together and sidesteps around Nicky so she's right in front of Shani. "You can be our exotic dancer. I don't mean that in a racist way, I swear! You just look like you can dance really well."
"Thanks," Shani tells her awkwardly. "Though, I'm not exactly sure what this is for...or who you are, ma'am."
"No one here told you I was coming?" Barb tsks. "That's just sad. I'm Barb Denning, and these are my main lackeys, Adeola Chinede, Annalisa Damiva, Daddy, Tina Swope, Juanita Vasquez, and Crystal Tawney. We've asked your friends to join our band, and they've accepted our invitation! You're in it too, girlie."
"I...I don't know if I can sing. I tried Don't Speak at this karaoke bar, and I wasn't that good."
"Nonsense! You're the kind of girl who can draw in a crowd by just standing there."
"Er, thank you, I guess?"
"You're very welcome."
"Why the fuck isn't Blanca here?" Carol practically roars at her group of girls, making Alex and Michelle jump a foot in the air. Badison, Zirconia, Creech, Charlene, Marie, and Shruti start guffawing and Nicole and Alana gaze around uncomfortably. "Stop giggling like children and gawking and answer me!"
"Excuse me, ma'am, you need to keep your voice down," Tonya tells her sharply. They're at Dairy Queen again, but this time, Charles is a little ways away from them, watching Carol with a stern expression on his face. Alex can't be more relieved that he's there.
"I was asking a question. That bitch was supposed to be at this very location ten minutes ago. She could be dead!"
"Chill out, Carol! I'm sure that loser's just playing around with her gorilla boyfriend," Badison says.
"She can help you find dudes online some other time, right?" Nicole asks.
"I suppose," Carol mutters as she slowly walks around their tables as they set up a game of chess. "I'll talk to her when she gets back. I texted her, but she never replied." Her rant drops to a whisper. "This is her second goddamn mistake!"
"She and her boyfriend are on a short road trip," Michelle reports. "They'll be back tomorrow."
"Well, I can respect her being busy, but she should've let me know," Carol states angrily and pops her lollipop back into her mouth.
"Should we beat her up for ya?" Marie wants to know, and Charlene appears to be excited at the idea of it. Alex's heart grows heavy at the thought of her friend being pummeled. She isn't especially close to Blanca, but seeing any one of her pals getting hurt because of someone as scary as Carol, would be upsetting.
Charlene snickers. "How 'bout third time she fucks up, she's out like a light, forever!"
"Yeah, get that fuckin' no-good backstabbing cunt," Creech agrees.
"Hey, that's enough!" Charles interrupts them. "You're talking about a human being."
"Butt out, stranger, they're not being serious," Carol snaps. She turns back to her girls. "Tempting, but nah," she mutters. "I'm trying to follow the law, and you girls need to as well. You don't wanna end up in juvy again, right?"
"No," they mumble in unison.
"Maybe we'll just give her a warning from you, then?" Shruti offers.
"Yeah, like, be a responsible member of this crew, or else!" Zirconia suggests.
"Um, I'll talk to her, if that's cool with you?" Alana cuts in.
"I will, too," Alex volunteers.
"Same," Michelle pipes up.
"Okay," Carol agrees. "Just don't be too nice."
"We won't," Alex mutters.
"You really want me to come to your quinces?" Karla asks as she slides into bed with Blanca. In the dark room, they both lay on their sides, facing each other with their heads propped up on their fists, and smile. "I'm glad I fit into your old homecoming dress...even if it's a little long."
"Mm-hm. If you want, my friend's mom is a seamstress and can fix that right up for ya."
"Of course. I thank you for your hospitality. Your cooking and your mom's is the best I've ever tasted in such a long time...and your bed is so warm and comfortable!"
"You're very welcome."
"I'm so lucky my baby survived!" Karla exclaims.
"I am, too! It was a miracle," Blanca tells her, and she nods in agreement.
"Sí. Sin embargo, lo siento por arruinar tu noche especial que habías planeado con Diablo," Karla apologizes.
Sorry for ruining your special night you had planned with Diablo, though.
"Está bien, podemos hacerlo en otro momento y tener servicio a la habitación y usted sabe qué más...necesitaba ayuda, y nos complació poder ayudarlo. Besides that, I'll see him tomorrow and dance with him a lot!"
It's okay, we can do that some other time and have room service and you know what else...you needed help, and we were happy to be of assistance.
"You're a good person."
"Thanks! You are too. Hey...if you don't mind me asking, how'd you get away from that cabrón in Charlottesville?"
"He was nice at first, but then as the hours passed, he became a racist redneck. He was tired of giving me food and water and shelter...and he kept trying to kiss me and grab at my breasts at all the traffic lights and stop signs. Then, he yelled at me in this terrifying voice to stop distracting him!" Karla whispers. Blanca scoffs and her heart sinks in compassion for Karla, but she lets the slightly older girl continue. "Le conté la historia de mi vida...no sé por qué lo hice, pero dijo que estaba contento de que mi sucio esposo estuviera muerto y esperaba que me sacara a mi bebé de la barriga tan pronto como nos llevara a casa...a su casa, quiero decir. Tenía algunas armas en el maletero de su auto, y me las mostró. Me dijo que su pene era tan duro como sus armas y me obligó a darle una paja, de lo contrario yo sería asesinado. Estaba asustado de mi mente. Lo hice para sobrevivir...y rogué que me dejaran salir. Condujo a mi lado mientras yo cojeaba, a veces fingía atropellarme y se reía histéricamente cuando yo Caería sobre mis manos y rodillas. Finalmente, se fue después de unas horas de conducir."
I told him my life story...I dunno why I did, but he said he was glad my dirty husband was dead and he hoped he'd blow my baby right out of my belly as soon as he got us home...to his house, I mean. He had a few guns in the trunk of his car, and he showed them to me. He told me his dick was as hard as his weapons and forced me to give him a handjob, otherwise, I would be killed. I was frightened outta my mind. I did it to survive...and I begged to be let out. He drove alongside me as I limped along, sometimes he pretended to run me over, and he cackled hysterically whenever I'd fall to my hands and knees. Finally, he left after a few hours of driving.
"That's so cruel," Blanca murmurs. "Lamento que te haya pasado."
I'm sorry that happened to you.
"Thanks for listening to my story."
"Anytime." Then, Blanca tells Karla everything awful that has happened to her, from being bullied in school to Piscatella abusing her and Diablo and the rest of their friends. Karla seems sympathetic and the girls hug each other in solidarity. "Hey, if you ever wanna talk more about your experiences, my other friends and I go to a really awesome therapist...you can come with me, if you'd like to."
Karla nods. "Sure, maybe. I'll think about it."
"Cool!"
"Hey, didn't you get my texts?" someone asks from behind Blanca, startling her. She gasps and presses her hand to her heart as she turns around to face Carol. She, Karla, and Diablo are in the middle of having huevos rancheros for brunch at the American Dream Diner. Blanca quickly swallows her bite and gulps the rest of it down with orange juice. Even though she's not alone with Carol, the older lady is terrifying. Luckily, though, she has Diablo and Karla with her.
"Yes, um...I'm sorry, I was dealing with an emergency situation and couldn't answer. I'll inform you next time," Blanca responds nervously.
"I wanted to take Blanca on a small road trip yesterday after school," Diablo adds and puts his arm around her, seeming protective. "I wasn't aware she was supposed to check in with you..."
"She needed to tell you who I was in the first place. It's not like I'm some weirdo. I'm her mentor."
"Really?" Diablo turns to Blanca. "Nunca me la has mencionado, mi amor," he whispers.
You've never mentioned her to me, my love.
"Pido disculpas, querido. Te lo explicaré todo más tarde," Blanca answers him just as quietly while tracing the tattoo of three sixes on his right hand.
I apologize, dear. I'll explain everything later.
Carol nods and peers over at Karla. "Who's your friend?"
"Karla...ma'am. Blanca was helping me...I took a huge tumble down a mountain in Pennsylvania, hurt my ankle really bad, and I'm using crutches. See?" She pulls them up from under the table. "I have some scars and cuts on my face, too, as you can see, and a lot of bruises, but under my clothes."
"Yeah. You do look like you took a pretty bad fall. I believe you. Hiking can be dangerous, especially for children who go at it alone."
"Mm-hm..."
"How old are you, anyway?"
"Seventeen."
Blanca desperately wants Carol to go away. She just keeps eating as Carol stares at them, her gaze most fixed on Karla. "You're brave, Karla. I admire that about you. Why don't you hang out with me and my crew sometime? Blanca could bring you."
Karla appears to be uncertain. "Um, okay, if that's cool with you, Blanca?"
"Yeah," Blanca murmurs. "Can my boyfriend be there with us?"
Carol looks over at Diablo. "No guys allowed, sorry. Even if you are exceptionally attractive." She winks at him and Blanca's stomach churns in disgust.
"He's sixteen," Blanca says defensively as an awkward expression crosses his face.
"Doesn't look it," Carol retorts. "It was just a compliment, anyway, I'm not trying to flirt and be gross. That's for pedophiles. Well...I'll let you three continue with your brunch. Bye."
"Goodbye," they tell her in unison, and then she finally exits the restaurant. "I'm so glad she doesn't know about my party," Blanca says once she sees that the coast is clear and Carol is far from the place.
"What is her deal?" Diablo wants to know.
"She's just fucking creepy," Blanca mutters. "¡Una aspirante a asesina de niños! Ugh!"
A wannabe child killer!
Karla and Diablo are both puzzled and shocked, Blanca can see it in their faces. She then explains to them in Spanish, the whole saga of Barb and Carol, exactly how Diane had told it to her and the other girls.
Karla puts one hand up and the other protectively on her belly while shaking her head no. "¡Oh, no, no estoy dando vueltas por algún monstruo así!"
Oh, no, I am not hanging around some monster like that!
Diablo kisses Blanca's hand and squeezes it lightly, causing her heart to flutter. He frowns and furrows his brows. "Mi hermosa paloma, no la quiero cerca de ti." He gestures towards Karla. "O de ti tampoco."
My beautiful dove, I don't want her near you. Or you either.
"Lo sé, pero ya es demasiado tarde. Lo siento," Blanca apologizes somberly. "Estamos más seguros si solo obedecemos sus órdenes. Confía en mí, ¿de acuerdo?"
I know, but it's too late now. I'm sorry. We are safer if we just obey her orders. Trust me, okay?
Diablo and Karla just nod and continue eating on either side of her. Blanca sits back in her chair, wishing those horrible sisters had never come into hers and her friends' lives.
I'm so happy for Gloria and Blanca and Diablo. Lorna and Red were heartbreaking but at least they have each other. I'm proud of Nicky and Flaca for taking over their prison mothers before them. I'm happy we got to see Allison and Janae and Alex and the rest of Red's family in Ohio! I thought Nicky and Shani were so cute together so I hope they reunite someday. I'm sad for Karla and hope someone can save her...and that Maritza is ok in Colombia and is a bargirl and somehow meets up with Flaca someday! Aleida's flashback was heart-wrenching, jeez! I don't like Vauseman but don't like McCullough for Alex either. She's a guard so it's inappropriate. Aleida had every right to try to kill Daya since Daya was just out of control, I miss the old Daya 😰 and I loved Gloria and Aleida's reconciliation and farewell! It made me cry lol. So did Karla talking to her kids over the phone. BTW, I read in some interview that Daya doesn't actually die from Aleida's throat-punch, but she's just unconscious for a while.
Thank you for reading and reviewing, VeraRose19, Johanna002, and A Star in My Universe!
