The newly-formed couple stayed together under the courtyard for an eternity. They laughed, flirted, and had a good time. Then, they went up to the balcony on top of the kitchen. Sitting together, Phineas and Isabella enjoyed their last view of the neighborhood. The houses were ragged and compacted together. Only the colors of the paint determined where each property began. Nonetheless, in the sunset, the neighborhood looked picturesque. The couple snuggled together, as they took in the sights of the Mexican city one last time. They watched, awestruck, as the sun set behind a mountain; El Cerro Bola, as it was called.
When Aunt Rosa called to let them know that she was already on her way, they made sure everything was taken care of one last time. When they were finished, they went outside to relax and talk on the sidewalk. Soon enough, Ivan came over, and the neighborhood teenagers gathered again for a round of street soccer.
The three were sitting on the sidewalk, watching the game from a distance. Ivan already knew that this would be Phineas and Isabella's last day in Juarez, and he just dropped by to chill with them one last time, as well as say goodbye to them. They talked about what they all were going to do for the rest of the summer. Phineas and Isabella said that they would probably do projects in Phineas' backyard, explaining what these usually involved. Ivan was genuinely impressed, and wished them luck. Ivan said that he wouldn't do anything too extraordinary. He would probably stay the whole summer in Juarez, hanging out with the neighborhood friends and visiting his family in the city.
When Phineas first met Ivan, he was at first a little suspicious and even a little jealous of the guy. Now, he now realized that he had formed a good friendship. Granted, Ivan thought that Phineas was dating Isabella from the start. But even then, Phineas found in front of him a guy was honest, hardworking, and had integrity. Ivan had goals that he fervently wanted to accomplish; he was a teenager that wanted to defy the circumstances that he lived in, and make himself a good life.
Juarez was a city of vice, crime and corruption. It was a city that saw an average of eight homicides a day, almost entirely due to infighting among the cartels. Sadly, a great portion of those killed were young males, less than 20 years old. They were teenagers lured into a lifestyle promising easy riches, power, and influence. It was a tempting road that offered a different path than the norm: a life of living on meager wages, working at manufacturing facilities owned by multi-national corporations.
The choice for the youth rested in either being a hitman for the Juarez Cartel or a worker assembling LCD televisions at a Sony plant. Work for El Chapo* or work for General Electric. Sadly, many a teenager chose the road of violence and crime. Instead of power or riches, they only paved the way for their deaths; a fate signed in blood, sealed by the medic that zips up the body bag. It is a shame that the funeral homes are some of the most lucrative businesses in the city.
Phineas found himself thinking about all of this, and didn't want Ivan to have the same fate as so many. Ivan was too good to be reduced to a hitman or a dead man on the street. The guy wants to be a doctor, for Pete's sake, he thought. The three talked some more in the final minutes before Rosa arrived. When she finally pulled up, they loaded their bags into the car and said their goodbyes to the grandparents and Ivan. Isabella gave him a handshake and simple hug, wishing him luck. She said that they might visit again next year.
Phineas gave Ivan a handshake, with the thoughts still whirling around in his head. As he said goodbye, he added, "Take care of yourself, dude. Don't give up on your dreams. If you want to be a doctor and study in the United States, so be it. Just believe in yourself, and seize the day. You're too good to be reduced to a life of crime or poverty. Just keep your hope alive, and the rest will take care of itself."
Ivan teared up, replying, "I won't give up, man. All I want is to have a better life, to have the opportunity to take care of my family. And I will accomplish my dream, if it's the last thing I do."
"So be it, Ivan. I hope that we can come by next year so we can hang out again. But if we don't meet again, I wish you luck in your endeavors."
Phineas gave Ivan a pat on the back, who said a last goodbye, before getting back on the sidewalk, standing next to Isabella's grandparents. When Rosa pulled away, Phineas and Isabella couldn't help looking back at the neighborhood. The scene was almost cinematic, with the grandparents and the friend waving goodbye, disappearing into the distance. Isabella was a little teary-eyed from the exchange between Phineas and Ivan. She said, "I hope that his dream comes true, Phin."
Phineas took her hand and kissed it, replying with an air of certainty, "I know he will make it, Izzy. It might be difficult, but he's tough as nails."
*El Chapo - the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, mentioned in Forbes magazine as one of the richest people in the world