The Ties That Bind

Chapter 1

Each night I'm greeted with the same dream.

I'm on a hammock, looking at the ceiling of my home as the fireflies illuminate the walls. The sound of gentle wind flowing through the nearby plants as clay pots hanging from the ceilings clunk together softly.
I can hear the back and forth of the coqui in the air as well. The scent of casabe bread from the yucca plant is strong, and the flowers grow only more pungent. How I smell this in the dream is beyond me, maybe it's a mind thing.

I'm then transported to a raging storm, the wind stronger than my body can handle as I'm sent onto my back from it. The cool drops of rain feel like electricity on my skin, drenching my nagua alongside my curly hair. But just as I get up, attempting to squint through the strong winds, I hear a voice. It's yelling at me, almost angry. I don't understand what it's saying to me, or even who it is. At this point I'm awake, my entire body tense from the dream. Once my brain finally wraps around the fact that I'm safe, I relax and fall back asleep.

"Nazaria, let's go! You're gonna be late, and I don't feel like answering a phone call from your principle!" A strong feminine voice calls out to me. I groan, getting up and wiping the groggy feeling from my eyes. As I stand in front of my mirror, I take my bonnet off and stare at myself. "God, I look intense.." I groan, slipping into my uncomfortable school uniform. Maroon polo shirt, and grey pants.. the most uncomfortable combo in the entire universe.

I slide some gel onto my hair, putting my curls into a low bun and not forgetting my edges this time, which I often do. "Zee, what are you-" the voice walks into my room and smiles. I look at the woman and frown "Mami, please don't.." I grumble, but it's no use. My mom hugs me and peppers my face in kisses "You're getting so big, te amo que bonita!" She squeals out. "Mami, you're messing my hair up!" I giggle, slipping out of her grip.

Her name-tag read Iris Ruiz-Colon. Ruiz was her name, and Colon my Papi's. Mama worked as an art professor at a nearby university. She dusted her work jumper off, fixing the name tag as her gold ring glistened in the morning sun.

"I know, but I'm your mother. Now come on, you can eat breakfast in the car. Don't wanna be late on the last day."

Every kids favorite holiday. The last day of school. I grabbed my purple bookbag and made a run for it toward the door. Mama grabbed me by my collar and stopped me. "You forgetting something?" She stares at me, dark brown eyes practically glaring into my soul. I think for a moment, unsure of what I missed on my rush to the door. Water bottle, book bag, hair fixed.. Agh!

I placed my book down and ran toward a nearby end table. On it was a picture of Me, Mami, and Papi. I smiled gently and gave his picture a kiss, praying for him silently. Papi had been gone for two years now, and every morning we said a prayer for him to keep an eye on both me and Mami. We put out a cup of guava juice and a plate of lechon for him, his favorite things.

Mami says we both have a little piece of him with both of us. I have his charm and adventurous spirit, and Mami.. well.. me! Oh, and his ring. She told me that he was her soul mate.

"Alright, let's get going nena!" Mama kisses my cheek and rushes out the door, her keys jingling as she walked.

Today was gonna be a good day! And I will make SURE of that!