Janelise
"Mija, ven a comer." I got up from my bed and went to the kitchen.
"What's to eat?"
"Mondongo."
"Ugh, again?" I sat down.
"Yes."
"But it's the fourth time this week."
"Well, it's what we got."
"I know." She sat the bowl in front of me while she made her dish and sat down.
"Did your father call?" I looked at her.
"Now you know he ain't calling me."
"I don't know why he's behaving this way. You're still his child."
"Just not the right child. The messed up one." She grabbed my hand and looked at me.
"No, don't you dare say that. There is nothing wrong with you."
"But maybe if I wasn't this way he would still be around."
"You being you should not have driven him off. He doesn't have the maturity to handle this."
"But you were upset at one point."
"No. I was never upset. I just had to get used to the idea of it but you're still my child no matter what. Whether you're Andre or Janelise, you're always my baby."
"Thanks, mami."
"Always." We went back to eating. "So, how's the semester going?"
"Great. My jazz history professor thinks I have a great chance at a summer theatre program in New York."
"That's great, baby."
"I'm not gonna do it, though."
"Why?"
"Mami, we can't afford that. The supplies, the room and board, the summer tuition. It all comes to almost five thousand dollars." She looked down.
"What's so good about this program?"
"It's a very good program. It puts you in line for really good management."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but there are other routes besides this one."
"But do you really want this?" I sighed.
"Yeah."
"Then I'll figure you out."
"But mom..."
"No. You want this. It's part of your dream and I will make it happen. Just...let me figure something out."
"Mami, I don't want you to overwork yourself for this."
"You let me worry about that. You just go and be the very best that I know you can be. You'll just pay me back when you win your Tony or Oscar." I laughed.
"Wouldn't that be something? A transgender Hispanic winning an Oscar."
"You could make history."
"You think?"
"Of course. You're my baby, you could do anything."
"Thanks, mom." We continued to eat and talk about random things. I finished my food and looked at my phone. "Oh, mom I have to go."
"What's wrong, mija?"
"I have a club meeting." I kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later tonight." I went into my room and got my things before heading to the bus. I saw the bus and started running to catch it. I was just about to make it when the bus pulled off. "Crap." I sat down on the bench. Now I'm going to be late.
