To Skin A Lamb

3

CHARITY

"Mami," I stood still as she kissed every inch of my head in front of all of the SVs, interns, and Dr. Samford. If I wasn't so used to her behavior, I would be embarrassed. "I'm gonna be late."

She continued as if she didn't hear me, but she definitely heard me because as soon as I said it, she started to kiss me harder. I deadpanned and relaxed my shoulders. The harder I resisted, the longer it would take. I submitted, which wasn't an easy feat.

Mami Garcia pulls me away from her, holding both sides of my face. She is smiling wide, showcasing her pearly white teeth. Her beautiful brown hair was in a short pixie cut, slightly blowing due to the wind. Our identical moles placed a little under the left eye raised a bit when her cheeks lifted due to her infectious grin. My mother isn't much taller than me, which is not very tall at all. She wore an old Aaliyah t-shirt and dark leggings with golden jewelry. And as always, the beautiful rose pendant wrapped around her neck. (5)

I did my very best to memorize every single thing about her because I knew this was the last time I'd see her for a very long time.

"I will write to you. I promise." I looked at her with a similar expression. I pulled her to me and gave her a firm hug. "Te amo, mami." It was a whisper in her ear, but she knew that it meant more than I had the capability of expressing. It meant everything.

When we departed, it felt like a tiny bit of my heart was separated from the organ and was left with her. I don't remember the flight, and I don't really remember landing, but I do remember Terrance's eyes when I struggled to get my suitcase from baggage claim.

I didn't have to ask for help (even though I should have), but he helped me anyway. I smiled, but my eyebrows were furrowed, "Thanks, but I could have taken care of that."

He nodded his head, "There's nothing to thank." Terrance turned around and helped Phoebe with hers as well.

"Thank you!" She cheerily said with a wide smile spread across her face. "The flight has kinda disoriented me and nothing is in English so I'm a bit turned around. I didn't even realize this was our station."

He smiled at her. "Not a problem, I just saw your sunflower suitcase and figured this was ours." He explained and I just watched. Phoebe was good at making/having friends. I was fine with the people who were already in my life.

I stared down stubbornly at my suitcase as if that would change the fact that he successfully grabbed my luggage from the belt and I couldn't. I took a deep breath and plastered on a subtle smile.

"Let it go." I whispered to myself.

I started following the rest of the group, finding myself walking by Cash Simmons, the religious studies major.

"Morning sunshine." He dazzled his million dollar grin at me.

I snorted a bit. "I didn't sleep." I corrected him.

"No, but you looked dead so the same difference." Cash shrugged and looked down at my bag. "Do you need help with that?"

I wanted to scream. "Nope. I think one of the wheels is just acting out." I looked down at it with irritation.

"Why don't we switch? I can maneuver it. I'm used to dealing with wheels. I'm the oldest of like five siblings. Strollers can be pretty dumb sometimes."

I smiled a bit at him. I liked the fact that he gave me personal information about himself without me having to ask. If we were going to be here with each other, dealing with potentially triggering topics, I wanted to know them as much as possible.