Two years after witnessing her parents' deaths, Deshia quietly returns to her hometown of Arlington, Texas.
With the cartel still tracking her whereabouts, she finds herself in the heat of an ongoing war between chaos and justice. Struggling with...
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When I woke, I found myself in the comfort of my own sheets. With the sun beaming I looked around noticing that I was in my childhood room.
Revealing my hands, I had to question if I was even alive.
Is this real? Hell am I even real?
I began to wiggle my feet and other limbs.
Fuck. Was this what heaven felt like or just a figment of my imagination?
"Deshia!" A knock sounded at my room door.
"Mom?" I called out.
"C'mon sweetie or you're going to be late." I jolted from my sheets opening up the door. Revealing the face I'd yearned for so long to see again — I crashed into her chest.
"Ma." I began to cry.
"Ohh my baby." She rubbed along my head kissing my cheek. "What's wrong?" I continued sobbing into her. "Ohh this bet not be a new way to get out of going to school." We both laughed as I cleared up my face.
"No, I just — love you. I love you so much." I continued to wipe my tears as she curled her palms around my cheeks.
"Ohh I love you." She looked deep into my eyes. "Always." She ushered me into my room. "Now tell me what's gotten into you?" I found myself getting all choked up again.
"It's just-" I collected myself for a moment. "It's just you're not here."
"What do you mean? I'm right here." She grabbed hold of my hands interlocking our fingers.
"No I mean - this, you, us, this moment." My tears continued to trail down my face.
"Well, if this isn't real then-"
"You died." I said in a hushed tone. "And I think I'm dying too." I reasoned knowing the condition I was in before losing consciousness.
"What happened mija?" She ushered me over to my bed.
"I was beaten up pretty badly. Some fools trying to take ownership of the shop." I started to remember the pain I had experienced the last few weeks. "I haven't been much of myself since you've been gone." I finally found the courage to admit.
"If I'm not there with you, then what about your father?" I began to cry even more.
"You left together." I finally let out. "You were killed and I'm so sorry I couldn't save you." I continued to sob.
"Ohh mija." My mother pulled me into her chest making circles on my back.
"Whatever happened to us — know that it's not your fault." She whispered kissing the tops of my head. "Ohh my sweet Merciful. You are always so strong. Even as a baby." She laughed to herself.
