Valeria meets Armando in prison. They become good friends until one certain event parts them. They both meet again fighting in a mission together, but soon Armando leaves for the Army. Will their bond have a chance or is their love lost?
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"Recuerdas lo que te dije?" my father says and pulls out his knife. (Remember what I told you?)
"Nunca tengas un cuchillo que no esté afilado." I answer and he nods proudly. (Never carry a knife that isn't sharp.)
He hands me the sniper rifle and I zoom to the moose which is walking around in the woods. "Shoot, but only if you're sure.", nodding, I shoot my shot. The bullet lands directly into the heart of the moose. I smile and look at my padre. His eyes sparkle. "You've made progress." I nod and we go back to the house. He lights a fire for us to be warm.
"When are we gonna eat?" I ask and look at the sizzling meat on the stove. "Soon. Now on spanish." "Cuándo vamos a comer?" "Italian." "Quando mangeremo" "French." "Quand est-ce qu'on va manger?"
"Great." my dad exclaims and hands me a bowl of the food he made.
The next day, we go hunting again. Afterwards, we do some fishing and strength training.
"You need to be ready Valeria. Anywhere, anytime, whoever is attacking you." padre says and I nod. "Always ready." I say.
"Shoot." my dad says.
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It's been 2 months since Armando left for the army and I don't even know where he is. Hopefully he gets back safe.
I look at my dad to see him steadily breathing. The medicine I bought from the money of the mission is helping him, but god knows how long he can survive.
I run my hand through my hair and pull on it slightly. I have to find a better job than this stupid waitress thing. Getting flirted on and not receiving much money doesn't sit right with me. As I walk outside, I notice a letter hanging in the mailbox of the house.
I get to it and grab the letter, looking who it is from. United States Army Mailing.
I run inside to open the envelope up quickly, gliding my fingers over the hand written note.
Dearest Valeria, I'm not a man of many words, as you know, but still, I wanted to write you, in hope that this letter gets to you. I'm currently stationed in Japan, on the very east of the country. The people here are fighting wars since many, many years, for land and property. My brothers and I help the hurt and stop the violence as much as we are able to. I hope your father does well and you get everything you need for him. I also wrote my father to get you a job at the police.
I look at the letter and scrunch my nose.
I know you're not a fan of this idea, but maybe he can help you. You cannot write me back as we will move to the south east tomorrow, but I hope you are okay and able to forgive me for my sudden absence. As long as I am away, remember that the thought of you brings peace in this area of war and crime. I'll see you then, 34 Yours, Armando.
A tear runs down my cheek but I catch it quickly.
I put the letter back in its envelope and place it in a wardrobe to keep it safe. I really hope he's safe.
The other day, Mike calls me to tell me they have a job offer for me. We get along well so we meet in person to discuss the details.
"I know you don't like the police or the government but it's good money, you can use that." I nod and smile as he bites into his hotdog. We walk along the Miami beach and I want to ask Mike something but I'm not sure if I should.
"Didn't you know Armando was your son?" I ask, even tho I'm not sure if he wants to answer it. "I didn't know it was him. I knew I had a son and when he was born, but never how he looked. He tried to kill me, you know?" Mike says and takes another bite. "He told me. In prison." I say and take a sip of my diet coke. "You got along well in prison?" he asks me and I look at the surfers which are riding the waves. "We did, yeah, atleast for a while." I lose my smile and look down to my shoes.
"What happened?" Mike asks me and I feel the need to leave. I don't wanna talk about the after. After our relationship went downhill. "We fought." I say coldly and remember those quiet days after everything.
Mike stays silent for a bit, but talks me through the details of the job.
Its nothing too serious, no office work, just some missions where I will help them.
I wish Armando was here to tell me it would all gonna turn out right.
