Cassandra is a determined and resilient young woman who navigates the challenges of starting fresh in Long Beach, California, with her two younger brothers, Jeremiah and Xavier. After relocating from Florida to escape difficult circumstances, Imara...
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Cassandra's POV
I didn't talk about my past much. I didn't like reliving bad memories just to tell a story.
My story.
Where does my story begin exactly? Around when I was ten years old. My mother, Theresa, had just dropped me off at my older cousin's house. I've always admired him and thought he was cool until one visit. I recall his words slipping out of his mouth and into my little ears. "You can't tell anyone about this, okay?" "This is our little secret". All I could do was nod.I thought it was right and I trusted him.My mistake I guess.
Later on that day my mother had picked me up. "How was your day Cass, you've been quiet ever since you got in the car". I let out a small, forced smile. "It was good".I redirected my view from my mother to the window. Since I never spoke up things never got better. Things got even worse when my mother got deported.I was 17 and I had my 2 younger brothers. Xavier at 15 years old and Jerimah at 4 years old. I knew that I had to pick up a new responsibility, being their guardian.
Present Day
"I don't understand why we have to leave" Xavier uttered. I sighed and rolled my eyes as I packed a few bags. "Zay I already told you there's gonna come and look for us soon,it's not safe"I replied. "But all my friends are here and what if they find us and separate us?"he began to get worried. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna let anyone take you or Jeremih anyway from me, '' I said, giving him a hug. " Now go take a shower and make sure your stuff is packed."I kissed his head as he exited my room. " We leave tomorrow!" I hollered as he entered the corridor. The day ICE tore my family apart was a day I couldn't forget.
"Cass please take care of your brothers for me, you've been a good daughter and I couldn't be more prouder of you, I love you". Those were the last words i heard from her. After that day, I've been looking for apartments anywhere where I could get one cheap. I went to the bank and inherited the money my mom had left for me in case of emergency. $20,000 was what I had to my name.It was all the money my mom had saved up over the years of busting her ass
I went into Jeremiah's room. He was playing with his toy cars. "Come on buddy, we gotta get you in the shower," he began to run around his room yelling, "No, I don't want to take a shower". "Well, too bad, so sad,get a little stinky butt in there - I'll be there in a second"He nodded and headed to the bathroom in my room. I take one more good look at his room, this would be his last night here. Jeremiah didn't really know what was going on and I really didn't know how to tell him. Moving through the room, I double-checked his closet and drawers, making sure I had packed everything.
Jer started splashing water everywhere. "Bugaboo, you need to stop your going to get me wet"I laughed. "Sorry, Cass, it's just so many bubbles,"he giggled. His laugh gave me a sense of hope and reason to go on in life. "Why do we have to leave, is it because I don't share my toys because I can share my toys from now on?"he whined. "No, no baby, that's not why," I expressed. I sighed trying to figure out how to explain this to a 4 year old. "Okay baby,some bad people took mommy away,and mommy didn't even do anything bad,but they just took her and they want to split us up too,but you see Zay and I don't want that to happen so we have to go"HE just nodded as I rinsed him off.
I was finally able to put Jeramiah to sleep for our big trip tomorrow. From Florida to California- a 41 hour trip,but i've booked a hotel in Texas for a night.I really hope the boys will comply and not complain most of the way.
