Home is where your Heart is

Danny the Underdog

Happy New Year everyone!

I woke late the next morning. It was 11 o'clock. "Hi honey, how are you?" Mom asked when I walked into the kitchen. I knew I looked like a wreck. I didn't wash my face last night so my eyeliner was smudged under my eyes and my hair was a tangled, matted mess.

"I'm fine. Where's Dad?"

Mom sighed heavily. "He has gone to Palo Alto."

"Palo Alto," I repeated slowly, confused as to why he would go there. Then I remembered something I had seen, but didn't think anything of. At the last meet, I saw Dad talk to the Palo Alto coach and accept something small, perhaps a business card. "Dad wasn't offered a job there, was he?" Mom's silent disapproval answered my question. "No! He can't accept it." When we first moved here I had joked and said that maybe Dad would lose it again and then we would get to move somewhere else. Now I would give anything to stay. I wanted to stay here in McFarland where I had friends that were more like family, where everyone was so nice and generous and the community was tied tightly together by rich culture and a small population. This felt more like home to me than Idaho ever had.

"He hasn't decided anything yet. He has just gone to check it out."

"But I don't want to move again. I want to stay here."

"I know. Me too. But this job means better pay, a better house, a better school and a nicer and safer neighborhood."

"Safer? Please tell me this is not about last night."

"No, this isn't all about last night. Your dad never wanted to come here, but he had no other options. He's been waiting for this opportunity for some time. But then I think McFarland grew on him and he stopped looking for ways to leave. I believe last night sent him over the edge."

I shook my head angrily and fumed as I made myself brunch. After, I cleaned myself up and got ready to visit Lola. "I'm going to see Lola and then I will be with Sonia." I told Mom before heading out. I took Thomas' jacket with me.

I walked to the Valles' house and when I knocked on the door, Thomas' mom answered. "Hola Señora Valles. Me llamo Julie. He venido a ver a Lola."

She smiled. "Si, Lola ha estado esperando por ti." She stepped aside to let me enter the house.

"Gracias," I found Lola sitting on a couch, a quilt over her lap and her baby in her arms. She looked exhausted, but when she saw me she brightened up.

"Julie, I'm so glad you came. I wasn't sure if you would."

"Thomas told you, huh?" I said as I sat next to her, laying Thomas' jacket over the arm of the couch.

"Yeah. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Javi was the only one harmed. So this is little Alejandro?"

"Do you want to hold him?" She gently placed the little one in my arms. He squirmed a little, but remained fast asleep.

"Oh Lola, he is so cute." He was so soft and small and he had the beginnings of fluffy black hair.

"You've been such a good friend to me, Julie." Lola sighed happily.

"I have only done what anyone else would do."

"No, you've done so much more. You came here to McFarland and even as a total stranger, you did not judge me as I know many others have. Instead, you became my friend. You helped me. You made me feel better about myself again. And I know you helped Thomas too. After you talked with him after he beat up Lewis, he changed. He changed for the better. He wasn't so angry anymore. I can't thank you enough for all that you've done. I thought long and hard and I have made an important decision. I wanted to be the one to tell you. I want you to be Alejandro's godmother."