10 Years • Joel Pimentel

Chapter 10

I brought my knees up and cried. I couldn't believe this. "This is all a dream." I whispered to myself as I remember my parents exact words....
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"If we ever get deported, you'll know."

"But how? What if I think you guys are working late?" My eight year old self asked. My mother looked around the kitchen.

"If one day, you come home from school, and you see the table set with everything, that means we're getting deported." My mom said. "I'm not saying it's going to happen. Pero por si caso, please don't stay alone. Go over to Patty's house." I nodded and looked down at my plate.

"Mija, everything will be alright." My father assured me. "Pídele a la virgen."

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Sitting on the cold floor as silence filled the house, made me feel more empty and broken. I quickly got up and walked to the backyard. The tree that has always been blooming ever since we got here, lost some flowers. It was still beautiful although it was winter. By now, the tree having flowers and being really green, was normal. But what wasn't normal was how now, it lost some of its spirit. As if it was human. the pedals were on the floor. It almost started to look dead.

I closed my jacket as I started to shiver and make my way up to the tree house. The wind hit harder meaning the sun was going to set. I looked at the gray and colorless sky, hoping to find an answer.

I felt a lump on my throat making me feel weak and numb. At this point, I couldn't help but let everything out. I cried until I got a headache. I sat there as my tears stained on my face.

Thoughts ran through my mind making me doubtful about the choice I was about to make. There's a big possibility I'll regret my decision but that's what's best for me. I can't live without my parents.

But I can't live without Joel either....