6 months to live

Secrets

        After my father's death, my mother started acting strange. It was like she was hiding something from me.

     She was a lawyer who worked with criminals. Although her work schedule was immensely busy, she still managed to spend time with me. Then my father died..and that's when she pretty much disappeared from my life.

        The only people I had were the maids that worked in the house. Then slowly and slowly, they all started to quit one by one.

        My life was falling apart in tiny pieces.

   
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      "Who are you?" I went to check what the commotion from downstairs was. My mother was having a talk with a tall man. I watched them from the staircase.

      "This is Santiago," my mother threw her arms out in his direction. "He will be our servant in the daytime."

      My eyes watched as Santiago took his coat off and put it on a coat hanger. His eyes looked up at me. My hand gripped the railing harder. His facial features were very soft and feminine looking. He had very light brown hair with brown eyes to match.
      His clothes were very raggedy, like he had worn them for over one year. Nothing about him was attractive but his eyes. He had very beautiful Asian eyes that pulled me in.

          "Hello, madam. I'm ready to work."

   Santiago, since he was by himself, had a lot of work. In order to get paid he had to sweep the floor, and then vacuum. Next he would have to wash the dishes, following afterwards, the windows. My mother also had him do garden work and laundry.

    I followed him around as he cleaned. A part of me knew he wouldn't dare steal from my family, but I just wanted to make sure. It was so fascinating watching him labor away. Growing up, the servants did everything for me. Going into my senior year, I still didn't know how to work a washing machine.

        "I've never seen you before, Santiago. Are you new perhaps?"

       Santiago's eyes looked up to the balcony, which was where I stood. I observed him closely as he cleaned the pool.

          My mother's voice frightened me. "You staring at that boy is making me nervous."

              "It's just.." I paused. "I'm just curious...that's all mom. Am I not allowed to be curious?"

       My mother grabbed me by my arm and pulled me inside. Then she slid the glass door of the balcony all the way shut.

              "Santiago's story is a really sad one," she down-cast. "He ended up running away from his home."

               "Why?"

        My mom didn't speak after that. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

           "I'm afraid I have to take this."

      I frowned at my mom. "What are you keeping from me?" I asked politely. "I'm almost eighteen, I can handle bad news."

           "You won't look at me the same way anymore and that saddens me."

     "What do you mean?!" I yelled after her. My mother already had her flip-flops on and she was darting for the stairs.

       "This is really urgent, Maya. Pay Santiago for me please. I'll pay you back the next time we see each other."

         I watched as my mother got in her Porsche. My eyes didn't leave her once as she backed out of the driveway. Although my eyes were focused on her, she didn't look at me once.

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    I hope you're liking it thus far 😟. I tried my hardest to keep the beginning light.