February 15, 1988
"Okay, Ximena", Christine started, "it's time for you to pick your American name." Ximena smiled, she had been waiting for this day since Christine announced she could pick her own name. She already knew what she was going to choose. Nayeli did hers the day before, she chose Janelle Washington because the pronunciation of Janelle in their language meant courage and Washington the name of the first school she attended after she was taken. Ximena thought it was a great idea, she would've done the same if she hadn't already made up her mind.
Christine passed her the paper, all she had to do was write her new name on the dotted line. "Don't look!" she exclaimed to Christine who was looking over her shoulder. Christine giggled and covered her eyes as Ximena wrote. After a few moments, Ximena was done, she smiled at the name she wrote and slid the paper to Christine. "Okay. You can see now." Christine uncovered her eyes and looked down at the paper.
Kristina Black
Christine smiled at Ximena and hugged her. "Great choice", she said. "I wanted to name myself after you because you took care of me all this time and I chose Black because...well...", she held out her arms showing off how dark she was. Christine laughed and gave Ximena another hug. "Well, welcome to the new world, Kristina." Ximena smiled, this was her new life and as long as Christine and Nayeli were in it, it's a life worth living.
