The Matamoros Clan

Chapter 2: Snapshot

Mateo saw him drive down the paved road before he could even reach the door. 3:55 pm the clock read. He knew exactly what was going to be in the mailbox, but his heart continued to beat faster. Mateo stepped onto the cracked concrete pathway that leads to the black and dented mailbox that had their name hand-painted on the side. "Matamoros Familia", it read with a big green smiley face on it. He unlatched the box and the mail flew out. There was so much crap in there, newspapers, coupon books, bills, but underneath all of that was the thing he was looking for. A big white envelope with the words running down the right side that read "Congratulations". He pulled it out and did a little happy dance. Mateo has been patiently waiting for this since this past May. He entered a local photography competition called Snapshot in New Jersey and he got second place. Even though he didn't win a recruiter from the Virginia Commonwealth University contacted him about applying to the school. Mr. Whitmore said to him that day, "Your work is interesting; I can see that you have a passion for this. If you apply you may even receive a full ride. The University prides itself on being top four in Photography so please, you'll be a great addition, Mr. Matamoros." Mateo never forgets those words that Mr. Whitmore said. It makes him work harder to get better at his photography.

Mateo rushed inside calling out for his mother. Mateo was extremely energetic these past few months. He has finally gotten over that "introvert phase" his mother always used to criticize him for.

"Ma! Mira que llego! It finally came!", Mateo shouted. He started to tear apart the envelope.

"Que Mateo? Que llego? Si es otro recibo tiralo porque ya no quiero recibos." His mother called out. Mateo's mother quickly walked down the carpet covered steps chuckling at her joke. She saw Mateo opening the envelope and let out a little scream.

"Is that letter from the school?", she asked excitingly. She ran over to Mateo and hugged him with one arm. She was much shorter than Mateo so when she hugged him it was around his waist. Mateo finally got the letter out and started to read the first few lines. A huge smile grew on his face. He turned over to his mom.

"I got in ma. I got in!", Mateo said.

"Of course, you did mijo! I never doubted you at all.", his mother said. Wiping a tear away.

"Pero ama, there's more.", He said. Still having a big smile.

"Que mas? I now know that my only son is going to go off to college and experience a new adventure. There's nothing more I could ask.", She cupped his face in her hands. Mateo sucked his teeth and moved back smiling. "I know you are going to flip", he said. He took a breath.

"I got the full-ride scholarship ama! I'm going for free! They are going to pay for everything. Books, housing, camera equipment", Mateo said ecstatically.

You would've thought they just won a million dollars because his mother let out the most passionate scream Mateo has ever heard. She started jumping around and hugged Mateo. Mateo's mother has always been a strong passionate woman. Even though she is only 5'3 she has the energy of a loose firecracker. Mateo gets a lot of his traits from his mother. They are both passionate, stubborn, and have the most sarcastic humor you would ever hear.

"You think apa would've been proud of me ma?", Mateo asked.

"Mijo, of course! Why would you say that?", His mother said. She tilted her head. A concerned expression covered her face.

Mateo shrugged his shoulders. His father passed away when he was very young. Too young to remember anything about him. His mother only mentioned that he was an artist and from Spain.