Mezcal dreaming (juliantina)

A new start

      "keep up Juli we don't have all day! We need a place to stay and a job by tonight".

     "Sorry Ma" is all I could muster. This week has been rough on both of us and it's the first time in my entire life have I ever felt this free and new. I have to say though, I do have a little guilt feeling this good considering we watched my father's execution...and resurrection. There's only a handful of moments with El Chino that were good growing up. In my bag is one of them; besides a handful of clothes there is a small Hawaiian doll given to me by him. It was made from cloth and the hair made of yarn. It was worn in places with love; the love I couldn't give my father since I was old enough to know of his wrong doings. Lupe, my mother, always said that God has a plan for everyone, even if they can't see it. We park ourselves on a wooden bench as I wonder what special plan I've been given to deserve a hit man father, being chased from home by his fellow men, watch my father die, and be so poor? I'm absolutely exhausted from the trek from San Antonio to Mexico city.

      "I think that's a place I can see if they need help!" Lupe gets up excited.

      "Alright let's go...Maybe I can find somewhere I can cut cloth for on the way".

   There is a crosswalk right before the cafe mother spotted and just as i'm about to cross I hear a man yelling. I look over to see a girl about my age visibly upset and shaking with who I presumably guess is her boyfriend. 

   "I don't get it Valentina why do you always want to embarrass me and why do we always have to talk about your damn father all the time!"

   "HE JUST DIED AND I JUST WANT TO SEE HIM AGAIN AND MOM TOO I'M AN ORPHAN YOU ARE SO SELFISH!" Valentina shoves him and he walks away angry and she runs to the park bench in the middle of the park.

   Juliana's heart flutters a bit and she is a little unsure as to why she is feeling such a strange emotion she's never felt before. She does feel a little bad for the girl.

   "What do you see in that girl mija?" Lupe taps her daughter's shoulder. 

   Juliana dumbfounded and not knowing why replies "She has nice clothes plus that boy made her sad...You can go ahead i'll meet you at the place."

   "Ok but remember to try and find a job and maybe go to school so you can have clothes like that. I love you. See you later."

   Juliana spots the girl sulking with a flask in hand and gently walks up to her.

   "Hey" she shyly waves at the girl. "You ok?"

   Val's cobalt tear stained eyes meet Juliana's and her cheeks go red and immediately puts her flask in her bag. 

   "Yea i'm good. Thanks for asking. I don't need help." Every word is choked up and as Juliana waves and turns around something in her tell her to stay.

   "Wait don't go I'm sorry it's just been a rough week...I'm Valentina." She hold her hand out.

   "Juliana" Juls takes her hand and shakes it. They both chuckle.

   "Hey do you want to walk around the park i'm new here so if you could give me a little tour that would be cool." Juls offered. It wasn't much of a lie but it was an excuse to get whatever is happening to the older girl off her mind plus, Juliana thought she was cute and needed a friend. 

    "Yea sure where you from?" Val stands up and takes Juls's arm in hers. There is a small hint of a smile...Something she hasn't done since her dad's death. 

    "San Antonio...We moved here after my dad died last week." Juliana mentions this to ease her new friend. She didn't want her to know she heard though.

   "Well we at least have that in common...My dad died horribly the same time...On his wedding of all days. I don't have any parents left. It's just my sister, brother, and me. How about you?"

   "Just me and my mom...If only we had a little money we'd be secure for at least this week but we have always been poor."

   "Money is overrated. I won't lie to you I have a lot of money and a nice home but it feels so empty without people that care you know?"

   Juliana felt a little embarrassed now. She empathized with Val. It was frustrating to see someone who could possess nice things but what she needed the most. Love and understanding.

   For the next hour both girls just wondered around Val's university and the park cracking jokes and enjoying each other's company. When Lupe texted her the address of where they were staying, Val offered to have Alirio drive her home which she took however Juls forced them to drop her off a block away. Juls was a little nervous about letting Val see where she was staying knowing it probably wasn't that great. As she opens the door to the woman's house she gets a text from Val

   "tell me when you get home safe. Thank you for spending time with me. I need you to come over tomorrow is that ok?"

   "Yea of course." Juls sends it and gets excited to share with her mom the good news. Maybe things will get better.

  "Hey how'd it go?" Lupe sits down on the bed and jul's does the same.

  "I got the job! What about you?"

 "I made a new friend today. Her name is Valentina and she lives here and i'm going to see her tomorrow."

"Remember you have to look for a job also be careful because we don't know the city yet. Befriending people could get us in trouble."

"This girl is ok mom I promise. you'll like her."

"if you say so with certainty then I guess i'll have to trust you. It's about time you get to be a normal person. Have fun tomorrow." Lupe kisses Jul's forehead. "This new start is looking good for us."