Te Quiero

UNO

As I placed my feet on the floor, I shivered for a while due to the cold and wrapped my arms around myself to get some sort of warmth.

I looked to the side of the room and noticed that I didn't turn on the heater.
"Great." I said in disappointment as I had to use cold water in this weather.

Come on. I had no other choice cause I was already wasting time. My dad would be so mad cause I'd be the reason he'll be late for his new job.
Since he lost his job, we've been having quite a number of financial challenges but now he's got this job, everyone is relieved.

When I finished having my bath, I walked to my wardrobe and stared at how messy it was.

Typical me.

I had to get the car we intended on selling to Mr Charlie. Financial issues. Tragic.
Now that my dad got this job, he said we didn't need to sell our only car. I agreed with him but my mom still had doubts.

"Teresa!" My mother screamed at the top of her lungs.
"I actually used cold water to have my bath! Not playing here."

"You better get your ass down here you child!"

Why was she shouting? And who was she calling child. I'm in my twenties for crying out loud.

God!

I grabbed my big shirt and black pants, got my petite body into them so, she wouldn't kill me for wasting time.

Damn, I looked so scattered. Quickly glanced at the mirror, raised the black shirt to admire my moderately sized ass. Haha. Then, admired myself for a while. I mean, my eyes were brown, quite bulgy and I had small lips. Everyone told me that I was beautiful but I feIt I looked average. Whatever.

I should have left home without my dad but, Mr Charlie had to talk to my dad about it...not me. My only job was to drive the car back home. Yuhhh I drive!

"Mum, we're in the same house so, you really don't have to shout to make a point."

Daniel, who was sitting on the dining chuckled. "Yo, mama's gonna slap you soon."
"Yes boy, remind your elder sister." She said putting two slices of bread on a plate.

My dad was just as calm as ever eating his food. Funny how he seemed more quiet than ever. I joined them on the table and started eating.

"Sorry dad. I woke up..." I sneezed hard.

"You girl had your bath with cold water again?!" My mom screamed. Woah, she's gonna give me a headache. She was also beautiful but taller than I was.

"Mum, I said that when I was in my room."

"You're gonna get a cold." My dad said to me and I rolled my eyes.
"Well, I had to be fast so, I wouldn't waste your time."

"Doesn't mean you'll act like you aren't thinking." Yes, you guessed right. That was my mom. I just decided to ignore everyone so, I wouldn't get upset.

So, that's my family guys. My mom showing us love in her own way, my cool little brother and my calm dad who's trying to make ends meet. My hero.

When we finished eating, my mom still made some annoying comments but, I blocked my ears from hearing every word. I wasn't gonna do this with her. Trust me.

Finally, my dad and I left the house. We had to get a bus to Charlie's house so, we walked to the bus stop.

Okay, it started getting weird. My dad isn't this quiet. He's been so 'introverty' this morning and it was already getting me worried.
Then, I asked. "You good?"

He didn't reply and that hurt my feelings. He was deep in thoughts from what I could observe. Wait, was he thinking that something would happen to this job and he'll lose this too? I chuckled and held his hand and he froze.

"T, you ain't wearing your gloves. Aren't you cold?"
I was very cold but I just didn't care. "Uh...I kinda forgot."

He removed his quickly and gave it to me. "Now wear that. People have died from cold."
I giggled. "Yes grandpa."
"Teresa..."
"Fine. I'll wear it but, you have to tell me what's bothering you."

He heaved deeply and said. "I'm fine."

"Liar. You can't even lie to me right now dad. What's the issue?" I said to him and his face brightened up.

"Here's a bus."

Nice one but, I wasn't gonna give up that easily. We got into the bus and I still asked him again and he smiled. "You can't even let this go."

"Nope. When you talk about things bothering you, you tend to feel better. You know, lift the burden and all of that." I took in a deep breath.

He placed his hand on my left thigh and said. "I know you care about me but I can't tell you this. Your mum knows some of what's going on. Maybe she'll tell you but, I can't pin this problem on my children too."

What? Where was all these coming from?

"Is it about you losing your job and finding it hard..."

He put a finger on my lips to shut me up. "It's none of your concern so, forget about it and don't mention anything about it again!"

He turned his face away from me sharply. He didn't want to discuss it but, I couldn't help it. I really wanted to know. I wasn't a child so why would he hide such from me?

The bus stopped and we got down. We began to walk towards Charlie's street. A lot of people were walking around doing their normal things. There were even too many people around. Some were going to work, children were going to school. So many things happening at the same time but my mind was still on the same thing.

I didn't like seeing my dad sad. He was walking ahead of me so I quickened my step and held his shoulder. I just couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Dad, you've gotta tell me..."

Immediately, I was interrupted by a loud sound which I couldn't really decipher at that moment. Then, I figured it out! That was a...oh my God!

Everyone screamed at the sound of the gun shot and people began to run as fast as they could. I was also scared. What was going on? I didn't know who got shot. That was none of my business I just wanted to run away with my dad.

"Dad!" I shouted searching for him. Could he have ran ahead and left me? That's ridiculous. Where was he?
Then, I looked at the floor and saw him lying there with blood spilling out of his head.
The fuck.

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is the first time I'm writing about an African American and I'm super excited. Haha! So uhm don't forget to vote and comment. Love ya.