Padre

Chapter Five

Carlos pulled an old wooden box, similar in size and shape to a shoebox, from beneath his seat. Opening it up, he smiled reminiscing over old times. He picked up a photo and handed it to Maria. She looked down at what was proffered and let out a small gasp. There was an identical picture on her madre's mantelpiece. Maria remembered asking about it when she was little but her madre hadn't wanted to talk about it. 

The photo was of her mother and a mysterious man sitting together underneath an old willow tree feeding one another strawberries. She knew now who the man was, the very same man who sat next to her. They looked so happy together there, and Maria could now begin to understand why despite being a constant source of emotional pain, that her madre had kept it there. She must have loved him so much.

Maria had always thought that she had no father, and that was that, no reason to shed any tears over it. But a small part of her always felt liked she had missed out. She had never had those family dinners with her padre, or went to a baseball and got to boast about how her dad was just sooooooo cool. None of those embarrassing dad moments. So sitting next to him now, it just felt so wrong. So many conflicted feelings fighting against each other, so many unanswered questions. Why did he leave? Why wasn't he there? Why did he let her grow up without her padre? Her madre, Anita, had taken the role of both parents, teaching her how to ride a bike, and threatening the lives of any boys who came near her. Maria had the utmost respect for her because of this. A single mother taking care of a demanding and stubborn little girl. She never wanted for a thing. 

Her madre had missed out on her own life to provide for Maria's. It wasn't fair, but it was the cards that fate had dealt her. But nothing excused Carlos for his sins. He hadn't been there when it really mattered, and this was the conclusion that Maria quickly came to. If he wanted no part in their lives then, then he'll have no part now. And this is what she told him. 

Carlos looked at her sadly.

"It wasn't my choice to leave. When your madre told me she was pregnant, it was the happiest day of my life, but also my saddest. I wanted to settle down and have a life, but I couldn't. My life and hers could never be entwined without heartbreak. Your extended family run the mafia, and under no circumstances could I let them find out who I truly was. Anita knows because at the very least she deserved to know why I couldn't be there for her. But no one else. My life would bring constant danger and pain to both of you. So I had to watch you grow up from a distance. There has not been a single day of my life where I have not wished that our lives weren't as they were."

"Who are you?"

Carlos smiled at her sadly.

"I'm a CIA sleeper agent."

"I chose to spend my life embedding myself deep within the mafia familia, revealing their biggest secrets to the US government. Saving countless lives, but trust me, I'm no hero. I've done things that keep me awake at night. "

Maria listened to him intently. All of this was really starting to sound like a movie. But it would explain her madre kept her separated from the rest of her family. 

"When can I see madre?" Carlos sighed.

"I don't know. Your madre is a nightmare to pin down. I sent one of my best men to coax her into coming, but she's done some permanent damage to his manhood. We're on our way to the safe house now and then I'm going to go and get your madre. I didn't want to risk leaving you there, but it looks like I'm going to have to."

Maria snorted. Yep, that was her madre alright. The pain in her leg had seemed to subside now. It was worrying, but she was thankful for it. 

A few minutes of silence later, and they pulled into an inconspicuous neighbourhood. 

"This is where we'll be staying for a while." He said getting out of the car. He walked around to the other side and opened Maria's door. She had already been trying to get up, but he wasn't having any of it. He picked her up and carried her inside where a man was waiting for her. He spoke in a heavy Russian accent.

"You better put her down on the chaise, when did she break it?" He asked. Maria scowled. She hated being talked about as though she wasn't there. 

"A couple of hours ago," She answered for him haughtily. Carlos rolled his eyes and laid her down gently.

"I need to go now mis dulces mejillas. I need to get your mother before someone else does." He gently kissed her forehead and turned around and left. Maria groaned inwardly. Now she was left with this irritating guy. Just what she wanted.

"This is gonna hurt." She heard him say before she screamed in pain. It felt like someone had sent an electric shock through her body. She gasped for air. It hurt so much, she'd never felt pain like it. The pain slowly began to subside as the shock of it wore away.

"That'll be the worst of it. I'm going to put your leg in a cast now." The man said rolling his eyes back at the teenager. Maria nodded blearily. She no longer had the energy to argue. She laid back deep into the cushions and closed her eyes. Every part of her ached. Why does this always happen to her?

Oh ma gawd. Longest chapter I have probably ever written! 1010 words long! My hands are aching but it was soooooooo worth it! Enjoy!