IMMIGRANT

Immigrant. Immigration. Immigrating. That word has been the centre of all my problems. I'm always reminded of my home country everywhere I go. My skin colour. The way I speak.The way I walk. Everything about me is a problem I constantly try to fix like a broken machine because it reminds me of that word. IMMIGRANT. Who am I? Where do I stand amongst the swarming crowd of these people. Well, let's see.

How many times can you hear your name said wrong before you forget how to say it yourself?
For Anita, the answer is 18. Anita Santos is used to her name being wrong. Santoes. Sandos. Santoast. Santa's.
So she counts.
Tally marks for everytime they say IMMIGRANT instead.
Tally marks for hiding her blue inhaler in PE.
Tally marks for saying fine when Mum asks about school.
1 for IMMIGRANT
1 for Import air only?
1 for everytime Miss Clarke said "lovely" but doesn't listen.
By Christmas the pages are full.
When Liam Carter calls her San..Toast and Mrs Clarke says "lovely" ...... her pen snaps. So does something else.

This isn't a story about fitting in.
It's a story about taking up space.
One breath. One name. One tally mark at a time.

*My name is Anita Santos. Say it right......*

For anyone who's ever been told to go back where they came from, You should know that you're already home because you were never lost.