Chapter 14
Bruno takes me to hoseffice. It’s still early in his colleagues haven’t yet armed. He’s the only man here, working with three other women. Their goal is to help. young people like myself had employment, which can be very tough when you’re from a neighborhood like Fotosi. Even with the help of an agency, only a few people can manage to land interesting job-
-That’s why I don’t have high hopes about this 1 inst want to make sure that I’m trying everything
Briefly about what has been happening in life since mama’s death just like expected, the part about the Whittock’s family homies him the most
helped your mother find that job. “He says in a tone that almoer sounds puilly, “She told me they were difficult but never did she hint at anything i
nput the theat the children? Especially that_ivan?”
. She didn’t spend as muc
דיי
as much time with him as a bit.
metimes, Efeel like tran is worse than his farter, even if he influenced his behavior, He’s erii, 1
“Obvimasİy, VHL Te pot to defumta that mamien Aridabout betom het death the ‘d have told.
beraking
anything of the sort and I met her fe
er imagined that master. Whitlock could have lied to me about mother’s debt but it makes sense
se,doesn’t it?
moune s wands plumpe ine in deep thoughts
Tomble.” I mumble. “Mama was apparently working for tire for three years but I find that hard to believe because the always bright money borne at the end
“well about that. Your mother actually had two jobs. That’s something she wanted to keep secret but she wasn’t making enough to sustain you, riperia
ather; dod bless him, became an alcoholic and started stealing from her.. It’s possible that your mother got her money somewhere else but again, I don’t
um chair, not knowing what to say. To be honest, I’ma little upset that mother hid so much. She never said anything about hunning hwy jobs. Howe siggle between them?” Win didn’t die condide in me instead of lino? Did she think I wasn’t mature enough to understand? God if she’d been a little bit
‘d have saved me 40 h trouble. I shouldn’t blame her for this but the hitter side of me does anyway.
my hand to chase away my thoughts about mama. “You understand the reason why I’m here now, Bruns I really need a job, amthing Fram ith prychartac Families, please. ”
(kami tax banda in front of him
ane a sort spot for you. If anything. I owe it to your mother to take care of you. That’s why I’m going to ask a dear trend of mine ta (will work as a waitress but only temporarily, until I can find you something better.”
LOS EVES ELDWINE With gratitude:
My
This desk and take turno in a tight hug. He laughs and returns it.
temporarily. For there weeks at the most. Let’s just hope that I can find something else for you in that time
But yes, Coltar un. Let’s go my friend’staurant and hopefully you can star
ver the agency tapeter Weduti‘) have to
bus. He explains to me that we only have a fifteen minutes walk and the time past rather
out his wife very einertaining and I just keep laughing at
de’s a simple place with fou
big window and a rusted Linceiling. The signerte entrance door says: “Juan’s
in Mast of them ate factory worl
takes over the arrying duties Bouta rudrady
ite wipes his hands onthe
troveong hn Lugel
“Don’t recall I was looking for a waitress. What’s my wife s’pposed to be doing then, eh?”
I think you should give Nina a rest. She’s too overwhelmed by this Catalina is young, she can help the both of you out, right?”
1 nod eagerly at Ben’s words
*Plus, it will only be for a few week
Jounin still eyeing me suspiciously so runo talks to him in a more serious lone
“Look, Catalina has lost her mother recently and her father isn’t reliable. She needs this job, okay?”
To my greatest surprise, 1see Juan’s eyes soften. He doesn’t look so mean anymore. He even reminds me of a large teddy bear. I feel confident enough to meet his
“well it’s only for a few week. “He mumbles. “Did you ever work in a restaurant, Catalina?”
“No but I learn fast!”
He chuckles.
“Perfect. You’re hired. Only six pesos per hour. That’s all can afford to pay you, you know
“It’s great. Thank you so much, Juan Can1 start right away?”
My smile stretches from one side of my face to the other. I walk brune out and thank him again for helping me out After that, I get introduced to Nina, Juan’s wife. She teaches me everything about waiting tables and 1 pick it up very quickly, 1 abandon my vell somewhere in the kitchen and get to work
Taking orders and serving customers tums out to be much easier than working as a maid, even when there are a lot of clients. I enjoy moving between the tables, carrying dishes and everyone is very pleasant with me. Nina compliments me on my memory because I never mix up the orders. That works effectively inbonsting my confidence
It’s too bad that Juan doesn’t cam enough to hire a full time waitress, I would love to work for him forever.
Around eleven in the coming, almost all the customers are gone, juan tells me that we can rest until lunch time. I sit at the counter with Nina and he serves us
breakdast
“Of course, food is included in your salary.” He winks at me.
1 bear and start eating immediately. It’s delicious and 1 think I can get used to this. The salary isn’t much but at least I enjoy doing the work. Maybe iruno can help me find another waitress job after this…
I eat quickly and help Juan in preparing lunch. His wife Nina has bad ker so we let her relax at one of the tables, listening to old songs on her phone.
I like that none of them asks me intrusive questions about my life. Somehow, they sensed that I might not be ready to open up to strangers but when juan speaks to me, he uses a soft and gentle tone, his way of providing me with support. Many times, I suppress my desire to just break down in tears because of how grateful! feel to be shown kindness.
Sometimes, it seems like the world is full of evil but that’s not the case. There are people like Pamela, Bruno, pan and Nina who make it possible to believe in humanity
The rest of the day passes smoothly except for the rush hours in which the restaurant fills with hungry customers. I work until seven P.M. Juan and Nina thank me formy time, even though I should be the one thanking them.
“See you tomorrow, then!” Tsayexcitedly.
“You have somewhere to stay, right?” Nina wontes
“Yes, yes. I do. Thank you so much.”
I leave with a big smile on my face. Juan told me that he’d pay me weekly and not wait for the end of the month. That’s perfect considering that I’m in desperate need of money
It’s only when I’m a short while away from Pamela’s place that i remember I’m not wearing my veil anymore. Hrynot to worry about it, convincing myself that İvan is not about to jump out of these bushes and murder ine
But be’s aunt the one I should have been worried about.
Sorgeour grabs my hand when I pass by the bar down our street. I gasp and tum to meet my own father. Of course, he’s drunk out of his mind despite the fact that it’still early. Some of the old losers in the bar twist their neck to have a better sight of us. They look ammised.
Catalina “Dad says through gritted teeth. “It’s really you, is it
Indo Terally didn’t want to run into him, especially in this state of his.
“Dad You’re making awete “I whispen.
“It’s really you!” He shouts angrily. “How could you just leave me like that and show up in this neighborhood again without even telling me, huh?! Do you know
It has been hard for mer too!” I shout bark, mpered by his selfishness.
“You evil child. You lied, didn’t you? 5
Deave because of a job. You just abandoned the like your mother did.”
My eyes lill with tears. Papa staggers on his feet and the smell on him makes me want to puke. He hasn’t shower for days and looks completely disheveled. Perhaps he hasn’t even left dashur, jest drinking his mind away instraful going dinine and reflecting on his constant failures.
“Let good me.” I tell him fanly. “I didn’t come to see you, maderstood? rait moikding to die with you.
“I’m your father, you ungrateful bitch!” He snarls. “How dare you speak to me like this?! Attes everything did for you…”
“you did nothing for me!”
The venom spilling from my mouth Lakes Tatler aback. I’m surprised myself. He lets go of my arm and 1 point an accusatory finger to his chest.
“You did nothing but bort us. You weren never a good father. We starved and you stole money from us to buy beers and cigs. You never held a job for more than a w -week. How could I ever stay will you after all that?!!
I want to mention his inappropriate touches too but that’s too heavy for me, especially since there are people watching us right now.
not my job to take care of you.” I add. “That’s your own responsibility. Either you decide to become a better man or you rot in this place. That’s entirely up to you but I want you to low that you won’t take me down as well. I’m going to have a good life, dad, far away from here, and you’re too little to stop me.”
Father throws me a painful glair: I don’t feel bad for speaking my mind, even if my words were harsh. I tum to leave but he holds my hand again. He struggles to tind his words, Is he going to apologize?
Can youCan you lend me some money, doll? Fo
For my dinner.”
Igape at him in utter disbelief. It’s like everything I just said flew right over his head and he dares to ask me for money…I shake my head in disappointment, snatch mywrist back and walk away without looking back
just like that, all the happinesst felt throughout the day is turned to dust, thanks to my failure of a father.
