Together forever

It was Saturday morning, everyone was quiet at home, I walked

to the bathroom to then walk the long hallway that lead downstairs.
While a was going to the first floor I hear mom and dad talking about
something more like they were arguing with each other
But why not?! This is the only option that we have left, think about
our children! my mom said looking at my dad waiting for his
answer, my dad was ready to open his mouth and make the
argument worst, suddenly both of my parents noticed me and in a
blink both turned all their attention to me.
Buenos dias mami good morning mommy
Morning dear both said
Whats for breakfast? I asked looking at her while I was pressing
against my stomach meaning that I was hungry.
Pancakes she said with a kind and sweet voice How about you go
wake up your brother to eat breakfast all together?
Ok! I smiled which both of my parents smiled back at me.
When I was going upstairs I thought about what my mom said
before, what did she meant with think about our children? that
thought haunted me until a got to the second floor which felt like
hours. We ate breakfast and I looked at every single person at the
table, my mom Cristina, my dad Josue, and my big brother Alfonso,
he was a year older than me, we looked like a family that brought
prosperity to this house, but, will it always be like this?
We were eating and it didnt felt good, both of my parents looked
conflicted like they wanted to say something.
Al (Alfonzo), Mari (Marian) we have to tell you both something
Dad paused, but before he could even open his mouth to say
something my mom interrupted him
We are going to Florida this summer vacation hows that sound?
We all had a confused face even my dad, he understood what was
happening but then he just whispered oh- ok. What did she
meant with that? Why do I keep thinking about this?! . Oh crap I
thought, their hiding us something.

It was Saturday so I decided to just go to my room and draw the

whole day, I was good at drawing, thanks to my mom who was the
person that inspired me to draw every day, even though she wasnt
an artist she liked to draw just like me, but I saw art like something
serious, I wanted to become an artist that inspired other people, but
my mom always said that artist always end up sleeping in the
streets. It really puts me down when my mom doesnt listen to my
opinions, it didnt matter anymore.
It was 11 then 12 and without noticing it was 2 oclock at night, I
couldnt sleep, those thoughts kept me haunted I couldnt think of
anything else, it felt weird that I had to worry too much about
something that it wasnt even my problem, or was it?
What are my parents hiding?
I rolled side to side on my bed. 3 oclock, I heard the creeks of a
door opening, it was coming from brothers room, I decided to sneak
up to my door and I definitely saw him, the shadows of a 12 year old
kid who was the same height as me, a year younger but same
height I was. He was going down stairs and I followed him, he went
to the living room, it was big, you could see the night stars reflecting
on the TV, and my brothers face it was a beautiful sight I didnt got
tired of looking at the blue and white moon that illuminated the
whole city, like a hug, hugging all of the citizens that lived there. My
brother opened the door that leaded to the terrace, it wasnt so big
to be a suit apartment. I was still following him, I went to the terrace
and decided to say something but not before he opened his mouth
Do you think they are hiding us something he said, I looked
surprised, I thought I was the only one who thought that but it looks
like I wasnt.
Yea it think the same I answered; he looked at me serious, a cold
look that can make everyone feel awkward.
What do you think it is? he asked
Dont know but looks like dad doesnt agrees with it I answered,
Maybe there is something else...
Like what? he said
Divorce

D-I-V-O-R-C-E; those letters combined together, it made a word that

gave me stomachache, an awful word. My brother changed his
neutral face to a worried one, he looked like he was going to cry
W-wh-what do you mean? He cried, his eyes became watery and
he started to sob a little
Shut up! He yelled,
You do not have the right to say that! It wont happen and it will
never will! He sobbed a little bit lauder, I knew it was wrong to say
it but it was the most logic thing to say, tears were running down to
his cheeks and red eyes from crying, enough for me to say
Im sorry it wasnt my intention to affect you that way, I said I got
close to him, close enough to hug him and for he to hug me back.
Why do you had to say that? Why do you have to be so heartless?
he sobbed again, warm tears running through the back of my
pajamas
Im not heartless Im just saying the truth
To say the cruel truth you have to be heartless enough to no to
suffer. Those words really got me; Im not heartless just trying to be
strong
Dont you think youre the only one whos worried about what is
going on between mom and dad
You look like you dont, like your life can still going without problem
if they. He got quiet for a second or 5
D-Divorce, he started to sob again and I did too
Silly I do care I hugged him tighter
Lets go back to sleep he said
Nah lets stay here, besides is like 5 in the morning
Ok We went back inside and we sited at the couch that was in
front of a TV, it was huge we had everything that a family would
want, but we are always going to stay like this? Are we going to lose
everything that we have just because of what is probably going to
happen? I was afraid, afraid of everything, but I had to look strong I
had to for our family.

It was Sunday and we woke up on the couch from yesterday night,

my brother was already awake with mom making breakfast.
Morning I say from the family room. I smelled the salty aroma of
my favorite; Arepa, it smelled delicious I wanted to eat right now
Morning dear mom said with a sweet voice while she was cooking
the Arepas with Alfonso.
Its a miracle that dad could possibly find harinapan (corn flour)
after all of these commotion that happened last week My brother
said like it wasnt big deal
Oh yea, and he has also found shampoo and deodorant for you
guys so dont worry about it mother said, it looked like bad or
shocking news, but for us is just like a normal conversation.
Im glad, now we dont have to worry, but still is dangerous out
there; Ive hears that they killed 3 people already on a chicken, toilet
paper, and meat line (you had to be on a line for about 3 to 5 hours
to get food) another normal thing in our lives.
Innocent people killed because of the need of food, nobody had
enough money to buy the supplementary food basket, the only ones
who survived were part of the corrupted government, you couldnt
buy an expensive phone without getting killed or robbed the next
day; but it was fine, the people didnt react to what was happening
so it didnt matter, but in the other hand there were smart people
who disagreed to live on a place like this, people wealthy enough,
and smart enough to take the hardest decision of their life; go away
with my family and be conscious that I will never be a boss of a
millionaire company, that we will not be on the same economic
condition that we were before but have a future and know that you
will be safe on your home, or stay here and have all the money of
the world but I wont be able to spend It on food, clothes, or
electronic because of the only fact that I wont be able to find it and
that there is no future for recent graduated people on college. It was
a hard decision but the balance had sacrifices.
We ate breakfast; it was normal everything was going like always,
until my mother started talking about the trip planned for this
summer

Its going to be great! mom exclaimed, like it was our first time
going to Disney
Ive never seen you that exited when we plan a family trip my
father said disagreeing with mom like they hated each other
Well I feel like this one is going to be lovely, probably Im going to
love it! you could at her eyes, shining like stars, star a whole galaxy
reflecting on her eyes
I was still confused about what was happening, nothing matched the
emotions on the dining table were not happy; hate, sadness,
confusion, and a fake smile on each of the faces, it didnt felt right I
wanted to puke, throw out all my thoughts and feelings that kept me
haunted.

..summer was coming up, going to

Florida it already became a headache, with my mother telling us
what we were going(not including the exact place, time, and
activity) it wasnt fun anymore I wanted to stay home this summer
and I bet dad and Al wanted too, but we already bought the tickets
and the hotel.
The day came, we packed up our stuff and I even noticed I was on
the hotel.
Is it night already? I said while I was looking at the window.
Yup you fell asleep on the way to the hotel Alfonso said, but when
did I even- I dont care anymore, we are in the hotel and that what it
matters, or thats what I thought; suddenly the door of the room
opened but it wasnt mom or dad, a stranger, she got close to me I
doge a little
Hey youre awake she cried, looked pretty exited; why do I feel like
Ive seen her before do you want to go downstairs? she asked now
A err s-sure I replied Where is my mom and dad
Downstairs
OK then I climbed down the bed and walked with her, her house
was huge, it looked like a long hallway 6 doors, each one distant
Hello Mari! said Al; I saw mom and dad, not happy, my mom was
slightly smiling and my father was just there angry; mad about

something. I looked at my brothers face and he was worried, so I

was
So guys, what you think? We are staying here for 4 weeks my dad
said with a sharped and sarcastic voice
Oh cmon Miguel dont be so cranky, yall here that what matters
now the person before said; now I remember her of course! She
came here 4 years ago, she was my mothers best friend she moved
here because her husband is an American and she haves the
American residence
You right there is no turning back my dad sighted
What about you Christine? How it feels to be here? Marixa
(mothers best friend) asked my mom
I think its fine besides I dont have to worry about getting robbed or
killed anymore
When she said those words my dad just looked away; it felt like an
awkward silence between each one of us looking at each other until
Marixa said something
Why dont we eat dinner, I ordered some pizzas and my husband is
coming soon
Good idea I whispered to Al, then I looked at Marixa to let her
know that it was the excuse of the year.
We ate pizza,talked for a little bit and then we went to bed; my
brother and I slept on a different room
What do you think is happening? My brother asked me like he
knew I was awake
I really dont know I whispered
You know Ive seen mom kind of blue, is it probably because dad is
mad with her? Alfonso said
Maybe I said half asleep
Good night
Good night.
It was 6 in the morning I woke up and went downstairs, I saw mom,
she looked sad I wanted to ask her about yesterday

Morning mommy I said trying to cheer her up, it felt awkward to

do this; she is the one who is normally happy
Morning she said; she was still sad, but a little smile got to her
face
Mom.about yesterday can I ask I paused Whats going on? Is
there something wrong between you and dad? I asked her; after
those words my mom just hugged me, really tight and started to cry
There is nothing to hide isnt it? She said; she got away from me
and pointed at the couch that was on the living room.
After a while Alfonso went downstairs, he saw us talking and just ran
right up to us
Wh-what happened?! Alfonso said, looking more conflicted than
mom and I together
Calm down brother I said
Well darlings I need to talk to you both about this my mom said
accompanied with a sob and some tears
What is it? we both said
Well your dad She paused Is not going to stay with us anymore
tears were coming out of her face like rainfalls; my brother started
crying too
But why, does dad hate us? It sounded like a childish question but
it was the truth
I think I said, the words just blurted out of my mouth, I didnt
wanted to say it; I wanted to cry
Why you are so heartless! Alfonso yelled at me
Im not being heartless! I yelled back Im just saying the truth!
tears came out of my eyes slipping through my cheeks, the warm
tears that touched my face and ran down to my chin. All of a sudden
my mom hugged us two really tight just like before I stopped crying,
my brother did too
Maybe your dad is gone but we still together in this, we are not
turning back to Venezuela, we ARE staying here!
We will stay together forever.