Page 23 of Hate That Blooms
“I- I don’t have it. Or my book.”
The “Oooooh’s” that come from my classmates make my cheeks flush, and embarrassment hits me hard. I’ve never been a poor student. I’m always on top of my assignments and get decent grades. He spins back toward me, a malicious smirk on his face.
“Sounds like detention to make up the assignments you will need to redo from the homework and the ones from today in class. Stay after the bell. Take your seat.” He nods to the class, and I hold back the tears brimming in my eyes.
As I make my way back to my seat, I pass Thiago, and he gives me an understanding nod. He isn’t as horrible as Joaquín and Nathan. But he still actively takes part in the bullying. I take notes from the board, so at least I am staying busy, when two sheets of lined notebook paper are thrust into my line of sight.
It’s last night’s homework assignment and the assignment from today’s book work. I look up, and Thiago gives me a strained smile, and the bell rings. He gets up and leaves without saying anything. Staying after the bell as requested, I let Mr. Enriquez say his bit about how I need better time management and to get my act together because college will be ten times harder. I just nod, then I let him know about the situation at home and how it’s impossible for me to stay after school.
“Fine, you will bring me the assignments tomorrow morning by seven thirty, or I will dock you a whole letter grade. Understood?” I can feel his annoyance, and I feel awful about having to use an excuse to avoid detention.
“Yes, sir.” Eyes on the floor again.
God, when did I become so submissive?
Chapter13
Gabriela
Four Months Later
Amonth. I need to make it through one more month of school until graduation. The past four months have been an absolute living hell, from getting a job that works with my school schedule and is flexible enough to accommodate Mireya, to making sure my grades stay up enough to graduate. Luckily the school has been more than accommodating now that they know our situation. My job at the after-hours daycare is a godsend, letting me bring Mireya with me so that I don’t have to find a caregiver for her. The hours stink, and I have no life outside of school and work, but it is what it is.
We’re surviving.
Joaquín and his little group of asshole friends have not left me alone, reminding me daily that I am nothing more than a whore and that my father ruined his family. I find it comical that he’s calling me a whore, being a virgin and all. But whatever. I just want to make it to graduation, then I will never have to see him again. It’s not like our parents are in our lives to force us to see each other.
* * *
It’s the first weekend I’ve had off in over a month. I'm busy getting necessary things done around the house, like restocking the fridge and household essentials and getting a haircut for Mireya. Then later tonight we are having dinner with our father to discuss something important. I was extremely surprised when he called after he surrendered his rights to me. I almost told him to fuck off, but he said it was extremely important.
The drive to the wholesale warehouse is silent as Mireya naps in her car seat, and I lose myself in my thoughts. What could my father want? I gave into what he wanted, letting him give up Mireya and making me her legal guardian. The only thing I can think of now is that he’s going to tell me he and Joaquín’s mother are getting married. But I don’t know why he would feel the need to tell me. I wouldn’t give two shits if they did.
As I pull into the packed parking lot of the warehouse, the dread hits me like a punch to the gut—I hate having to shop here with Mireya. She always gets so overwhelmed.It’s got the best prices, and buying in bulk means I shop less often; it’s worth it.I park the car and wake Mireya from her nap, mentally preparing myself for the overwhelming experience that awaits us inside.
We navigate through the aisles, selecting the essential items that need restocking in our fridge and household. Mireya so far has been calm, and I’m thanking my lucky stars for the nap she willingly took in the car for this. With a full cart that I know is going to break our budget, I head toward the checkout. Mireya helps me put everything on the conveyor belt, and I pull her out of the cart to hold her as the checker begins to scan and pile things back in the cart.
Three hundred dollars later, I’ve got the back of my small SUV packed to the ceiling. Next is dropping off the groceries and heading right back out for Mireya’s hair cut. I check on her in the rearview mirror, and she’s staring out the window, watching the buildings and people as we pass them. I decided it’s time to prepare her for seeing our dad later tonight.
“Reya, do you know what we’re doing tonight?” I ask, trying to gauge if she maybe overheard me talking to our father on the phone. She surprises me sometimes with how observant she is.
“Movie night?” Not bothered enough to stop looking out the window. I clear my throat and let out a breath.
“No, maybe when we get home, but we have to see Daddy for dinner tonight.” I draw in a breath and hold it, waiting for her to respond.
“No. Movie,porfa.”
My heart sinks. I don’t want to do this either, but I feel I don’t know… obligated. Even though he dipped out on us, he is still my father.
“I’m sorry, Reya. We have to. We can watch a movie when we’re done and get home. How does that sound?” I look in the rearview and watch her chew her lip.Fuck.I hope this doesn’t set off anything.
* * *
The little Mexican restaurant is packed tonight, and even though we’re meeting a bit earlier than dad wanted, which I insisted on for Mireya’s sake, we’re seated and waiting for him to get here. The server has been so sweet in bringing extra chips for Mireya to help keep her happy. I pull out my phone and send Dad a text.
Are you almost here? Reya is getting antsy, and we’ve been waiting for almost twenty minutes.
Hi, Gabriela, It’s Ana; we are just now parking the car. Be in shortly.
