Illegal Read Free Page A

there was nothing from Papa. “Same things as always,” I said, looking down at my shoes. Part of the heel was prying loose. “Is it here or what?”
    â€œDon’t act like a nasty little girl,” Hector said hurtfully.
    An uncomfortable silence filled the space between us. I noticed his glasses were full of smudges, yet I pulled my hands away and stuffed them deep into my pockets. His comment burned sharply into my pride. I felt my cheeks flush.
    Hector pecked at his keyboard and softened histone. “You know, I look every day. I’ve even called the main office in the United States. Nora, he hasn’t sent anything.”
    Shaking my head in refusal, I reached across the counter to look at the computer screen. “We have to figure out a way. I can’t go home without something.”
    Hector crossed his arms. “I can’t steal money for you.”
    â€œI’m not asking you to steal,” I murmured, a rock in my stomach growing cold. “I have always been an honest person. I just can’t wait around anymore.”
    Hector’s mouth hung open for a second. “I’m sorry.”
    I stood in silence, waiting for some sort of explanation. “Where is he?”
    The pain in my stomach began to churn, and a headache spread across my forehead. Suddenly I felt like I was going to faint.
    Hector rushed to my side and gently placed me into a chair. “Just try to breathe. Let me get you some water.”
    I pushed my head into my hands. How would we pay for groceries this week? Or the taxes next month? This couldn’t be real. The room slowly stopped spinning, but I heard a faint voice.
    He’s gone.
    â€œWhat did you say?” I asked through squinted eyes. I needed to be stronger.
    Hector patted my back. “It will be okay.”
    â€œNo, before that. You said my father was gone. What do you mean by that?” I said, annoyed.
    â€œWhat are you so angry about?” asked Hector.
    â€œMy father is not gone !” Venomous tones spewed out of my mouth. I took the grapefruit and hurled it against the steel safe. The fruit landed with a soft goosh and the juicy bits sprayed against the wall.
    Hector pulled back as if I had slapped him. “What the hell are you doing? I’m your friend. If your family needs money, I have a—”
    â€œNo!” I shouted at him. “He’s coming back!”
    I ran down the dirt street while my head exploded with thoughts about Hector, my father’s absence, and my mother’s disappointment. When I passed by the door of the old church, I took a rock and threw it against the old wooden door.
    I sat in the truck holding back the emotions. My throat tightened, making me gasp to keep the tears from falling down my face. I remembered when Papa got this Chevy. It was already five years old, but it was new to us—our first car. I didn’t want my dreams to be flushed away just because we were broke.
    Mama and Grandma pushed themselves into the cab of the truck as I looked away to hide my face.
    â€œI need to pay the grocer. Then we will ask the tax man if we can pay in installments.” She chattered on like I had a million dollars in my pocket.
    Mama continued, “No more credit at the grocery store until I pay our old bills.”
    My breath came out in jagged bursts. It was all I could do to keep the tears from spilling out. Was this the end? Was this where we give up?
    â€œNora.” Mama playfully tugged at my hair. “Did he send extra?”
    â€œI can’t,” I said, hiding my wet eyes. I couldn’t say the words.
    Mama’s face held such hope. “Did he send extra money?”
    It felt like all of the air had been sucked out of the sky. I couldn’t look her in the face. “He…he didn’t send anything.”
    Mama slammed on the brakes and we all lurched forward. I could see the veins popping out of the back of her small hands. Her eyes