“Papi, what’s on the other side of the border?” Felipe freezes in his steps. “Why are you asking me that? I told you to never ask me about the border.” Paloma looks down and starts to play with her long braids. “I know you told me not to ask about it, but ma-maybe we could see what-” Felipe grabs both of his daughter's braids with force and pulls them towards his face.
“Pendeja! Do you know what happened to your mother? She had the same idea as you and she ended up getting murdered by those idiotas from the government!” Paloma’s eyes spread wide open. Her father has never yelled at her nor called her any names before. “But Papi, maybe Mama had a reason to cross, maybe she saw something that we didn't. Maybe she-” Felipe lets go of Paloma’s braids. “No. Your mother was wrong. You think life is hard here? Well it's worse on the other side. You think a Mexican like yourself will make it in the United States? You will end up struggling your whole life to get by.” Paloma starts to tear up. “But Papi, we’ve been selling food on the streets for so long, maybe we can do something different on the other side. Come on Papa, think about it, wouldn't you like to do something else? Wouldn’t you like to be free for once?” Felipe firmly grabs Paloma by the shoulders and starts to shake her violently. “Are you telling me how to provide for us?!” Paloma frowns. “No Papa, I'm not. It was just an idea! I'm sorry.” Felipe let’s go of Paloma and slaps her across the face. “Don’t you ever tell me about your stupid little ideas ever again! We are better off living here where we are safe. Now go make yourself useful and harvest the rest of the chilis for tomorrow.” Paloma holds her throbbing cheek and hides her face in shame. She then looks up at her father and locks eyes with him. “Right now? But Papi it's dark outside. I won't be able to tell if they're ripe.” Felipe looks out and realizes that the sun has set. “Well you should've thought of that before you decided to disrespect me. Now go before it gets too late.”
Paloma sighs and slides the minivan door open. She walks towards the little garden that her father has set up and starts to feel the chilis with her small yet tired hands. As she starts picking, a black Cadillac slowly pulls into the alleyway. Paloma pretends like she doesn't see the car and continues to pick. The driver steps out of his vehicle and slowly approaches Paloma. “Why hello there young lady, whatcha doin there?” Paloma looks at the man and notices his black sunglasses and black clothing. “Oh I was just checking on my dad’s garden, but I was getting ready to leave.” The man gets closer to Paloma. “Well I'm sorry to inform you honey, but that doesn't look like much of a garden to me.” Paloma looks down at the chilis and frowns. “What if I told you that I could help you build your little garden. I can help you grow all of the vegetables in the world. How does that sound?” Paloma shakes her head. “No that's okay mister. Plus my dad doesn't like it when I talk to strangers.”
Felipe realizes that Paloma is speaking to a grown man with an American accent and he slides the rusted door open. “Who are you and why are you speaking to my daughter?” The man lets out a slight chuckle and takes off his sunglasses. “Oh sorry sir, I was just noticing how your imitación of a garden needed some help.” Felipe looks at the man and notices the Cadillac. “No, I don't need any help. You can go ahead and leave now.” Felipe motions for his daughter to get in the van. The man takes a step forward and reaches into his jacket. “I'm sorry but I can't do that.” Felipe steps out of the van. “Oh yeah and why not? What could you possibly want from us?” The man pulls out a handgun and shoots Felipe in the head. His brown eyes spread wide open and his face turns utterly pale. His body goes completely limp as it falls to the ground. The man points the gun towards Paloma. “Alright, if you make any noise at all, I will shoot you just like your beaner pops over here.” Paloma starts to sob as she looks at her father. His eyes are still open and the wound on his forehead is leaking violently with blood. “Shut up! Or I will shoot you. I mean it.” Paloma puts both of her hands on her mouth but her tears are unstoppable. She closes her eyes and kneels on the ground next to her father. The man walks over and points the gun to her head. She shakes her head in disbelief and caresses her father’s bloody face. “Come on Papa, wake up, please! I won't argue with you anymore. Just wake up!” The man lets out another chuckle. “Oh sweetheart, your ‘papa’ is gone. Now come on, I need you to come with me.” Paloma continues sobbing as she holds her father’s head close to her chest. “No. I need to stay with him. I can't leave him. I won't tell anyone. Por favor, just let me stay with him.” The man is growing with frustration. “He’s dead! Gone! Meaning not here anymore. Understand?” The man yanks Paloma from her father’s body and carries her on his right shoulder. Paloma kicks and screams but the man throws her with ease into the backseat. He gets into the driver's seat and shifts the gear into reverse. “Where are you taking me? Where are we going?” The man looks at Paloma through the rear view mirror. “The only thing I can tell you, is that you're going to be making me lots and lots of money.”
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Melissa Luna is studying English at New Mexico State University, majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications. She's currently living in El Paso, Texas but attends NMSU online as the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on public education. Melissa sees herself becoming a successful journalist/editor in the future and she also wants to achieve her dream of becoming a successful news anchor. During her free time, Melissa likes to go to the gym, walk her three dogs and take pictures of sunsets. She also likes to write poetry inspired by realistic events that may seem taboo to the public.
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