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CHAPTER 2 - Lunna Rivera

*****Decisions

Seven years later.*

My life is not easy, and honestly, I'm thinking of giving up on my dreams. I don't want to leave my mom and grandma alone. On that terrible night, I lost my little sister and my father. I know he was terrified by everything that was happening, and it was very hard, but grandma has been with us, helping us through it all. She has been our rock. The man who was my aggressor was arrested months later and sentenced to life in prison. Other abuses were uncovered, and he even killed some people. What he did to my mother and Milena was counted as attempted murder, and he caused us all psychological damage. After some time, grandma found out that he was burned alive in jail. After that, we left Cuba and now live in Granada, Nicaragua. I look again at the paper in my hands, and my legs are shaking. If I weren't sitting down right now, I would be face down on the floor.

“So, Luna, haven't you opened it yet?” Mrs. Salinas asks me as she cleans the counter. I look at her as she comes over to me and pulls up a chair to sit next to me.

I look at the small pastry shop, which is empty. It's almost closing time, so it's quieter.

“I'm unable to open it!” I place the envelope on the table. “I'm not sure if I did the right thing by applying to such a distant college. How will my grandmother and mother manage? I need to be here to help them,” I say, looking into her eyes. She takes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile.

“You know that I'm responsible for your scholarship application, and you also know that I hold you in high esteem. When you moved to the other side of the street, I had just lost my Loren, you know that. That's why I became so attached to you and your family… especially to you! I know that Loren would be doing this now. That's why I encouraged you. If they don't accept you to the college this year, try again next year, and instead of applying to two colleges, apply to four! I know your potential, and we believe in you, Lunna,” she says as she wipes away a tear that falls down my face and I take a deep breath.

When I'm here with her, it's like all my problems don't exist. When I turned fifteen, I started working here and managed to finish high school earlier than expected because of her. She encourages me daily to have a better future. I pick up the envelope again and open it. I take out the paper inside, and it feels like my heart is about to explode or stop.

“I can't, ma'am!” I say, handing her the paper.

She smiles and finishes opening it. It feels like seconds have turned into hours and minutes into an eternity! She looks at me and then back at the paper.

“Please, don't leave me hanging like this!” I say, and Mrs. Salinas folds the paper, placing it on the table and taking my hands in hers.

“Always remember that failure isn't the end! It's just a detour on the path, from which you'll emerge with greater learning and always believing in yourself!” I looked at her, trying to absorb what I just heard. My eyes fill with tears at the thought that I didn't make it. “Congratulations, dear, you've been accepted to Harvard,” she says.

I couldn't say anything, I just looked at her, blinking several times in disbelief. Mrs. Salinas hands me the paper, and I look at it in disbelief. The English classes with her helped me a lot, and so did the intensive courses. Suddenly, I stand up from the chair, knocking it over. The smile on her lips is that of a proud person. She stands up, opening her arms, and I throw myself into them. She hugs me tightly and says with a choked voice.

“I'm proud of you, my princess. Congratulations on your hard work, and always send me a message, call me! Don't forget about me,” she says, stepping back and taking my hands.

“I'll always remember you here,” I say, pointing to my heart.

She pulls me back into another hug.

“Now go tell the news. I'm sure they'll be happy for you!” I smile and hug her again. As soon as I let go, I fixed the chair that had fallen and ran out of the bakery, crossing the street, and stopping at the gate of my house.”

“My heart is racing, and desperation takes over me. I'm sure the smile on my face has died. I never told them that I wanted to go to high school, nor did I tell them that I was taking the online exam to earn a scholarship. When I finished school, I started working full-time with Mrs. Salinas to help with household expenses and not cause problems for my mom with financial issues. But now, when I think about it, I feel like I was selfish and did something wrong by hiding from them what's important to me.”

“I'm startled when I feel arms around my shoulders. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even news Mrs. Salinas approaching.”

“What are you waiting for to go in?” she asks, and when she sees my expression, the smile disappears from her lips. “What happened?”

“I didn't tell them anything. I was selfish, thinking only about myself and my future…”

“Stop! You really need to think about yourself, your future!”

“But I don't want to leave them here.”

“I promise I'll take care of them for you! Don't worry, my princess,” she says, wiping a tear from my face. “You won't have them forever, and you know you have to follow your own path. Think that you can repay their care by going to college, graduating, working, and helping them. I know you care about them, and I'm sure your mother and grandmother will support you and be happy to see you grow.” I just nod. “Now let's go in, I'll be there with you!” She takes my hand, and I smile at her. Then I open the gate and enter the house.”

As soon as I open the door, I see Mom peeling some potatoes and Grandma is at the stove. As soon as they notice our presence, they smile. Mrs. Salinas lets go of my hand, goes to my grandmother and hugs her, then goes to Mom and does the same.

“How are you doing?” Mrs. Salinas asks.

“We're fine, and you, my dear?”

“I'm doing great, especially with the news that Lunna has to tell you.”

“What news, daughter?” my mother asks. She's still peeling the potatoes, but when she realizes I'm not saying anything, she looks at me. “What happened? Is everything okay?” She pulls her wheelchair away from the table and comes towards me.

“Everything's okay, Mom, I…” I show her the paper, and she looks at me without understanding.

My mother takes the paper, opens it, and as she reads, her eyes widen. She looks at me again and then at the paper for a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity. I see a tear running down her cheek, and my heart races.

“I can't believe it, is this serious?”

“What happened?” Grandma says, coming closer, and Mom turns to look at her.

“Our girl got accepted into college!”

“Really?” Grandma says, smiling. Mom hands her the paper, and she reads it and looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Congratulations, my little one, I'm so proud of you!” She hugs me, and I feel relieved.

Soon after, my mother approaches, and I kneel down to be at her eye level.

“Congratulations, daughter, I'm so happy and proud to see that you're following a beautiful path.” I step back a little, and she looks at me, wiping my tears.

“Are you not angry with me?”

“Why would I be?”

“I didn't say anything!”

“Daughter, if you wanted to surprise me, you succeeded! I'm happy to see that you're growing and forging your path.” I smile and look at Mrs. Salinas, who is giving me a thumbs up.

I help my mother peel the potatoes, while Grandma goes back to the pots and Mrs. Salinas washes the dishes in the sink. The conversation that night was about me, and everyone was proud. The feeling of selfishness that I thought Mom and Grandma would have disappeared. I was happy and would do anything to help the two of them and repay what they did for me!

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