La India

When Artemisa learned who Manzanita was and why she was there, the poor girl cried for days. She packed her things for days.

I kept asking her where she was going to go, but she wouldn’t answer me, not even look at me. Her body had never been mine but I began to feel a pull towards her. I wanted to hold her and never let go, just so she would not leave.

A week after the arrival of La India, Artemisa left without leaving a trace of her existence, except a piece of paper with a hurriedly-written note.

I am a whore.
You deserve better.
The woman who carries your son
wants you around more than I do.
Forget me.[/]

No “I love you” or some kind of comfort as to where she would be or even if she would be safe. That was Artemisa, though, a mysterious creature who never revealed her secrets.

Manzanita had been sleeping in my room because her house was, of course, occupied. Grandmother asked her if she would like to take the place back. She surprised us by saying that she wouldn’t be staying long.

“What do you mean you won’t be staying long?” my grandmother wailed. “You must stay! I won’t let my great-grandchild live on the streets or wherever you have been.”

“I found a nice home for women with no families,” Manzanita swallowed. “It’s in the country. I like it very much.”

“Don’t lie straight to my face, young girl. You’re staying here with my grandson until both of you can find a way to live with that child.”

There was no arguing with my grandmother after that. Manzanita and I stayed in my room the rest of the night, only coming out to get the leftovers off the stove.

I continuously told her how beautiful she looked. She wouldn’t look at me in the eyes when she thanked me.