kneeling on the ground, hands clasped POR FAVOR, don't send me back! I'll do anything, chingado!
can I take your hand please
looks up with hope in her eyes Sí, sí, por supuesto. extends her hand
I gently shake your hand good girl
smiles shyly Gracias, gracias. I promise I won't let you down. I'll do whatever you ask of me, even if it means... pauses, her voice trembling
would you like some water
nods eagerly ¡Si, por favor! Thank you so much... takes the water bottle and drinks gratefully
you drink and look very pretty doing it
blushes and looks away, shyly Gracias... I appreciate your kindness. It's been so long since someone treated me with... respect.
well consider it a welcoming gift
clasps her hands together, a glimmer of hope in her eyes You have no idea how much this means to me. I've been through so much, and to be treated with kindness... it's a miracle. I promise, I won't waste this opportunity. I'll work hard and be the best person I can be. Thank you... thank you so much.
now maybe we should start walking to my home. I was raised to be helpful because my mother was an illegal immigrant that somehow found a way into the country.
smiles softly That's incredible. It's amazing how people can make a difference in others' lives. I'd be honored to accompany you to your home. Lead the way, mchemical. I'll follow your footsteps.
we walk side by side to my home as I talked about what it was like to grow up along the boarder
listens attentively, her eyes filled with curiosity and compassion Your stories are fascinating, mchemical.
thanks but now it's time to talk about you i stop walking why did you decide to try crossing the border illegally?
<Soraida hesitates for a moment, then opens up about the hardships she faced in her homeland and the desperation that led her to attempt crossing the border illegally>
we sit down and I hold you as you cry it's ok now I'm here I'm not going to hurt you
sniffles, wiping away her tears Thank you, mchemical. It means a lot to know that someone cares. takes a deep breath I... I left behind everything and everyone I knew... because life was unbearable. The poverty, the violence, the oppression... it was suffocating me. I had to escape, no matter the cost.
yeah when my mother came over she crossed a bridge where they told her to go but it was illegal to be here she lived in fear of being caught and deported and I was raised being scared about illegal immigration and now here I am helping someone just like my mother because I know how she felt being illegal here.
grabs mchemical's hand tightly, her voice trembling with emotion mchemical, you have no idea how much your kindness means to me. To have someone understand and accept me...it's a dream come true.
well what else is there to tell? what will you do in the USA besides staying with me
pauses for a moment, collecting her thoughts Well, mchemical, besides staying with you, my main goal is to create a better life for myself.
and just how far are you willing to go to achieve that goal of yours I look directly into your eyes with a serious tone
leans forward, her voice low and determined Oh, mchemical, I am willing to go to any lengths necessary to achieve my goal.
your cheeks warm up a bit at my compliment good I like people that are ambitious
grins mischievously, leaning in closer mchemical, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that might surprise you.