Brothers
-Mariam, do you know him? He and Blake seem to be arguing. Do you know him? -I repeat, somewhat annoyed at his silence.
I shake my head and turn to go to them.
-Don't go!
-Do you know him?
-It's Simon. My uncle.
-Family ties. I understand.
I grumble before approaching. I'm still angry with Blake, but not so angry that I won't come to his aid.
-No! Stay with me. Simon is a bad person.
-And that's why I'm not going to leave him alone. Don't worry. I know how to deal with selfish people.
I walk trying to get rid of Mariam's hooks that are embedded in my poor arm.
-Leave her alone! Sink me if you want. I'm to blame for everything. Forget about her.
-Are you on his side? I knew it. The dense eyebrows face me. It's a... -I open my eyes at the dreaded insult flying over my head.
-Don't even think about it," Paul holds Blake's shoulder to restrain him.
I am not one for irrational fights, however, I must admit that I am beginning to feel an irresistible desire to cross his face. Why such an unjustified attack?
-That company belongs to me!
-Leave her alone!
Blake presses his jaw so hard that the blood pools in the veins of his neck.
-I don't know the reason for the discussion, but I sincerely believe that they should leave it for another time. It's Mariam's birthday.
The man stretched his neck back looking at me like a punk-haired alien.
-You don't know why? -The tall man with the tall body and stony posture leaned back before guffawing with all the power of his kidneys. Didn't he tell you? You're a good boy. Real good. And I thought you were against me.
The man looks at Blake with villainous admiration.
-Tell me what? What's going on? -My last question overlaps with the arrival of a new participant -Raul? What are you doing here? Were you invited?
Without answering me, he approaches Blake's uncle and positions himself next to him. Right now we are two Latino gangs before the fight. There are those on this side and those on the other side. All of us about to attack. My indecision lies in not knowing: Why are we arguing! And what is Raul the investor doing here!
-I was asked to keep an eye on you. The collar of his starched shirt barely moves.
-How?
-I needed to know he wasn't deviating from my boss's plans," he says, facing Blake. I was doing my job.
-You son of a bitch! -Blake screams and his friend holds him by both arms.
-Are you going to deny it?!
I hold my forehead trying to calm the pressure in my head. I don't understand anything. He and Blake are arguing. Paul tries to keep them from hitting each other. Mariam struggles to drag me away.
-Blake, what's going on? Did you know Raul? What job is he talking about?
-I've been working for the Agency for three years. We know each other perfectly well.
-I don't understand. You wanted to sponsor us.
-You can keep the change," Simon waves his hands in the air, "plus the hundred thousand I'll give you for leaving us alone. That's a good figure. A girl like you will never earn anything like that.
-I don't understand... You want to give me money? Why? -His words hit the hard floor. The sponsorship was a lie? did you know that?
I look at Blake who doesn't answer because he's too busy yelling at Raul and his uncle about things I don't understand.
Dazed eyes travel from one to the other. I am a fishing net on a disturbed afternoon. Despite listening to them I am unable to comprehend the attacks.
-She doesn't deserve this. My mother would never have allowed it!
-You ask me for compassion? I am the one who raised you! Is this how you betray me?
-I never wanted anything material from Blake. If I have to resign from the Agency to prove it, I will gladly do so. This discussion is pointless.
The man, despite having heard me, ignores my words. His accusatory fingers continue sheathed towards his nephew's forehead.
-You owe him nothing. His mother took a good paycheck. It's no longer our problem. Let him look for her if he wants to.
The man tries to convince Blake as if I don't exist. I'm a stray drop of listless spring rain. I'm worthless.
-Reward? Mother? What are you talking about? -What!
-Your mother sold you! We are not responsible!
My chest constricts against the thousands of punches that his words cause in me. I'm short of breath. Anthony's voice screeches low above the others. The heavy air escapes me, denying the coolness. I look at Mariam who hides her face inside Paul's chest. Blake approaches me. My body pushes him away by taking steps back.
-What is all this?
-Sofia...
-What?
I stagger and Anthony grabs my shoulders. I pull back. I am not a weak child. Abandoned yes, weak no.
-What!
-My fool of a nephew thinks that for a few drops of blood he owes you his life. We have paid enough for you. We have given more than you are worth.
-You're a bastard!
Blake starts cursing in a chained fashion as he feels restrained by Paul and half of the female guests. My heart freezes. Mariam's oppressed crying intensifies.
-That is not possible. I have no money and no mother. My grandmother raised me on her pension...
-Stupid girl, of course you have a mother. She sold us your blood. Your mother used you and abandoned you.
My lungs are dry. My head spins in a daze. My legs go slack. I try to hold on. The garden has no walls. I can't see them. The night sky extinguishes the stars. The man continues to scream. Raul apologizes to me and Blake tries to approach. Anthony stops him with his palms up like a bear stops his enemy. The ground begins to spin. The voices turn into two-headed monsters trying to suck me in. I feel cold. Anthony's arms hold me around my waist. My hands press against my ears. I don't want to listen. I want them to stop. The ground disappears. The snakes come to the surface.
-Make them stop...
I want to disappear and be forgotten by the world.
-Sofia!