ONE

Kamilla Lopez

The alarm clock rings and along with the shrill sound I hear knocks on the door waking me up in acts of despair, startle from the bed with fallen hair on my face, I feel the sunlight in my face.

— Girl, you’ll be late again!

— I woke up! — I cried to Carolina claiming that she would stop beating on wood.

I get out of bed and look at the damn clock, turn off the alarm clock and still sleepily drag my body towards the bathroom.

After doing my hygiene and taking a cold shower I went back to the room and put on my uniform, when I look in the mirror and make sure I was ready, I left the room, as soon as I opened the door I smell coffee freshly made by the preciousness of my life.

— Good morning, Mrs. — I approach her and kiss her cheek.

If it wasn’t for her, I’d be living on the streets, I wouldn’t have a bed and certainly a job where I can support us without any problem.

— Good morning, green eyes, how did you sleep?

— Very well. — I move in the kitchen, preparing my coffee.

— Bianca will come by today? — she asked me.

— Regrettably not, today I will pay a bus to work.

— Oh, what a pity, but good. I warn you that I will not sleep at home today.

— Not that it’s any of my business, but where are you going?

— Of course it’s your business, Kamilla, I consider you my daughter and that’s why I’m telling you.

— I think of her as a mother too.

— I will sleep at the home of one of my friends, tomorrow we will go on a cruise.

— Cruise?

— Yes.

— Oh! Okay, have fun.

She looks at me with her eyes closed and worried, she approaches me and takes my hands.

— I didn’t want to leave you home alone.

— I will not be alone, I will have the company of my books.

— You can come with me if you want.

— You know I can’t, I have work.

— Sleep at a friend’s house then.

— You’ve known me a long time, you know I don’t sleep at friends' houses.

— I see I’m dealing with a woman from ancient times.

— I just like my good old company, there’s nothing better than that.

I leave that conversation and face the clock, my eyes widen and quickly in hurried steps way to the door, in my hands is the bag that I always take to work.

— I guess once I get home, I won’t find you, right? — I ask before I leave.

— Right! You can bring a boyfriend if you want.

— My boyfriend is my job.

She smiles and says:

— Good answer, he pays you.

— Exactly.

I walk in hurried steps for his movement at that time of the morning, I approach the bus stop and again face the watch on my wrist, for the third time this week I will arrive late at work, the fault is my deep sleep. A few minutes deciding who was to blame the bus approaches and face the capacity that was already, was face or walk, the second suggestion is out of the question.

— She’s 15 minutes late!

My boss exclaims with a scary look, I pass him and walk down the hall until I reach the employee area.

— I’m sorry, my alarm didn’t go off, I’m sorry.

— Spare me your excuses, go to work!

I quickly get out of his sight and go to the cabin storing my belongings, after putting the apron and gloves follow the counter, the diner was full at eight in the morning.

I work in a cafeteria in a football arena, every day this place is crowded, I am surprised by the people who are always visiting and enjoying a culture, especially men, what we see more here. Here was the only place where I found work, it was this or being a maid, which I was not very good at.

Dona Carolina helped me find this job, all I have is thanks to her, she was the one who helped me as soon as I left the orphanage, yes, I grew up in an orphanage in the north of now where I live, it was a simple orphanage, we lived in charity, mainly of known and rich people. When I turned eighteen the caregivers warned me that it was time to leave, as soon as I passed the great gates I found myself alone in a world I did not know, had no employee, nor money to buy food, was alone.

The first few days had been hard for me, no one wanted to hire a dirty girl with shaggy hair. The day I met Dona Carolina I helped her with shopping until her home, she sympathized with me, without thinking she offered me a room in her home, when I heard that offer I saw her in angel clothes. Dona Carolina is a middle— aged widow, has no children and lived alone, she was sent by God paw's me.

— Lady, are you taking my order?

— I’m sorry, what did you say?

— I asked if you are taking my order — I face a teenager.

After delivering her order I see Bianca approaching me, quickly she asks for her partner playing cards:

— How is Mrs Carolina?

— Okay, she asked about you today.

— She can’t live without me, I think I’ll come by later to visit her.

— You’ll waste your time.

— You won’t find her at home, she’s off on a cruise.

— Um. Interesting! Are you home alone?

— Yes, but I do not want to take advantage.

— And why not? We can call some boys and have a game night.

— I am not in the mood, I will take advantage of her absence with books and contemplate silence.

— Okay, have fun with the loneliness.

— Thank you, it is very important to hear this from you. — I speak with a voice full of mockery.

We ended that conversation and went back to work, I began to notice the requests of customers, some were kind and friendly, others were rude and always had malicious looks, many looked at me like a piece of meat, the songs were frequent at work. I always ignored them, although some were insistent in trying to get my number, always treated them well and did not respond to harassment.

As soon as the shift was over I returned home in Bianca’s car, as soon as I arrived I said goodbye to her and went upstairs, it was 6 pm and my only desire was to bathe and fall into bed.