Years behind the events:

“Well,” said Lina, sitting down. “When do you plan to find work? I don't plan to keep a good one for nothing. You wanted to be a nurse, didn't you? Well then, find a way to practice because you're not a child anymore.”

“I'm looking for a job, but please give me some time,”  Lucia begged. “ It's a little difficult since I have no experience.”

“Listen very well; it's enough to be supporting Carlitos with his career that I still have to support you. Either you look for a job as soon as possible or just get out of the house.

“Lina,”  a lady spoke, “leave Lucia alone. She is trying as hard as she can, but the situation is not easy.”

“Stay out of this! This matter is with Lucia,”  she said, looking at the girl. “If only you had gotten yourself a man, things would be different. Although, looking at your physique, it's hard for you to get anything good.”

The girl's hands became fists. She took a deep breath, refusing to answer her as she deserved, and ended up turning around and leaving the place. In the room, she began to cry. The same lady who had defended her came in.

“Don't listen to her,” she said, wiping away Lucia's tears. “Just speak to the weight of your tongue. You'll see that soon you'll find a job worthwhile.”

“Tomorrow I'm going for an interview, but I don't have any money. I have to see where I can get it. Oh, chaparrita, I don't know why Lina doesn't want me if I'm not a bad daughter. Or am I?”

“Of course you're not,” she wiped away her niece's tears. “Try to understand her. It's not easy being a single mother. Besides, she's upset because of what happened with Carlitos.”

The bedroom door opened, and Lina walked in. Seeing her daughter being comforted by her sister, she felt very upset. She grabbed her arm too aggressively.

“Stop crying; that won't solve anything,” she said, pushing her daughter with disgust. “Go help my mom with the chores. At least that's what you're going to do to earn what you swallow.”

“ Why do you hate me so much?” she stroked her sore arm. “I haven't done anything to you, as far as I know. But you treat me like I'm worth less than nothing.”

“  Do you really ask? Please, Lucia, don't abuse your stupidity. It pisses me off because you're such a shitty kept woman. Now go help with the chores and stop crying like a cupcake.

Lucia went to help her nanny with the chores. The old woman watched as her granddaughter dried her tears and guessed that Lina had mistreated her again. It pained her to see the situation of her beloved princess, but she could not do much, as she did not want to make things worse for her.

“Don't cry, my little wild princess,” the lady told her lovingly. “Lina loves you, just in a completely different way than other moms do. You will see how things will change for the better. You have to know, my child, that there is no dusk without a dawn, and when everything looks darker, it is because the light is going to come out.

Lucia could only smile. That day, she didn't want to eat dinner because her appetite had completely shut down. She was in her bed but pretended to be asleep as soon as she heard Lina enter the room, since she shared it with her mother. She could feel the woman make sure she was sound asleep, and then she pulled out her cell phone.

“Hi honey. She is asleep, so don't worry too much." There was a pause. “Don't be mad; I promise to send you more money next time, but please don't leave me. I know, and I am also desperate for Lucia to find a job, so I can help you more.

Lucia's heart became tiny in her chest. She stirred, but pretended very well to stay asleep. She could hear Lina giving promises of eternal love to a guy she didn't even know. Then she hung up and went to bed. She managed to sleep a few minutes later, but her daughter couldn't do the same. That's how she spent the sleepless night.

The next day, Lucia got up to go to the job interview. It was a bit far away, so she was considering hitchhiking. The moment she looked at her aunt, she said good morning in a loving way, but made sure that Lina did not see such a thing, as she would get upset.

Lucia helped her nana with the chores and then they all went to eat. While they were having breakfast, Lina brought up the subject of her daughter's unemployment again with more venom than before.

“I'm going to a job interview,”  Lucia spoke with some trepidation. “Don't worry too much, although there is a small inconvenience.”

“The comb is already out,” she snorted, annoyed. “What's wrong?

“The job interview is a little far from here, so I need money to go by bus. I thought about hitchhiking, but it might be a little dangerous to do that since someone might do something to me.”

“I don't have any money to give you. Hitchhike,”  she said, looking at her with contempt and mockery. “Besides, who would be interested in a grease ball like you?”

Lina's words made Carlos laugh. Lucia felt all her anger rising in a way that threatened to come out, but in the end she was able to control herself.”

“I'll go get dressed.” She got up. “Now, if you'll excuse me.”

Lucia's perspective

I went to get ready for the job interview. I took out the best clothes I had, but I could tell they were old. I couldn't ask Lina for money, as she was only going to mistreat me. The only times she is a bit affectionate with me is when I am sick, but sometimes not even for that, since she usually treats me badly before she starts to pay me some attention.

“Lucia.” They spoke from outside. “May I come in?”

“Yes, sure, come in.”

The short girl came into my room and took my hands. That's when I felt the little piece of paper that would save me from hitchhiking to the interview site.

“ Thank you” I hugged her. “You are one of the good things that have happened to me living in this house. Please don't ever leave me.

“I'm sorry for not defending you from Lina, but you know I can't do that; it would be worse.

I told her not to worry. I left for the job interview, and on the way, I was thinking about what I would say there. However, I remembered the conversation Lina had that night with that man. I wondered how far my patience for her would go.

I arrived at the interview site and was greeted by a very nice lady. She made me feel like I had never felt before, like a human being capable of being useful.

“Well,” she said, looking at my resume,“it shows that you are a recent graduate and have no experience.

“That's right,” I said, worried. “Well, I thank you for the opportunity. Sorry for wasting your time.

“Wait a minute!” she stopped me. “I haven't told you that I'm not going to hire you. Please have a seat, Lucia.”

I found the job offer in the newspaper. The pay was extremely good, but that didn't interest me. All I wanted was to be able to work to help out at home. Lina was pushing me every day for this. What struck me the most was that she didn't mention that they needed someone with experience.

“Listen,” she said, sitting down again. “I'm not one of those people looking for a century's worth of experience. I'm flexible in that respect, as I am in others. From what I could see, you are a fairly young and strong girl. However, your insecurity in answering my questions makes me a little hesitant.”

“I'm just nervous, miss,” I said apologetically. “I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea.”

“That's what I assumed; that's why I stopped you. My mom has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.“ He sighed heavily. “I'm going to tell you how it is. I don't want you to complain when the time comes. No soldier dies in a war foretold,“ she said, drinking some juice. “She is aggressive, very agile, and has superhuman strength. She also has her good side; on certain days she is calm, so don't worry.”

“¿Anything else?” I asked her,“I feel one more word coming.”