Anaya’s new home was far away in a foreign land. She went to
a school but could not understand the other children. She kept her doll close
to her chest every waking moment, and cuddled it tight every night, as she
slept between her parents in their tiny new house. Soon she started to
understand the other children at school and tried speaking their language. They
included her in their games and she began to leave her doll in her classroom
cubby.
Anaya liked her new life with fun friends and the years flew like the wind in a sand storm, her vision blurred of the past. Her father had bought an ice cream parlor in a growing suburb and a small house nearby. Both the parents spent their waking hours on running their business, her father facing customers, and other people related to the business, while her mother managed everything behind the scene. Occasionally, when her mother had to deal with customers and could not understand them, little Anaya helped out as her interpreter.
When it came time for her to apply for college, her father
discouraged, citing that she already had a career in the family business, she
didn’t need to spend the money to learn to do what she already had learned on
the job, and he’ll teach her all about running a business. She objected, that
she was interested in science subjects, and wanted to pursue her career in a
medical field. He said it could not be done, he didn’t have the money to
finance her college. She said she’ll take loans, fund her education herself,
that she didn’t need his help. To this he responded, his voice cracking, that
all they had was their daughter to take care of them in their old age, and he
needed her to stay and be with them always. She noticed a tear in his left eye,
in the eye of her father who was always stoic and pragmatic. She noticed the
white streaks in his thinning hair, the bags and circles under his eyes and the
slight shake in his hands as he reached out to hug her. She fell into his arms
and allowed their emotions to decide her career, hoping time will allow her to
revisit her plans.
Anaya liked her new life with fun friends and the years flew like the wind in a sand storm, her vision blurred of the past. Her father had bought an ice cream parlor in a growing suburb and a small house nearby. Both the parents spent their waking hours on running their business, her father facing customers, and other people related to the business, while her mother managed everything behind the scene. Occasionally, when her mother had to deal with customers and could not understand them, little Anaya helped out as her interpreter.
By the time high school arrived, Anaya was at ease in her
new home country and forgotten the place of her childhood, a little doll forgotten
in the back of her closet. Friends of varied background visited her and they
got into innocent mischief together. Her parents continued their long hours at
the ice-cream parlor and the strain began to show on her mother’s delicate
face. Her father delegated more of her work to Anaya, and soon she was working
all the hours she was not in school. Her friends dispersed, save for one who
hung out with her in the parlor, few evenings and weekends.
When it came time for her to apply for college, her father
discouraged, citing that she already had a career in the family business, she
didn’t need to spend the money to learn to do what she already had learned on
the job, and he’ll teach her all about running a business. She objected, that
she was interested in science subjects, and wanted to pursue her career in a
medical field. He said it could not be done, he didn’t have the money to
finance her college. She said she’ll take loans, fund her education herself,
that she didn’t need his help. To this he responded, his voice cracking, that
all they had was their daughter to take care of them in their old age, and he
needed her to stay and be with them always. She noticed a tear in his left eye,
in the eye of her father who was always stoic and pragmatic. She noticed the
white streaks in his thinning hair, the bags and circles under his eyes and the
slight shake in his hands as he reached out to hug her. She fell into his arms
and allowed their emotions to decide her career, hoping time will allow her to
revisit her plans.
to be continued...
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