Dear Diary,
Hi. You know how Ms. Dothingham, the assistant attorney, sent me the letter about Mr. Caveno’s release? Well, two days ago, that date passed. Today it is October 26, and earlier, something happened that scared me like no tomorrow. He dropped by.
I didn’t even think he knew I existed, and it turns out he didn’t. He came by to see his girlfriend. And, you will never guess who his girlfriend is, or should I say, was, Mamà Marìa! Mamà dated the man who is my biological father! Let me explain how this came about.
Before my mother died, she showed me my father’s picture. I never forgot his face. He knocked on the door, and I was the one who answered it. He stood there, not looking as if he recognized me. Mamà, Rita, and I were baking in the kitchen that day, and Mamà came in and said, “Who’s there Pepita?” As soon as she looked up, she looked to be overfilled with joy. They ran to each other and hugged, just like they do in the movies.
Mamà introduced us. Apparently, he only spoke Spanish, so the introduction was in Spanish. “Jesùs, te presento a Pepita y a Rita.” (In English, “Jesùs, I would like to introduce you to Pepita and Rita.”)
He responded, “Hola Pepita.”
A simple reply that I understood. I started to cry, and I ran to my room. Mamà followed shortly after.
I explained to her why I freaked. She did not even realize that he was my father. I showed her the picture of my mother’s rapist, and they looked identical. I stayed in my room while she headed out. Rita came in after Mamà left. I showed her the picture and explained the same thing that I explained to Mamà.
Mamà and Jesùs were arguing in Spanish, so Rita translated. Jesùs first asked who the kids were. She explained that I was a foster child, and would soon be adopted if my father revoked his rights as my legal guardian. Then, she explained that Rita was my best friend, and that we were cooking in the kitchen.
Jesùs then asked the question that I was terrified that he would ask, and that was, “Were is her mother?”
I knew Mamà Marìa’s answer without the translation from Rita. She responded quietly, “Su madre es muerto.” (In English, “Her mother is dead.”)
This was the first time I didn’t break down when I heard the sentence, “Her mother is dead.” I was proud of myself, but I was scared for the next question that I knew would be asked, “So, who is her father?” I was right, Jesùs asked that question next. Then, Mamà called me out. She knew we had been listening, but just in case she asked me. I told her I heard everything.
Jesùs asked his question again, “¿Quièn es su padre?” (“Who is her father?” In English.)
Mama looked at me, which was a clue for me to answer.
I answered, “Tù eres.” Which in English means, “You are.”
From this, he flipped. He then started blabbering, and asked questions like “How?” and “So then she’s your kid, right?” (Rita translated again for me.)
Jesùs then asked, “Why are you translating for her? I speak English.” (He did this all in English, just to let you know. The rest of our conversation was in English.)
“Mr. Caveno, it’s obvious how it happened. But no, as Mamà Marìa told you, I am a foster child. Mamà Marìa is my foster mother. My real mother died of cancer a few months ago. My real mother’s name is...it is...Elena Borrico, “ I continued in a sarcastic tone, “Maybe you know her, just maybe.”
“Wh...wh..what did you say her name was? Please tell me you did not just say Elena Borrico.”
I responded with a sarcastic grin and a nod.
“You mean the girl...the girl--”
“The girl you raped about nine years ago. Yea, that’s her. For a moment there, I didn’t think you remembered her.”
“I...I--”
“Didn’t even knew I existed. Yea, well neither did the Assistant District Attorney, or that my mom was dead, not that you would care.”
“Would you just shut up and give me a hug!”
“Me, give you a hug? Ha! I don’t think so. You raped my mother. As far as my real relatives are concerned, I am a mistake. Well, I got over them, and I know I’ll get over you!”
After that Rita and I went to my room. I sat there and started to cry. Rita listened for a while, then we heard the door shut and he was gone. Rita told me that Mamà broke up with Jesùs, but told him to stay in touch. She gave him my birthday so he could send presents, and asked for him to give up the legal rights to me so I could be adopted. He told Mama that he’d think about it and get back.
An hour ago, we got a call saying that Jesùs had just signed the papers to give up all legal rights. Mamà immediately took the adoption papers out of her desk, signed them, and faxed my case worker, Angelina Delwood, the papers. We received a call from Angelina saying that I was now legally Mamà’s daughter, and that the school, and the system had the new information. She did have one question, she wanted to know if I wanted to change my last name, or hyphenate it. Mamà had asked me this question a month after I had been put in her foster home, and when she knew she wanted to adopt me.
My answer still did not change from four months ago when I first moved in, “No. I am proud of my mother’s name, and I will always keep it, but thank you.”
She replied my answer to Angelina. When Mamà hung up, she had a huge grin. She turned to me and said loudly, (just as Rita came in,) “You are finally my daughter!”
I am the happiest girl alive! To celebrate, Mamà and I went out to watch a movie, and for dinner, we had ice cream! The best ice cream parlor, too! I can’t wait to have more fun. But yet, I fell sorry for Jesùs, he found out I was his daughter, and that same day, he gave up all his rights to me.
Pepita Borrico
------------------------------------------------------------
The last thing I wanted to note was that the name Jesùs is also Spanish! It is pronounced as Hay-suess.(Like Dr. Suess.-Firearris's analogy.) [/pre]
