PREVIOUSLY

They exchanged good-byes and Téa and Roseanne walked out of the building. Téa threw the keys at Roseanne, “You drive.”

Roseanne caught the keys and got in the driver’s side. Téa slid into the passenger seat. Roseanne started the car and drove off. Quickly, she glanced at Téa, wondering why she was so quiet.

Téa had her arms wrapped around her with tears streaming down her face.

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Disclaimer: This part deals with racial slurs and prejudice. These are NOT my personal views but I feel they have to be used in order to tell the type of story I want. I sincerely do not wish to offend anyone, so if you should choose not to read this part, I understand.

INTRODUCTION TO PART 18

Samantha’s seen a lot in New York, and this trip has turned into something she didn’t expect. Now, Samantha faces something else that she’s never really encountered before. The ignorant views of society, and like Téa, I’d like to think she tackles them head-on. I hope throughout the story that you’ve come to realize that while Samantha is clearly Latina, she was not “raised” that way. She’s never faced “issues” that Téa has had too. And now she’s about to realize another issue that Téa had to deal with as she grew up, one she was never really exposed too. Samantha’s learned a lot about her mother on this trip, some good, some bad. I hope you have too.

Hear the Salvation Army band
Down by the riverside’s
Bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned.
Carry a cup in your hand…

Look around, leaves are brown
and the sky…is a hazy shade of winter…

The next day,
New York City…

It was early in the morning and Anton hung up the phone. He gathered his stuff he would need for the day and walked out of his room to his daughter’s room, pausing before he knocked on the door. This trip had been good for them. They had gotten to know each other a lot better. There was a part of him though that longed to be Samantha’s father outright. No Cameron Alton in the picture. He knew…he was jealous…to an extent of Cameron’s status in Samantha’s life. He was the one who had “earned” the privilege of being called her “father.” But…for deserting Téa all those years ago he deserved it and he had to admit, Cameron had been a good father. For now he was content to be a part of her life. And while he was “Anton” to her, the bond they were forging now would be special and remain between them for the rest of their lives. Cameron and his deceased wife had gone a good job raising Samantha, despite everything and knew in his heart, all those years, if he was given the opportunity, Samantha would never have been given all the opportunities that she had now. He took a breath and knocked on the door. Carlotta and Samantha answered it with warm smiles.

“Ready for breakfast Mija?” asked Anton.

Samantha nodded her head, ‘yes’, “I’m starving,” she said.

Carlotta shut the door and they walked out.

“Well, I got a call from your father this morning,” said Anton as they walked down the hall.

“What did he say?” asked Samantha very curious as to why her father didn’t call her.

“He was called out of town suddenly. On business. He doesn’t know how long it will take. You’ll stay with us until he gets back,” explained Anton.

Samantha nodded her head but she was a little sad he hadn’t called her directly. Her father was the one constant in her life. She hoped everything was all right.

As they walked into the lobby to get to the dining area, Carlotta heard her name being called out. They turned around and saw a white couple with kids around Samantha’s age walk towards them.

The woman held out her hand, “Carlotta Vega! I didn’t know if you would recognize me. I’m Caroline Edwards. Used to be Westwood. I was friends with Téa Delgado and your son, Antonio in school. Remember, they would take me to your eatery? I used to enjoy your cooking…?”

Carlotta smiled, remembering the girl. One of the few “white” girls in Téa’s and Antonio’s school with an open mind, “Yes – I remember you now. You would come into my little eatery quite often just to try out the different foods…you didn’t care for my burritos though.”

“I know,” grinned Caroline.

Carlotta hugged the woman, surprised to see her. Caroline’s husband stood politely behind her but slightly bored and put off. Her husband was in a 3-piece suit, and her two daughters were dressed in fashionable clothes. They eyed Samantha. Hard. Samantha was beginning to feel uncomfortable. She didn’t know what was wrong with them. She was dressed just as fashionably. Her hair was brushed and fell down nicely across her shoulders.

“Is this your family Carlotta?” asked Caroline full of surprise, “I didn’t think you had such a young daughter…”

Samantha diverted her attention toward Caroline and Carlotta.

“Ah, no. Do you know Anton de la Rocha?” asked Carlotta.

Caroline looked at Anton, “No, I’m sorry but your name is familiar…”

Anton smiled at her.

“Dear, Mr. Rocha just recently had a display in mid-town’s art gallery…” added Caroline’s husband in a chopped tone of voice.

“That’s right,” said Caroline, “I buy and sell art for a local currier.” She turned toward Samantha noticing a physical resemblance, “Your daughter?”

“Yes,” said Anton proudly, “Samantha.”

Samantha said nothing. She didn’t mind the reference. Besides it would take too long to explain that Anton wasn’t her legal father and why bother to a stranger?

Samantha smiled and held out her hand, “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Edwards,” said Samantha politely.

Caroline smiled, “Same here, all thought I must admit, you look very familiar. Do I know your mother?”

“I think you mentioned her. Téa Delgado?” said Samantha with a curious interest but not wanting to push in front of Mrs. Edward’s bored family.

“Ah Téa, yes! I knew her from school. She broadened my horizons I guess you could say. Exposed me to things I would have never been exposed too. Like Carlotta’s cooking,” grinned Caroline.

Samantha smiled at Caroline, “I know exactly what you mean Mrs. Edwards. Just last week I tried Carlotta’s…ah..Car…neetas. I think I said that right…yeah…they were delicious.”

“Ah dear, the girls are hungry,” said Caroline’s husband, “Can we go now?”

“Sure,” replied Caroline, “It was nice seeing you again Carlotta and meeting you all.”

“Same here,” replied Carlotta. She said nothing noting how Caroline’s family was uninterested in formal introductions that were never made.

Caroline’s family walked off.

Samantha rubbed her brow with her hand, “She seemed nice Carlotta but I didn’t like the way her girls stared at me. Creeped me right out.”

“Caroline was always nice but I didn’t really notice the kids…” remarked Carlotta.

“C’Mon – let’s eat,” said Anton.

They walked into the dining room.

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After breakfast, Carlotta, Anton, and Samantha were going to start their day. As they walked through the lobby Samantha wanted to stop by the little inside shop and pick up a pack of gum. Carlotta and Anton waited in the lobby as Samantha went inside.

Samantha walked to where the gum was and paused, trying to decide what flavor she wanted.

Her thoughts drifted to her mother and the night they had all made enchiladas for dinner. Her first time for that too. Samantha sighed. This past week had been incredibly sad for her learning about all the hardships in her mother’s life. And then suddenly she heard loud, ignorant voices from the adjacent isle. She looked up, paying attention to them.

“That Mexican chick must be rich. She was dressed really nice…” came a voice.

“Mexican’s don’t have no money. She sure was stupid though. A Mexican who never had carnitas before…” came another voice.

“Dad gets mad at Mom when she’s nice like that…”

They must be talking about me!

Samantha got all riled up, forgot the gum and bolted for the next isle confronting the two stuck-up girls she met earlier on in the day.

“You two are the ones who sound stupid!” said Samantha crossing her arms and glaring at them.

“Oh. You heard us,” said a girl scowling at Samantha. Samantha scowled back. She could give as good as she got.

“First off, I’m not Mexican. My parents are from Puerto Rico…” began Samantha.

“Same thing,” said one girl, “My father says…”

“Mexico and Puerto Rico are nowhere near each other…” continued Samantha. She couldn’t believe these girls didn’t like her because of the way she looked!

“You are stupid. You mean to tell me you never had Mexican food? And you’re…Mexican? Excuse me…Puerto Rican…whatever?” said a girl.

Samantha was incensed at their…ignorance, “So you’ve tried it I gather? And let me guess – you liked that food?”

“It was okay,” said a girl.

Samantha rolled her eyes.

“So are you rich?” asked the other girl, “Because if you are, we might like you depending on who your father was…”

Samantha’s eyes bugged out, not believing what she just heard. They would like her IF she was Cameron’s Alton’s daughter? Guess they didn’t pay a lot of attention before.

The girl’s father walked up, mildly amused, “What’s going on here? Is this girl giving you a hard time Elise?”

Samantha unleashed her fury, “Yeah. I’m rich. My father is filthy stinking rich. He owns FutureTech software. And my mother is a lawyer. I’m sure that really means something to you…”

The father’s face dropped, “What’s your name young girl?”

“Samantha. Samantha Alton,” she turned around and walked out, forgetting the gum, just wanting to get away from that situation and them.

One of the girls looked up at their father, “Did we do something wrong? We didn’t know…”

“IF Cameron Alton is her father, you just made life hell for me…” spat the man.

“Sorry Dad. We just thought she was dumb…” said another girl.

Samantha ran into Carlotta and Anton, tears rolling down her eyes.

“What’s wrong Mija?” asked Carlotta gently, hugging the girl.

“Those girls in there said some pretty mean things to me…” muttered Samantha.

Anton frowned and bolted for the store. He was going to set them straight.

“It sounds like they said some pretty ignorant things too. Some people Samantha, say things that are just hurtful. Some people can’t hide their prejudice and some people don’t even realize they are. I wish I could tell you to ignore it but pain like that…it doesn’t go away overnight…” said Carlotta. Her voice was soothing.

“My mom – she had to deal with this too, didn’t she?” asked Samantha looking into Carlotta’s eyes.

“Si, Mija…si…” replied Carlotta gently.

“I want to go home Carlotta. I want to see her. I want to…hug her. I want to see my Dad,” cried Samantha.

“I’ll talk to Anton and we’ll see what we can arrange. I’m sorry Mija. I’m sorry this trip wasn’t what you expected. I just hope…it helped you…” said Carlotta.

Samantha nodded her head, ‘yes’ and held Carlotta tight.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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