But now, I’m in fifth grade, and it’s not nearly as easy. I mean, it’s still easy, but sometimes it’s challenging. Mama said I was too young to skip any more grades, but I don’t mind. The kids in my class are nice enough, but they like to make fun of me because I’m so young.
I know it’s because they’re jealous that I’m smarter than them. Not that I would say that out loud—that would be mean, and I don’t want to be mean to people.
“It’ll be good for her.” Papa sets me down, and I already miss him holding me. At least I’ll get to go with him when he leaves this time. “Little moon, why don’t you ask Ana Maria to help you pack a bag? We’ll be staying overnight.”
I nod, already heading for the stairs to find our housekeeper. I find her cleaning up my brothers’ room, and I feel bad for her. They’re really messy.
As soon as I tell her what I need help with, she helps me pack my suitcase with some clothes, PJs, my favorite stuffed dog, and all the other things I’ll need.
It’s not until I follow Ana Maria downstairs that I realize I’m not sure if Papa said where we were going.
Oh, right! He said New York. We’ve flown from our home in Miami to there a lot. I like it there because there are so many tall buildings and people. It’s very different from Miami.
“I’m ready, Papa!” I announce as I jump off the last step and rush to where he and Fabian are talking. I come up short when Fabian glares at me.
I narrow my eyes, not liking the way he’s looking at me. I just know he’s about to say something mean, but I remember what Papa always tells me when someone is mean.
I lift my chin, hands landing on my hips as I return his glare. It doesn’t matter what he says because I’m rubber and he’s glue.
“Fabian,” Papa hisses, stepping between us. “You’re acting like a child. Mariana is just as much a part of this business as you are. You’re both my children, and just because you’re going to inherit it doesn’t mean she can’t be part of it.”
“She’s a girl.” He sounds disgusted, and I frown. Being a girl is awesome. He must be jealous. “They have no place in the cartel except as a bargaining chip or for an arranged marriage.”
Papa huffs. “I don’t know where you’ve learned these antiquated ideas, but that’s not the cartel I’m a part of. It is not the cartelEl Jefeis building. Now, I’m done with this conversation. Take a car and go to the jet. Mariana and I will meet you there shortly.”
Fabian throws his hands in the air before stomping to the door.
“Papa?”
He turns to look at me with a sad smile. “Yes, little moon?”
“Why doesn’t Fabian like me?”
“Oh, Mari.” Papa kneels down and opens his arms. I’m not going to turn down a hug, so I go to him. “Fabian was my only child for seventeen years. He’s not used to sharing my love, and he misses his mama.”
I nod as I pull back. Fabian’s mama died back in Colombia before he and Papa moved to the US when he was fourteen. Then he met Mama and had me. Matías was born a year after me, and JC a year after him.
“Okay, Papa.” I’m not sure what that has to do with him not liking me, but I won’t ask any more questions. Mainly because it feels like Papa is lying to me, and he never lies to me. “Can we go now?”
“Let’s go say bye to Mama and your brothers, then we can go.”
I end up falling asleep on the jet while watching a movie. A driver meets us at the airport and drives us into the city. I stare at the buildings and people as we pass them.
We go into one of the biggest buildings and ride the elevator up to the top floor. As soon as we stop, I rush to the window to look out. Everything looks so small from this high up. We have tall buildings in Miami, but nothing like this.
“Little moon, I want to introduce you to someone.”
I spin around to face Papa, finding another man standing there with a little girl about my age.
“Hi! My name is Mariana Celine Vallejo Gomez, and I’m eight years old.” I hurry over and hold my hand out to the blonde girl as I grin at her.
She gives me a funny look before glancing up at the other man. When he gives her a nod, she smiles and shakes my hand. “Aurora Bianchi. I’m also eight, and this city is my dad’s.”
“I love it here,” I tell her, waving toward the window. “We’re up so high. I love Miami, but New York City is nothing like it.Can we be friends? I don’t have any of those, and Papa always says I need to make friends.”
Aurora considers me for a minute before nodding. “Yes, let’s be friends.”
“I brought my dolls and some books. Do you like to play with dolls? I’ll share with you.”
