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“That would be cathartic, but I’d rather get some extra cash for all this stuff. My mother loves having yard sales, so she’s gathering stuff to sell too,” I add.
“Did you give your notice already?” Jestine inquires.
“Yeah, last week,” I respond, nodding.
“What did Mona say?” Jestine asks.
I attended UMass Boston. Despite being considered a full-time student, it took me five years to complete my degree because I only took four classes at a time since I had to work too. I double majored in Linguistics and Italian, with a minor in Spanish, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. In my final semester, I was required to do an internship and landed one at Every Word Counts Translations in the city, where Mona is the owner. After graduation, she hired me full-time as an interpreter and translator. Much of the work we do relates to court proceedings or documents used in lawsuits, so most of the clients we have are attorneys who need translations or interpreting for their clients. I spend most of my days translating documents from Spanish or Italian to English or interpreting for people during in-court hearings. I really enjoy being in the courtroom, but only because I’m there to assist and not part of the proceedings.
“She cried when I told her. I’ve been working with her since my last year at UMass. It’s the longest I’ve ever worked anywhere.”
“After Mona got over the initial shock of me leaving, she offered to help me find a job in Miami because she has several connections. In fact, she even brought up the idea of a business opportunity—opening an Every Word Counts office in Miami and being her business partner, with me running the Miami office.”
“What? That’s incredible!” says Jestine.
“It’s an amazing opportunity but I turned it down. I told her for the time being it would be too much for me to take on with a new city, a new move, and a new business. We decided to table the idea for the time being and revisit it once I get settled in Miami.”
“Aw, how sweet. I’m sure she’s gonna miss you. You basically ran that place for her,” Krissa adds.
“She did help me find a job though. I mean, I’m not officially hired yet, and have an interview when I’m in Miami. But Mona assured me the job is pretty much mine and the interview is a formality.”
“Do you have anything else lined up, in case the job with Mona’s friend doesn’t pan out?” Melida asks, crossing her legs.
“Yeah. To be safe, I scheduled a few interviews at other companies as well. But if Mona’s contact comes through, I’m taking it because it’s the highest paying one of the four I’m interviewing with.”
“Fuck, Sol, I’m gonna miss you so bad,” Jestine says, leaning into me to wrap her arms around my torso.
“Seriously! I could kill that motherfucker for running you outta town!” adds Krissa.
“I’m gonna miss you girls so much,” I exclaim, squeezing her back. “Come here, come in for a group hug,” I say, looking first at Krissa then over to Melida.
I’m an only child and grew up with a single mom, but these girls are my sisters, the family we choose. Other than my mom, they’re all I have. I have my aunts, uncles, and a few cousins, but I’m not as close with my cousins as I am with these ladies. We’ve been through so many highs and lows together. If I say I’m not scared of living a life without them in the day-to-day of it, I’d be lying. Despite all the changes I face, living a life where I don’t see these three ladies every day is what scares me the most. Sure, I’ll make new friends, but the four of us have been friends forever and they’re irreplaceable.
CHAPTER FOUR
Soledad
The three-day drive from Boston to Miami was brutal. Although my mom drove with me, I did most of the driving, which made for long days. We drove about twelve hours each day, stopping for gas, meals, and bathroom breaks as needed. We found a hotel each night along the way to spend the night and get a good night’s rest to gear up for the next day on the road.
We rolled into Miami Beach at six fifteen last night and checked into a hotel. I have an interview with Mona’s friend Lily later this afternoon. I have a good feeling about it, especially because Mona was singing my praises to her.
“What time’s your interview today?” Mami asks as she stirs her coffee.
“After lunch.” I pour a sugar packet into my coffee.
My mother and I are having breakfast at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Last night I crashed early and got ten hours of sleep. Despite that, I’m feeling groggy and tired from the long road trip.
“I have to open a P.O. Box since I don’t have an address yet,” I tell her. “Besides, this way it’s safer. I want to keep my address as private as possible. I’ll call the realtor I’ve been talking with and see if we can check out some places today or tomorrow.” My mother is staying the week in hopes I find an apartment before the movers arrive.
I grabbed a copy of theMiami Heraldfrom the lobby so I could flip through the classifieds and check the apartment listings. I circle a few that catch my eye while I finish eating my eggs andtostada—toast made from Cuban bread, lathered in butter, and toasted in the sandwich press.
“Hi, I’m here to see Ms. Bermudez. My name is Soledad Caruso,” I say to the woman at the front.
“Hi. She’s finishing a call and then you can go back. Why don’t you have a seat in the meantime.” She gestures to the couch behind me. “She’s been waiting for you; says her good friend Mona highly recommends you.”
“Yes, I worked with Mona for several years in Boston. I miss her already.”
“I’ve met Mona. She and Lily are like twins, so you’re gonna love working here. I’m Dayren by the way, you can call me Dayi,” she says, extending her hand out as she rises from her seat.
