Brothers Beyond Boundaries

As fast as his old fragile body will let him, Mateo rushes to the closest ATM, a small business down the road from his home. He withdraws as much as the machine will allow him. “I hope five-hundred dollars will get them there.” He tells himself rushing back into his car. A few minutes of driving and he arrives just around the corner from his daughter’s house. He observes how bad the neighborhood is. Children play outside in the dark with no parental supervision around. Shopping carts in random locations, some are knocked over in front lawns and others are next to fire hydrants, almost in the road. Every house matching each other, rough, and wore down with broken fence surrounding the houses. Finally he arrives and pulls into his daughter driveway. He puts the car in park behind his daughter's van. When he steps out, he watches his footwork, not to trip over the debris from the broken concert that make the driveway. He walks up to the door slowly, thinking about all the consciences that will come if he continues with his actions, and all the more if he does not. He takes a deep breath and knocks on Juana’s door. He places a fake smile on. Stefani answers the door, Mateo’s youngest granddaughter. She is very petite, only eight years of age and has short straight black hair. “Grandpa, what are you doing here so late?” “Hi mija, where’s your mother?” Mateo looks around the door. Stefani points behind her, “In the kitchen.” She opens the door the rest of the way to invite her grandfather in, gesturing for him to follow, as she walks him to the kitchen. When Stefani enters the kitchen she announces Mateo’s presents. “Mom, grandpas here.” She skips out the kitchen. Juana turns around from making food with a big smile, “Hey dad what brings you over?” She leans in and gives her father a hug. Mateo holds up the money he just took out of the ATM and keeps the lie he told his wife, so not to raise suspicion. “Your grandmother, Oración fell. I was hoping you could go in my place to check on her. You can take the children too.” Juana’s eyes widen with joy of the thought of going to Mexico, “Are you sure dad? And is grandma okay?” “Yes and yes she is fine, I just worry about her. I told her I was going to come down and check on her. Something came up and now I’m too busy to go.” Mateo lowers the money by his side. “Well I have to call into work and get everything ready, luckily our passports are still good from the last time we went to Mexico, so that will make things easier. Also I know Ricky won’t come, he’s too busy doing his street crap and acting like a thug, and you know my other son is overseas.” “Yeah I figured Ricky wouldn't go and I knew about Alejandro. Just take your daughters.” Mateo hands her the money, “Here.” Juana smiles and takes the money. “Thanks dad we will go ASAP.” She gives Mateo another tight hug. “Thanks mija, you’re doing me a huge favor. Now when you get there make sure you call me to tell me how she is doing. For some reason she only has people enter through the store, so only park at the store.” “That’s kind of weird of her, but ok.” Juana pockets the money. Mateo starts to leave and walks to the door he entered with Juana right behind him. “Ok I’ll be leaving now. Call to let me know when you’re leaving, don’t forget. Oh and make your visit a surprise. She will be expecting me but I think when she sees you and your daughters she will be even happier. She will be home resting from her injuries, so don’t worry about her being home or not.” “Okay dad I’ll make sure it is a surprise.” Juana smiles with joy. “Kids give your grandpa a goodbye hug!” Juana yells throughout her house at her daughters in the other rooms. The first to peep around the corner is Stefani skipping with joy, Mateo kneels down to her level and opens his arm. He hugs her tight. “Be good.” “I will.” Stefani hurry’s and pushes off her grandfather from the irritation she feels on her face from Mateo’s stubble beard. “eh, you should shave grandpa.” she skips off, back to her book she was reading in her room. Mateo chuckles at Stefani’s comment. Kayla is the next to walk up to him. “Ah, Kayla, you’re growing too fast, you need to slow down. And look at your hair; it’s so long, wavy and dark black. You’re starting to look like your grandmother when she was younger. How old are you now?” “Thanks grandpa.” Kayla hugs her grandfather softly with respect. “I just turned thirteen, last month in September, remember?” “Oh, I forget sometimes.” Mateo thumps his head in a silly manner. “It’s ok grandpa.” Kayla walks back to the living room and sits next to her older sister Brittany who still hesitant to moved and continues to watch television. “Aren’t you going to go say bye to grandpa?” Kayla looks to Brittany. “Brittany!” Juana speaks out. “Oh yeah.” Brittany still doesn’t move. “Hi grandpa, bye grandpa.” Juana rolls her eyes. “Ey, Brittany.” She turns to her father, “you know Brittany, so difficult and at that age; sixteen, ugh.” “Yeah I know how big Britt is.” Mateo smiles and jokes out loud about her size to get a reaction from Brittany. “What you say old guy?” Brittany yells out, still not taking her eyes off the television. “Nothing mija, see you later.” Mateo laughs out loud and opens the door preparing to leave. Juana gives him another big hug just as he steps out the door. Mateo hugs back more tightly than usual. “Okay Mija, bye, I love you.” “Love you too dad.” Juana releases her father and watches her father slowly make his way to his car with his head down as if there is something on his mind. Juana shows slight confusion to his body language. Mateo starts up the car and watches Juana shut the door full of happiness, trying to stop from jumping up and down from the excitement. He sighs, puts the car in reverse, and starts to drive away looking in the rear view mirror at Juana’s houses. A tear falls down his face. “Bye mijas, I’m so sorry.” Juana walks into the living room of her house with the money behind her back and sees Brittany and Kayla, watching television. “Guess what your grandfather gave us to do?” Brittany rolls her eyes, “Work, great.” “Nope, try again.” Juana says with a big smile. Kayla stops watching television and looks at Brittany and her mother. “I overheard grandpa and mom talking, he gave mom money so we can go to Mexico, and check up on granny Oración.” Stefani jumps out of her room and lands on her feet with excitement looking toward Juana. “Really mom!?” Juana shows them the money. “Yup, we leave as soon as I tell your school and I get my approval for a week off of work. So in about two days. I know it’s kind of soon. Sorry, but I figured it would be a great time to finally truly introduce you three to your fathers and other family. We didn’t have time last time but maybe we will now,” Juana smiles. Just as the excitement has reached its peak and with everyone smiling, discussing how fun the time in Mexico will be, Ricky, the oldest, and shortest out of the two brothers, opens the door. He has a buzzed head, covered head to toe with gang related tattoos, and stands 5’5’’ 160 lbs. He walks into the living room where the girls are discussing Mexico. “Do I hear right? Are you really thinking about going to Mexico?” Stefani not aware of the negative body language Ricky is illuminating, she responds with cheer. “Yup, can’t wait. It’s going to be so much fun and I might be able to see my dad’s side of my family too.” Juana looks at her son and places her hand on her hip, “I already know the answer but I’ll ask any way, do you want to come and maybe see your dad and other brothers and sisters?” “Hell no! My father’s garbage, forget them all, I’m fine with the family I have now.” Ricky shows deep signs of neglect. “And you’re dumb if you think this is a good idea.” Ricky looks at his mother like she is insane.