To distract myself I run through the list my mother gave me before Juan’s arrival. Go to America. Clean his house, cook him dinner, clip his nails. Send Mamá money, learn from Juan, learn from the brothers. Study hard in school and become a professional. Learn English. Send for Mamá and Yohnny first, so they can work. Send for Lenny so he can enroll in school, and then for Papá and for Teresa and the baby if she is ever willing to leave El Guardia behind. I’ll demand what I need from Juan, for myself and my family. I will make myself indispensible.
