Dominicana

by Angie Cruz

Outside the window the river glistens, the sky—early morning blue, but not like back home. New York’s blue slices right through the skin.

Marisela knew my price. When I needed a true friend, she called me her sister. When I needed a role model, she flashed her clothing and her smile, told me I should do this and that. Always full of advice. When I was most afraid of Juan, she fed my own sob story back to me.