What can I do to get that woman to be my wife? Carlo thought. But first, my girlfriend, of course. That’s always how it starts.
His mother burst into his room, as she always did when she had something important to say or interject.
“Son, I believe I need to tell you something.”
Carlo sat up in his bed.
“You need to knock before you walk in! What if I was naked?”
“Son, we have relatives from central Mexico City that are coming into town. They’re only here to visit for a short amount of time, but you and your sister are each going to have to make space in your rooms for me to accommodate mi tía and her children.”
Carlo leaned back.
It wasn’t like he had a choice. But part of him felt disgruntled at the fact he had to share a room with someone whom he had never met before.
“Alright, I guess I will. How long will they stay? And when do they get here?”
“Uhh, well. That part we’re not sure of, yet.”
Carlo’s expression changed.
“They’ve been having a rough time finding work, and keeping up with their responsibilities. Rent and food are more expensive now since so many foreigners with money are moving in. They even had to sell their car. And it’s not looking too much better for them in other areas either. The slums of Mexico City are a tough place to make a living, son. You’ll see when they get here.”
“Ok, mamá.”
“Also, Jorge will be your roommate. He’s the son of my aunt, who is only a few years older than me. My grandparents had a baby when they were older, and well… you’ll see when they get here.”
Carlo nodded.
“I’ll make space.”
“Thank you, mijo.”
“You didn’t tell me when they get here.”
“Tomorrow night.”
You never know what life throws at you ahead of time. You can only make sure you’re the best person you can be at the time when things come up, so you can manage.
When Carlo’s “uncle”, who was a few years older than him, showed up to live in his parent’s house for an indefinite period of time, he figured he’d just roll with the punches.
It couldn’t be that terrible, right?
Would you like to buy Carlo’s Gap Year on Amazon?
MARK SOTOMAYOR 