Maundy Thursday. Intervention

"Carnal, I need your help with somethin’,” it was Wednesday night. Naomy was already in bed, listening to the murmurs coming from her parents' room. "You owe me one... yeah, I know... it’s importan’. Just help me look up’a name... the kid gave me one... Rodrigo Pérez Fernández... thanks."

Candice watched. The wheel had already begun to roll downhill. But when it gains considerable speed, it is normal to think that if you are in its path, you’ll step aside. She saw Emily's future. Tomorrow she would be boarding that strange bird. 

The girl had an expression of not wanting to be there. The father explained who he was... that they were just going to Nuevo Laredo on vacation... yes... that the mother knows. That it was only for a week. That it was her first time on a plane and that’s why she was scared.

Screams. Once again, there were screams at Emily’s house. The night began with Sandra shouting that she didn't like seeing her daughter out all day like a vagabond. She remarked that she should stay home—that there are chores, responsibilities, and that she must help her grandmother.

"I’m not helping with anything!" Emily screamed. She was starting to cry; she was fed up. "I never ‘help, I do everything by myself. It’s not fair!"

"Life isn't fair, Emily," her mother explained, trying not to shout. "We are a team. I need you to stay to help. You live here too."

"Then I don't want to live here anymore," Emily declared. Her mother said nothing. "Dad says he wants to take me to Monterrey. I think it’ll be better if I go."

The sound of a slap rang out. Emily cried as she held her face from the blow. She understood then why it was better when her mother was at work—that it was better to listen to the TV all day and endure those disgusting sandwiches. Sandra grabbed the door keys.

"Tomorrow and for the rest of the vacation, you aren't going anywhere by yourself," Sandra decreed. "You won't be able to go anywhere. I’m doing this for your own good."

Nina arrived then with Emily’s keys, which terrified the girl. They were forcing her to stay home. She ran for the phone but was stopped by her mother. Nina took the phone, unplugged it, and took it away.

"You won't do a thing," Nina shouted as a door was heard opening and closing.
Emily couldn't break free from her mother’s grip. She kept crying. They were locking her up; they were holding her back. Nina came out of a room again and headed down the stairs.

"You will stay," Nina shouted as she grabbed Emily’s chin with a strength that frightened her granddaughter. She was stronger than she thought; that old woman still had a lot of strength in her. "Soon you’ll understand it’s for your own good."

Sandra pulled her daughter and guided her upstairs. Emily stumbled a few times on the steps, but her mother kept clutching her, forcing her to continue. She forced her into her room. Finally, Emily fell, hurting her knees. She could still feel her mother’s yanking. Her arm ached, and the slap still stung. But her heart ached more.

The door was slammed, and Emily kept crying for a while. When she thought it was safe, Emily stepped out of her room, noticing everything was dark. Good. She closed her door again and locked it. She searched her bag and found her new cellphone. It had only one contact. She sent an SMS: "She hit me. It hurts. They’re keeping me locked up all vacation. They took my keys and hid the phone."

Then, she searched her school backpack for a small notebook. She looked and found the number for Lucía’s house. Norma was the one who answered and was frightened to hear Emily and her situation. She was afraid; her body ached, and she didn't understand why her mother had suddenly become so violent.

"Emily, are you sure that’s what your mother said?" Norma asked. Emily nodded, weeping.

"They took my keys," she confessed, trying not to make too much noise. "Grandma hid the phone... What? Ah...  It’s my new cellphone. Dad bought it for me today. That’s why I could call. I’m scared."

"Don't worry, Emily," Norma said, trying to console the girl. "I will do what is necessary to get you out of there."

The metallic sound of the door rang out. Several times—not soft or slow, but with urgency. Someone wanted in. Sandra came out of her room. She was trembling, and it looked like her legs might give way. She was crying, but she tried not to let it show. She opened the door and immediately regretted it. It was Rodrigo. He was shouting and blaming Sandra for things she didn't understand.

The sound of cars was also heard outside on the street, which alerted both adults. The authorities arrived, alerted by a report of a minor being held and physical violence.

"What did you do, Sandra?" Rodrigo asked in a tone that was clearly meant to reprimand. He was smiling. He had won the battle without fighting.

Timidly, Emily came down to where the chaos was. Sandra looked at her daughter with eyes of panic and surprise. She had a cell phone in her hand and already had her backpack packed with what she thought were clothes. Nina watched what was happening in horror; she was the only one who didn't understand how they had arrived if Emily had no way to communicate.

Nina tried to force her granddaughter to go to her room. She made a mistake. She insulted her and yanked her to make her go up the stairs. Emily didn't resist, but they warned Nina to leave the girl alone—that they now had evidence to take her away.

Emily ended up at Naomy's house while things were being cleared up. Although Rodrigo claimed to be the father and the one who could care for her, the situation didn't favor him either. Emily had dinner with her friend, and not much was said about what had happened.

The next day, Juan decided to take them out so they could relax, play, and forget the matter. The day was relaxed and fun for the two friends, who went to play at the arcade and even to the park to play, walk, and eat ice cream. Juan's phone rang.

"What's up, carnal?" Juan asked seriously. He saw the friends laughing at something, but his body was tense. He listened.

"Guess what, my friend," someone answered on the other end of the line. "That bastard Rodrigo is a heavy hitter. You have to get that girl you mentioned away from him. Have you ever heard of child labor?"

"You've got to be kiddin’ me!,” Juan replied with a certain fear.
“I’m very serious," the voice continued explaining gravely. "Emily is in danger. Surely when she turns fifteen she..."

Silence. Juan knew what was happening. Tepito was not a holy place. He had heard terrible stories, and not just about that place. He knew what happened in La Merced. But Emily spoke of her father with such excitement. He couldn't just give her the information like that. He would be watching.