“Maria, come here.
I approached.
She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a small wad of crumpled bills. Then he put them in my hand.
“Go to the market and buy everything for food.”
I looked at the money.
Small bills.
Too small.
I counted them.
One hundred pesos.
I thought something was missing.
“Just… this?
Doña Carmen looked up and her eyes turned cold.
“Is that not enough?”
I felt a lump in my throat.
“Mom… twenty people come.
She let out a short, dry laugh.
“In my day, fifty pesos could be used to make a banquet.
Then he leaned a little towards me.
“Good daughters-in-law know how to manage.
The words fell on me like stones.
I looked out over the courtyard. Diego was still outside, talking to the neighbors. He seemed to hear something of the conversation, but he didn’t go in.
He only shouted from afar:
“Do your best, Maria. Don’t make my mom angry.
I took the money.
I left the house.
The neighborhood market was full of noise and people. Vendors shouted prices, plastic bags creaked, the smell of hot tortillas wafted through the air.
I opened my wallet again.
One hundred pesos.
A kilo of pork cost almost that.
Chicken was more expensive.
Even tomatoes had risen in price that week.
I walked among the stalls with a heavy heart.
I had money in my bank account.
I could use it.
I could buy meat, vegetables, rice, tortillas, prepare a decent meal. No one would know that I had put my own money.
Doña Carmen would look good in front of everyone.
The guests would eat happily.
Diego would be proud.
And I… I would still be the obedient daughter-in-law.
But as I walked among the market stalls, something began to grow inside me.
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