Chapter 2 A BRAND NEW DAY

Althea found her madre(mom)already at the stove humming a tune she didn't know but had heard all her life,coffee's hot ,she said glancing back with a small smile. You are up early, Althea take hold of the chipped mug from the counter and poured herself a cup 'I couldn't sleep ' bad dreams her madre asked, yes she replied.

Once she was done with her coffee, she ascended the stairs to prepare to work.Once she was done shower,picking dress, she stood in front of the mirror,all set she said .

Althea came downstairs and kiss both parents cheek and set of as her daily routine to the mechanics shop where both father and daughter work.The mechanics shop belongs to Mr Montiel as his shop is one of the best mechanics shop in merida. Althea his daughter have assumed the shop, cause her father Mr Montiel is not in a good health.

Althea loves everything about cars because that is where she grew up well though still stubborn but smart ,Mrs Montiel said as both parents smile looking at the doorway.

Althea reached there early as always ,greeting her coworker Thiago and Hector ,her friends then went to change her attire and started work on one pickup . She lies under a rusted pickup,boots sticking out ,socket wrench in hand. Her face is streaked with oil ,her fingers are steady of working for hours.

Thiago,won't you come out today he said before leaning to her a fresh rag. It's lunch, let have some food, hurry.

Althea got out and walked over to where thiago sat on the table was two hot arepas,still steaming ,one filled with shredded beef and black beans ,the other with soft white cheese and avocado with" tupperware of tajadas"(sweet fried plantain)and a bottle of papelon con limo'n,sweat beading down her forehead, she sat down then take one of the arepas.

Smells like sundays at Tia Yoli's shop,she said. Hector chuckled and said you mean when she force you to sit still and not touching engine for five hours, he chuckled again which made both friends laugh but she didn't deny it.

She picked up the arepas and takes a bite ,it's hot ,savory and a little spicy,she loves it.

They eat in for a beat,except for the sizzle of a near by radiator cooling off ,thiago break the silence by ask Althea, are you ever thinking about leaving this place ?

Althea stop chewing for a moment but didn't answer right way and just stares at the smear of oil on the floor shape like a broken wing. Sometimes, but this place knows me and it doesn't ask me to let go , she said that and take the final bite the warm from the arepas lingers with her ,she thanks thiago for the lunch and he nodded.

They all went back to their work ,once they had finished work some of the workers left ,leaving Althea ,Thiago and Hector.

Althea was closing the shop while thiago and Hector waits for her ,once she was done they departed to their various places.

Althea got home exhausted,she ascended up to shower before coming downstairs again to greet her parents,in the living room her father was there .

You look tired,he said make her sit beside him ,how was work ,great ,she murmur that's good because I know you can do it.

Dinner is ready honey,baby hurry up and eat something before bed okay. Both father and daughter join her at the dining table and dig in eating in silence ,once done she lay hold of the dish but her mother stopped her ,hurry go and rest, she hesitated but gave up and give them a goodnight kiss and ascended to her room. She drowse off once she lie down .

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