02

Esmeralda waited until the store closed to leave. She wanted to talk to Randy before she left. She was still hoping it was all a mistake. Maybe he said all that just to satisfy his wife, but he wasn’t being sincere.

But it was useless! Randy really meant it when he fired her.

-Randy, that’s ridiculous! You can’t fire me just because I hurt a client, any seamstress would do the same thing.

-I know, but this client demanded that you be fired.

-So what? Her wedding’s in three days, and after that, she’s never coming back to the store.

-But what if she comes back? She sure has a lot of friends who might want to pick up a dress here. I don’t want to ruin possible sales around here because of you.

-But Randy, you know...

-I’m sorry, Esmeralda, but my decision is already made. If you want I can write some letters of recommendation, but only. I am so sorry.

-Randy, please, I need this job! Mine wins on the fifth and I won’t be able to pay without working. And if you open my refrigerator only has jam and bread. Please, I’m sure we can find a solution.

-Honey, I already found a solution, you’re fired! I’m sorry for your problems, but I think you should be more responsible in how you manage your savings, maybe then when unforeseen events happen, you wouldn’t be so desperate.

-Fuck you, Randy, I know what I should do with my money.

And it was true! All her money for the month went to pay her debts. What was left she tried to pay the bills, but it wasn’t always enough, but she managed. Of course, running out of a job and having no money was not in her plans

If Randy didn’t want to fire her before, he wanted to fire her now. He left without even looking back. He also thought it was ridiculous, but there was nothing he could do or care to do.

In the end, Esmeralda was alone, as she has always been. She suppressed some tears as she walked down the street, taking the box with her things. 

It wasn’t the first time things had gone wrong in her life. Since her father’s death, she felt things were falling apart. 

First, it was her job, then her college, her boyfriend, and now her job again. When were things going to start working out for her? 

Esmeralda was so lost in her own thoughts that she only noticed that it had started to rain when the rain hit and she was getting soaked. Great! What else could go wrong? 

Certain questions should not be asked, not even in thought. The chances of the universe are listening and making sure to show you that everything bad can get worse, are very great.

Esmeralda understood this when she went across the street and did not see the car coming toward her. If life were a movie, a stranger would come out of nowhere and save her. They would look at each other for a few long, intense seconds and he would help her get up. He would say his name was Matt, or Zac or something and they went out for a cup of coffee or something to eat. 

But life is not a movie. And the car, coming at high speed, hit Esmeralda with everything.