BOXER

I keep my father's boxing gloves together with his trophies and souvenirs in the last open box. -The plane leaves in two hours, we have to go- my mother appears in my room, I nod, and with nothing more to say she leaves. I close the box and look at my now old room remembering some moments lived in this one. I take the box and a suitcase that is the last thing left and leave the house leaving it in the trunk. I get into the car and I see from the window the house and my mother talking to the real estate agent and give her the keys and then get into the car. She starts the car and I watch as we slowly drift away from the house until we disappear from my sight. -When will everything arrive at the apartment? -Tomorrow morning- she answers politely. My mother is very strict and not very tolerant, everything has to be perfect for her. She wasn't like that before but I guess everything changes. -Okey- is the only thing I answer. I notice my cell phone vibra

I look at the clock that shows ten o'clock in the morning, I get out of bed stretching and go to the bathroom where I relieve myself and then I take a quiet shower. It's a good thing I'm going to college tomorrow, otherwise, I would have been late. I get out in my towel and rummage through my closet for what I'm going to wear today. I decide on sportswear, which consists of black Nike tights, a black sports top, a white sweatshirt, and my white sneakers. I comb my hair and do some boxer braids. I leave my room and go straight to the kitchen. My mother works from seven to five in the afternoon, so I have the house to myself. I decide to make myself some orange juice and pancakes. When I finish breakfast I see that it's eleven o'clock, more like lunch than breakfast. I go back to my room when I hear the notification sound of my cell phone. I go to the bedside table where I have it charging, I see it's a message from Aby. "Can you video call?" I hit repl

I pick up my cell phone to see the message. Six o'clock here. DON'T BE LATE! Your uncle loves you. Uncle Bob I roll my eyes in amusement. Okay, I love you too. PS. Ask Martha what time I start tomorrow.   I hear the door followed by my mother's heels echoing with every step she takes. -I'm going shopping with my coworkers and then to dinner, change and leave- she announces, peeking into my room, and leaves just as she came. I snort. - Good afternoon daughter, how was your first day? Did you make friends?- I laugh falsely and go back to study for a while more. I look at the time, half-past five. I leave the notes and run to the closet where I change into some sports clothes consisting of a black sports top, black leggings and a grey sweatshirt and a big pogo stick. I get in a line and grab my gym bag. Finally, I grab my cell phone and keys to leave the house. I walk into th

We spend the road singing the songs that are being played on the radio. Fifteen minutes later we arrive at an old factory, a little far from the city. We park and approach the door where we pass a little squeezed by all the people there. As soon as we enter we see the ring in the center of the factory. It smells too much of alcohol and marijuana. To the right is the bar and at the back there is a corridor where, I guess, are the dressing rooms. -Make bets, ladies and gentlemen!- shouts a man to our left, standing on a platform where people are holding up their bills. Lilian grabs me by the arm and drags me to the bar, she orders two "Bronx" (I don't know what they look like). -Here- she says handing me one, I take a sip noticing that it is sweet but it has vodka in it and I don't know what the sweetness is. I drink the rest in one gulp because it is very good. I order another one and the truth is that it is blue. I drink it just like the previous one. -LADIES

My knuckles are bruised but it doesn't matter. I get into the cafeteria on time. I greet them both and go to the little room where I change. Once changed I leave the room and approach Lilian. -What did Campbell say to you when he kicked us out? -He gave me a "warning" and I gave him another one- she looks at me with wide eyes but before she can speak Martha sends us to clean the tables. We both obey and go to our respective sides. People start to arrive filling the cafeteria pretty fast, this cafeteria is quite well known because the food Martha prepares is the best. Llilian and I go from one side to the other. The only thing I've noticed since I started is that no one is occupying Campbell and company's table. I seem to have summoned them because they appear through the cafeteria door. I roll my eyes again, I don't know how I haven't gone cross-eyed yet, I walk towards them. -Good afternoon, welcome to Matthew's, what would you like- I smile forcedly.