The sun set behind the old apartment building where Aimee lived, casting a soft golden light that flickered like a fleeting dream. She leaned against the window, gazing out at the neighborhood below.
She watched the little kids play in the dusty street, their laughter rising into the air, while idle women gathered in groups, gossiping about anything and everything.
"Trenches." she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes.
Aimee had always seen this place as a reminder of her own struggles, the weight of everyday life weighing heavily on everyone who lived here.
Her mother Paola, lay in the small bedroom behind her coughing weakly as Aimee's older sister Maria, attended to her. The sound of the cough echoed through the cramped apartment, pulling Aimee from her thoughts. She turned away from the window and walked over to the kitchen where Maria started preparing dinner, the aroma of pinto beans, rice and salsa filling the air. It was a meal they had eaten countless times, simple and inexpensive.
Maria glanced up as she stirred the beans in the pot, noticing Aimee standing by the table, her fingers absentmindedly tapping the edge of a spoon. Maria's patience was running thin, but she still kept her tone calm, even though she could see the familiar signs of Aimee's reluctance to pitch in.
"You can assist me with the cooking you know," Maria said, her voice gentle but firm. "I'll take care of mother."
Aimee rolled her eyes as she dragged her feet towards the table, sitting down and giving the spoon a few lazy spins. She wasn't in the mood for this—yet again, it felt like her life was revolving around these chores, her mother's condition and Maria's constant reminders that she needed to help.
"Fine," Aimee muttered, clearly uninterested, though she half-heartedly played with the spoon, her mind clearly somewhere else.
Maria sighed, her exhaustion evident, but she didn't stop moving in the kitchen. "I'll get a second job to help with mother's hospital bills," she added, her voice heavy with the weight of her decision. "I can't keep up with the expenses on just my salary from the kindergarten. It's barely enough."
Aimee's gaze flicked up at the mention of the second job 'Finally' she thought to herself.
Yes, you should," Aimee responded flatly, as if the suggestion didn't impact her.
Maria paused in her movements, turning to look at Aimee. Her eyes softened for a moment, but her voice remained steady. "And you too."