Love & Trouble

gainst each other and every other thing that portrays how Uncle Casey's cafeteria was full of activity. His daught

es clouded my reasoning again. It had been like that ever since Dad myste

in front of me, one hand on her left hip and the other

e, he picked up my call for the second time since he left. He sounded all tensed and pa

You're thinking about him again. Rufina, you've been distracted all week. Remembe

now sat opposite me, looking a

plan was crazy but I couldn't help it. I knew they would all think I had gone in sear

ould get anything useful for my trip. Honestly, wasn't sure of what I was looking for. I searche

n't long enough to reach them so I grabbed a ruler from Dad's desk and used it to push out the papers. They were all scrambled. All three of them. The first was empty, the se

match any results on the internet. It only led to a mountain. What exactly was I supposed to do with that? Alth

and had to scribble down the addres

d he have to leave? Our life there wasn't the best but at least it was peaceful. What trouble was he into this time? I just h

. And I couldn't involve the police until was sure he was not into anything illegal. That's wh

Tepoztlan. I would find Dad in a good sta

tchen. There was a pen by the calendar on the wall. I took it and marked two date

*

hunger. The woman selling looked at me in scrutiny. I returned her look wi

rom these par

te," I replied, con

nvenidos a tepoztla

collected my

Taco as I watched the people passing. The street was filled with people that evening as I w

horts, a white shirt and a black face cap. Either she was

d evening," I said, st

ned to me as she re

t to the pyramid? Th

ady 5 pm, can't it wait until tomorrow? I

ing today. It

re you a

. I just cam

t you want to go to the temple at this time? It's late de

it was okay. Besides, I

I waited for her to reply but she continued staring at me

ozteco pyramid is on the outskirts of Tepoztlan. You have to take a taxi

thank

ing to leave, but turned back to me, "Yes, I forgot

nks for

down at my shoes. I was wearing a pair of Nike black

ng and boarded a Taxi to the pyramid site

e the trail starts," the dr

and empty. "Are you

y close by this t

diately. "Then why d

place so you can walk

confusion. What is

can go for the night. It's not tha

eird, really weird. I gave him a displeased look then

me to a little hotel. On reaching the gates I told him to stop outside, but he drove into t

! I said stop!" I

e into the hotel so I can revers

t usual for a taxi. When I alighted from the ve

ave your

t him in c

drivers so they can call them whenever they want a l

mber. He hadn't been so nice throughout our driv

ame, Stubborn Taxi Driver. Honestly, I had always seen myself as a

ptionist and made reservations for two nights so I could re

d, messages poured in. I replied to Uncle Casey, Aunt Mireya, Melisanda, Veronica, and Javiera.

fire. After a lot of questioning, I made her promise me

promise..." It was hard for he

pped calling and went to bed in deep sadness and frustration. My

ven saying he would pick me up from the hotel at ei

arrived at the hotel at nine o'clock without any apologies for his lateness. Ignori

re la

t you to finish

is because you tho

es

shook my head and look

small time left before the temple grounds opened. He took s

?" I asked when he was finally

the others so you guys

xtended for a large area bordering the mountain. There were small stalls at the base. A sparse vegetation of trees

was there, watching me. He was one w

goods. At that point, the taxi driver finally left. He didn't bother to say goodbye as he put on

f us on how our journey up the mountain was going to be. He looked like he was more than prepared for this. He looked like he w

beside me. She's eating an Elote she bought

here. You could faint if you go on an empty stomach

buy food. They might leave me behind. The taxi driver had warned me about not eating but my i