Chapter 1
Is This Rock Bottom?
Sasha Ramirez
“Open up, Sasha! I know you’re in there. I heard you come in last night.”
I flipped over and pressed the pillow over my head, trying to drown out the loud bangs on my door. I knew I was late with my rent, but I had asked for a week’s extension from my roommate, Renee. When I realized she was not going to budge, I sat up, rubbing my tired eyes as I hauled myself out of the bed. I made a mental note to sort out the growing heap of dirty laundry that was becoming too much for the basket to hold. Sleepily navigating through the clothes and shoes I had strewn on the floor before I had gotten into bed last night, I got to the door and yanked it open.
“Renee, isn’t it too early to make a racket?” I asked, trying and failing to stifle a yawn.
“Aren’t you a little late on your rent?” Renee snapped, her eyes traveling down my body, staring with her mouth hung open. “You do know you are stark naked, right?” Renee had told me plenty of times that she wished her body looked as good as mine—perky boobs, taut belly, and legs that went on for days. Even models would envy this body; she thought she’d make a hundred times more if she had my body. I’d be happier if she would stop selling herself to filthy men.
“Well, I should be in bed sleeping. I worked two shifts at the bar last night. I had to choose between stopping to throw clothes on and tolerating one second more of your hollering, so …” I did a small dance, turning my body to each side. “You’re welcome. What do you want, Renee?”
“Your part of the rent, Sasha. It’s overdue,” demanded Renee.
“I asked for a week’s grace. You know I only just got this job, so I don’t get paid till the weekend,” I pleaded.
“Your week is up, Sasha. I already paid to our landlady. I need my reimbursement.”
“Oh, shit. I keep losing track of time. Hold on.” I went into my room and came back out with my purse, rummaging through it. I brought out some of the tips I had earned the previous night, crumpled bills and some change. “Here, this is all I have. I was going to use it for my bus ride this evening but I’m just going to walk.”
Renee straightened out the bills and counted.
“You’re twenty-two dollars and some cents short,” she said, looking displeased but sympathetic.
“You saw, that’s all I have. I promise you’ll have the rest soon. You know I’m never this late on rent.”
“Sasha, you’re always late on rent. Anyway, make sure to bring the rest when you get paid and put some clothes on. Jeez!” She turned away and went back into her room.
“Thank you!” I called after her. She closed her door and leaned against it. “Dammit.” I had not intended that money for the bus ride at all. I was saving my work tips to send home to my mother in Mexico. Things were tight back home, and I knew my uncle wasn’t working anymore, with his broken back. My mother had to care for him and my younger brother, Emilio. I sank to the floor slowly, resting my head on my folded knees. I was cold and beginning to feel hunger pangs but mostly tired; tired by how hardship chased me down every street, no matter how swiftly I tried to outrun it. I had tried so hard to let go of the past, but days like this always drew me back.
I thought about my brother’s face. We were born three years apart, and we spent our childhood being passed from orphanages to shelters because our mom, an illegal immigrant who’d come to New York to work as a maid, had been found out and deported back to Mexico. Sometimes Emilio and I were separated for months and months. I’d spend my time worrying if he was with a good family or being properly fed. Other times we would run away to find each other and beg some seemingly good people to take us in. I hoped the money I was sending back helped him with his business venture; this time he’d promised me he’d do well. I hoped.
