NEVA SQUIRES-RODRIGUEZ

Hey friends, I’m hoping that you enjoyed your week and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there.  This one has been a long one for me, so I’m looking forward to taking some time Sunday, to look around and see what everyone is going to write this week!  Whew, 10 sentence increased limit!  That is so exciting!

Well now let’s get to Esperanza and see what’s going on in her life.

**********************************************************************************

When I returned to Tylen in the United States, I felt like I was ready to put Favian in my past.  I switched cell phones and made it nearly impossible for him to contact me.  He knew that I didn’t want to have anything to do with him, I had made that very clear after I walked in on him shooting a heroin needle into his left arm as he sat huddled in the back corner of our bathroom.

At the time he was full of apologies and tried to tell me that it wasn’t what it looked like, but he wasn’t fooling anyone.  I knew what it was and the weird thing was, I didn’t feel at all devastated.  Without too much thought, my bag was packed and I was across town and back at my mother’s house.  Favian, too high to pull together the energy to follow me remained at home, only able to drag himself to the bed.

I didn’t tell my mother what had happened, I only told her that I had made a big mistake and that I had to get back home.  I was very secretive with her, going so far as to only to make phone calls to her from work after getting back home and making the excuse that I was unable to get a signal while at home.  The only thing that kept me from forgetting Favian, was a pregnancy test that I took in a handicap stall of a department store bathroom.

Hello friends!  This week has been terrific in spite of all the horrible things going on in the world around me…  For starters  I realized how many good people there are in the world-How many people, truly want to make a difference for the better. There are quite a few left, believe it or not, we just open our eyes wide enough to see them…..

Anyhow, enough about my crazy thoughts, let’s get back to Esperanza and find out what’s going on in her world.  Last week we read a little about her and her marriages to two men, let’s push further shall we?

**********************************************************************************

I didn’t mean to fall out of love with Tylen so early on in our marriage, but it happened.  Perhaps I never really loved him.  My only regret is that rather than to end it right way, I acted as though I was still in love with him.

Tylen and I had just had our first child together, he had two others from previous relationships, but this one was ours, the first he was raising from birth.  I left him and his sister to care for our newborn baby while I went home to check on my parents and brother who were dealing with the loss of my grandmother, back home in Colombia.  The timing was perfect, I thought I would figure my dreams and desires out while back home in Colombia.  My career allowed me to travel about as I pleased, while Tylen’s work  as a police officer new to the force, didn’t allow him to join me.  I hadn’t told my parents about Tylen or the baby as strange as that may sound and upon my arrival back home they introduced me to the most handsome man that I had ever laid eyes on, Favian Guadarama and we married two weeks into my trip.

**********************************************************************************

Hey guys!  Sorry I missed out last week, but it was a big weekend for me.  One of my beautiful nieces got married.  They had a beautiful ceremony and reception and are now on to the next chapter of their lives!  How wonderful.

Ok, so two weeks ago we left off with Esperanza uncovering a big secret!  Let’s see where it takes her in this weeks eight.

**********************************************************************************

Fast forward ten years later and you’ll find me, Esperanza, a twenty-four year old female, living in both the United States and Colombia.  A woman, more confused with life than a child is when their parents sit them down and tell them that there is no Santa Claus.  My sister, the woman who raised me as her own and her husband, the man who has been more of a father than any girl could wish for and incredibly powerful in his own respect.  My three brothers, or cousins who are overwhelmingly over protective of me and who love me unconditionally and finally there’s me, the girl who just never quite fit in and who fit in perfectly at the same time.

A woman with two families, two husbands, four children and a ton of regret.  Not even my sister or mother as I once knew her, is accepting of my lifestyle.  Confused?  I don’t expect you to understand my story, but let me explain what got me to the point where I’m at today.

*********************************************************************************

Hi friends!!!!  I’m having one of those very down days, where life just doesn’t make sense.  Don’t you hate it when that happens?  Anyhow I know I’ll get through it, going to do some major praying tonight.—On the plus side, the new job has been going well.  I’ve been working tons of hours and am really looking forward to my next check.

Enough of me, here’s the snippet.  Props to Teresa Cypher for figuring out who the characters were last week.  🙂  They are the children of Liliana-grown up.  Some of the children, you may not have met yet, because they’ll be introduced in the third book in the Liliana series.  That book will be coming out by the end of May.  🙂  I’m toying with the idea of continuing the story through the children.  Hmm, let me know what you think…  Now for the drama.

********************************************************************************************************

My heart beat out of control as I rummaged through my mothers desk, glancing over my shoulder every few moments to make sure no one knew I was in her study.  Finally I found what I was looking for and sat completely still for at least five minutes as the piece of paper shook in my hand.

“What are you in here doing?”  My father said suddenly.

I slowly turned to stare at him, my bottom lip beginning to quiver.

“Daddy,”  I said slowly.  “You’re not my dad.”

My father let out a deep sigh, glancing back into the hallway before taking a step into the room to console me.

********************************************************************************************************

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

Weekend Writing Warriors

Hi there friends. Great news!!! I was given the full time position with the Police Department for a telecommunicator!!! I’m very happy about it and I have been working very hard, this past week. I’m hoping that all of you enjoyed your week as well.

This week, I’m writing more on the story I started last week. Sadly, this is all I have been able to do this last week. I’m hoping to have some time to relax and write this coming week. As always, I’m looking forward to hearing to hearing what you think.

When we made it back to the main road, I ran as fast as I could back to the house. I didn’t bother turning to look back, in spite of Sebastian screaming my name at the top of his lungs, I continued running up the side of the mountain that led back to our house, Sebastian obviously losing energy and stopping before I made it halfway up the sloped roadway. When I knew he was far enough behind me, I leaned over and rested my palms against my thighs, to catch my breath and fought off tears as I walked the rest of the way home.

When I turned into the driveway leading to the fence that the guards sat behind, I noticed my older brothers walking toward the fence as the guard went to open it.

“Where’s Sebastian?” Carlos called out, but within seconds Sebastian rounded the driveway behind me, on a bicycle that he must have stolen from someone.

Sebastian threw the bike down against the ground as the gate opened, leaving it outside as he stormed right past our twin brothers and in to the house without saying a word.

“Where’s mommy,” I asked, crossing my arms against my chest as I walked past them sulking.

********************************************************************************************************

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

*************************************************************************************

Hey friends,  The interview went well this week, I should hear back sometime this coming week.  In the meanwhile I’ve been working a ton of hours since a couple people at work are on vacation.

I’m quickly throwing together a start to a follow up story  on Liliana here, maybe you will let me know how you like it, so I can proceed from here?

********************************************************************************************************

“What are you saying Sebastian?”  I asked angrily.

I leaned over and rolled up my slacks, climbing across the moss covered rocks to join him.  He turned away from me and climbed up higher on the rocks, his face blushing ferociously.

“Esperanza, don’t you think it’s strange that you’re so much darker then the rest of us.”  Sebastian asked very seriously.

“I look like mommy,”  I said quietly, biting my lip and retreating a step.

I couldn’t believe what he was implying as he looked away and shook his head without saying a word.

********************************************************************************************************

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

Hey friends.  It’s that time of week again, time for more fun, fun, fun.    Guess what, a full time position at the PD just opened for a telecommunicator and I applied, wish me luck!!!  I have an interview on Thursday and maybe will hear back within a week or two after that.  Fingers crossed!  I need it!

Also, I’m just waiting for my mom to get back with me on the finishing touches on book 3.  My father thought that he had a heart attack this past week, but thankfully he’s fine.  Very Happy about that!!!

Ok, so now we have the last snippet from book 3.  I’m hoping that you enjoy it!

______________________________________________________________________________

“No!” I exclaimed. “I’m calling the police from Antonio’s phone, I’ll tell them where you live and they’ll take care of everything.”

“No Liliana.” My father screamed out. “You won’t. It won’t do you any good. He’s one of them Liliana.

______________________________________________________________________________

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

Good day friends!  I’m excited to share with you, that I put in my notice with my day job.  I’m a little nervous because that will mean less $$ coming in, but I still have my part time job and my writing.  It will be interesting to see how that all turns out.  I’m hoping a full time position opens soon and that they hire me for it!  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  My last day of work with Aon will be April 3rd.

Now, I’m still waiting to hear back from my Mom, who is being nice enough to give my book 3 a final read through, but I have decided to share (2) more snippets with you, this and next week.

*********************************************************************************************************

I became lost in the sound of the monitors beeping, indicating the baby’s tiny heart was functioning. She wore a tiny pink hat, socks, and a diaper, folded over to leave her belly uncovered and I couldn’t help but think that she was the most beautiful little thing that I had ever saw.

“Before Alejandra died, she saw her.” My father said, his voice shaking with every word, as he stepped over to join us. “She named her Esperanza.”

His voice broke and he momentarily stopped talking.

“It means Hope.” He said to me, not being able to hold back his tears back any longer.

*********************************************************************************************************

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

Well yesterday I had to work a double shift at the 911 call center, but was beyond delighted to find out that my column on my writing finally ran in Reflejos Bilingual Newspaper.  It is available in both English and Spanish and you can read it here.

Yay, what an exciting week!!!!  Chicago is going to see 50 in the near future, and that’s degrees, folks!!!!  I am so excited.  I’m also excited because time changes this weekend!!!!  Yay, this is my favorite time of year!!!  I’m totally going to overuse the word excited this week, because I have a lot to be excited about!!!

(PS, they still haven’t posted my writing column in the paper, but I’ll keep you posted-and will be excited to share with you when they do!)

I am even more excited to share this weeks snippet for Weekend Writing Warriors with you!!!!  I hope that you enjoy reading this piece from the third book of the Liliana series, which I may possibly name “No Turning Back”.  In this snippet, Antonio has surprised Liliana by taking her to a place that will help her figure out just who she is.  Whee, enjoy!!!

“Did you think about my question?” Antonio asked as he stared at me in the sunlight.

I squinted my eyes as I stared at him in confusion. He smiled nervously and moved his chin as if to point down the street at an alley, causing my heart to skip a beat. I knew where we were and tears began to fall from my face.

“Where are we Antonio?” I sobbed, as if I needed him to answer my question.

He said nothing, instead pulling me towards him and I leaned in and buried my face in the wool of his sweater, as he rubbed my back to comfort me.

***************************************************************************************************

And that’s it.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Visit my Weekend Writing Warrior friends here.

Love my writing and want to read more?  Click here to find these great stories on Amazon or other online retailers.

or read my columns in Reflejos Newspaper here

***UPDATE—read Reflejos this week, the column on my writing ran.  I’ll update the site with the link as soon as it runs….  It is currently available in the paper edition throughout the Chicagoland suburbs, here is a peak of how it looks: