Chapter 6 Out Of Prison 2

• I sank into the couch, its musty smell barely masked by the cleaning I had done. As I closed my eyes, the exhaustion of the day gave way to a flood of memories, taking me back to the moments that led me here.
• Five years ago, I had a good life. A wonderful job as a graphic designer at a promising startup, a decent apartment, and dreams of climbing the corporate ladder. But life has a way of flipping upside down when you least expect it.
• The company went under, leaving me jobless overnight. The severance pay was a joke, barely enough to cover a month’s rent. I applied for jobs everywhere, but nothing panned out. The bills started piling up, and debt collectors began calling day and night. I was desperate, sinking deeper into a hole I couldn't see my way out of.
• It was during one of those dark days that I met up with my best friend, Melissa. We’d been inseparable since high school, but she had always walked on the wilder side of life. When I told her about my struggles, she offered a solution I never thought I’d consider.
• “Jess, you know I wouldn’t steer you wrong. It’s just a temporary thing, to get you back on your feet,” she said, her voice filled with a strange mix of concern and excitement. “It’s easy money, and you won’t have to do it forever.”
• I was hesitant, but Melissa was persuasive. “You don’t understand, I’ve been doing this for months, and look at me—I’m fine. No one suspects a thing. It’s foolproof.”
• At first, it was just small deals, nothing too risky. But as the money started to flow, the debts disappeared, and I began to feel a dangerous sense of security. That’s when things escalated. Bigger deals, riskier clients, and more money than I’d ever seen.
• Then, everything fell apart. Melissa and I were in the middle of a deal when the cops busted in. She managed to escape, slipping away like a ghost, but I wasn’t so lucky. I took the fall, got sentenced to five years, and Melissa disappeared, never to be heard from again.
• The betrayal stung, but the anger was mostly directed at myself. I’d been stupid, reckless, and now I was paying the price.
• I opened my eyes, the dingy living room coming back into focus. The past was a heavy weight, but I couldn't let it define me. I had to find a way to move forward, to rebuild the pieces of my life that were still salvageable.
• The next day>>>>>>>>>>
• The first rays of sunlight filtered through the grimy window, signaling the start of a new day. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, the previous day's exhaustion still lingering in my muscles. As I glanced around the now-clean apartment, a sense of determination washed over me. Today, I would start making things right.
• I picked up my phone, an old model that miraculously still worked after five years in storage. My heart pounded as I dialed a number I knew by heart. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.
• "Hola?" my Aunt Maria's voice came through, warm and comforting.
• "Aunt Maria, it's Jessica," I said, my voice trembling slightly.
• There was a brief pause on the other end. "Jessica? Is it really you?" Her voice was filled with a mix of surprise and relief.
• "Yes, it's me. I'm out now," I replied, tears welling up in my eyes. "I wanted to call and see how you and Mateo are doing."
• "Oh, mi querida, we've missed you so much!" Aunt Maria exclaimed. "Mateo is doing well. He's growing so fast. Can you believe he's eight years old now?"
• I felt a lump in my throat. "I know. I can't believe I've missed so much of his life. How is he? Does he... does he remember me?"
• Aunt Maria's voice softened. "He remembers you, Jessica. He asks about you often. He knows you're his mother and that you had to go away for a while."
• The tears spilled over, and I wiped them away with the back of my hand. "I want to see him, Aunt Maria. I need to see both of you."
• "Of course, Jessica. You're always welcome here. When can you come?"
• "I need to sort some things out here first," I said, looking around the apartment. "But soon. I promise."
• "We'll be waiting, Jessica. Mateo will be so happy to see you. Stay strong, mi hija."
• "Thank you, Aunt Maria. I love you," I said, my voice breaking.
• "We love you too, Jessica. Take care and call us soon."
• I ended the call and sat there for a moment, letting the emotions wash over me. Seeing my son again was the motivation I needed to stay on the right path. I couldn't change the past, but I could make sure the future was better for both of us.
• As the sun climbed higher in the sky, I found myself lost in thought, memories of Mateo flooding my mind. He had always been the light in my life, even when things were at their darkest. I walked over to a small, tattered box I had managed to keep all these years. Inside were the few precious mementos I had left—photos, letters, and a dog tag.
• I held the dog tag in my hand, its cold metal surface feeling heavy with memories. Mateo’s father, Daniel, had been my first love. We met in high school, and our bond only grew stronger over the years. Daniel joined the army right after graduation, determined to make a difference in the world.
• We got married young, full of hope and dreams for the future. Even when he was deployed, we stayed connected through letters and rare phone calls. His love and dedication to his country and to us never wavered. When I found out I was pregnant, Daniel was over the moon. He couldn't wait to meet our son.
• But fate had other plans. Daniel was stationed overseas when the news came. There had been an attack on the camp, and Daniel didn't make it. I remember the moment the officers knocked on my door, delivering the devastating news. My world shattered in an instant.
• Holding the dog tag close, I let the tears fall freely. "Daniel, I miss you so much," I whispered. "Mateo is growing up so fast. He has your eyes, your smile. I wish you were here to see him."
• The pain of losing Daniel had never truly faded. It had been a driving force behind many of my decisions, some good, many bad. I had tried to be strong for Mateo, but the loss had left a void that I struggled to fill.
• I thought back to the days after Daniel's death, when I was a grieving widow trying to raise a newborn on my own. My aunt had stepped in, offering to take care of Mateo while I got back on my feet. But I never truly recovered. The loss, the grief, and the subsequent financial struggles pushed me down a path I never intended to take.
• I looked at a photo of Daniel in his uniform, his proud smile beaming back at me. "I'm going to make things right, Daniel. For you and for Mateo. I promise."
• With a deep breath, I carefully placed the dog tag back in the box and wiped away my tears. I had to stay strong. For Mateo. For Daniel. For myself.
• Months passed with determination guiding every step I took. I found a job at a local cafe, where the smell of coffee and the bustle of customers helped me feel grounded again. I saved every penny, cutting back on everything I could to build a nest egg for the future.
• Finally, the day came when I booked a flight to Mexico. My heart raced with anticipation as the plane touched down on familiar soil. Aunt Maria and Mateo greeted me with open arms, tears streaming down all our faces as we embraced.
• Life in Mexico was a fresh start. With Aunt Maria's support, I found a job at a small design studio, putting my skills to use once again. The work was fulfilling, and I poured my heart into every project, grateful for the second chance I'd been given.
• One sunny afternoon, I found myself in a bustling mall, shopping for groceries. As I turned a corner, my heart skipped a beat. There, standing by a display of sunglasses, was Melissa. Time seemed to stand still as our eyes met across the crowded aisle.
• "Melissa!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my surprise.