1.
Jeanette was in shock as she listened to her attorney. " Its all gone" she asked again?
"Yes everything" he confirmed "you've penniless"
Jeanette's attorney was Thomas Boone an old friend of her father's. He was just telling her the brokerage firm that managed her Trust Fund had an employee who made unauthorized currency trades which went South.
"Tom I can't believe it $100 million gone" she said, "simple interest would of maintained my life style forever. Do I have any options?"
"Unfortunately none." he answered, "this will be tried up in court for years. Whatever you get from their insurance will go to your creditors. You're not the only victim. There are billions involved. Your house has been foreclosed on. Do you have any place to go?"
She answered, "the only place I can think of is a cousin who I haven't seen in years. Her mom and my mom were sisters, but they had a falling out years ago. When asked why my Mom would say we travel in different circles."
Jeanette's cousin Sonia was shocked to get a call from Jeanette. She couldn't remember the last time they spoke. Sonia's Mom had rebelled in her youth and became involved with a Latino Gang banger. She had one child Sonia. She had been disowned by her family, and had been killed in a Gang Shooting.
Sonia after a troubled start in life was trying to turn her life around. She had her first baby at 16 followed quickly by two more. Now at 21 she worked at McDonalds as a Cashier and did everything she could to support her family. Blood was blood and she would help her cousin even though she was ignored by Jeanette and her Mom.
However she was happy to see her uppity cousin brought down a few notches.
To get to Sonia's apartment Jeanette had to ride the bus. She struggled with the three suitcases she had, and had to endure catcalls from men who were surprised to see someone like Jeanette in the Hood. Jeanette was overwhelmed by it all. Spanish was spoken as often as English and most of the stores had signs in Spanish.
Arriving at Sonia's address Jeanette went up the two flights of stairs and knocked. The door opened and Sonia said "hey cuz come on in".
The contrast between the 2 cousins was stark. They looked related but Sonia weighed about 50lbs. more than Jeanette plus having several tattoos. The apartment was chaos with kids screaming, and the blare of a old television. The apartment reeked of cigarette smoke.
The next couple of hours the two cousins visited and brought each other up to date. Sonia smoked constantly while they talked.
Jeanette hated cigarettes but knew she couldn't say anything since it was Sonia's home.
Sonia had two girls and a boy the oldest being 5.
Jeanette was sleeping with the two girls.
Sonia had burgers and fries from McDonalds which she set out for everyone.
Sonia said "hey cuz dig in. One of the perks where I work is that we get leftover burgers for free."
Jeanette normally would never touch fast food but being very hungry she did. Shocking herself she ate two Big Macs plus fries.
As Jeanette was unpacking Sonia was looking at her clothes saying "you'll get lots of shit wearing that stuff in the hood. It makes you look like some Gringa Bitch. Tomorrow I know a place that'll take those in trade for some more appropriate Hood Threads."
Morning was more of the same. Loud T.V., screaming kids, and more McDonalds left overs for breakfast.
Sonia smoking a cigarette said "What are your plans Cuz? You ever work?"
Jeanette sheepishly answered "never".
"Well for now you can watch the kids while I work." Sonia replied, "that will be a big help for me."
Sonia went on to say, "finding work will be hard since you don't speak Spanish. Maybe you can get a job washing dishes or something."
Jeanette thought WTF washing dishes?
Sonia said "okay Cuz we need to go trade clothes. You can tell them you were a maid for some rich woman who gave you her cast offs. Wear some of my clothes today. They might be a little big, but they'll work for now. One last thing Jeanette is too Gringa. Netti will work better here."