I had never seen such a big place. I was still waking up and had no clue what was happening. The only thing I managed to do is keep walking in this huge building. My mother was quiet and looked strange. She was a bit lost and she kept telling me that everything was going to be OK.

Finally we reached a long line where she knelt and finished dressing me up.

“You must look good because soon you will see your dad”, then I saw that she had tears running down her cheeks which she quickly wiped out.

“Why are you crying mom?”

“I am excited sonny”.

People don’t only cry when they are sad, I thought to myself

Then we reached to the front where a young lady began talking to my mom. I started looking around. There were many people around and all were carrying bags and suitcases. My mom grabbed me from my arm and then we were walking but at a faster pace.

“Let’s go sunny. We are late and the plane will leave in ten minutes”

“Plane?”

“Yes dear. We have to hurry”?

I remember lying with Paitomias in his bedroom and each time we heard a strong noise in the skies, he used to tell me my father was there. I was very close to my grandfather and did many things together. Once while we were on our way to buy some bread I actually saw a plane. It was so exciting and I could not believe I was going to be boarding one now.

Being at the airport was such a new feeling. It was quite exciting seeing the planes land and take off so closely. We rushed and quickly got on the plane. It was awesome.The seats, the flight attendants, the drinks were just part of this great new experience. I didn’t understand why my grandparents were so angry at mom.I was confused yet very exited.

After having slept on the plane and being dragged around half asleep, I noticed I was on a small bus. Mom  told me we were going to a house. I started to wonder why we were alone.

“Is my family coming with us”?, We started entering a horrible neighborhood and I noticed that there were other families with us and that there was a man who was guiding and people called him “el coyote”.

Dirty streets, amessy room and a quiet depressing atmosphere surrounded me. This was new. I tried to understand what was happening. Mom left me in this room to go and speak to “el coyote” while I tried to imagine Lima and being at home with my family. There were other people in the room. They did not look happy. I tried to ask questions but all I got were strange stares and rejection. My mom came back and tried to look calm but I noticed that she had cried again. This time I did not ask but I was getting this weird feeling of insecurity.

“Sonny, tonight we are going to stay here ok”

“And el chavo del ocho”?

“Oh yeah, umm… tomorrow ok”?

I sighed but was tired. My mom changed me and tucked me in a bed.

“I love you Carlitos”

“Me too mom but, Is it true we are going to see my dad?”

“Yes baby, we are going to be a family”

I then fell asleep thinking about why people called that mysterious man “el coyote”.