Little Woman

Summer at 14, planning my quinceañera

sharp turn taken on the tip of a broken call.

Daddy dearest, showed up late at age 12

daddy dearest failed to show again.

No surprises, no expectations

except to this call, abrupt.

Daddy dearest wasn’t coming,

daddy dearest had a new permanent address.

False testimonies, language barriers, horrid lawyer,

push, push, push.

“Care for your newly discovered brothers”

“Find him a good lawyer”

“Take all this responsibility, you, a 14-year-old girl.

Take this responsibility, for we grown women cannot.”

Take this, Little Woman

Take this and grow up!!

Forget your party, your school, your life

Only YOU can do this, Little Woman.

Stress from all of these unknowns reminded me of what Momma taught me.

Except Momma was all alone, with 4 children to care, love, and help grow.

Momma stood there, held my hand, reminded me of what I am.

A Quinceañera, a señorita, a Young Lady, NOT a Little Woman.