12TWEETS@12NOON Presents NO CONTEST by Irelene Ricks. Part Two of Two.
The Visitor’s Room in a Women’s Prison. Ana Teresa, Latina, 50’s, is visiting her daughter, Maria Elena, Latina, 20’s.
MARIA ELENA: The lady that gives the pardons, she’s got to believe I did it in self-defense! You do, don’t you, Mama?
ANA TERESA: I don’t know, Maria Elena. So much blood. So many bad men.
MARIA ELENA: Mama, I’m so scared. What if they come back to get me?
ANA TERESA: What if who comes back? Julio and all the others are dead. Who will come for you? Is there something you’re not telling me?
MARIA ELENA: These are bad men, mama. Do you believe me, Mommie? When I say I did it to save my life. You believe me?
ANA TERESA: I come here week after week to see you, Maria Elena. Don’t ask me truth about something that I know nothing about!
MARIA ELENA: But I only did what I had to do, Mommie. Please understand!
ANA TERESA: It is not for me to understand. You need something more than what I can give. Even as your mother.
MARIA ELENA: I know. I need me a better attorney. The one they gave me could hardly read.
ANA TERESA: That’s not what I mean, mi hija.
MARIA ELENA: Then what you mean, Mommie?
ANA TERESA: Dios. You need Dios.
No Contest © by Irelene Ricks.