I promise you, from now on, you will be my greatest pride. You won’t have to bow your head in the dumpster anymore, Mom. I’ll be the one to lift it up for both of us.” The principal couldn’t say a word. The students began to wipe their tears. And in the back row, Aling…
But every morning, before leaving for college, she can still be seen under the acacia tree, reading a book, eating bread, and smiling. Because for Lira, no matter how many honors she receives, the most valuable award is not a diploma or a medal—but the smile of the mother who once embarrassed her, but who…
He exchanged a mocking glance with Héctor Beltrán, the 45-year-old senior salesman who was reviewing papers at his desk. Héctor raised an eyebrow and gave a crooked smile. They both knew that kind of visitor: curious, dreamy, people who came in just to look at things they could never buy. Javier Peña, the sales manager,…
But the three men watching him from afar knew nothing of that; they only saw appearances. Lucas approached first with the overconfidence of someone who thinks he knows everything. He was 34 years old and had been selling trucks for two years. He thought that made him an expert at reading people. “Excuse me, sir,”…
Don Félix is about to show these vendors something they’ll never forget, and you’ll want to be here to see it. Héctor stood up from his desk and walked toward them with measured steps. His laughter was more restrained than Lucas’s, but just as contemptuous. Javier appeared from the back, crossing his arms over his…
Don Félix didn’t respond; he simply continued staring at the white truck, caressing the metal like someone greeting an old friend. This calmness disconcerted the salespeople, but they interpreted it as the confusion of a lost old man. “Look,” Hector intervened in a professional but cold tone. “We understand that these trucks are impressive, but…
“32 trucks and you come here dressed like this, sir. With all due respect, large fleet owners arrive with a chauffeur, with assistants, with accountants. They don’t walk alone with a broken backpack.” “The backpack isn’t broken”, Don Félix replied, finally turning to look at him. “It just has a lot of stories. Like me.”…
“Listen, we have real clients waiting. If you want to waste time, there’s a cafeteria two blocks down. You can sit down there.” Don Félix reached into his backpack. The three salespeople exchanged nervous glances for a second, but relaxed when he pulled out a yellowed, worn plastic folder. He opened it carefully, like someone…
Javier took the papers skeptically. His eyes quickly scanned the first document, then the second. His expression changed. The color drained from his face like water down a drain. Lucas and Héctor noticed the immediate change. “What’s wrong?” Lucas asked, trying to see the papers. Javier swallowed. His hands were shaking slightly, holding the documents….
Laya became my sun, my moon, and all my stars. Every decision I made, every extra shift I took, every dollar I saved was for her. I wanted to build a world for her that was safe and full of light. So when she told me she was getting married, a quiet joy bloomed in…