I MESSED UP, I overslept, and now I have to make sure I don't waste anybody’s time today. I shouldn’t have stayed up so late last night, I should’ve known that helping Flor clean the mud off the horses’ hooves would ruin me. It had rained all week, the grounds from the stables were all sticky and muddy, and yesterday was no different. What are the odds of rain falling as we’re cleaning the horses and the stables. Almost too muddy and big enough to go for a swim.

  My clothes were wet and dirty and had me spent all night trying to clean them off. And look where that got me, where Flor got me. That girl…if it weren't for Mrs. Lola...

  It’s been 1 month since I had started tutoring Flor. I’ve been trying to balance my time working at the farm, taking care of my sister, tutoring, all the while studying myself as to not lag behind with the books Mrs. Lola had lent me. At first the tutoring was a little awkward, we barely talked at all before and after lessons, only getting straight to the material and content of the lesson itself, and saying farewell for the day afterwards. But now, it seems she has been taking an interest in learning about the world and the systematic study of its structure, and behavior of the natural and physical sense of it all. Lately she’s been asking more questions than usual, and her expression -even though still apathetic- seems intrigued and focused now.

  “You’re still here Kuvira!?, I told you yesterday we needed to be the first ones to arrive at the exchange center today to get a good spot to sell, both foreigners and locals” said Kuvira’s father, angrily.

  “I know Dad, I overslept. I'm sorry, again." I answered.

  I still got some time to make it there and grab one of the good stools.

  I needed to get there quick to be able something to sit on, and by stool I mean a piece of wood that resembles a chair; there are only a few available stuck to the ground but molded into a somewhat chair -by a long gong carpenter- available. These tree stumps were fashioned into chairs long before I was born apparently, by a guy who took down the trees and made them themselves, and even though they have been around for apparently more than half a century, they are incredibly still around. They don’t get any mold on them. I wonder if Cecil -the head carpenter in town- tends to them every day. Anyhow, if I’m not able to get there in time, I would have to stand there all day under the sun, but only to be able to sell at least like 30% of our merchandise and goods anyway. We didn’t have enough money. We had decided to use all to invest in crops, and education for me and my sister. Our stuff at home was pretty old, but we made it work.

  “Looks like I’ll be standing today…” I said outloud.

  Under the blazing sun all day, without any breaks, and rations to eat that came from the food stall itself, I spent my time standing up, reading some of my notes, studying so I would have time to tutor and clean my house once I finished work. At around 6 in the afternoon when the sun was beginning to set, a lone figure showed up next to my stall. As I looked at it, I saw Flor just standing there nonchalantly, as if she hadn’t been the reason I was missing sleep and well shut eye that I definitely needed every day, especially today.

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  I ignored her, I was still pretty upset about what happened, but I was also extremely tired of standing here all day and selling these fruits and vegetables that were in extremely well conditions apart from me of course. They were better than the other farmers even, but sold for a an extremely low price. If I didn’t match the price the other vendors had, and what the people could afford around here and in the border, I wouldn’t be able to sell anything at all. I suppose we did get more sells than anybody else, but I know our product is worthy of even more appreciation. Maybe I’m just tired and that’s making me all flustered right now. I should get going now. If I don’t start carrying this food cart home right now, I won’t have any light left to get home and that will be tricky. I decided to ask this little runt what the hell she wanted.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?” I asked here, exasperated.

  “Hmmm, I don’t know. I just thought we could have our lesson now, since I just finished my work at the stables and wanted to go to bed earlier today. I’m still pretty tired from yesterday.” Said the little runt. She had the nerve to demand stuff from me!

  “Hmmm, I see… Well, I’m also pretty tired. And right now, I’m also really busy. So, if you don’t mind, I’m gonna head home, and I’ll see you later this evening. Also, I don’t remember telling you we would be meeting here for lessons.”

  “Well, I thought we could make some time for the-“

  “I don’t have time right now Flor." I said cutting her off.

  "I must take this thing home and clean it properly before I can go to the stables and tutor you. Can’t you see that I’m busy now!?” I said without looking at her. I noticed she was holding something in her hand.

  “I see…”

  “Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll be going. I’ll see you later.”

  I grabbed the cart by the end and started pulling as I walked. As I fought the urge to drop it since it was quite heavy, I saw how Flor pulled on the other end of the cart and told me to stop. As I had had enough and was about to do something about it, I saw her attaching something to my end of the thing. It was an object you attach to the back of a horse so it could be pulled forward.

  I then saw her calling a horse by name that was standing a few meters in front of me. It came over wearing the object to attach it to the cart. She did so and then called a different horse over while sitting herself on the former. She asked me:

  “You know how to ride a horse right?”

  “…”

  “I thought we could have our lessons on our way to your house, so I’ve borrowed the horses and the gear from Paul. I just need to return it by the end of the day. Come on, hop on. She doesn’t bite or anything. I’m here so she is not going to run off either.”

  I mounted the horse, a little scared of it, but relieved.

  “I’m also going to help you clean this thing once we get there, maybe you can show me afterwards those crops you so determinedly tend to every day.”

  We headed home, as we studied and talked about our day.

  Today’s lesson still covered some of the basics, but we were closer to the end material of what covered my first semester under Mrs. Lola’s teaching than I thought. I knew Mrs. Lola was meeting with Flor at least once a week while I tutored her almost every day. But to think she would make such progress, so fast. She’s incredibly well suited to this. She learns and understands things incredibly fast. I’m annoyed at how much I’ve used the word ‘incredibly’ to be honest. And her questions...they are similar to Mrs. Lola’s teaching. I now see what Mrs. Lola was saying, what she sees in her…

  While I looked at the cleaned food cart, I remembered how earnestly she had been helping me clean it. A thin smile cracked from one end of my face, betraying my demeanor. She did most of the job so I wouldn’t have to. That was nice of Flor...just like her...

  Whenever I’m the most tired, I tend to reminiscence before collapsing. I should go to bed before I start thinking about my mother.