One of my Ise's favorite hobbies was putting together jigsaw puzzles. We spent hours and hours putting piece by piece into place. The most fun was to see the complete drawing after adding lines, colors and imagination, because we didn't look at the model at first, only when it was organized on the table or rug in the living room...

She loved...

** Texas - 1999 **

The next day, footsteps from above woke her up. The basement door opened, and Leona in her elegant dress appeared:

- Wake up girl, have coffee, walk...

Clara got up, still rubbing her eyes, she could barely keep them open. She left her backpack on the mattress, and stretched her feet out until they found the floor covered in wisps of dry weeds. One of them grabbed the girl's sock, only slipped when he reached the bottom step of the basement stairs.

Sitting at the table, she looked at the structure of the old house.

Cobwebs decorated the wooden columns and beams. A few wires snaked through the ceiling, serving as a bridge for these unwanted guests. Came the image of Levy in her thoughts, he would hate to stay here. And the cracks in the stone walls were like lightning on a rainy night.

The kitchen was separated only by a wall in the middle, one of the entrances led to the living room with the fireplace, and the other to the hallway that leads to the basement and the stairs to the upper floor.

The hallway was lined with pictures of red curtains and empty stages.

The curious gaze visualized every corner of the space, until the moment the glass plate hit the surface of the wooden table, and the few grains of rice, beans and corn mixed together.

Her heart leapt in her chest at the noise.

"Eat it all..." said the woman across the table.

The poor girl looked scared at her plate:

- I thought it was breakfast...

- You thought wrong - Leona replied crossing her arms - for those who are going to work on the plantation, they need to be strong enough.

Clara fiddled with her fork, poking at some grains. The orphanage food was far superior to those crumbs.

"If you don't want to, you'll be hungry," said the woman, leaving.

*

After the awkward breakfast, Clara followed Jack to his first task of the day.

- I want you to pick all those carrots - said the man pointing to the long row covered with weeds - If you leave one, there will be consequences. Understood?

Clara nodded, receiving a straw basket from him.

The thin leaves touched her bare knee, tickling her, causing her hands to scratch the slightly reddened skin. In the middle of that small forest, lettuces and carrots were vying for space.

Jack taught her how to remove vegetables, and she had a knack for it. Her little fingers circled the vegetable, firmly tugged at the soil. The handmade straw basket on her shoulder was getting full.

The girl he'd met last night had joined the plantation, right after Leona let her go. The girl's eyes were reddened and puffy after spending an entire night in the punishment room. Her fingers rummaged through the weeds looking for vegetables with a basket similar to Clara's.

Jack was helping to clear some weeds with his huge hoe right behind him.

The scorching morning sun was starting to rise in the sky, like a kite on a string.

As if the small lumps and reddish spots spread across the arms and legs weren't enough, and tiredness began to manifest itself. Exhausted, she decided to get some air.

"You're not done with the job, girl," Jack warned, hoeing over his shoulder.

His lips were chapped, he didn't feel any saliva in his mouth, as the thick heat touched his back.

Her face turned to the shadow of the wooden house, then looked down at her dirt-covered hands.

- Come on girl, we need to finish this today - said the man casting a look at her.

He was still standing watching her.

-Jack-She raised her gaze towards her...

-How did her mother tell her that she should call us?

"Dad," she replied in an audible voice.

-She got better. What you want?

- When will I be able to go to school?

Jack closed one of his eyes as the sun touched her face:

- I know so many children who would like to stay at home, but you are totally different.

Clara left the basket opening a gap between the grass, while removing the pieces of earth from her hand, she explained:

- When I grow up I'll be a teacher.

- Teacher? - He gave a hoarse laugh - Unfortunately the family you are in does not dream these dreams.

- My real Father, yes. she replied, raising her voice.

- Serious? - He approached with the hoe in hand - And where is he?

Clara crossed her arms and replied without any doubt:

- It's right here with me. And soon He will punish you for harming us. Because He is the Father of Orphans...

Jack looked at her, noticing her confidence in every word, beyond that defiant look.

- That's what we'll see...

*

After that afternoon's work, Leona led the two of them upstairs. The two girls scratched each other insistently from head to toe.

- Quick baths, no wasting water, do you hear? - Leona said turning in the hallway.

Wooden doors and bland frames accompany both. The house appeared to be bigger, but the old look continued.

The hallway ended with another room. Unlike the other doors, this one gave access to the mysterious room and had two golden initials.

Leona noticed Clara's curious gaze, and intervened entering her field of vision.

-The bathroom is here - she said, slurring the words. – You first Clara.

- What's there? – She asked directing her finger.

- Nothing that belongs to you, girl. Leona gave him that look. “Bathroom, now…” she ordered.

Clara entered the small, cramped space.

After the freezing shower, the itching subsided, but the red spots and lumps became more visible.

Then it was his companion's turn.

Outside, along with Leona, she waited for the girl to come out, but nothing made her take her eyes off the mysterious door at the end of the hall.

- If you decide to snoop... - Leona said turning the metal tip of her oak cane - Punishment will receive for disobedient daughters.

After dinner, exhausted, they went to sleep. Like a mattress in the cold, dark basement she shared with her new roommate.

At the sound of the lock being locked, they closed their eyes, exhausted.