Posted by Toehead on May 08, 2001 at 23:40:23:
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This isn't another hard luck story from the Zona, but it does involve a young Mexican gal, and for me hits a little closer to home. This girl has only been in the U.S. a short time, is 19 years old and when I met her she was living in a small house with her 3 year old son along with an army of visiting day workers. Dispite all the hurdles that had been thrown her way (dirt poor, very little education, not understanding the culture/language here) she'd manage to do a good job of raising her son while regularly working 12 hour days. As we were going out, and feeling she could use a break, I brought the two of them into my home (well, apt). Overall its worked out fine, the kid is a handful but no more than any other three year old, In addition I've tried to give her some direction. I'd asked about the childs father (who was obviously white), she was always a little vague but when I persisted discribed him as being a young, very good looking Mexican american she'd met at a party in Tecate who left her when she became pregnant. However it became apparent to me there was something troubling her. Occasionally I'd find her crying or she'd disappear for long walks to "clear her mind", I also noticed she didn't like to be left alone at night. The other day she asked how much a psychologist cost, I told her just talking about a problem was often the best medicine, at which point she opened up. She told me that sometimes when her son puts his hands on her she flashes back to the childs father and wants to shove the child away and how she thinks shes going crazy. This sounded a little extreme to me, while very unfortunate (especially in Mexico), guys knocking up girls then running out on them unfortunately happens all to often (Westfargo seems to have turned it into a cottage industry). After some questioning I was able to get the full story out of her, the first time she'd told anyone. She left home at 15 to find work, having no real skills or education she didn't have much luck and ended up staying at a cousins in Tecate. The cousin (an older woman) was very abusive often saying the girls family was trash, she'd never find work, etc. Finally she heard about a well off american family in Tecate that was looking for a live-in nanny for their children. She interviewed with them and was hired. She'd been excited as the pay was very good and the mother, who was a devout catholic, seemed very nice plus she got along great with the kids. Shortly after starting the job one night she heard a noise in her room, it was the father, he forced himself on her and afterwards said he'd been responsible for her being hired and that if she told anyone they wouldn't believe her and she'd be right back out on the street where she'd have to work as a prostitute since no one would hire her, she was not yet 16 and up to that night had been a virgin (he's in his late thirties). I'm not to sure how long this went on for, but I know that it wasn't long before she became pregnant. At this point she told the wife only that she was pregnant, but not by whom, then left, living on the street for a short time until the wife found her and insisted she come back to the house saying that her faith wouldn't allow her to let an expecting mother live on the street, though she couldn't approve of the girls behavior or condition..the mother also showed her a number of anti-abortion films. During this time the father left her alone only telling her that if she told his wife who the childs father was that he'd have the baby taken away after it was born. Once the baby was born she temporarily moved back to her parents, during this time the wife contacted her and asked who was the childs father, saying her husband had told her that the girl was going to say it was his if he didn't pay her some money. Rather then tell the truth she lied saying she was now living with the childs father. I found this irritating as I'd like to see the scumbag get what he deserves, unfortunately she feels that it won't change things and would only serve to break up the family hurting both the children and the mother, plus she doesn't know how it might effect her son. The mother once told her that her husband only likes to hire young girls saying "an older woman doesn't have the energy to keep up with their children". Obviously she has his name, address, where he works, etc, but would be nervous about pressing any charges. I feel that this guys a predator and will continue doing this to young girls until he's busted. She said he spent alot of time on the computer, maybe he's even reading this now.
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