“Hello, is this Anso Acero that I’m speaking to?” asked a quiet and nervous voice.

“Yes, this is I,” I answered, my firm voice obviously frightening her. A long silence followed until I eventually asked, “Is there anything I can help you with or did you just call to waste my time?”

I then heard a gulp come from the other end of the phone, “No sir, I am actually calling from Las Cruces Elementary School.” This time I was the one that gulped.

“We need you to come and pick Cielo up from school.”

“Excuse me, I’m here for Cielo Acero,” I stated loudly. “I was told to come pick her up.” The women sitting down, slowly looked up from the computer screen eyes wide, and barely whispered,

“She’s in the room down the hall to the right.”

I nodded and she quickly broke eye contact. I made my way to the room, and passed to the extremely familiar hallway with the staff members’ photos, and the no bullying/don’t do drugs posters. Nothing has changed —with the exception of a couple of new faces on the photos. Everything was the same from my childhood. I stopped when I heard hushed a voice say, “Listen Cielo, I know that what Butters said was really mean and insensitive.” I walked closer to get a better view.

“Ms. Marcos, what’s insensiable?” asked Cielo, cutting her off. She giggled, “Insensitive Cielo, is when a person doesn’t care about other people’s feelings. ”

“Oooh!” exclaimed Cielo, “He was really insensiable then”

“Yeah, he was, but that also didn’t give you the right to kick him in his private parts.” I felt my eyes widen.

“But Api told me that I always had to defend myself!” she argued while I smacked my forehead.

“He’s not wrong Cielo, but you have to defend yourself with your words,” she sighed as she smiled and furrowed her eyebrows, “not your hands.” Her lips were trembling, eyes glossy, and red nose, she was definitely about to cry. So, I stepped into the room, and as soon as they heard the creak of the door, they both turned. Cielo’s big black eyes and her long eyelashes were wet, while Ms. Marcos bared a concerned look in her big, dark, brown eyes. “Api I’m so sorry for kicking Butters in the nuts, after he called me a black bean!” she sobbed. I kneeled down and hugged her as she wept into my jacket.

“Everything’s going to be okay Cielo,” I whispered to her. “But can you go outside for a little bit? I have to talk to Ms. Marcos, okay?”

“Okay Api,” she nodded as she wiped her tears. She started walking to the door, when she stopped and ran back to Ms. Marcos and hugged her. “I’ll see you later Ms,” she purred, “I’m sorry for being bad.” I watched in awe, I had never seen be this close to someone that wasn’t family.

“You’re not bad Cielo, but I don’t want you to get in trouble ever again, and if anyone is ever messing with you, always come and talk to me, or a trusted adult. We will always be there to help you solve any problem,” she said as she smiled.

“Okey-doke Ms. M. Bye!” she squealed as she skipped out of the room. I looked over at Ms Marcos, she was smiling to herself as her eyes followed Cielo out. She’s a petite women with a soft rosewood complexion that resembled mine, her long, naturally curly, auburn hair cascaded down to her lower back. Her small, round face showcased her stunning facial features, her cute button nose, soft downturned lips, and her thin, arched eyebrows. She’s adorable in her demeanor and her appearance.

Andelia

I looked up at Cielo’s dad, he was deep in thought, his eyes focused on me. What was that saying, ‘like father like son’? Well in this case it’s more, ‘like father like daughter’, she is a mini version of him. Their black eyes, thick, dark eyebrows, their thin set of lips and their natural, charcoal colored hair —which stood out the most, since I have never seen anything like it. These traits make Cielo cute, inside and out, and I’m not even going to lie Mr. Acero is ‘attractive’, but I have heard that he isn’t a good person. Mostly all of the staff here at school is afraid of him, he is known for being very blunt, and hostile. Whenever he is involved everyone makes decisions that will be in his favor, but I’m not going to kiss his ass like everyone else.

Anso

A small waving hand brought my attention back to Ms. Marcos, “Mr. Acero, can we start the meeting or do you need more time?” Shit, she caught me staring, “Let’s start.” I said as I sat down without hesitation. She followed my actions, as she sat, with her back straight and a stern look on her face.

“As you already know, there was a small confrontation between your daughter, Cielo and a classmate, during lunch. He called her a derogatory term, and in return she attacked him physically. So, I am here to talk to you about Cielo’s punishment.”

“Her what?! What do you mean a punishment?” I asked as I raised my voice. ##“She defended herself, which is exactly what she should have done!”

“You’re right she should have defended herself, but not with violence. Violence and aggression don’t make everything better Mr. Acero.” exclaimed Ms. Marcos raising her voice. I’m so pissed that Cielo’s getting penalized by some ignorant, racist white kid, and most importantly because Ms. Marcos is right. My Cielo could have defended herself in another way that didn't involve her being violent towards someone else. Which only shows that as time progresses, she’s becoming a small version of me, which only shows how lousy of a father I am. And it’s my repulsive personality that has gotten me into this mess, no, not the whole having a daughter aspect. But I wasn’t ready to be a father at such a young age, 18, yeah I was considered an “adult”, but didn’t have the mindset of an adult. I drove Orianna away, it’s my fault mi Cielo might grow up without a mother.

“Mr. Acero? Cielo’s punishment will be an RPC, she’ll have to miss three days starting tomorrow.” I nodded in agreement. “And I need you to sign these forms.” I signed.

“Will that be all Ms. Marcos?” I asked as I stood up. She nodded and I extended my arm out, “It was a pleasure meeting you Ms. Marcos.” She took my hand and responded, “Nice meeting you as well.”