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A heartfelt thank you to all who read and also those who give feedback! I appreciate you both!

I know - better late than never! *laughs* Seriously, I will be gone for a week or more and thought I should update this before I left and people lost interest.
Disclaimer: Maria is a ESL person, but I have chosen to give her a better command of the language. Let's just say she is a fast learner. Also the chapter is told in flashback, so she is using more adult words.

Salsa - Chapter Seven

Getting up from the sofa Maria walked out into the kitchen to retrieve her backpack. Unzipping it, she pulled out the torn open manila envelope and after grabbing a bottle of water from the frig headed back into the living room. She failed to see that the outside door was not completely shut.

She handed the envelope to Angie who extracted the pages from it. Inside she found a bunch of computer prints outs from Google, some message board prints-outs, pictures and a Guatemalan newspaper printout. The Google search had Marie's name on top then links to various sites. The pictures were scrawled on with red marker and said among other things "slut," "whore," "trollop". There was a Google search for Rosita's Place, too.

She looked up at Maria, confused, and said: "The majority of these are in Spanish, can you translate?"

Maria came over and took the newspaper clipping. Pointing to her picture and the headline she said: "It reads 'Maria Montenegro - Sinner to Saint'."

Maria sat down and sighed deeply. After unscrewing the bottle of water and taking a drink she said. "I suppose I should start from the beginning."

"I was born on April 1, 1978, to Hugo and Margarita Hernandas. I was the second of three children and the only girl. My brother Felix is 15 years older than me and my brother Juan 2 years younger. I had three other siblings but they died within the first year of life. Papa, I'm told, was very happy when I was born since they had lost so many. "

"Papa worked in construction and Mama was a housekeeper for the wealthier residences of Guatemala City. We had a happy life as much as I can remember. Felix, however, had fallen in with the wrong crowd and was a member of a gang by age 12. By the time Juan was born, he had moved out and was involved in the second most notorious gang in all the city."

"I don't remember my Papa very well. He was killed in an automobile accident when I was three and Juan was one. I have a picture of him holding me when I was born and at each of my birthdays," she paused to take a sip and gather herself together.

"Mama kind of lost her joy for living after that. We lost our home and were soon living in the garbage dump."

"Garbage dump?!" Amanda exclaimed.

"Yes, we lived in a cardboard house and worked all day gathering trash to turn in for money to buy food. We made a meager amount since the garbage truck drivers let their friends have first pick. We really did get the leftovers. When I was five, the Mission was founded next to the dump. I started school and was given two good meals each day. It was Heaven on Earth for me. By the time I was six, Felix had turned over a new leaf, so to speak, and was helping out at the Mission and I was so happy. Life was good as far as I was concerned.

However when I was nine, my whole world turned upside down. You see, the dump had a section where oil and other chemicals were placed. It was a very dangerous area and one day it caught on fire. It spread like wildlife. I grabbed my few treasures and my brother's hand and we began to run. Not sure where we were going we just had to get away from the flames. In the jostle and press of the crowd, he and I became separated. I turned to try and find him; but a man grabbed me and pulled him into his arms to carry me to safety. I was screaming and pleading with him to go and get my brother. He placed me in a safe place and went back to get Juan. Just then a mountain of garbage toppled over and crushed the man and my brother along with 30 others. I stood and watched in horror. Someone else took my hand and lead me to the dump's entrance gate.

I waited for two hours till my Mama finally came to find me. The Mission was overrun and beyond capacity to take us in. She had been trying to find a place for us. When she got to me she asked where Juan was. I was beyond crying at that point and I told her the story of losing Juan. She began to beat me screaming that it was all my fault that Juan was dead. That I was nothing but trouble to her and every time I was around I had destroyed good things in her life. She cursed at me and said she wished I had never been born and that as far as she was concerned I was dead to her too.

I stood there and watched the last of my world fall in. She grabbed my arm hard and we started walking. When I would steal a glance at her, she would glare or spit on me. I had no idea what I had done to warrant this."

Maria paused for a moment to sip her water. Angie sniffled while Amanda was enraged at Maria's treatment by her Mama.

Maria continued. "We finally got to where Mama was going. It was Rosita's Place. She knocked on the back door and waited. A big burly man came and growled 'What'?

She told him that she had someone to leave for their service. He said wait then he went and got Rostia. We were ushered into Rosita's parlor and a deal was struck. Mama was given money. I never knew how much but I was now the property of Rosita. To cement that in our heads, we got a shattered heart tattoo on the small of our backs."

She stood and never making eye contact turned and lifted her shirt to show them. Then sitting back down she continued.

"That was the last time I saw my Mama. She started drinking and was dead within a year. Meanwhile, I was at Rosita's Place. It was, in case you haven't figured out, a whorehouse. At age nine, I was living in a whorehouse and life just got better from then on." She rolled her eyes as she sarcastically spit out the words.

"The house was exactly a very well-known and reputable establishment as those things go. They catered to all sorts of clients and all manners of sexual fantasies, perversions and desires. She specialized in young boys and girls. The government turned a blind eye. It got the poor riff raff off the streets and they weren't a burden to polite society.

The first week I spent in my room in the attic crying and refusing to cooperate or eat. Something in me knew this was wrong, but what could I do. Finally Rosita came up and said either I joined in with the others or I was going to be out on the streets. What could I do? So, I did whatever was asked of me. She soon figured out that I loved to learn and thus that was my reward. The carrot held out for the donkey. If I made the clients happy, I got to read and study in the library. That and alcohol which numbs the pain."

"The first month was just learning the ropes," Maria laughed sadly as she continued. "Literally. Let's just say that if there is a sexual activity out there, I have participated in it at least once; some more than others. Of course, my first time was a huge deal. I was auctioned off. I mean, you can only lose your virginity once, right? So, I was washed, shampooed and dressed in a frilly little white dress and taken into the main parlor. I remember that it was decorated all in red and purples. To this day, I abhor those colors. Anyway, there was the quintessential flocked wallpaper, heavy draperies and the thick smell of tobacco and other substances hanging in the air. It was so oppressive, I almost couldn't breath. I stood on this little wooden stage with flowers all around. The fragrance was sickening added to all the others. It was all I could do to keep from throwing up. A bright light was shone in my eyes and the bidding started. I was told later that I brought the highest amount ever for Rosita's. She was pleased."

"A tall greasy haired man took my hand and was starting to lead me away to the hoots and catcalls of the rest for the room. Before we got to our room, Rosita's stopped us and pulled me aside. She whispered in my ear. 'Make me proud and do whatever this man ask. He paid good money for you.' Then she grabbed my chin and growled low in my face. 'Whatever you do, don't cry. I will beat you within an inch of your life if you do.' I was led into the "virgin" room. It was all in white and there I did as I was told and I didn't cry. I believe he took the sheets as a souvenir."

"For the next five years, I lived at Rosita's. My only joy was when I got to go to the library and read. I went through every book twice. It was the only good thing in my life. Rosita took good care of us in that she made sure we were diseased free. Oh, I had a couple of little things, but she ran as she said a 'Clean' house. A few days short of my thirteenth birthday, a man came and by the luck of the draw, I was assigned to him. He was waiting in the blue room and I quietly slipped in. He was very well-dressed and didn't seem like the usual clientele. But it wasn't my place to make judgments. I walked over and lifted his chin and when our eyes met, he froze. He stared at me for a few moments and then went to call for Rosita. I was so scared, what had I done wrong? Nothing like this had ever happened to me before."

"Rosita came in and they engaged in a heated discussion. I heard 'I got her five years ago; her mother brought her, I had no idea, Victor.' They suddenly remembered I was in the room and Rosita walked over and said I was going to the hospital. I was confused. Why? I wasn't sick. She told me not to argue and to go with the man. I did as I was told and we went outside and got in his big black car and rode to the hospital. There my blood and salvia was taken. We then returned."

"He didn't talk to me the whole time, just kept staring at me with sad eyes. He told Rosita that the tests would be completed in a week and that I was forbidden to work till they came back. She started to protest but he handed her a large sum of money and she greedily agreed. It was a wonderful week. I read, ate, and slept. When the man showed up at the end of the week, he and Rosita went into her office and when they emerged, she told me to go upstairs and pack my things, I was going with him.

"I did as I was told and came down carrying my small bag of clothes and my treasure box. He gave me a few minutes to say good-bye to the others and then we went to his black car. This time, he had a chauffeur and we sat in the back. He spent the ride, asking me questions about my life and about my mother. He told me that he knew my Mama years ago. In fact, she had been his wife's and his housekeeper over thirteen years ago and then Mama had suddenly left. He said that he wasn't sure how to tell me but maybe direct was the best. He had just found out in the last month that he had a daughter and had been searching ever since."

"I couldn't believe what he was saying. 'You're my father?' I blurted out."

"'Yes, that was why I had those tests done. There is no denying it. You are my flesh and blood,'" He explained to me.

"'How? Wait, strike that, I don't mean the mechanics of it. I'm quite familiar with that.'"

"'Your mother worked for us and she and I had brief fling. She was so beautiful and one day our passions got the better of us. My wife found out that your mother was pregnant while I was away on a trip and drove your mother out. Last year my wife found out she was dying of cancer and before she died she confessed to me that I had a daughter. You see we never had any children of our own. I guess she felt guilty and wanted me to know. I have been searching for you ever since.'"

"'So you picked a whorehouse to begin your search!?'"

"'I went there since my investigators said that a child meeting your description was left five years ago.'"

"I remember sitting back and closing my eyes. 'I can't even take this in. I had a father and he never knew about me?'"

"We rode the rest of the way in silence. Pulling into the gated property, I was in awe. My 'father' lived in a mansion, a frickin' mansion. Turns out my 'father' was a diplomatic attaché and highly respected in the government. I remember thinking later how was he going to explain that his daughter was a 'whore'. Turns out he had that covered. It was explained that I had been ill and lived in an isolated community for five years. My past was covered up and hidden from all. My father was a very powerful man and if he wanted to erased it was."

"For brevity's sake, the years that followed were wonderful. I felt like Cinderella and all the other fairy tale heroines rolled into one. I started school and graduated with honors at age 21. I went to university and got my graduate and under graduate degrees in Psychology. Then two years, my father had a heart attack and passed away. The reporter doing the obituary did some research and dug up my past. I was deemed best that I leave Guatemala and I came to Los Angeles and got my job at the embassy teaching children."

"Up until Eva, I thought that I was safe here in your country. It is so big and vast, no one would care. I guess no matter how hard one tries, their past will eventually catch up with them."

She paused lost in thought and the irony of all of this. Looking up her gaze fell on the tear streaked face of JC.

I just finished up my play this weekend - so now that it is over - hopefully I will be able to work on this story again soon.

Salsa - Chapter 9


It goes without saying that the hours, days and weeks that followed Maria's driving JC away were rough ones.

Amanda and Angela came home to find Maria sitting on sofa; wine glass in hand, watching a DVD of one of JC's solo performances. Slowly getting sloshed, tears falling unnoticed, her eyes were glued to the visage of the handsome man she had come to realize she loved. Taking another long drink, she pondered the cruelty of her situation, but she also knew deep down that what she had done was the only thing she could do. She needed to protect JC's reputation. The irony was that unlike her country, America would have forgiven her past, especially since she had not had a choice. She had "redeemed" herself and they would have embraced and forgiven her.

After putting the milk in the fridge, the girls came over and sat on either side of Maria. No words were spoken for awhile. Hugs, stroking of hair and the taking away of the bottle were all that was done as JC sang in the background.

Completely misunderstanding the situation, Mandy finally said.

"Boy, was I wrong about JC! I never would have imagined him to be so intolerant and unsympathetic. Wow! He really is a...."

Maria interrupted, eyes flashing. "It was not like that at all. Don't even think of speaking that way about him."

Amanda stared at Maria in disbelief.

"I don't understand. Didn't he leave?

"Yes" Maria responded softly, "Because I told him to go."

"Why?"

"Because it was for the best. He's too good for someone like me."

It was Angie's turn to be incensed. "No Maria. That's not true. You're a fine woman. You have made such a success of a life over which you had no control. Mandy and I discussed your past on the way to and from the store. We can honestly say we are proud and honored to call you our friend."

"Really, you don't wish me to leave. You aren't ashamed of me?"

"No, not at all." said Mandy as Angie nodded her head in agreement.

"You know." said Angie. "My grandma used to say that the Lord is the only one you need to ask forgiveness from. If He forgives you the rest is gravy."

Maria was dumbstruck. This was not the response that she had expected; actually dreaded. They were so accepting and loving. She had been so wrong. Overwhelmed with with emotion; she clung to them and cried till she had no more tears.

In the meanwhile, JC was driving home; his mind a jumble as the myriad of pieces that were Maria clicked into place.

Maria had unintentionally dropped so many clues to her past and he had missed them all.

He chuckled ruefully as he came to the realization that he really was clueless at times. The joking words of the guys rang in his ears. He was ALWAYS the last one to get it.

Lost in his thoughts, he almost missed the turn to his street. He looked around sheepishly as he made the U-turn and drove down his street.

Hitting the garage door button, he slowly pulled his car into the garage. Shutting off the engine, he sat in silence as the door slid back down.

He grabbed his keys, backpack and opening the car door, he took the tiny pieces of the torn up account of Maria and tossed them in the garbage can.

Opening the door, he saw the lights in the kitchen were on.

"Oh great." he thought. "Tyler is still up."

Not that it was a bad thing. It was just that he really didn't want to get into it tonight.

Tyler looked up as JC entered the kitchen. Instantaneously, he knew from JC's body language that he was hurting in a big way.

Getting up he went over to the fridge and opening it, grabbed a beer.

In silence, he handed it to JC who took it, twisted off the cap and took a long deep swig.

"Thanks" he respond as he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

"Morning, okay?" JC asked.

"Sure." said Tyler. "We'll talk then. Night."

"Night"

The following morning was decidedly different in the two households.

Maria woke to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying.

Slipping on her robe, she quietly padded out into the kitchen to find Mandy and Angie making breakfast.

Mandy poured her a cup and handed it to her with a smile; while Angie waved the spatula in greeting over her shoulder.

Maria took a small sip and looked up in surprise.

"This is very good."

"Don't appear so shocked," said Mandy. "We have paid close attention to how you make it."

"Have a seat, the food will be ready in a few minutes."

Maria took her place at the table and watched as the girls fixed breakfast. She felt guilty and had tried to offer to help, but was turned down each time. 'It is our turn to wait on you' was the answer she received each time.

When it was ready, Mandy and Angie took their places and after saying grace; they all dug in.

"So," said Angie after a few minutes of eating and silence. "I was thinking that we could have a spa day today. Sound good?"

As the consensus was in the affirmative, She went to make a phone call.

Returning she informed them that they were booked for a day of pampering.

In the meanwhile, JC dressed in boxers and T-shirt wandered into the kitchen. His hair at odd angles; he wiped the sleep from his eye as Tyler handed him a cup of coffee. The ding of the microwave announced that the Hot Pockets were ready.

"So, said Tyler as he placed a plate in front of JC. "You wanna tell me about last night?"

Looking up with sorrowful eyes, he shook his head yes.

In his endearing, yet frustrating way, JC rambled last night events, punctuated with hand gestures and facial expressions. Signaling he was done with a big sigh, Tyler pondered before saying.

"You do realize that she loves you, don't you?"

Salsa - Chapter 10

"What" sputtered JC practically spitting his coffee onto the kitchen table.

"I said" repeated Tyler "that she is in love with you. Why else do you think she did what she did?

JC picked at his Hot Pocket; breaking off small pieces and putting them in his mouth.

"Plus," continued Tyler, "if truth be known, you have feelings for her also."

"Umm, you know." JC mumbled - his gaze still focused on the table. "I really don't think you're right about that Ty. She was just my dance partner."

"Listen Bro," Tyler sighed. "All kidding aside, Maria was right on one thing. You do have a "Prince Charming" complex, be it a small one. On top of which, since Desperate Housewife Eva...."

As his voice trailed off, JC winced, his head shooting up at the mention of her name.

Ty shook his head from side to side as he continued. "You have been practically ADD when it comes to women. I really thought that Maria was a keeper."

"So did I" whispered JC softly.

Pushing back the chair, JC avoided Tyler's gaze. Carrying his plate to the garbage he dumped the contents inside.

"Jace?"

"Lost my appetite."

"You can't run away and hide from this."

"Studio. Later."

"And," Tyler snorted "you are my number one brother too! Here are two right back at you."

THE FOLLOWING MONDAY

At the Stairway to Heaven dance studio, Eva Larson paced as she checked her watch every 10 minutes. Aggravation and anxiety were written in huge letters on her face.

"Where is he? He is never late. "

Argh!. She yelled clenching her fists.

A few moments later the door opened and a Chasez brother sauntered in his date on his arm.

"What the hell?" hissed Eva as she looked into the face of Tyler and his girlfriend April.

Storming over; all up in his face, she asked, no demanded to know why JC wasn't here.

Tyler smiled a slow self-satisfying snarky smile as he replied. "My brother decided that he was booorrred with the lessons so he gave the rest of them to me. Plus, not that it really is any of your business, Maria's friends gave the remainder of her lessons to my girlfriend, April."

Before Eva had a chance to reply,Tyler handed her a piece of paper.

"What is this?"

"A restraining order. You can't come within 100 yards of my brother. Oh and one more thing. It also is valid for Maria. It is perfectly legal and very binding. Trust me, I wouldn't test it if I were you."

Eva was, for once, dumbstruck as Tyler turned to April.

"Shall we take our places?"

Eva shoved the crumpled piece of paper into her pocket and slunk over to her partner as Celeste tapped her stick. Her mind reeled as she planned her next attack. She wasn't going to let a piece of paper keep her from her destiny and JC.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

The first change in our band of characters was the relationship status of Amanda and Angela. Their boyfriends decided also simultaneously that it was time for wedding bells to ring. Thus, both girls were now sporting tasteful shiny rings on their left hands. Much planning, giggling, and arrangements were now occupying the three close friends. More updates on them later.

Eva Larson was wrong, a piece of paper did have meaning. She had violated said paper at least three times. Actually it was more, but these were the only times she had been caught, and she was now facing a court appearance and possible jail time.

JC had come to think of her as an annoying gnat buzzing constantly around his head. Soon, he hoped she would be out of his hair and his life. He prayed that she would be someone else's problem or obsession. Not that he wished ill on others, but she was a major pain and distraction. Something that he could ill afford right now.

JC had been approached by Randy Jackson and MTV to do America's Best Dance Crew and "Kate" was put on the back burner. The person at his prospective new record label--the one he was dealing with--was gone. Excited about the new venture, he was philosophical about the other. He took it with a grain of salt as there were many artists eager to work with him. Sure it wouldn't be the same as putting out his own music, but working on music in any form was his passion.

He sighed when he thought of all the hard work he had put into "Kate" and how some people would react. He was well aware of how people were saying he had lost his fire, he was scared,didn't stand up for what he believed in. However that wasn't true; he was just being realistic. Someday his music would be heard and for now he was happy that a great weight was lifted from him. Truth be told, he was very happy. Well, professionally at least.

On the personal front, he wasn't doing so hot. At least once a day, if not more, his thoughts turned to Maria. He wondered what she was doing. Did she ever think of him and what might have been? Was there ever going to be a chance for them? Truth be told, he missed her more than he would admit even to himself.

As for Maria, she went back to teaching the children at the embassy. She was thrilled for her two friends and happily congratulated them on their engagements. The happiness they were experiencing was tempered by her sense of loss. However, she too was philosophical about it and felt that to dwell on her pain was to take away from their joy. Besides, focusing on them made her place JC in the recesses of her mind. Unfortunately for her, he slipped out at the strangest times; but she had always been good at hiding her true feelings. This was no exception. The one place she couldn't keep him out of was her dreams. He haunted them nightly.

After one particular sleepless night, she was called down to the office of the ambassador in the embassy. There a strange man with an official air who informed her without a lot of pomp and ceremony of the circumstances surrounding her late father's estate. His manner was very matter of fact. When he was finished she learned that she had inherited a very large sum of money from her late father's estate. Why hadn't she gotten it earlier? Seems the money had been tied up in court for many years by litigation brought by some of her late father's distant relatives. Now that all of the loose ends were taken care of; the money was hers. She paled and almost fainted when she heard the amount.

Her eyes followed his back as he took his leave from the room and was replaced by the ambassador himself. The news had barely started to sink in when she was told that he had arranged for a financial advisor to help her manage her newly acquired wealth.

The ambassador regarded Maria was one of his daughters. A close friend of her father's, he had taken on the task of protecting her after his death. He knew that for all of Maria's bravado, she was a lamb in a forest of wolves.

In shock, Maria had taken the rest of the day off and gone home to let the idea of having money - lots of money -settle into her consciousness. She was now a very wealthy young woman.

When she arrived back at the apartment, the girls were overjoyed at her news. They told her that they would help her in any way that they could. They even said that they would help her look for a new place to live as they, of course, were moving out soon. They were relieved that she would not have to find new roommates if she didn't want to. Surprisingly as it may seem they were not jealous of her new financial status. She would always just be Maria to them. Plus, no one deserved to have good things finally happen to her as their Maria. They looked on it as a reward for all she had endured in her short life. Sure, money doesn't guarantee or ensure happiness, but Maria was entitled to anything this would do to ease her pain. They just wished there was some way to get JC back into her life.

With so many changes, the girls felt like they were in a constant state of flux, planning, chores, work and deadlines. The only constant was Thursday night when they sat down to watch ABDC.

Popcorn, nachos and wine were the order of the evening as they cheered on their favorite crews and giggled at JC's fashion choices.

Maria looked confused at times.

"What?"

"I know that English is my second language, but what did L'il Mama just say?"

"Beats the hell out of me," laughed Mandy.

"JC is the most articulate," said Angie. "Plus he is giving good advice; not just spewing platitudes. He's a fantastic judge."

Maria beamed. She was so proud of him.

During a commercial break, Maria casually told them that she gotten them invitations to a huge party the embassy was throwing. All the employees were allowed to ask four or five friends, thus the girls and their fiancés were invited.

"Embassy party, WOW!" Clapped Amanda as she held up her wine glass in a salute.

"Black tie?" asked Angie.

"Yes," replied Maria.

"Who will be your date?" They asked practically together.

"One of the embassy staffers. Don't make that face. He's very nice."

THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY

A limo, courtesy of the embassy, pulled to the girls' home with the three aforementioned men inside. Dressed to the nines, the women met the men at the door. Maria was fetching in a sparkling teal silk evening gown; her hair done in a untwist. She looked breathtakingly stunning. Miguel was honored to be taking such a beautiful woman to the embassy gala. He had been so excited when the ambassador had picked him as Maria's escort; having admired her from afar for so long. To say he worshipped the ground she walked on would be more accurate.

By the time, they got to the embassy, after the initial awkwardness, everyone was relaxed and comfortable. The girls understood why Miguel had been chosen. He had an easy going nature and put everyone at ease.

Miguel was the first out of the limo and held out his hand for Maria. She truly felt like Cinderella at the ball. Unfortunately, the prince she wanted was not in her future.

Making their way to the grand ballroom, Maria smiled to herself marveling at how far she had come in life. The little orphan girl from the dump was going to a ball. She wondered if this was all a fantasy and she would wake up and find it gone. No it was real, as the happily ever after part was still elusive and out of reach.

The girls marveled at how everyone came over to their table genuinely happy to see and associate with Maria. They wondered if it was her newly gained wealth or if they had come to appreciate the wonderful, delightful woman they lived with. It was soon agreed upon that it was the latter.

There were so many people in the grand ballroom that they hadn't even begun to meet everyone. After dinner and the typical boring speeches, it was time for dancing. When the Salsa music began, people started to flood the dance floor. One thing that got the Latin feet moving was the sound of the strain of Salsa music. It's genetically wired into their DNA.

Miguel gave Maria a sorrowful look and begged off saying he had as the Americans say two left feet. Maria gave him a charming puppy eyed look and he relented. The look was one she had picked up from the ambassador's oldest daughter Lily. Maria was--among other things--a very fast learner.

He relented leading her to the dance floor, where she smiled reassuringly as he repeatedly stepped on her toes. His face reddened each time he was apologizing profusely for the latest misstep.

Just then a tap was felt on Miguel's shoulder and a familiar voice said.

"May I cut in?"

Maria looked up into the smiling blue eyes of JC.