Lupe and Selina Play Through the Storm

“Coach, do you need some help here?” Bonnie Gomez, the team’s center fielder, and Lupe’s summer intern, looked after her. “You can’t do this all yourself.”

“Thanks, Bonnie, but this is my responsibility.” Lupe took a deep breath and held it.

“Aren’t you the coach who tells us to work together?” Bonnie would not quit.

“Don’t worry, I can handle it.” She exhaled and feigned a smile.

Her old glove lay in her cluttered workspace, too far out of reach for her to touch. The budget meeting would begin in thirty minutes. She needed to answer messages from impatient applicants, upset parents, and a phone message from her own mom. She called her mother first.

“Mom, are you okay? I’ve got the bank papers. Don’t worry, I promise to sign them today.” A loan against the value of her mom’s house would be used to build an addition for extra income. Why was her brother unable to finish the paperwork? As far as the other communications overflowing her workspace, those would need to wait until the meeting concluded. She took a cold Coke out of the office refrigerator and headed toward the conference room.

“Bonnie, take the report off the printer, and give copies to all the participants.”

Bonnie grabbed the copies and went ahead of Lupe into the meeting room.

“You received another call from Mexico, that poor little rich girl, Cece Fuentes, again.” Bonnie exited the meeting room as Lupe entered.