My Life in Argentina and Beyond

I feel tense and my left side—my arm and my neck—hurt. My mother, when we were children in Buenos Aires, must have felt the same way. She must have felt trapped in a beautiful neighborhood with a life she didn’t want. She never intended to be a housewife or a mother of 3 kids. Last night, when I couldn’t buy the things I had the money to buy, I shook just like she used to shake. She wanted to be free and do her own thing.

I don’t want to be poor and deny myself a simple pleasure like yogurt and/or oatmeal. I couldn’t vent with Lauchita. I held her tight and she comforted me in her kitty way. Her body was warm and understanding in my arms. My mother, when she was frustrated, let off steam in a way that hurt me.

Saturday, June 20, 2009: A year ago today, Lauchita and I left Norfolk to go to Jersey City. It was a Friday morning at around 8, and we were driven to Jersey City by a very nice man. That weekend in Jersey was the worst my cat and I have ever spent! The last time I saw Norfolk, the grass on the neighbors's lawns was green and beautiful.

Thursday, July 3, 2008: In spite of our tremendously bad circumstances, Lauchita seems to love Manhattan. Today she lay in the sun. I got her out of her carrier and she discovered grass near us. That is her new favorite place--purring, purring away.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008: I am homeless in the Big Apple. Last night I slept (or tried to) at Grand Central. One of the strangest experiences ever. Now I am a homeless female, so is Lauchita, my cat.