Blessed Virgin of the Circus- 16.


“So, what would it take to get another person to be able to live in here?” Mara looked at Jerry inquisitively.

“I don’t really think that’d work. Hernan isn’t all that comfortable when he comes out to visit.”

“Fuck. Jerry, I don’t really want to live with Yana anymore. I’m just tired of it.” She didn’t want to get into detail.

“And I guess with your medical stuff you probably can’t live alone, huh.”

“Well…I could. I mean I’m used to it..I know what to do now.”

Jerry looked around once again.

“How about for three weeks or so, at first? That puts us like two-thirds into the run.”

“Yay!!” Mara ran as fast as she could back to their camper to pack her suitcase.

**
Yana’s eyes had started to look sunken, and all she was ever found doing lately was watching the tiny tv in their camper.

“I’m still pregnant. I can’t get rid of this thing. I can’t afford an abortion.”

“Maybe you should pray to the statue for a miscarriage. I’m serious.”

Yana had a sincerely thoughtful look on her face, but didn’t resist this time. She just turned her head back towards the tv.

**
The first few nights in Jerry’s camper were unsettled. Unfamiliar noises. Living with a man was no stranger than any other family situation Mara had lived in, but it was still an adjustment. High winds would blow things around the site on occasion, making everything eerie. Occasionally Mara would crash out on the bottom bunk.

One evening later into the first week, Mara was sleeping in the fetal position facing the wall. Jerry had come home late, which was unusual for him. Sounds ebbed and flowed as Mara filtered in and out of deep sleep, but the camper was fairly soundproof. Jerry did his bedtime routine and prepared to take the individual bunk across from Mara.


A light wind rocked the camper, and Mara slumbered soundly. Until she felt a hand down the front of her pajama pants.

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