Maria: We Will Flourish

Just a little of what I've been writing :) I'm not really sure about the title, so give me ideas!

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Hot sweat trickled down Maria's face as she placed scorching metal into the grinder. With an exhausted groan, she reached up to her forehead, wiped away the veil of sweat that had formed there, and grabbed her almost empty water, gulping ravenously. Another metal bar passed through, emitting intense radiations of heat and a shrill, ear-piercing screech, causing her ears to ring. She picked it up with the pincers and attempted to slide it into the grinder, but it slipped, showering sparks in all directions. "Ow!" She winced as small, searing pieces of metal ricocheted onto her. She quickly slid it into the machine, hoping no one noticed, but, to her disappointment, another metal worker approached her.

"You need a break, Maria. You've been working ten hours straight for a few weeks, and that's too much. It's wearing you down."

His words struck a chord within her, reminding her of her responsibilities. At fifteen years old, she was the sole provider for her family, with her pregnant mother and young siblings depending on her. "You know how much I need to do this, Monty. With my father dead, my mother pregnant, and my siblings too young, If I don't work, we won't have any money to buy food, keep up with the rent––we couldn't survive." She coughed and wiped her forehead. You have to keep going. You can't stop. Don't give up. Her fears pounded her, reminding her of the others whose families had not survived because they hadn't acquired enough money. It would be your fault if anything happened to them. You cannot stop. You must. Not. Stop.

He helped her slide another metal beam into the machine. "And with the rate you're going at, you might be unable to provide for your family at all. At all, Maria! You need to stay healthy, at least for their sake, if you won't do it for yours."

Maria slumped onto the rough surface of a stone block, her chest heaving with exhaustion and her back hunched, with feelings of defeat washing over her. Her arms dangled limply at her sides as she gasped for breath. The physical exertion had taken its toll, leaving her drained and in desperate need of rest. Perhaps Monty was right; she had become progressively weaker with each extended work hour, and although she was managing to keep providing for her family, it had left her weary and dispirited. Maybe I do need rest, she thought. "All right. I'll talk to Mr. Raynott."

"He already knows. He told me to tell you to go home and rest," Monty handed Maria her water bottle, carefully placing it into her quivering, calloused hands. "You're free to go."

Although taken aback that others had noticed her fatigue, Maria didn't argue. "Thanks. See you." It took a moment for her to stand, as she felt as if somebody had strapped a load of bricks to her. She gripped a guardrail and hauled herself up. The first steps were challenging, but then they became monotonous treading.

She found her way home, despite being unaware of her surroundings while walking. Maria vaguely recalled opening the door to her house, speaking to her family, and then suddenly collapsing onto her bed, and before she knew it, she had succumbed to a deep sleep, her body attempting to catch up on all of the hours she had been deprived of, trying to restore her strength.

Suddenly, Maria was being jabbed in the stomach repeatedly. "No, get away," she mumbled, still half asleep. "Stop it. Don't–" She squinted open her eyes groggily and saw, what was it, a monkey? No, it was–

"Why a' ya still asleep, Ria? It's time t' get up! It's morning."

Maria's vision began to clear, and she pulled them into a tight embrace as she realized it was her younger sister. "Good morning Bella."

"Morning." The little girl sat on her stomach and bounced. "You are messy, and ya smell like smoke."

"What?" Maria crawled out of bed, went to the bathroom, and examined herself in the mirror. She hardly glanced before she shut the door to scrutinize herself. Her once golden hair now appeared a dirty brown, bereft of its former vibrancy, hanging lifelessly around her face.

Ashy soot blanketed her pale face, her bloodshot eyes accentuating their tiredness, seeming duller and less vibrant than their usual sparkling blue and now rimmed with dark circles.

Her short frame was skinnier than usual, but she had gained more muscle from the strenuous labor than before. Before. Maria tried to remember what it was like, what it was like when her father was still alive. She closed her eyes and gripped the edge of the sink.

Her father had gone to college and became an engineer. They had plenty of money, and no one else was required to work so they could survive. The large house they used to live in was always warm, with fresh water and electricity. There was the smell of roasting meat in the kitchen, wafting through the house on a Sunday evening, and plenty of food in the refrigerator.

Maria opened her eyes, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. She longed for those days again with the safety they had once enjoyed. However, thinking about the past would not change the present. Determination reignited within her, fueled by the memories of a better life.

Maria vowed that she would take them back and give everyone that experience again, bringing them back through hard work and perseverance.

With rejuvenated determination, Maria straightened her shoulders and promised to continue her journey, standing undefeated by the challenges that would come before her.

Bringing back her family's security and health to what it had been before and remembering what her father had achieved served as a constant reminder of what she could accomplish. Maria knew that, through relentless dedication and effort, she could carve a path toward a better future for herself and her family.

As Maria walked out of the bathroom, she closed the door after her, leaving behind the reflection of a determined young woman ready to face the world head-on.

The road ahead will still be difficult, she thought, but I know I can do it with the help of God. She squared her shoulders, and with the importance and meaning of hard work etched in her heart, Maria was ready to take on the challenges that awaited her to create a better life for her family.

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Again, if you have any titles to name this, PLEASE shoot them at me!

Love y'all,

~Shantel 😘