“Your decision?” I snap back, getting up from the chair. “How can it be your decision, when you’re not even here to make it?”

“You can’t just make up your mind about these things without asking us.”

“I can’t?”

There’s anger burning inside of me. I don’t even know if I’m angry at my parents, or at the situation we’re in, or at the fact that we even need to have this conversation, but I’ve never felt anything like this. I don’t know what to do with these flames rising in my chest, except yell out all the things that I’m holding in.

“I was the one who had to explain to Sophie that you’d been taken, and who’s had to listen to her cry every night. I’ve had to schedule her playdates, and tell her to finish her food, and try to convince her that everything’s gonna be okay. I’m the one who’s gonna have to give up everything so Sophie—”

“Mateo, what are you talking about?”

“College, Pa!” I yell back. “How can I even go now? How could I dream of studying acting when Sophie’s gonna need food, and clothes, and money when it’s time for her to go to college?”

“That’s the opposite of what you should be thinking about. You need to stay focused on school, on college applications. That’s the whole point of you being in the United States—so you can have opportunities that you wouldn’t have here.”

I shake my head, tears burning my eyes. “I’m stuck, Pa,” I mumble. “I’m stuck at the bodega. You’ve said it yourself—if I don’t keep the business running, no one will. What’s even the point of thinking about college, when I know where I’m gonna end up anyway?”

“We’re here for you, mijo,” Pa says. “Even though we’re far away, we’re still here to help you, and—”

“You don’t get to say that anymore. You keep saying you’re still there for us, but you’re not. You are not here, so don’t tell me I don’t get to make these decisions.”

Ma and Pa remain silent for the longest time. When I look down at my phone, both of their eyes are wide. Their mouths are hanging slightly open, and they seem to be taking slow breaths.

“Mateo, please,” Pa says when he finally finds his voice. “Please just—”

I hang up. I don’t want to hear him say that I’m wrong, that I don’t know what is best for me and Sophie. A second later, Pa tries calling me back, and I feel the urge to throw my phone against the wall. I put it on silent and throw it onto the table instead, trying to make sense of this anger that’s taken over me.