Her black hair and black eyes and olive skin turned the heads of many young men, and her outgoing personality drew them to her. She had a way of throwing back her head and laughing that filled the room with her personality. And she also had that rare ability of making every man feel like a king just be being near them. Christina often spoke of leaving their village and going to the city, and every time the subject came up Maria's heart tensed with fear. She reminded Christina of the harshness of city life, the dangers on the streets, the temptations and poverty and unemployment.
Jobs are scarce and life is cruel.
Maria asked the question knowing in her heart what Christina would probably end up doing if she moved to a large Brazilian city. And that's why her heart broke one morning when she awakened to find her daughter's bed empty. Christina was gone. She had slipped away like a prodigal. And Maria, who knew the ways of the world, knew what Christina would find on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.