She spoke often of going to the big city. She dreamed of a better life. The city would hold excitement and opportunity. There she could get a good job and leave the gray walls of their faded shack. The mother warned her daughter of the evils of the big city.
Jobs are scarce and life is cruel.
Maria knew what girls do when they can't find a job. In her heart Maria knew exactly what Christina would end up doing to support herself. That is why her heart broke one morning when she woke up and found her daughter's bedroom empty. Immediately she threw some clothes in a bag, and got her money and headed out. On her way to the bus stop she went into the drugstore and sat in the photograph booth.