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\u201cI will never understand the human desire to flood their delicate circuitry with chemicals that disrupt their connections,\u201d Garuna said in the back of her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGreat,\u201d Maite thought. \u201cNow I have critical commentary in my head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook it off and went to the bathroom. She could hear some puttering in the kitchen and looked forward to seeing her parents. While for them it had only been a couple of weeks, for her it seemed like an eternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure enough, she found her aita in the kitchen, ready with a cup of coffee which he handed to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEgun on!\u201d he said cheerfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEgun on,\u201d groaned Maite, giving her aita a kiss on the cheek. She glanced around, scanning the living room. \u201cWhere is ama?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe went out to buy groceries. She should be back any moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost as if on cue, Maite heard the front door click open. A moment later, her ama appeared in the living room, clutching a few bags in each hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEgun on!\u201d Rosario always had a cheerful disposition and, as opposed to her daughter, never looked like she had just gotten up. She always seemed put together and freshly awake. Her aita had a similar demeanor. Sometimes, Maite wondered if she must have been adopted, or swapped at birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEgun on, ama,\u201d replied Maite, giving her ama her own kiss on the cheek before sitting at the small table in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo?\u201d asked Rosario as she handed a bag to Fulgencio and they started unpacking. \u201cHow did the interview go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite stared down at her coffee. \u201cFine, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZer?\u201d asked Fulgencio. \u201cDid you not get the position?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite looked up. She could see the expectation in both of her parents\u2019 faces. She was sure if they were excited for her or terrified by the prospect of her leaving. She imagined both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI mean, the interview went well. I think I did well. Baina\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fulgencio and Rosario paused putting away the groceries and sat next to Maite at the small table. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Rosario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I want to go,\u201d replied Maite, almost in a whisper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know it is a big change\u2026\u201d began Fulgencio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite shook her head, interrupting him. \u201cIt isn\u2019t that. I know I will do well. And it is a great opportunity. I\u2019m not worried about there.\u201d She looked first at her aita and then her ama. A tear fell down her cheek. \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rosario reached over and pulled her daughter close. \u201cOh Maite,\u201d she said, giving Maite a hug. \u201cAnd we don\u2019t want you to go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fulgencio nodded before adding. \u201cBut, this is an amazing opportunity. Are you sure? What will you do instead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is an amazing group in Donostia,\u201d replied Maite. \u201cMaybe not with the reputation of Berkeley, but still world class. I can do my work there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill it be the same kind of work?\u201d asked Rosario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite shrugged. \u201cClose enough. And the people there are excellent. Most importantly, it isn\u2019t so far from you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She could see the tears welling in her normally stoic aita\u2019s eyes. \u201cIt will be good to have you close,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n