Imagine feeling the cold, tropical breeze hitting your face being burnt by the bright sun. Your hair moving with the breeze,  so knowing after the split second of relaxation you catch a glimpse of her eyes your whole feeling changes in the speed of light. You get a tight squeeze in your stomach as if your stomach was in knots and on fire. As if you were on a roller coaster at the peak of the highest point, soon about to go down. Your eyes grow and begin to be more self-aware, your nose becoming stiff and throat dry. But continued your day and ignored the fact something was wrong. Walking into that gas station will be an event I'll never forget.

Walking in from the hot heat of Texas, blaring against my skin. Causing it to be dry and sticky, I needed water to put in my cooler for my soccer game I was having earlier that day. My mom and I walked into the gas station and there were three people lined up at the front desk, a lady and two men. She seemed happy winning some money from a lottery ticket although it was only twenty dollars. The other two men were choosing between which packet of cigarettes were better. My mom pushes me to the other end of the aisle and told me to go get my drink, I nodded. I stood on my toes and see from a far as if it was miles away from to see where the pack of water bottles were.  I walked quickly to the other side and swung the door wide open and reach for a pack.

immediately I turned around and looked for my mom. My mom smiled at me as she waved her hand telling me to come. I went over to my mom and asked her a question.
"mama, podremos salier para comer mas tarde?"
My mom sighed and said "con que dinero?"
I replied quickly "con papas dinero , el puede prestar"

but before my mom could resdponse I felt time had stopped.  I could hear my breathing. My ears were ringing and what seemed an eternity my eyes slowly looking at that woman earlier now at the ATM walking over to us. My mom grabbed my arm tight and put me behind her. She stood tall like a lion facing its pride, then the time when back to its normal pace. The woman coughed and looked at my mom, she stood there glaring at her.
"Speak English girl! this is America speak only English!" her face turned red from anger and was yelling at the top of her lungs in my mom's face. My mom took a deep breath and remained eye contact with her and said "I can speak English, but I have the right to speak any language I want and when I want to. Now I have a long day ahead could you please step aside?"

In front of the counter, I put the pack of water bottles on top of the counter. I was shocked scared the woman would hit my mom from the back. She stopped off and left. I looked at my mom, proud of her facing her off with words and remaining calm. I was glad nothing else escalated. After that, I will never forget it. But for months I've been wondering what was the purpose of that woman saying that when we didn't do anything?

obviously, she had something against us, but why? there's no reason for it. Maybe she just thought as most people that Latino/as always have something hidden under our sleeve? I don't know what was her reasoning but this is something I will never forget. From today/s occurring events my parents are from the united states. Yes they speak Spanish but everyone does because Spanish is taught in school, some may not speak it but at least some knowledge of the words. But not many people are like my mom. They're dreamers and to me, I want to say is no matter who or what, if an event happens like this stand up for them and make a change. Not all changes are bad.