What kinds of jobs did you have
since first arriving in the country?
BLANCA: We were gardeners and we were cleaning offices.
-I remember the offices. -You remember that?
We had the night shift, cleaning.
That's why, you know, we had to take you,
you and your brother.
I didn't have a babysitter.
CONNIE: I have memories of running into everyone's office
and eating candy from their candy dishes.
I remember being with my brother
in our pajamas with the little plastic feet.
And I also remember you would always buy us
a Cup O'Noodles from the vending machine, like a snack,
and then put us to bed on people's office couches
and then you'd carry us to the car
when you guys were done cleaning the offices.
I remember that.
Did they ever know, did your bosses ever know,
that you took your kids?
BLANCA: No, I don't think so.
[Both laugh]
Is there anything that you've never told me
but want to tell me now?
-When we first came here, we went through
a lot of things, like not eating.
Ohh.
-I guess, for six months, your father lost his job,
but we never told you that.
CONNIE: I do remember a lot of beans, bean tacos.
[Both laugh]
BLANCA: But when you asked us why,
"Why the same thing?", remember?
I didn't want to tell you why.
CONNIE: If you could do everything again,
would you raise me differently?
BLANCA: I would dedicate more time, I guess.
You know, I was so busy, going to school, too,
that I guess I neglected you a little bit.
CONNIE: No, for me, watching you go to school,
with two kids and trying to make ends meet,
that was the biggest inspiration for me to finish college.
[Crying] I thought, there's nothing
that could stand in my way that didn't stand in yours more.
It's the most important thing for me,
having gone to college, and I feel like
anything I do from here on out is okay
because I've already achieved my dream.
Everything else is icing on the cake.
*