Lead With Your Heart

More Than Prayers

On Saturday morning, Maritza hurries downstairs for breakfast and finds Dad just back from walking Suerte, the honey-colored rescue pug the family adopted shortly after Tía Mari got sick. She takes over the leash before he heads out again. Over breakfast, Mom runs through the busy week ahead: Dad’s D.C. Azules have an afternoon match, Hispanic Heritage Month performances continue with Javier’s hat dance, and the Soccer Showcase is closing in, with DJ Sol already booked for the after-party. Mom suggests Maritza use her prize money to buy a dress for the after-party.

Maritza says she donated all of her prize money for a man who was detained by immigration. Mom says that is very generous. Maritza quiets her voice and tells Mom that the man is Violeta’s uncle. And Violeta doesn’t know that Maritza knows.

Mom says they’ll have to pray for him. Javier says Grandpa thinks prayers aren’t enough. Maritza blurts out that she wants to do more. She’s just not sure how.

Mom says Maritza should use the city as her inspiration. They live in one of the most influential cities in the world. The new National Museum of the American Latino would never have happened if a group of people hadn’t organized to make it a reality. Maritza thinks about the famous D.C. landmarks she grew up with, like the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. There’s incredible history here, and yet, so much more history to be made.

Maritza says she wants to do something that will open people’s hearts. Nobody should be okay with families being separated or immigration officers picking up their neighbors. Mom looks over at Dad and they smile. Mom says that Maritza sounds exactly like Tía Mari.

At Mia’s next soccer game, she drives a shot into the net and scores. Maritza and Violeta cheer Mia on from the sidelines while Suerte, in a tiny jersey, performs the excited jump the Ochoas taught him. Maritza knows that being outside on a crisp autumn morning, cheering on the D.C. Azules, is exactly what she needs.

And later today, Maritza has a soccer match, and then she’ll go shopping with Sierra. She hoped to invite Violeta, but Sierra shut that idea down so fast. Sierra wanted some time alone with Maritza.

After the game, Maritza asks if Violeta taught Mia to play soccer, and she shakes her head. Mia’s father, Violeta’s Uncle Andrés, did. He was the one who taught her soccer, too. Maritza knows it’s the first time Violeta has brought up her Uncle Andrés. Maybe it’s a good time for them to talk.

Maritza says she hasn’t seen Andrés at any of the games. Violeta nods, looking uncomfortable. Mia’s parents both work long hours. Violeta helps out when she can. Maritza wants Violeta to trust her with the truth, but she can see Violeta isn’t ready to share it.

After Violeta and Mia leave, Dad reminds Maritza to be patient: trust has to be earned, and Violeta may not know who she can trust. Maritza says that Violeta can trust her! Dad puts his arm around her shoulder and says that he knows that. But she may not know what will happen to her family, and they may not all be protected with citizenship.

Before Maritza’s grandparents became citizens, they feared so many things, like being late on rent or making a mistake at work. Abuela’s old boss used to threaten to have her deported unless she’d work late hours. Maritza gasped; she’d never heard that story. Dad continues to say that they kept their focus, and now they have their citizenship and don’t need to live in shadows anymore.

Dad’s words sink into Maritza’s heart. So there is hope for Violeta and her family. He nods and asks what Violeta needs most from Maritza to find that hope. Maritza responds that Violeta needs a friend.

That afternoon, Maritza’s abuelos take her to the Riverfront sports field for her soccer match. Maritza runs into the center to fill up her water bottle when she gets a text from Violeta. She won’t be at the game. Maritza texts back to ask if everything is okay, but Violeta doesn’t respond.

Just then, Evette and Makena show up and find Maritza fighting back tears. Maritza admits she is worried the team will be shorthanded. The coach might even bench Violeta when she doesn’t show up. But mostly, Maritza is worried for Violeta’s uncle and her family.

The three friends pull Maritza into a hug. Evette tells Maritza that families belong together, like when Maritza helped Evette bring her grandmothers together. Makena says they’ll help in any way they can. “Tu lucha es mi lucha.”

Just then, Ainsley rushes up to the girls. She asks where Violeta is, and Maritza doesn’t respond. She doesn’t know what Violeta’s excuse is, but she chooses to believe that something miraculous has happened. It’s possible, right? She lets that hopeful thought carry her through the game.