Evangeline, The Wish Of The Mobster

“Within a week, our long-awaited recital will take place," Jude Callen, the teacher, says. "You are becoming more prepared every day, so I can't wait for that day to arrive."

The footsteps of Marylin Durant, Jude's secretary, echo on the wooden floor. Everyone turned to face her, including Jude.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I came to inform you that Friday is the last day for recital payment. Only...," Marylin looks at the clipboard in her hand and scans it from top to bottom, "two people are left."

She glares at Davine Baker and Evangeline Atkins, the two scholarship recipients in the class.

"If you don't make the payment, you'll be out!"

Marylin had a smug smile, as if she took pleasure in others' poverty. It was the fault of their parents, who never let her make an effort in life. The secretary job was merely on paper, to keep track of those who received scholarships for the lessons. And she loved doing that because, according to Marylin, those who don't make an effort don't deserve rewards.

"I'm sure whoever is left to pay will manage," Jude says, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. "Anyway, put away your violins and you can go home."

While Evangeline carefully placed her instrument in her worn-out case, Davine approached her slowly.

"Evie, will you be able to get the money?"

"I think so. And you?"

"I don't know," she shrugs, and the two start walking towards the exit. "My parents think it's pointless to pay just to try and win something later."

The registration fee was two hundred dollars, and the first-place prize was one thousand dollars. The second and third place winners would only receive a participation medal.

"They kind of have a point, but you should do it for the recognition. I keep wondering if someone will show up wanting to take us on a world tour."

"You definitely have your head in the clouds, Evangeline. See you tomorrow."

Evie waves to her classmate friend as they reach the sidewalk. Davine's overbearing father was already parked there, waiting for her. The violinist still had to walk a little further to reach the subway station.

Evangeline lives in a trailer park in the East Bronx. The school where she obtained the coveted violin scholarship is in Brooklyn. She spends nearly two hours every day commuting to and from class. It's tiring, but it doesn't matter to her because she finds joy in doing something she loves.

In the morning, the girl attends some classes at the community college in the neighborhood. She likes to say it's just to keep her intellect sharp. That's what she says and thinks people believe.

During the afternoon, Evangeline works part-time as a cashier at a small grocery store. Although she spends most of her time on her phone since the store is rarely busy, it is where she earns her living.

And at night, she dedicates herself to the violin like never before.

After getting off the subway, Evie walks calmly to her home. Although there was a gang on every corner she passed, the girl almost felt safe with them around. Since those people took control of the streets, the number of robberies had almost reached zero.

Evangeline enters the house, dropping her case by the door.

"Mom?" she calls. "Are you home?"

With no response, she searches the small living space for her mother. The two bedrooms and the bathroom were empty. After confirming that her mother wasn't there, she concludes that she must be somewhere, either at some man's house or in some alley.

While rummaging through the cabinets for something to eat, Evie takes off her shoes and pushes them near the door. The only things she finds are a cereal box and half a kilo of rice. She grabs the cereal box without any hesitation and brings it to her mouth.

"Evie? Are you home?"

Knocking on the door was Felippa Moore. She was Evangeline's best friend of all time. Evie was already living in the trailer when Felippa's family arrived with one. They were seven and eight years old at the time. It had been more than thirteen years of friendship without a single fight. It was an unmatched friendship.

"Come in!" Evie says, sitting on a bench at the table.

"Where's your mom?"

The girl shrugs, still eating the cereal.

"Nothing ready to eat?" Felippa checks the small stove and the empty pans on top of it. "Want to come eat at our trailer?"

"No, I'm good. I'll take a shower and go to sleep soon. I'm tired."

"Did you have classes today?"

"Morning at college and evening in Brooklyn."

Felippa was very proud of her best friend. Despite being a year younger than Evie, she had always been her pillar of strength. Evie would even go to her when she needed to cry because of a fight with her mother.

"By the way... I need to set aside the money to bring tomorrow. Otherwise, I won't participate in the recital."

Evangeline gets up and goes to her room. Felippa follows and sits on the small, messy bed there.

"Do you know how many invitations you'll receive?"

"No," Evie answers, taking a box out of a drawer. "Even if it's just one, it's yours."

Felippa starts chattering about the outfit she would wear to watch her best friend perform. Evie opens the box, which has a small lock on it, and her heart skips a beat.

In that box, Evangeline kept every bit of savings she had. Every time she received her weekly pay, she would put it inside that box to hide it from her light-fingered mother. But apparently, putting the lock on wasn't enough.

"Evie?" Felippa calls. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to kill Leah!"

In a fit of rage, Evie screams and throws the small wooden box against the trailer wall. The few remaining coins scatter across the bedroom floor. Felippa jumps off the bed and quickly embraces her friend, who has collapsed. She cries and screams at the same time.

All the money in the box was meant for the recital payment and the outfit she would wear on that day. Evangeline was certain that some sort of talent scout would be there and fall in love with her technique. Then they would invite her to go on a world tour, just the way she wanted.