Illusion

Mercedes is the youngest and perhaps the most successful of Genovas’ eight children. She has amassed an extensive real estate portfolio. Mercedes works given it keeps her engaged not because she needs money. Well-heeled and highly connected, she moves in circles riddled in affluence. Every bit a success story. Thoughts of worthlessness plague Mercedes. As a little girl, her mother habitually told her how she should have aborted her. How her father never wanted her. Jeraldo, Mercedes’ father is the only man Genova ever loved. He is the only man Genova ever felt passion with. When Genova and Jeraldo met, he had no job, money, or papers. Genova fell in-love and married Jeraldo. Providing stability, a home, family, and a coveted green card. Before Mercedes’s father, Genova only dealt with older established men of means. The price Genova paid in exchange was degradation, disrespect, disregard, unworthiness, and control. Jeraldo had a lover who was unaware he had a wife and family. The lover shows up at the marital residence pretending to sell quilts. Genova invites her in and quickly connects the dots realizing the lover has no intention of severing ties with Jeraldo. At that moment Genova decides against telling Jeraldo about the visit and vows never to be intimate. Riddled with despair, self-loathing, insecurity, and rage are what she projects and pours into her daughter. Mercedes is groomed to be an emotional manipulator, lacks empathy, no accountability, and a sense of grandiosity are woven into the meticulous image shared with the world.