The Stray Son

The early part of the XXI Century is quite hard… So many old rules, so many old taboos, so many injustices… No wonder why many hated the change.

This is the story of Russell Alvarez, a Mexican living in times in times of prejudice.

Russell was a strange man for his time. He had to be constantly reminded of instructions… Everyone was to speak to him slowly so he could understand. He was shy, very introverted and hated sports… And although he had good looks, he wasn’t interested in girls.

He was a strange man, many said… Was he even a man? No one knew for sure.

He made his way through the harsh world that was the 1980-2004 Mexico. The insults to his intelligence, to his ability to be a successful person and even to his family… He endured all that, but unlike other endurances we have seen so far, this one was based on perseverance. Russell had a problem, a problem of the addictive kind. He couldn’t let his family know he was into drugs, they would kill him! So he remained quiet and endured… He would remain clean for some days, before he succumbed to the temptation. If he did, he had to compensate…

He would pass entire days inside his room, sometimes straining himself studying for a minor test, sometimes working out until fainting from exhaustion, sometimes fleeing to his comfort zone. He preferred the drugs… They made him stronger… They comforted him… They were what his parents never were.

Through hard work, dedication and a lovingly abusive family, Russell graduated with honors. Even better, he managed to get his own house; far from the judging eyes of his family and friends. Now he was a successful, now his secret was safe… He could leave his horrible past behind…

But, what good lies in fighting against you?