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Chapter 13
Mia
Hot tears ran down Mia’s cheeks as she stared at the picture of her mother.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Mamá.” Mia brought the glass of tequila to her lips. This was her mother’s second birthday since she’d been ripped from this world. It didn’t seem any easier than the last.
“You wouldn’t want me to be sad on your birthday. I’m the only one left to honor you, and I’ll do it right. I’ll make a feast and we’ll have a party.” Mia sniffled as she carried the picture frame inside with her glass in the other hand.
After setting it on the counter, she played one of her mother’s favorite songs—“La poller colorá” by Carmen Rivero y su Conjunto. As the familiar sound wound around her, it took her back to the many times she’d danced in the kitchen while her mother made tamales. Her neighbor and best friend, Lucia Lopez, together with Carmen and Mateo, had always helped in preparation for Christmas. The red pomegranate on the counter caught her attention as an idea struck.
Mia pulled out poblano peppers from the fridge, along with all the other ingredients she would need. Luckily, she had some leftover slow-cooked pork that would do just fine. She got to work preparing chile en nogada—one of her mother’s favorites.
Sometime later, her phone rang, silencing the music. Mia washed her hands quickly before answering. “Hello?”
“Hola,mija.Cómo estás?” Lucia asked.
Mia answered her in her native tongue as they continued in Spanish. “I am doing well, Señora Lopez. How are you?”
“I miss my other daughter. When can I come and see the new place you have for yourself?” she asked.
“Give me another month or two and you guys can fly out to see it when it’s all finished,” Mia said.
“Alright. How are you doing? I know this day is hard for you. Your mother was a strong and courageous woman,” Lucia said, pride mixed with her own grief apparent in her voice.
Mia’s eyes stung as more tears gathered. She picked up her glass and downed the rest of her tequila before pouring herself some more. “It’s still hard, but I will honor her and celebrate her life. I’m making chile en nogada.”
“Her favorite!” Lucia said.
“Yes.”
“She would be so proud of you, mija,” Lucia said.
Mia swiped the tear that fell down her cheek, the open wounds of her grief bleeding out with slices of regret. Every heartbeat pained her as guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders.
“I won’t let her and Papi’s sacrifices be for nothing.” Mia swallowed the ball of emotion rising in her throat.
“Ahhh, cariño, your life and your freedom is all they cared about. You live and be happy. That’s the only thing your mother wanted. She reminded you all the time,” Lucia said, her voice comforting. The woman was the closest thing she’d ever have to family.
“I remember.” Mia’s lips curved into a watery smile.
“Now, go make that delicious food, and don’t forget to have a glass of tequila for her. You know how much she loved celebrations.” Lucia chuckled.
“I will.”
“Invite your neighbors and friends you’ve made there. I’m sure you can find someone to share this day with,” Lucia said.
A pang of hurt added to the turmoil in her chest. She couldn’t invite her neighbor—he’d made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do with her. And with no desire for more drama with Andre, she didn’t want to invite his friends who were quickly becoming hers. Besides, today was Lyra’s birthday as well, and she wouldn’t interrupt their family plans. No, she’d do this alone—like everything else.
“Sure,” Mia answered to appease her second mother.
“Well, I’ll let you get to it. Buenas tardes, mi amor,” Lucia said.
“Adíos,” Mia said before hanging up.
She sighed as the music automatically started again, the song far more cheerful than she felt. She took another sip of the tequila. “Salud, Mamá.”
