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“And you know the best part?”
“¿Qué?”
There’s so much excitement and energy about her, which feels so contagious.
“It was all for free. They said because it’s my Santo that it is my present. Isn’t that nice?”
I nod in agreement and kiss her cheek. Then I take her elbow, and remember why I felt so lost in New York. There isn’t the same community spirit, not like here. Some families in the village fell into hard times, everyone chipped in, some to fix the heating which had broken and others to give clothes to kids during the winter. Everyone gossips and knows everyone’s business, but they also offer a helping hand whenever they can. As I lock up the house, mi abuela makes me laugh as she practices her surprise face.
“Like this or like that?”
I giggle as she tries many times as we walk over the cobblestone streets.
As we approach the bar, I can feel the collective heartbeat of the town quickening as we open the doors at a little past three.
“Felicidades3,” they shout as we enter. I’d already warned them that we were on our way as soon as we left the house.
Abuela puts on her surprise face, and Mamá frowns at me. She knows, but I don’t care. The aroma of food gets my taste buds going overtime. Between thecorquettas, jamón, queso, paella4, the different types of salads which I should be eating, but not today, because it’s a party. Besides, there’s enough meat to feed a whole army.
Teresa puts her arm around me, and I kiss both her cheeks, welcoming her to the party. Judging by things, Mamá really did invite everyone, and then I hear a guitarist, and it doesn’t take long for Abuela to put down her purse and pop a croquette in her mouth before going on the dance floor, which has been created in the middle of the bar.
The balloons, the cake at the side of the bar, and gifts aligned up by them makes it known to any stranger that enters that this is a celebration of someone who is loved, not just by her family but by everyone in town.
Papá takes Abuela’s hand and they dance and laugh. My eyes dart to the bar as I see Alberto dance with Mamá. Mi tía and Jose take over behind the bar. They start to fix a plate for her, and I take this opportunity to get as much food as possible, not only on my plate but in my stomach too.
“She knew,” Mamá whispers in my ear.
I was wondering when she would catch up with me. I’ve spent no time dancing, mainly because Alberto—another thing which hasn’t changed over the years—loves to dance. Not only does he love to dance, but he’s good at it, and he always wants to show off. If he had his way, everyone would be sitting down and just watching him. As for me, all I can do is eat. It’s as if I have the appetite of a wolf, which must mean one thing, that it’s nearly that time of the month. Great. I’ll be hungry and annoyed for the whole week. Just what I need, so with this food in front of me, I intend to enjoy every bite. Well, that was until Mamá came over and disrupted it.
“Does it matter? It seems that she’s having a good time,” I sigh. I think about the cheese section. I haven’t tackled that part yet, and no one is there.
“Mamá, stop following me. Leave me in peace. Go and check if Jose is doing things right behind the bar.”
Her eyes dart in the direction of the bar, and she leaves my side. Giving me enough time to try out a few pieces of cheese and put them on my plate. I’m going to be sick in the morning if I keep eating like this.
“Mamá. Leticia, where is she?”
This is when my heart skips a beat, it’s as if one minute I think she’s okay and the next if my eyes don’t cast over her, I don’t.
I realize that she’s right. I don’t remember the last time I saw her. A lump forms in my throat as I find it difficult to answer her. Mamá’s eyes widen and we both head to the bathroom.
Nothing.
“Did she say something to you?”
I shake my head.
“The last time I saw her dancing was with Edu.”
Mamá and I aren’t close, we never have been, but it’s as if we’re reading each other’s mind as we head to Edu. He’s standing by the bar, where I thought he would be. He’s a local and ever since he retired, he’s in the bar a lot. A widower just like Abuela and I even thought at one time they would get together. One thing Abuela made clear, if she could ever fall in love again it wouldn’t be with a man like Edu, one that just wants to spend all his time drinking.
“Mamá, you seen her?” Mamá asks Edu, before I even have a chance to ask him anything. He points to the door.
“Mierda!” I shout, as my heart feels as if it’s going to pop out of my chest. I nearly fall as I leave the bar and sure enough Abuela is outside.
She turns to face me as if she’s half asleep. “Leticia, there you are. I was looking for you.”
“Oh.”
