Mofongo

by Cecilia Samartin

  “Oh I’m sure they listen, and that they love what they hear,” Lola said and then she leaned forward as though suddenly inspired. “I see them lined up too, but they’ll be waiting to hear the wonderful music of Terrence Brooks.”

  “We’d make a great team, Ms. Lola. With your food and my music, our customers won’t ever want to leave.”

  “What about me?” Sebastian asked excitedly. “I want to do something too.”

  “Let’s see,” Terrence said, while scratching his chin. “We’ll need someone to officially greet our customers. With your personality and good looks, you’d make the perfect maitre d.”

  Sebastian smiled at the compliment. “And I’ll light all the candles,” he said. “And we’ll call it The Cloud because everyone will feel like they’re floating on a cloud.”

  “What do you think Terrence?” Lola asked. “How would you like to have your very own Cloud?”

  “Of course, wouldn’t you?”

  As they ate, they added details to their dream restaurant. In keeping with its name, the dining room would be decorated in a sky motif with light blue walls and white fluffy clouds drifting across the ceiling and walls. Terrence would perform in the corner by the window when the sun was setting low, and Lola would serve her meals family style on simple white plates.

  Suddenly, the screen door opened and the candle flames wavered in the ensuing draft. They turned to see Mando standing in the doorway, his shoulders nearly broad enough to brush the frame on either side. He wore his usual dark suit and an even darker expression. Sebastian shuddered. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his uncle at his grandmother’s house - maybe never.

  “Look who’s here,” Lola said, her eyes twinkling. “My handsome son has decided to pay me a visit, and it’s not even Mother’s Day. Did you have a nice day today, Mando? Did you right all the wrongs of the world?”

  Mando stepped in, and crossed his arms as he looked around. “Gloria wasn’t exaggerating was she?” he said, shaking his head.

  “Gloria never exaggerates. You know as well as I do that she’s always been very precise with her words. Your youngest sister on the other hand, well she can be a bit … well, we all know how she can get…”

  “How is that?” Gabi asked, stepping in behind her brother.

  Lola’s hand flew up to her mouth in shock, but she was delighted to see her youngest daughter there as well. “I thought you were still out of town,” she said.

  “After Gloria told me what was going on, I decided to come home early,” Gabi replied, seemingly shocked as she looked around the room, but her expression lacked Mando’s somber disapproval.

  “Yes, of course, after Gloria told you that I’d lost my mind, you had no choice but to come home early.” Lola made a welcoming gesture toward the table. “But it doesn’t matter why you came, I’m just glad that you’re here, and there’s plenty of food for everyone. I’ll just get some more plates, and one for Gloria as well. Poor dear, working all day on her feet like she does, I’m sure she’ll be quite hungry.”

  Mando and Gabi exchanged worried glances as Lola went to the cupboard for the plates. When she returned, Mando was eyeing Terrence suspiciously.

  “Oh, I didn’t introduce my friend,” Lola said as she set the plates on the table. “This is Terrence. He’s a wonderful musician, and we were just talking about opening a restaurant together. He’ll entertain our dinner guests with his beautiful music while they feast on my delicious homemade food.”

  “And I’ll be the official greeter,” Sebastian said, although he made sure to look at his aunt when he said this, knowing that his uncle wouldn’t be at all amused.

  “That’s nice, honey,” Gabi said with a nervous smile.

  Mando picked up one of the boxes nearest to him, and read the label. “Looks like you’ve been doing some serious shopping, Ma,” he said casually, and then he spun around to address Terrence. “Was this your idea?”

  “Was what my idea?” Terrence replied, somewhat startled.

  “Buying all these new things… was it for the restaurant perhaps?”

  “No sir,” Terrence said, rising from the table and chuckling. “I had no idea that Ms. Lola was such a good cook until just a few days ago myself. And as for the restaurant…well, we were just dreaming, weren’t we Sebastian?”

  Sebastian nodded, although he was a bit disappointed to hear that it was only a dream.

  “For goodness sake, Mando,” Lola said, snatching the box from him. “I may be a good cook, but even I can’t make something out of nothing. I gave all my things away years ago, so I needed to restock the kitchen that’s all.”

  “How much did you spend on all this stuff?”

  Lola folded her arms. “That’s absolutely none of your business. It’s my money and I can spend it however I choose.”

  Terrence took his plate to the sink. “Thank you for a delicious meal Ms. Lola. I think I’ll be going now so that you can visit with your family.”

  “But you haven’t had dessert,” Lola said frowning.

  “Save me a piece,” Terrence returned with a smile for her, and a wink for Sebastian. “It was nice meeting you,” he said, nodding to Mando and Gabi.

  Gabi watched him leave with interest. The way her sister had described him, she expected Terrence to be an uncouth and dangerous sort, but as far as she could tell, he was positively charming. Once Terrence left, she took several steps past her brother to get a closer look at her mother’s hair. “Wow, you went all out didn’t you Ma? I mean, you didn’t mess around.”

  “At my age, I can’t be riding fences,” she returned. “Now, come and sit down both of you before your dinner gets cold.”

  “We didn’t come here to eat,” Mando said. “We came to talk with you about something very important.”

  “Yes, of course,” Lola replied sweetly. “But why not talk about this very important something while enjoying a delicious plate of chicken and rice?”

  Gabi turned to her brother for guidance, and he shrugged while eyeing the food on the table. The rice was still steaming and several pieces of golden brown chicken gleamed in the candlelight. Lola took the opportunity to spoon some of her sauce over the dish, making it all the more tempting.

  “I suppose we can talk at the table as well as anywhere else,” Mando said, “but I’ll pass on the chicken and rice. Susan and I are having dinner with clients later.”

  Just as they sat down at the table, Gloria rushed in looking somewhat agitated, but she was relieved to see that this time Mando had come without his wife. She asked Sebastian to wait outside on the porch while the adults discussed something that wasn’t meant for children’s ears. She hadn’t used that expression “not meant for children’s ears” since he was about five, and it annoyed him a little, but he took up his plate of chicken and rice, and left the room without a word. If he was to continue visiting his grandmother afterschool, he knew that he needed to stay well behaved.

  “Was that Clarence guy here when you came?” He heard her ask as he stepped outside.

  “It’s Terrence,” Aunt Gabi returned somewhat defensively.

  Sebastian sat on the metal chair with his plate balancing on his knees, and gazed out on the row of little bungalows before him. In the dying light, their pastel colors had faded to gray, and the only thing that held his attention was the warm yellow glow spilling out of the windows, creating patches of light here and there along the meandering lane. During these quiet moments, Sebastian’s thoughts often turned to his father. What was he doing and where did he go now that he couldn’t go home? How was he able to sleep in a strange bed, and how did he endure the pain of being alone? Sebastian knew loneliness better than most people, and to think that his father was suffering with it felt worse than loneliness itself.

  But even these worrisome thoughts didn’t quell his appetite, and he finished every morsel of food on his plate, and licked the sauce that remained until the plate looked clean enough to return to the cupboard
without washing. The chicken and rice was delicious and it had settled nicely in his stomach. He sensed its nourishing warmth travel throughout his body. In spite of the recent chaos in his life, he’d been sleeping more soundly at night and waking up more easily in the mornings, and he couldn’t be sure, but he felt as though he could breathe easier too. At that very moment he was worried about his father, and he knew that his mother, aunt and uncle were trying to convince his grandmother to move out of Bungalow haven, but he felt a warm peacefulness overwhelm him just the same, and he settled back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

  The sound of his mother’s shrill voice caused Sebastian to jump, and nearly drop his plate. “We didn’t come here to discuss my marriage,” she cried.

  “Calm down, Nena,” Lola replied. “There’s no reason to get so upset.”

  “Sebastian get your stuff, and wait for me outside,” she called.

  Sebastian entered the house to get his book bag, and immediately noticed that the platter of chicken and rice at the center of the table was almost empty. He was hoping for seconds.

  “Listen,” Gabi said, sounding so calm and reasonable that for a moment it seemed that she and her older sister had traded places. “You should’ve told us that you and Dean were having trouble. You never tell us anything anymore.” She glanced at Mando. “At least you never tell me anything anymore.”

  “Don’t look at me. She’s hardly spoken to me in years,” he replied while working a toothpick through his back molars.

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Gloria replied.

  “Dean walks out on you after nearly twenty years of marriage and you say there’s nothing to tell?” Gabi returned. “We’re not that dumb.”

  With arms stiff at her sides, Gloria turned to call for Sebastian again, and was surprised to see him standing there already. “Did you get your stuff like I asked you?”

  He wordlessly held up his book bag.

  “Good, now go wait outside for me. I’ll be right there.” But Sebastian hovered by the door instead.

  “And he didn’t walk out on me,” Gloria continued. “I threw him out because I can’t trust him. I don’t even find him particularly amusing anymore.”

  “Now that isn’t fair,” Mando said. “Dean may have made a stupid mistake, but he has a great sense of humor, you have to give him that much.”

  “I agree,” Gabi said. “He’s a good father too, and he has the loveliest blue eyes, don’t you think so Ma?”

  “Always have,” Lola replied.

  Gloria stepped away from the table, shaking her head. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I catch my husband cheating on me, or practically cheating, and my sister and brother, and even my own mother take his side.”

  “I’m not taking sides,” Lola said. “But I think you should make an effort for the sake of the children if nothing else.”

  “Don’t lie Ma. What you told me the other day I was here. That was…” She stamped her foot hard. “That was fucked up!”

  “Little ears are listening,” Gabi muttered, glancing at Sebastian.

  Gloria turned around with a start. “I thought I told you to wait outside,” she scolded as she kicked a few boxes out of her way to get across the room. Sebastian placed his plate on the nearest chair and hurried out to the porch.

  Gabi began to stack the dirty dishes while Mando poured himself another glass of wine. Lola went to the counter and started to slice a creamy cake.

  “Sebastian and I will be going now,” Gloria announced, somewhat more composed, although her voice was still shaky.

  “Aren’t you staying for dessert?” Lola asked. “I made a coconut flan.”

  “If the dessert conversation is anything like the dinner conversation, I’m sure I’ll choke on it,” she returned. Appealing to Gabi and Mando one last time she said, “We came here to talk with Ma about her health, and her current living arrangement, and you completely lost your focus. Why don’t you think about that as you continue gorging yourselves.”

  “She’s right,” Mando said, turning to Gabi. “We haven’t really addressed the issue have we?”

  Gabi took a deep breath, and stood up to get a better look at what her mother was doing in the kitchen. “If that’s for me it’s too big,” she said. “I want a piece half that size. Give that one to Mando.”

  “I’m stuffed,” Mando said, patting his belly gingerly. He hadn’t been able to resist the chicken and rice after all. “And I still have to go out for dinner. I guess I’ll just order a salad.”

  “You want it to go?” Lola asked.

  “That’s a good idea,” he replied. “And throw in a piece for the girls as well. They’re always watching their calories, but I’m sure they’ll make an exception for this.”

  Gloria shook her head in disbelief. “You’ve all lost your minds,” she muttered, and she walked out without another word, her arms swinging vigorously at her sides. Sebastian scurried after his mother, but he didn’t catch up to her until she was already halfway down the meandering lane.

  Lola called after them. “On Sunday I’m making Mofongo. Come around three, and tell Dean. He likes Mofongo.” But Gloria didn’t even bother turning around.

  In the car, Sebastian asked, “What’s Mofongo?“

  “Fasten your seatbelt,” she replied with a stiff nod.

  He fastened his seatbelt. “Mom what’s…”

  “Please be quiet Sebastian,” she snapped. “I need some peace and quiet so I can hear myself think, is that too much to ask?”

  “And time,” he added. “Don’t forget, you also need time.”

  Gloria gave up an exasperated sigh, and started the engine.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It wasn’t a particularly interesting game. The ball kept getting kicked out of bounds, and there weren’t any good runs. Sebastian enjoyed watching most when one of the faster players took off down the field, weaving in and out of his opponents with baffling speed, shoving them out of the way if necessary, and all the while keeping the ball rolling smoothly off the tip of his toes as though it were attached by an invisible tether. If things got really exciting, Sebastian’s right foot would twitch as though he were the one running with the ball, but on this day he could barely keep his attention on the game. He hated admitting even to himself that the reason the game was so boring was because Keith had spent all of recess sitting in the naughty circle. Sebastian could just make out the carrot tinged crown of his head beyond the field where Ms. Ashworth was keeping an eye on him. It seemed that lately, she wasn’t so enamored of her “all boy” boy, and Sebastian couldn’t help but feel some satisfaction because of it.

  With only a few minutes of play time left, Keith was released from his punishment, and he immediately joined the game. As he took possession of the ball, Ms. Ashworth waved Sebastian over to where she was. She’d been nicer to him that day, and it seemed that she was getting back to her usual self. She gave up asking him to clean the white board though, and on one or two occasions Sebastian saw her cleaning it herself before class. She didn’t do a very good job.

  As he made his way across the field, wondering what project Ms. Ashworth might have planned for him, Keith called out, “Hey Monkey Boy,” and he kicked the ball to him. It was a good solid kick, and once it reached Sebastian, he immediately kicked it back, surprised to see how the ball spun on a clear commanding trajectory toward its target. He was pleased with himself, more pleased than he’d felt in a long time.

  “Not bad, for a Monkey Boy,” Keith said, smiling in a friendly manner as he stopped the ball with his foot. “Come on, we need an extra player.”

  At that moment, Sebastian spotted Kelly out on the field too, her glasses flashing in the sunlight. He glanced at Ms. Ashworth who was waiting for him at the edge of the playground and then back at Keith who was still smiling with his foot poised on the ball. Sebastian had never been asked to join a soccer game before, and it felt as though he were standing on the threshold of a new life. He knew that
the sensible thing to do was to forget about it and walk away, but he couldn’t. The opportunity held him spell bound, as he knew that there might never be another. In a flash, something inside of him shifted, as though a window to his soul had been opened, allowing fresh air to reach the dank loneliest corners of his being. He dismissed the many promises he’d made his mother, and the countless conversations he’d had with Dr. Lim about the limitations of his heart. Before he could take another breath, he was walking briskly across the field, and his walk turned into a slow easy jog.

  “Here comes Monkey Boy!” Keith shouted. “He’s going to show us that he’s not such a dope after all,” and he kicked the ball to Sebastian who managed to stop it easily with his foot.

  “Sebastian, what are you doing on the field?” Ms. Ashworth asked from the sidelines.

  But it was Keith who replied. “He’s going to show us that he can run. I bet he can run even faster than me.”

  “No Sebastian, no!” Ms. Ashworth cried, but she sounded very far away. Perhaps she was actually saying, “Go Sebastian go! Show them what you’re made of, run like the wind.”

  Sebastian began to run down the field, kicking the ball as he went. His heart was accelerating past a comfortable limit, but his legs kept moving like high powered pistons with a mind of their own. He sped up and lost sight of everyone, although he could still hear Ms. Ashworth’s piercing voice calling to him.

  He sensed someone running beside him, but he didn’t dare break his stride to turn and see who it was. He guessed that it was Keith, and this thought motivated him to push all the harder. When he was already half way down the field, he felt a strange numbness creeping over his face, and spreading out to the rest of his body. No longer did he feel the ground beneath his feet, or the wind against his face. He was floating beyond the physical sensations of his body, and the liberation he felt was unlike anything he’d ever known, like dreaming with his eyes open, or breathing under water. And then without warning, someone or something pulled him down and he fell hard to the ground. The landing knocked the wind out of him and for several seconds he couldn’t see or hear anything at all. He was tumbling and rolling, and when his sight returned, all he saw was grass and blue sky revolving, coming and going ever faster. When he finally came to a stop, he closed his eyes, and pressed both hands to his chest. He felt the wicked hammering of his heart, and his lungs nearly exploding from lack of oxygen. He imagined the dam in his chest bursting wide open and the blood gushing out like a wild river, his pacemaker popping springs and blowing fuses, as he waited for the end to come.