“Stranger?” I interrupted her. “What do you mean? Vinny’s been coming here now for over a month! And we see each other every day in school.”
“Just you listen to me, chica.” When Mami folds her hands and stands in a certain way with her back arched, I just know she means serious business. “It is not proper for a girl soon to become a woman to be going to a boy’s house unescorted. The Davila family are from another country and a Latino culture so they will see this as wrong. Do you understand me?”
“Vinny comes here without an escort.”
“That’s right! He’s un hombrecito, a young man. You are a young woman. No one will talk about him, but everyone will talk about you.” I looked at my mother and wanted to say who cares? But I knew better. If I got her too angry, she might stop the lessons.
“Will Johnny have to take me there again on Thursday?”
“Yes.”
“And the next time?”
“Sí senorita, very definitely.”
“For God’s sake, Mami. This is so embarrassing! Just how long does Johnny have to keep taking me there?”
“For as long as you keep going and I say so.” I was so annoyed at Mami that I slammed down my books and sank into the armchair. “There is, of course, another solution.” Mami paused. “You don’t go at all.”
“Thanks a lot!” I snapped.
“Don’t you get sarcastic with me. Just consider yourself lucky that I’m even letting you go there.” I just nodded. Like what choice did I have?
As we went over to Vinny’s building, Johnny rushed along so fast I could barely keep up with him.
“Hey, man, slow down! Where’s the fire?”
“Look, Felita, I don’t like doing this any more than you do. Taking you over to some people’s house I don’t even know is not my idea of a great afternoon.”
“So why don’t you say no for once to Mami, and do us both a favor?”
“Sure, right away. You know I can’t.”
“You can’t or you won’t?”
“I can’t and you know it too. Now get off my back!” I sulked, practically running to keep up with him. But I had to admit that Johnny was right. If he said no to Mami, she’d tell my father. Then Johnny might be grounded for days or punished in some other way.
“You don’t have to stick around during the lesson ... I hope, do you?” I asked nervously.
“No, thank God. But I gotta come back later on and pick you up.”
“Hey, look, I’m sorry, Johnny.” I really did feel sorry for him. He was nice to me most of the time and very rarely raised his voice. “Truce?” I smiled up at him.
“Sure,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I know it’s not your fault either.” I felt better knowing we weren’t still angry at each other.
After climbing four long flights, we finally caught our breath in front of a door with the nameplate Davila. Vinny welcomed us with a big smile. Speaking in Spanish, he introduced us to his mother and a bunch of little kids who were laughing and running around in the narrow foyer. “And this is Maritza, my sister, my brothers Julio and David, and the terror of our house, baby Iris.” They all had the same coloring and freckles as Vinny.
“Hello, everybody!” baby Iris said in English, surprising everyone. She was real cute and only around three years old.
“Iris is a big showoff.” Mrs. Davila laughed and led us into the living room. Their apartment was smaller than ours. There were different flower patterns everywhere: on the linoleum, on the curtains, even on the upholstery. The walls were filled with framed colorful embroideries and small rugs. Next to a large color T.V. there was a tiny altar set up with plastic flowers, religious pictures, and a lighted red candle.
Mrs. Davila handed my brother a big plastic bowl and spoke to him in Spanish. “This is for your mother. It’s a dessert we call arequipe. It’s the most famous dessert in my country. Tell her it’s a milk and sugar pudding.”
After Johnny left, Vinny and I followed Mrs. Davila into the kitchen. “I’ve cleared a place on the table here where you two can work. Have a good and productive lesson.”
There were two little yellow-and-brown songbirds in a bright green cage. “Oh, how sweet,” I said. “My grandmother used to have a parakeet. His name was Pepito. After she died, he only lived for a short time. I think what happened was that Pepito missed her. Actually, this whole apartment reminds me of my abuelita’s house.”
“My parents like to have things around that remind them of home, like all those rugs and embroideries.”
“Why did your family come here, Vinny?”
“Well ...” I could see that Vinny looked uncomfortable and I wished I hadn’t asked him that question.
“Look, I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer me.”
“That’s all right, Felita. It’s just that back home even though there are a lot of good things, it’s also hard to live. Like to find work is hard. My father says back home there are too many people and not enough jobs. Most of my friends there never finish school. They have to quit and go to work. My parents wanted something better for us.”
“I’m sorry, Vinny.”
“It’s all right, Felita. Sometimes I do think about home and I miss a lot of things there—the great weather, my friends, all my relatives. Felita, for you, it’s different, you were born here. But for me, it’s not the same.”
“I think I know what you mean because my grandmother missed her home too, even though she lived here for many, many years. She used to talk to me about Puerto Rico all the time.”
We worked on my Spanish for most of the lesson. But what made me feel really good was that even though Vinny hadn’t said anything about being his girl yet, I knew we were becoming better friends. I figured sooner or later he would ask me. I only hoped it would be sooner.
Things started to look even better the following week when Vinny began to wait for me after school. We walked home with Consuela and Joanie. It was nice and warm out these days, and it stayed light longer. Yes, spring was definitely here.
Ever since Vinny and I started having lessons, my brothers seemed to be less on my back. Johnny was never a real bad problem, but Tito really surprised me. Although he wasn’t my bosom pal, he had stopped being so nasty and hardly ever teased me. In fact he was actually nice. Like earlier this afternoon when I came home from school, Vinny and me were downstairs, standing by the stoop, and Tito came along. Usually he’d say something mean and send me upstairs, but this time he stopped, said hello, and even asked Vinny how things were going. I couldn’t believe my eyes or my ears as I listened.
“How are you doing, man? How’s the lessons going? You learning some English?”
“Yes, thank you, Tito. I think I’m doing good. Felita is the teacher and she says I’m passing my grade.”
“Excellent! Vinny, why don’t you come on down to the playground sometimes, like after school or on the weekend, and play some ball? There’s a bunch of guys there about your age. I’ll introduce you around.”
“That’s great! Thank you a lot, Tito.”
“No sweat. See you guys.”
And then he left without saying another word. Now I was waiting for Tito to get home so I could thank him. I heard him come in and waited a few minutes, then I went over to his room and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
“Hi, Tito. Where’s Johnny?”
“I don’t know, still out, I guess. What’s up?”
“Well, I just wanted to thank you for being so nice to Vinny.”
“Oh, sure,” said Tito. “Well, he’s a nice kid and I figured he’s shy on account of his problems with English, so I’d show him around. No sweat.”
“Vinny was real pleased. He’s so nice, Tito.”
“You like him, don’t you?” Tito smiled.
“Of course I like him”—I was trying not to blush —“he’s my friend.”
“Hey, Felita, it’s okay if you two like each other.” I looked at Tito, sur
prised that he knew how I felt. “I know you like him, Felita.”
“You do?” I sat down on his bunk bed.
“Sure.”
“Are you going to tell Mami?”
“Why should I tell Mami?”
“Because she’s always sending you out to check up on me or to watch over me. You know what I’m saying, Tito.”
“Look, Felita, what you do is your business as far as I’m concerned. In fact, if you wanna know the truth, it is a pain in my butt to have to be in charge of you. And always to be listening to Mami and Papi telling me how good you are, what a great student you are, and how special you are because you happen to be a girl. Making me out like some stupid slob that can’t do nothing right. And you wanna know something else? Until you started seeing Vinny and I saw that you liked him and was trying to keep it from Mami, I thought you could never do anything except what our parents wanted you to do. Like little Miss Perfect, you know? Now I admire you for doing what you want, whether Mami likes it or not. I mean, as long as you don’t do nothing bad, what’s the difference?”
I was really surprised at what Tito was saying. I mean he’s usually so smug and sure of himself. “I didn’t know you felt like that. I don’t think you’re stupid. You’re so great at skating and sports, and you always make such great jokes and make everybody laugh. And anyway, I sure ain’t perfect. I always thought you just didn’t like me.”
“I like you, Felita. It’s just that it pisses me off sometimes when you get all kinds of privileges, like your own room, and now going to P.R. for the whole summer. Johnny and me don’t get none of that. And sometimes I have to come home early in the middle of a game just to be looking out for you.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, at least you get to go out anytime you want, Tito. Nobody keeps tabs on you. I can’t go nowhere or see anybody unless Mami lets me. Sometimes I feel like I’m in jail. It’s really a drag, you know? That’s what being a girl means in this house. You wanna trade places? You wouldn’t like it and you know it too!”
“I guess I wouldn’t.” We looked at each other and both of us smiled. “Look, Felita, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks, Tito.” I wanted to tell him that I didn’t even know if Vinny liked me and that there might not be any secret to keep. But I also liked the idea that Tito thought that Vinny was my boyfriend. I was feeling happy and close to my brother and I didn’t want to change things by saying anything more. I stood up. “I’m glad we talked, Tito. Listen, anytime you need a favor, you know who to come to.”
“Sure. Thanks, Felita.”
When I got back to my room, I realized that this was the first time I had really seen my brother as a kid with problems too, and someone I was beginning to like.
The next Thursday, after lunch, we were all allowed to spend some time out in the school yard. Kids were playing different games—basketball, hopscotch, jump rope—or just hanging out. We all picked a spot by the school fence where it was warm and sunny. We were busy talking when I heard someone calling me and whistling.
“Felita ... hey! Yoo hoo, Felita!” It was Joey, Eddie, the twins Dan and Duane, and Paquito. They walked over to us.
“Buenos dias, Señorita Felita ...” Joey bowed real low. “Would you all like me, José Ramos, to teech you Spaneesh privately, my deeer?” I knew he was putting on a Spanish accent, trying to imitate Vinny. “And you can teech me Eeenglish!” That fool was shouting so loud that some other kids came over and began to laugh. I couldn’t believe that Joey could be so evil.
“Get out of here, you idiot!” I went right over to him, ready to smack him right in his ugly grinning face.
“Just cut it out, you guys!” Gigi was yelling at them. I walked up to Joey, but he just backed away like a coward.
“Hey, man, what’s the matter with you, Felita?” That Joey just wouldn’t stop. “Ain’t you happy to be Señor Beenie’s señorita?” Then all Joey’s dumbo friends started making kissing sounds at me while they kept on following him like a. bunch of fools, laughing at every silly thing he said.
“Look, stupid Joey Ramos, I ain’t nobody’s señorita, so why don’t you quit sitting on your brains! Moron!” Finally they all turned around and took off.
“Gross,” said Consuela. “Don’t you pay them no mind, Felita.”
“They are just too dumb.” Gigi put her arm around me.
“Well,” Lydia said, “you gotta admit that you and Vinny spend a lot of time together.”
“Yeah, and it looks to everyone like he’s your boyfriend.” Naturally Vivian had to put in her two cents.
“No, Vivian, not to everyone. Only to the imbeciles. Vinny happens to be my good friend, and besides, it ain’t nobody’s business, you know.”
“Excuse me.” Vivian turned and began to walk off.
“You are excused all right!” I made sure she heard me. Of course Lydia took off after her.
“I think we should change the subject,” said Elba.
“Since I don’t care what anybody thinks, I think you are right.” Before I could say another word, the school bell rang and we all went back to class.
After school Vinny, Consuela, and Joanie and me were walking home when we saw Joey and the other boys across the street. They began calling out to us.
“Hey, Felita and Vinny! Love is such a wonderful thing!” Then they begin to make all kinds of smacking and kissing noises, waving their arms and jumping around like a bunch of monkeys. I became so embarrassed that I could feel myself burning up with anger. In fact I was so self-conscious, I couldn’t say one word.
“Just don’t pay attention, Felita,” said Vinny. “Soon they will get tired and stop. They only want to make us angry because they are jealous.” We just kept going, ignoring them, until finally they headed in another direction. We walked along not saying much until we reached the big intersection where Consuela and Joanie leave us.
“Felita, I’ll see you next week during Easter vacation,” Consuela said. “You’re coming out to play, right?”
“Sure, especially now that the weather’s so great. Hope you can come over to my house.”
“I’ll ask my mother, but you know who’s gotta come with me.” She pointed to Joanie. “I can’t get rid of her.”
“That’s cause she loves her little sister so much,” said Joanie, sticking out her tongue and crossing her eyes. That Joanie could be real cute sometimes.
Vinny and I went on walking down the block. We weren’t going to have a lesson today, or any lessons during Easter vacation either. Mami had decided there was too much shopping to do for Easter Sunday, and too much work to do at home during Easter week. When I told Vinny, I could see he was disappointed.
“I’m gonna miss our lessons,” he said.
“Me too. But we’ll be getting right back to work after vacation.”
“That’s right! I hope to see you outdoors, Felita.”
“That would be great. I know I’ll be coming out, probably every day.” We stopped in front of my building.
“Have a nice Easter, Felita.”
“Maybe I’ll see you in church on Easter Sunday, Vinny. Are you all coming to the Spanish Mass?”
“Yes, we’ll be there.”
“See you!”
“See you soon, Felita.” As Vinny waved and walked toward his building, I felt that Sunday couldn’t get here fast enough for me!
Chapter 5
On Easter Sunday me and my whole family got dressed up in our new Easter outfits. We were heading toward St. Joseph’s Church to attend the twelve o’clock Mass because it was going to be read in Spanish. Most of the Catholics in our neighborhood go to St. Joseph’s. That’s where my brothers and I made our communion and confirmation. The streets were filled with people on their way to church in their brand-new clothes. Even Doña Josefina, who usually opens up her bodega for half a day on Sundays, had closed her store. She was all sharped up, wearing a big lavender hat with green and white flowers all over it. Just about all the shops on
my street were closed, including the candy-and-stationery store where people buy their Sunday papers.
I was praying that Vinny would be at church. I wanted him to see how good I looked. This year I had grown so much that we had to shop in the Junior Miss section. Mami had let me choose my own clothes without too much of a fuss, and this morning she’d even let me put on some pink lipstick and a little bit of eye shadow. I was wearing a real pretty off-white suit with a bright blue turtleneck blouse. I’d looked at myself in the mirror before we’d left and I liked what I saw .
When we got to church, it was real crowded. I saw Consuela and her family, Gigi and Doris, Lydia, Vivian, and a whole bunch of other kids, but not Vinny. Papi led us toward the far side of the church, over to an empty pew. As we sat down I heard some little kids giggling. When I turned around, I saw Maritza, Julio, David, and baby Iris all waving at me. Vinny was sitting next to his parents and gave me a big smile.
“Hey, there’s Vinny,” Tito whispered.
“I know.” My heart was beating so loud I could hardly hear what the priest was saying. After Mass I spoke to my parents. “Did you see the Davila family? Why don’t we go and say hello.” I was looking for any excuse to talk to Vinny.
When we walked over to them, Mrs. Davila was all smiles in Johnny’s direction. “I know this young man very well. He’s a good and responsible brother who takes good care of his sister.” I wished she hadn’t said that, because right away Mami takes off on one of her speeches.
“Indeed, Mrs. Davila. I want you to understand that our Felita is not allowed to run around wildly, as is the custom in this country.” I couldn’t wait for Mami to shut up. I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to fall right through the cracks in the sidewalk. But even though I felt like I was burning up inside, I tried to act real calm. When I looked at Vinny, he smiled so sweetly at me that I knew he was on my side. It made me feel a whole lot better.
Later my parents took us all to a movie and then we had dinner out. That was a real treat because my folks had been saving every cent for our trip to Puerto Rico, and nowadays we never ate out.
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