A Quiet Kismet

Chapter Twenty Six

AGE: 9

It was December, and the first holiday the entire family was together. Delia and her husband Beto were back from Houston, Jorge was fresh off the rigs, and Jaimie was already showing the small bump of her belly. Me, Jules, and Ruby were off for winter break, and even Mom had taken the full week off to be home. Mom hadn't stopped smiling since everyone arrived, it was probably the happiest I'd seen her in a long time.

"They all look happy." Jules said, nudging my leg. We were sitting together on one of the smaller sofas, and we both watched in awe as our family fell back into a familiar rhythm.

With everyone gone, the house felt like it was on its last leg. Like the life in it had been sucked out. But with everyone home for once, it was like our old house was given a breath of fresh air. And we were once again alive because we were home again.

Mom was sitting on the couch and was combing Delia's hair, giving her a french braid. Jaimie and Jorge were teaching Ruby how to play uno. He was only five, but even he knew that when everyone was home it was like a puzzle finally being put back together. With everyone home, not one conversation seemed linear. We all knew how rare it was we were all together, so we all talked over one another, sharing laughs and knowing glances. We were together, and it felt like home. Finally home.

"That's because they all are. We are." I smiled, nudging her back. "Come on, let's get in on that uno game."

"Okay, but you can't go disowning me when I win."

"That's fine, because you're not winning."

***

In the Mexican Catholic faith, we observe a day for La Virgen De Guadalupe, the Virgin Mary. It is said that La Virgen De Guadalupe had visited a man named Juan Diego in Mexico City and had told him to build a giant church on Tepeyac Hill. The bishop was unsure and told him to give him a sign. When Juan Diego went back to the spot where he saw La Virgen, a rose bush had grown where cactus had been. Apparently that was enough for the Bishop and he built the church there. Today that is the Basilica of Guadalupe, a huge church visited during the holiday where the statue of La Virgen stands. People travel from all over to pray and give thanks on December Twelfth the day Juan Diego encountered her.

In Mexico the festivals are crazy. Street vendors come out in droves, and sell special goods. Churches are filled to max capacity. Parades organically begin in the streets, filled with people ready to celebrate the Patron Saint of Mexico. People party, concerts are thrown, it is the one day Mexicans from all around get together to celebrate in solidarity.

In Gable we had a tight knit Mexican Catholic community and at the head of it was Cathlene Navarro, Derek's mom. They threw a huge party every year to celebrate the occasion and every year Mom dragged us to it without fail. I came to have a love-hate relationship with the holiday. I loved it because I got to see Derek and be inside the big beautiful house he lived in, the one I admired every time I walked by to get to school. But I hated that my Mom made a big deal out of it every single year as if we were devout Catholics (Which we weren't) The party was always a social event for all the adults and something us kids just dreaded because we were expected to be on our best behavior, while our parents bragged about us.

That year I didn't mind the parent parade, because for the first time in years, my whole family was together. I wasn't the only one riding high, as we left the house I caught Mom smiling from ear to ear as she wrangled us into the cars.

When we arrived, I marveled at all the big houses in Derek's neighborhood with their big expensive Christmas lights all on display. Every year I had let my little grinch heart be envious of Derek and his beautiful neighborhood. That year I admired them, and didn't dare let myself feel envious. I had everything I needed.