Linda was a young woman with ambitions. She, too, was a model from Atlanta Georgia, but had a strained relationship with her parents, so she decided to try her luck in Miami, and was thrilled at the opportunity to work with a pair of successful models. She was grateful that they gave her a chance.
By 1993, the 3 girls made regular appearances on TV as dancers in music videos and TV shows. Eurodance was the new genre of music that was becoming very popular. Singer Haddaway released his own Eurodance hit song "What Is Love?" which featured Cassandra on the recording, singing the female vocals.
The women collectively called themselves "Latina", after their heritage. They weren't making any songs yet as their modelling careers were still going strong, and so far Linda made a comfortable living as a singer for Cubano Pasado as well as a model, even though at the time she was just a print model and hadn't made it to the runway yet.
There was a children's birthday party at Cubano Pasado, and cameras were also coming to film the models host it.
Danielle was up first, singing with her mother and Aunt Alison, a version of the alphabet while in a 60s Motown style.
Cassandra did something similar - she sang a counting song, back up by her mother and Aunt Alison and an ABBA-like piece.
The segments were featured on Sesame Street, and footage of the girls and families singing Feliz Cumpleaños when the birthday cake was presented was featured on the Spanish version of Sesame Street (Barrio Sésamo).
In 1994, Latina got a record deal, and soon they were in the studio. But just as they were finishing the album, Cassandra and Danielle's bisabuela Rosa got sick, so they went to be with her.
"My girls!" She said when she saw them. "My darlings! Please finish your album! Don't worry about me."
"Not before saying our goodbyes." Said Danielle.
"My beautiful angels." Said Rosa. "You have made me so proud. Cassandra, I want to give you this."
"What is it?" She asked.
"It's an Amethyst. I obtained it when I went to Brazil many years ago. I knew you should have it because it's your birthstone."
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"Gracias bisuabela!" Said Cassandra as she and Rosa shared their last hug. She also gave Danielle her diamond engagement ring, since diamond was her birthstone.
"When your bisabuelo proposed to me, I knew it was meant to be." Said Rosa. "He was spontaneous, and so was I. We traveled the world together. I've had a good life."
Rose passed away not long after, and after her funeral, as her parents drove home from the church, she heard the song "Missing" by Everything But The Girl. It was the Todd Terry remix, and she liked it a lot. She was missing her bisabuela, but wasn't as sad as she thought she'd be, because she knew Rosa would've wanted Cassandra, Danielle, and everyone else for that matter to move forward. Rosa's funeral was a celebration of her life as well as a time to grieve.
The Todd Terry remix of the song "Missing" was very popular in the US reaching #2 on the charts, and Cassandra bought the single, and listened to it when missing her great grandmother, but also listened to it just for the sake of it because she liked the song.
Initially, she thought it was a guy singing the song, and so she was surprised to find that it was a woman - Tracey Thorn. And she'd said as much when she was having dinner one night as Danielle's house when the song came on TV.
"Not a very feminine woman." Said Emilio, agreeing with Cassandra.
"Where are they from?" Asked Safira.
"England." Said Danielle. "They're an indie duo."
"Catchy." Said Safira.
When Cassandra came home later that evening, she was pleased to find her abuela Barbara at home with her parents.
"Abuela!" Cried Cassandra.
"Querida chiquitita mia!" Said Barbara as she shared a hug with her beautiful granddaughter. "How are you holding up?"
"Not too badly actually." Said Cassandra. "Bisabuela would've wanted me to be joyful, so I am."
"That's my niña. You're a strong young woman. But remember, I'm always here if you need me." Said Barbara.
"She gave me this." Cassandra showed her grandmother the Amethyst.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Said Barbara. "But not as beautiful as you."
Cassandra lay in her loving grandmother's arms as they watched TV together.
