Should've Said No

The G-Phone

Later, at Rosenda's house, she didn't have homework today, and since there were no supplies in the art studio for now, she decided to go on her laptop and look up the G-Phone. It took a while, but she managed to find a website with it—and it came in different colors. Suddenly, there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Entra," Rosenda called.

Elena entered her daughter's bedroom. "Hey, mija, you've been in here a while," she said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mami," Rosenda replied. "I was just looking for this." She showed her mother the webpage.

"The G-Phone?" Elena asked.

"All the way from Guatemala," Rosenda smiled. "Abuela said it was time I got a cell phone, and I thought this could be perfect. Can I get it, por favor? It'll take me a while to raise the money, but it'll be worth it."

But Elena read the information carefully, and there was something that she didn't like. "I'm sorry, baby, but this really isn't the best option for a cell phone—it's restricted," she said gently.

Rosenda looked at the website and read the big red letters out loud, "NOT LEGAL IN UNITED STATES." She was a little disappointed—she really thought something from her father's country was special enough, but she didn't want to get in trouble with the police. "Aw, well, this thing is too expensive anyway."

"Yes, it is," Elena agreed. "Don't worry, mija. You can still get a cell phone this weekend while we get the new supplies for the art studio."

"Would we have the money for a full-blown studio and a cell phone?" Rosenda asked. "Can I help pay for all that?"

"Yes, we would, and no, that's not necessary," Elena smiled. "You can use your money for that cell phone and maybe something a little special, too."

"Okay, Mami," Rosenda smiled.

Meanwhile, at Gripling Mansion, Robin went up to her parents, and she showed them the picture she'd printed of the cell phone she wanted. "Mother, Daddy, this is the G-Phone from Guatemala, and I want it," she demanded.

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Gripling smiled. "Let me see where we can get it." She went on a nearby computer and looked for the website with the G-Phone, and she found the same website Rosenda was on—but she read the information carefully. "Oh, I'm sorry, Robin, but this phone isn't legal in the United States."

"But I want it," Robin pouted.

"Well, if you want it that badly, then we'll get it for you," Mr. Gripling smiled.

"But there's no way we can order it or get it in any store here," Mrs. Gripling said.

"Then we'll have to fly to Guatemala to get it," Robin insisted. "I don't care how—I want it now!"

"Okay, darling, we'll fly to Guatemala to get the phone, but you'll have to wait until the weekend, so you won't miss school," Mr. Gripling said.

"Okay, Daddy," Robin sighed. She didn't know what to think—she wanted that cell phone right now, but she was happy that she'd get what she wanted.

That evening, Ricardo had come home, and the family got together for dinner.

"How was work, Ricardo?" Luisa asked.

"Pretty busy, Luisa," Ricardo replied. "I had to pull over a buzzed driver before he could crash."

"Yikes," Elena cringed.

"Sí, he'll be working out his debt to society for a month," Ricardo said. He turned to his daughter and asked, "How was school, mija?"

"Así-así," Rosenda replied.

"¿Por qué, mi nena?" Ricardo asked. "¿Qué pasó?"

"There's this snotty, bratty rich girl in my grade, and she's like a real-life version of Veruca Salt," Rosenda fretted. "She whines when someone says no to her, and she got really petty because she wanted my locker."

"Why did she want your locker so badly?" Elena asked.

"Goodness knows," Rosenda shrugged.

"Well, she's going to have to learn to accept no for an answer," Luisa said.

Rosenda smiled, agreeing with her grandmother. She really hoped that Robin would find something better to do with her life than to waste her time throwing tantrums over being told no.