Purple Heart

Together at last

The next day at school, Sara was excited to help set up for the art fair after school. The entire school day was okay, and for art class, Sara and her classmates did some studying instead of painting pictures. There still weren't enough volunteers to help set up the art fair, so many students who offered to volunteer were excused from their classes to start early. Sara actually enjoyed helping display these pieces of art. When school let out, Dolores and Lizbeth went off home while Sara stayed behind to help set up.

About two hours after school was dismissed, Isabela, Victor, Carmen, Cristobal, Rocio, and the twins went to the airport. In no time, the military plane arrived, and many of the veterans' families cheered loudly, excited to reunite with their military relatives. It took a little while, but when Enrique saw his family, he happily went over—and they were happy to see him.

"Hola, Isabela," Enrique smiled, hugging his wife.

"Hola, Enrique," Isabela smiled back. She and her husband shared a kiss.

"Bienvenido, mijo," Carmen smiled.

"Gracias, Mamá," Enrique smiled. He hugged his parents tightly, then moved onto his brother and sister-in-law, then his nieces. "Where's Luisa?"

"Keeping Sara busy," Isabela replied. "The art fair starts at 7."

"Well, you can return home after the art fair," Victor said. "In the meantime, you can come over to our house."

"Good idea," Enrique smiled.

Meanwhile, the gymnasium was completely set up, and the art fair was in an hour. Luisa had come to pick Sara up and take her home, so she could get herself ready.

"I hope you're excited, mija," Luisa smiled. "Tonight is sure to be a special night."

"I'm sure it will be," Sara said.

At home, Sara got in the shower and changed clothes. Once she was good and ready, she and Luisa returned to Mesa Grande for the art fair.

At Mesa Grande, a lot of folks had come for the art fair. Sara may have seen some of these pieces of art while setting up, but she was glad to truly admire them. Luisa was talking to Principal Howard, who knew about the Martinez family's little plan to surprise Sara. Soon enough, the rest of the family came, and Luisa hugged her son-in-law tightly. Everyone saw Sara walking around and admiring the pieces of artwork—and she stopped at the purple heart painting she did. The painting was at the top corner of a bulletin board, just above Robin's shoe painting.

"You have got to be kidding me," Robin's voice rang out in an unpleasant tone. She and her parents were eyeballing the two paintings. "Your painting above mine? But mine is more exciting to look at than yours."

"There's more to art than just looking, Robin," Principal Howard said. He turned to Sara and said, "Well, you sure have an eye for color, don't you, sugar?"

"Thank you, Mr. Howard," Sara smiled.

"Well, I have to say, this is a great way to announce our next shoe, dear," Mr. McBride smiled.

"Thank you, Daddy," Robin smiled.

"Why did you paint purple hearts when you could've painted the Eiffel Tower?" Mrs. McBride asked Sara.

"The purple hearts represent my dad," Sara replied, unaware that her father was listening. "He earned a Purple Heart when he was shot in the heart while serving in the military."

"He's a very strong man, I'm sure," Principal Howard smiled.

"I wonder what he would have to say about this," Sara said.

"Well, why don't you ask him yourself?" Enrique's voice rang out.

The sound of her father's voice made Sara jump, and she wondered if he was really here. She turned to find her father at the door, happy to see her.

"¡Papi!" Sara cried. She ran over and hugged her father tightly, crying tears of joy.

Many folks saw this, and they cheered loudly, happy to see a student reunite with her military father. Robin and her parents just stood there, wondering why this was such a big deal.

"You must be Colonel Martinez," Mr. Glazer smiled. "I'm Mr. Glazer, the art teacher."

"Nice to meet you," Enrique smiled back.

"How long are you staying?" Sara asked.

"About forever," Enrique smiled, wiping his daughter's tears away. "I've decided to retire and come home to mi familia por siempre."

"Yay," Sara beamed.

"Oh, congratulations," Mr. Glazer smiled. "Well, Mr. Martinez, let me just say your daughter is very talented when it comes to art."

"I'm not surprised," Enrique smiled. "She'd make her own postcards to send to me."

"Aw, that's wonderful," Mr. Glazer gushed.

The entire family was happy to have Enrique back with them, and all the students and teachers were happy for this wonderful family. Robin was a little jealous of the attention Sara's family was getting—she didn't understand why everyone was constantly fussing over the family being reunited.

After the art fair was over, the entire family went over to Sara's house for a late-night dinner party to welcome Enrique home.

"What are you planning on doing tomorrow?" Luisa asked Enrique.

"I don't know about the daytime, but I did hear about the opening of the Heartlake Gallery happening tomorrow," Enrique smiled.

"What do you say, Sara?" Isabela asked. "Do you want go with Papi to the gallery?"

"Okay," Sara smiled.

"She originally didn't want to go because she missed you really bad," Dolores spoke up.

"All it took to get her to go was for you to come back, and permanently," Lizbeth smiled.

Sara and Enrique hugged tightly.