Usnavi July 2024
"Dad, do you have to go?"
"Javier, we will only be gone a week. Your Gran and Abuelita will be here and Abuela will be by all the time."
"Why do you have to go?"
"Because we are finally celebrating Aunt Mari and Uncle Jaime's graduation."
He pouts but helps me finish packing. Vanessa us finishing changing Daniel.
"Are you ready Amor? Your moms will be here soon."
"Yep. Little man just needed a diaper change."
She picks up Daniel and snuggles him close.
"He will be okay while we are gone," I say walking over and kissing her cheek.
She nods. "I know."
She walks out and is surrounded by the kids. She hugs each of the tightly and snuggles them for a moment. I hug and kiss each kid. While she finishes her goodbyes, Daniella and Carla knock.
"Thank you for coming to watch the kids. They are excited to spend a week with their Gran and Abuelita."
"Of course Usnavi," Carla says hugging me. "We love watching our grandchildren."
"Also, mom will be over occasionally to check in on things. She makes them dinner every Thursday."
"No worries. I can't wait to catch up with Martha. Now, enjoy your week and we will see you when you return."
They hug Vanessa before we leave.
A week later Vanessa , Marisol, Jaime, and I are Florida. We took a cruise from New York to Florida. Tomorrow, we fly home. This is the best time I have had with my siblings in a while. I can see Mari is becoming like her old happy self again.
This afternoon, the three of us are on the beach while Vanessa takes a nap. She has been feeling sick this week. I personally thing she is pregnant again but she will tell me when she is ready.
"Bubba, what are you thinking?" She asks me while we walk along the beach.
"Nothing really. I'm just enjoying our time together. I'm thinking I'm happy to have my sister back. I'm thankful that you are healing."
She hugs me and smiles. "I love you Bubba."
"I love you too Tiny."
She rolls her eyes but smiles. "I'm not so tiny anymore."
"Mari, you are barely over five feet. You are still pretty tiny," Jaime and I laugh with me as she smacks me.
"Seriously, I'm so proud of the two of you. I'm thankful everyday that you two are my brother and sister. Jaime, you remind me so much of dad. You look just like him but you act like mom. Mari, you remind me so much of dad. You act just like he did. You are mischievous but loving."
Mari looks sad at this. "I miss him so damn much!" She cries.
Jaime and I wrap our arms around her. "So do we Mari." Jaime says.
"There's just, so much I wish I could tell him."
"I know I'm not dad, but you can tell me," I tell her.
She looks hesitant.
"Well, I know dad always wanted me to go to college. I don't think college is the right direction for me. I want to be a cosmetologist. There are a few schools I can learn from around here. I've applied to one in the Bronx and have been accepted."
"That's great Tiny! I have no doubt dad would be proud of you."
"You think so? He always said I would attend Harvard like him."
"You remember that wrong. He said you could attend Harvard like him. He didn't mean you have to. He also always said you can do whatever you want to do. He would be happy for you and I know mom will be happy too."
Mari nods, not saying anything. I can see there is one more thing she wants to say.
"Spit it out Marisol," Jaime says.
"I... well... I'm gay." She says and then hides her face. I scoot closer to her and hug her tight.
"You don't have to hide your face Marisol. Mom, Dad. and I have known since you were 12. We were just waiting for you to be ready to tell us. Mom and I suspected you would have told us earlier, had dad not died."
"You knew?"
"Well, we didn't really know, but we had our suspicions. It doesn't matter to any of us that you are gay. As long as you are happy and are treated well, we are happy."
"Dad didn't care?"
"No and mom won't either. They just want you to be happy. That is what we all want for you."
"He's right sissy. We just want you happy." Jaime says.
She turns to Jaime and they hug.
"I don't know why I waited so long to tell you guys."
"You were going through a lot. We are just glad you told us," I tell her.
The next day, we return home. While Vanessa is seeing the kids, I take Mari and Jaime home. When mom see us, she runs to us and hugs us. "I'm so glad you guys are home. How was your week?"
"It was good. We had a lot of fun." Jaime says hugging mom.
"Mom, can I tell you something?"
"Of course baby. What do you want to tell me?"
Mari repeats to mom what she told Jaime and I. When she is finished, she is crying and mom hugs her tight.
"Thank you for telling me Baby. As long as you are happy and healthy, I am happy. When do you start school?"
"Next month."
"We will go out and get all you need for your classes, later this week."
"I love you Momny!," Mari says excitedly.
Mom smiles and kisses Mari's brow. "I love you too Baby. Now, go unpack. The three of us are going out for dinner. I don't feel like cooking."
"I'm going to get home now and see my kids. I love you Mom and will see you later."
She hugs me and kisses my head. "Love you too baby. See you later."
Usnavi January 2025
Today is Javier's 12th birthday. Vanessa is currently seven months pregnant with our next child.
We are having a family party when Mari walks in with a woman.
"Auntie Mari, you made it!" Javier says excitedly.
"Of course I made it. I told you I would be here."
"Auntie, who is this?" He asks, pointing to the woman next to her.
See sees me looking and motions for mom and I to come over.
"Javi, Mom, Usnavi, and Jaime, I want you guys to meet Angelica. She is my girlfriend."
Mom smiles and instantly wraps Angelica in a hug.
"I am so happy to meet you."
"See, I told you she is a hugger." Mari laughs.
Angelica laughs. "That's okay. I'm a hugger too. Im happy to meet you too."
I extend a hand and shake it when mom lets go. "I'm Usnavi. I'm her older brother. I'm glad you were able to come to my son's birthday. Welcome to my home. Come on in. Mari will introduce you to everyone."
She smiles and Mari grabs her hand. Mom hugs me and we enjoy watching Mari happily introduce Angelica to everyone.
