Little Havana Nights

Trouble With The Kids

One night, when Valentino was 17, and in his last year at school, he told his parents he was going to a friend's house to study. Gabriel and Danielle had no reason to disbelieve him because he'd done that before, and they knew his friends and their families.

But on this particular night, the 3 guys felt it a good idea to go joyriding, and they were caught not too far from home.

The police officer, who knew the Hernandez couples from being their bodyguard, knew all 3 guys, and the friend who was driving was in the deepest trouble. He explained to Valentino and the other passenger that because they were passengers, they weren't in trouble with the law, but they could very well be in trouble with their parents for lying to them and prepared to call the parents to come and get their sons.

"Officer, I live literally around the corner, I can walk home." Said Valentino.

"I know, but because you're a minor, your parents have to come get you. It's the law." Said the officer.

He telephoned, with Danielle answering, and she was astounded that Valentino and lied to her and Gabriel. The officer then gave the phone to Valentino so he could talk to her and hear his mother's anger.

"What is this I hear about you joyriding?!" She said.

"Well we were learning things, so we wanted to have some fun afterwards." Said Valentino in a vain attempt to answer his mother. Gabriel was by his wife's side, overhearing what was going on, telling her to tell Valentino they would arrive soon.

"You hear that Valentino? So behave yourself, and don't cause anymore trouble for the officer while you wait for papi and I." Said Danielle.

"No, don't come with dad, don't come with dad!" Valentino freaked out. He had a close relationship with his father, but Gabriel could be strict if need be, especially with Valentino, so he knew he was in for it.

The couple walked around the corner to where Valentino and the other boys were waiting for their parents.

"Your friend here is the one getting charged." Said the officer, "It would've been you had you been driving, but you had the good sense to not drive. But maybe next time don't lie to your parents."

"I won't." Said Valentino.

"I want you to promise you won't do this ever again." Said Danielle to her son.

"I promise I won't do this again." Said Valentino.

"You sure won't. Then you'll be in deeper trouble." Said Gabriel.

The short walk home felt long and painful for Valentino. When they got home, the couple weren't shy about letting their anger be known, telling him about the potential dangers of joyriding, especially since his friend was driving without a license.

"We just wanted to have some fun after all that homework." Said Valentino.

"There are other ways to have fun, that don't involve putting your life in danger." Said Gabriel. "Start being responsible and act like a man!"

Meanwhile, in the other Hernandez home, Olivia was becoming a public figure with her youtube videos which mostly consisted of makeup tutorials and covering various favorite songs she grew up with. She was getting sponsors as well as modelling gigs, which her parents were very proud of, but they still wanted her to finish her education and go to college.

But one day, while filming a video for her fans, she stated that she actually didn't care about school and that she was only interested in going to college for the "fun" parts such as games nights and the parties.

"What do you mean you don't care about school?!" Said Ariel when he and Cassandra found out about the remark from their other daughter, Felicidad.

"And film yourself saying that for all the world to see?!" Added Cassandra.

"Well people don't always need college to succeed in life, you guys never did!" Olivia protested.

"We were full-time models, Olivia!" Said Cassandra. "You're not traveling to Europe to do runway shows like I was, hence you have the time to go to college! And when I say go to college, I actually mean LEARN at the college, actually go to those classes."

"But I'm living the dream, I'm doing what I wanna do!" Said Olivia.

"Olivia, you're going to college, and you'll be attending the classes, and you'll study like everyone else." Said Ariel.

Olivia stormed off, mad most at her sister for telling on her.

The next day she met up with her cousin Orquidea, and told her about her argument with her parents.

"They no doubt want what's best for you." Said Orquidea. "And maybe college won't be so bad, you could learn to do more for your trade."

"Perhaps you're right..." Said Olivia. "Maybe I could expand my horizons."

That night, Olivia made up with her parents, promising to attend the classes when she'd go to college. She was going to study fashion and show business.