Emilia's POV
It's been a few weeks since Elena came out. The school year is approaching its end. This week is the last week of school And just 2 weeks from now will be our quinces.
Even though our birthday is in August we're having our quinces the end of June because it was the only time papi would be able to come from Afghanistan.
The week after our quinces I'll drive up to UCLA for the Voices Of Tomorrow program. UCLA will hosts all the participants this year and we'll get to stay on campus. Attending seminars and getting help from their faculty to write a journalistic story on the topic of our choosing. There will even be a contest for your paper to be published on the school's website.
For now Alex, Elena, Alex, and I are on Skype with papi listening to one of his over exaggerated story he loves to tell.
"That really happened. I'm not kidding." Dad says as he finishes his story.
"Ay, qué bueno, you are home. We are Skyping... a handsome, available man in Afghanistan. It's Victor. Your husband?" Abuelita says to mom as she enters the apartment. She just came back from her 5th date with Ben.
"Is that your mami I hear?" Papi asks.
"Yeah, she wants to say hi." Alex says from next to Abuelita.
"Hi, Victor! Everything good? Great. See you next week. Mami, I need some help in the kitchen." Mom says quickly as she heads into the kitchen.
"In a minute. Victor is showing us a picture of a funny camel. It is very tiny. It has no humps. And... it is a dog." Abuelita says as dad pulls up a picture of his friend's new dog. With that Elena and I go to the kitchen to talk to mom.
"So... quick question. When Papi's here next week, do we have to, like, hang out with him?" I ask mom while I grab a juice from the fridge.
"The whole reason he's coming home is for your quinces. Plus, we haven't seen him in over a year." Mom says while scoffing.
"I love Papi, but we have nothing in common." Elena says while taking a bite of an apple.
"Yeah, and he treats us like we're 5 and not 15!" I add on.
"Every time we Skype, we just stare at each other until one of us thinks the screen froze. And sometimes I just pretend it..." Elena explains and stops mid sentence pretending to be frozen on a computer.
"Look, I get it, but it's only for a few days. And, uh, where are we with the idea of telling him?" Mom asks.
"Oh, who thinks it's a good idea to greet my Latino veteran dad with, Hey, I like girls!" Elena asked sarcastically.
"You'll finally have something in common." Mom states jokingly.
"So, Lupita, aren't you going to talk to Victor?" Abuelita asks as Elena and I head back to the livingroom.
"Papi, do you want to see my part for the quartet tomorrow?" Alex asked as we walk back to the couch.
"Of course Papito!" Papi answers. Alex quickly grabs his cello.
"Ooh, what are you doing, papito?" Mom asked from the kitchen counter.
"Since Papi can't be here for my cello recital tomorrow, I'm gonna play my part of the quartet for him." Alex states with a shrug. He starts playing. Only playing a few notes at a time and pausing where he would in the quartet.
"My God, he is a genius." Abuelita states.
"It makes more sense when the other three people are playing. I wish you could be here." Alex says sheepishly.
YOU ARE READING
The Days of Emilia
ChickLitEmilia Alvarez is the younger twin sister to Elena Alvarez. They are as close as twins can be. The two are opposites in some ways, but find common interest in other things as well. Sometimes living with a younger brother, mom, and Abulita can get a...
