The Black Queen

Eighth Entry

December 25, 1983

Merry Christmas! It has been a great week so far with my entire family. My parents picked me up from the airport here in Vera Cruz. They were so happy to see me again. I felt the same way. I have never been so far from them for such a long time. And it was even better because I got to see the rest of my family along with them. Vera Cruz gets hotter every year. It might also be just because it's been snowing in London and I haven't felt so much heat for a while. Either way it's good to be back home. Technically, Arizona is home, but this is my second home. 

"Dahlia, is it true? Do they drive on the left side of the road in London?" My mom asked me. Of course she asked me in Spanish, I'm just translating.

"Yea, má, it's true"

"Que raro" she said, which meant "how weird." She's not very used to things being different. Like when she came to the United States, she said she didn't understand why people weren't as religious, why there weren't as many crucifixes. Oh yea, she's really religious. She banned the movie The Exorcist from even being mentioned in our house. 

"But it's really nice, má. The people are really nice, my boss is so great, too."

"Are you earning good money?" My dad asked me. He was driving the car.

"Yea, I'm earning pretty good. About nine euros an hour."

"And what is that in United States?"

"About the same amount, I think."

"hmmm" my dad was always so strict with what I was doing with my future. He'd always say "I didn't come to this country for my daughter to just do drugs!" Same damn excuse. I tried telling him about my ad designing dream job, but he never liked the idea. he allowed me with this one just to get experience. I don't know exactly what he wants me to be, just "something that won't disappoint him."

"How's Marty?" I asked

"He's very good, mi hijita. He was very sad when you left. You two were always so close."

"I know, I missed him, too"

"He's in school now, in New York" my dad said

"New York! Whoa, what's he doing there?"

"I told you. School" my dad said

"I know but what school?"

"New York Film Academy"

"Oh wow, that's so great! I remember when he used to bring out his little camera and record stuff. He was always so passionate about it"

"Yes, he got accepted, I don't think he ever got to tell you. He left two weeks after you did." my mom said

"Really? I wonder why he didn't tell me." Marty always tells me everything. I did the same thing. We never kept anything from each other. It was really weird that he didn't tell me. 

We finally arrived home where the rest of my family was. It's a very beautiful house. It has a large flower garden in the front with decorations and lights. It's always so full of life and happiness. I love coming here. I went into the house and everyone greeted me. I have so many family members. I can't name them all so I'll just count them for you. 

I have four grandparents, seven aunts, nine uncles, and countless numbers of younger cousins. The oldest is twenty-two and the youngest is three. I have no siblings, if you remember. So being here for two weeks is like having brothers and sisters during this time once a year. They all asked me about my job, what it's like to live in London. They were all so curious. Most of them had never left this side of the world. Some of them had never even left Mexico. It was just so new to all of them. 

Later that night, me and two of my cousins were helping me unpack my stuff. They are the oldest of the group of my cousins. They're still in college. 

"Are there any cute guys in London?" one of them asked me

"Yea, there are." I replied

"And... have you met anyone yet?"

"No, haven't really got the time"

"She's lying" my other cousin said.

"No Im not" I said

"Dahlia, you know Elizabeth is a total lie detector" 

"She doesn't know anything"

"You wanna bet." Elizabeth challenged me

"Try me"

"Okay...he's...a very well known man. He's strikingly handsome, I assume"

"Elizabeth, don't waste your time, there is no man."

"Tell us!" my other cousin said. I decided to tell them

"But you guys can't tell anyone! No one! I mean it" They both nodded their heads. I breathed in a little. "I might have met someone, I don't know." They both squealed.

"Is he handsome?"  the other one asked

"Of course"

"Does he do anything? What does he do?" Elizabeth asked me

"He's a musician" 

"A musician? Wow, you got a good one" the other one asked

"What does he look like?" Elizabeth asked me 

"He's blonde, with beautiful blue eyes, sculpted face."

"Is he good in bed?" 

"Maria!" Elizabeth scorned

"What?" she replied

"He's not so bad." I replied

"If Tia Stella and Tio Diego finds out, you're so dead, you know." Elizabeth said

"That's why you guys are not going to say a single word."

"But what if they do find out somehow?" Maria asked me "You know how religious Tia is. You've done things that is sinful."

"Maria, you know I don't really believe in that much, right?"

"But your mom does, and that's what will cause problems." Elizabeth said

"Well, I just need to keep this as much of a secret as possible. Or else, they'll be on my ass for  I don't know how long."

"Ay Dahlia" Elizabeth began. "You've always been the disobedient one in the family."

"I don't call it disobedient I call it living my life the way I want to."

So in that case, you see how much more complicated things have gotten. I'm staying for another week then I'll be back in London, to Roger again. Oh god I miss him so much. But I can't let anyone know about him. I don't think anyone will ever know about us. They can't. It's impossible. They'll never understand. What have I gotten myself in to?

-Dahlia