Caballeros

Blast From The Past (Edited)

            

Joaquin

I stand there in shock as I stare at her. I have rehearsed in my head over and over what I'd say if I had ever saw her again. Nothing is coming out of my mouth my mouth goes dry. She looks just as shocked as I am as she is staring back at me. She looks exactly like her mama; she is beautiful. I can see tears forming in her eyes and I get choked up myself.

She flings her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly. Taking me by complete surprise; the contact sends a jolt through my body. I hug her back as if my life depended on it. I lift her off the ground and swing her around. She laughs and, my god her laugh is the most wonderful sound to my ears.

"Gordo, I can't believe it's really you!" She says tearfully.

"I know this is so unreal."

"You look good, really good. I mean wow," She says. I think she realizes what she has said because her face gets all red. It makes me blush too.

"You look amazing too. You look just like your ma."

"Thank you. Everyone this is Gordo..umm I mean Joaquin. I didn't know that Joaquin was your name," she giggles, making me laugh.

"You actually thought my name was Gordo?" I crack up.

"Yeah." She says sheepishly. She blushes and its really cute.

"Hey everyone, nice to meet ya'll. Oh, hey Noel, how you been? You ready to be a daddy?"

"I've been good. I am really excited to become a daddy. How have you been Joaquin?"

"I'm good too. Just stressed with trying to get ready for these bull riding qualifiers for the big rodeo."

"What do you mean, you don't win anything today?" Noel asks.

"Naw, it's to qualify for the finals tomorrow. Then if I do well tomorrow I qualify for championship rodeo on Sunday."

"That's cool, "Jules says then asks, aren't you scared to be hurt?"

"It comes with the territory," I say like it's no big deal.

"Hey Joaquin! It's time to get set up." Santiago says.

"Ok, I'll be right there. I am just gonna give my baby girl a kiss for luck." I say wondering what Jules thinks about me being a daddy.

"Your baby girl is a doll," Jules says with a smile.

"Thank you," I say. I pick up Trinity up from Noel's lap. "Give me a besito Trin" She gives me a kiss. "Now persename." She tries to bless me with the mark of the cross across my face. I kiss her tiny hand after she is done.

"Awww,"Everyone says in unison.

"Good luck and be safe out there," Jules says hugging me again.

"I'll try," I smile.

I get to the pen and Goliath is not happy; He is grunting and snarling. I take off my cowboy hat and wipe my brow with the back of my hand. I am nervous, not sure if it's because of Goliath or because she is watching me. Don't fuck this up Joaquin.

"Get your head in the game and stop thinking of my cousin puto," Santiago says with a laugh.

"Fuck off, give me my gloves and my rope." I say. He hands them to me and put the gloves on. I wrap the rope in my right then tie it under a rope that is around Goliath's body for support.

I climb the side of the pen and I lower myself slightly. I am hovering over Goliath's massive back. I hold onto his horns calming him as he tries to buck. I take a deep breath and hold up my left arm when I am ready. I drop my arm once I'm truly ready to go. The gate to the pen is lifted, I sit all the way down on Goliath and he takes off running.

Goliath bucks like crazy and I'm just along for the ride. Just eight seconds, just eight seconds I keep telling myself. Hold your body straight you lean you'll lose points. He bucks and I hold on tightly with my left and while my right arm is in the air. I hear the horn sound eight seconds and I'm still riding on Goliath. All I can think is that I did it! He bucks hard one last time and I go flying off. I scramble to my feet just in time as Goliath's massive hoof lands right where I landed a few seconds before. The adrenaline coursing through my body is like no other feeling I have ever felt.

I jump over the gate and run toward the crowd to get to my baby. Everyone is clapping and cheering. Trinity claps her chubby baby hands together when she sees me. Seeing my daughter, my everything, makes me so happy.

"Dada, dada!" she screams. "Toro dada."

"Yeah Mija, that toro was big wasn't he"? I ask and she nods.

I take her from Sabrina's arms and hold my baby tightly. Everything I do is for this little girl and I want to be the best I can be for her. I wait for the results to be announced. I always get anxious during this time. I'm my own worst critic, always finding what I messed up on. The announcer begins to let us know who will be advancing. I mean the other bull riders are great and my buddies but all I care about is how I did.

"Joaquin Ortega has advanced to the Semi-finals tomorrow afternoon. He had the best time of the night with nine seconds and a score of 93.5."

"YES!" I scream. I pump my fist in the air and Trinity copies me making me laugh.

I turn and look into the crowd and wave at everyone. But the only person I want to see is beaming with pride and she cheers for me. I take off my hat and tip it to her. Jules.

All of the sudden all these waves of emotions hit me. Happiness, sadness and resentment. The feeling is far too overwhelming. I look around at everyone near us they are oblivious to what I'm feeling. Thank god for that.

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