Tap Through The Beat

Caught

Two months since my family and I had been here in Santa Cecilia and not a single parent caught Miguel and I sneaking off when we do our work to the plaza to either watch the mariachis play or be secretly part of a troop.

Currently, I was sewing up a hole in the sombrero of a mariachi while Miguel was shinning his shoes.

Miguel was too wrapped up in telling his story about his family being cursed that he failed to notice that he had stopped shinning the mariachi's shoes.

"Um...Miguel?"

I called out but he was unresponsive. The mariachi sighed in annoyance "Ayayai mi amigo, I ask for a shoe shine not your life story" he said which snapped Miguel out of his story line.

"Oh, sorry"

Miguel quickly continued on with his task while the Mariachi began to play and strum his guitar.

Instinctively, my feet began to make slow taps to the beat. Miguel looked at me and smiled before he frowned.

"I just can't talk about this at home so..."

The mariachi stopped playing and looked at Miguel "Look if I were you, I'd march right up to my family and say Hey!, I'm a musician! Deal with it!"

I imagined myself saying that only to end up getting scolded and grounded by my Abuelito and my parents.

"We could never say that, our families would freak. Especially our grandparents"

The mariachi looked at Miguel and I "You are a musician and a dancer no?" I rubbed the back of my neck and shrugged.

"We don't know, I mean. Miguel and I keep this to ourselves"

"Ah! Did de la Cruz became the greatest musician by hiding his sweet sweet skills?! No!, he walked out onto that plaza and he played out loud"

We stood still at the mariachi's outburst. The mariachi turned and pointed to a tarpaulin.

"Ah mira, mira, they're setting up for tonight. The music competition for Dia de Muertos. You should sign up and every musician sometimes need a back up dancer"

We both chuckled nervously before Miguel shook his head "Uh uh...our families would freak" I nodded in agreement.

I bit the thread off and looked at my neat work. The mariachi stared at Miguel before he handed him his guitar.

"Show me what you got muchacho"

Miguel stared at the guitar frozen on the spot before he shakily took it.

"Su chica and I will be your first audience"

I barely registered that the mariachi said that I was Miguel's girl because I was too excited to see Miguel play for the first time in public.

"MIGUEL!"

"ANGELITA!"

As if being burnt, Miguel threw the guitar back to the mariachi and I placed his sombrero back and began packing.

Nuestra abuelos came with Rosa and Berto Rivera. Both looking angry and fire filed their eyes.

We are both dead...

"Abuelita!"

Miguel smiled nervously as Elena screamed "What are you two doing here?!" Miguel's words were stuck in his mouth.

"You leave my grandson and Angelita alone!"

Elena screamed, hitting the mariachi with her shoe while my Abuelito pulled me and Miguel away.

"Doña please, I was just getting a shine"

"We know your tricks mariachi. Mi angel, what did he say to you and Miguel?"

I opened my mouth to answer my Abuelito an excuse when Miguel neat me to it "He was jus showing us his guitar" I jabbed him in the side.

Rosa and Berto gasped in horror and our both grandparent's anger just accelerated.

"Our poco dulce, tipo Angels wants no part of your music. You keep away from them!"

Miguel and I watched helplessly as the mariachi scrambled to safety and we were both helpless for the oncoming slaughter of hugs and kisses.

"The two of you know better than to be here in this place! You and I will have a long talk Angelita"

"The same goes for you Miguel"

The two of us didn't have any room for argument as our grandparents along with Berto and Rosa started walking back home.

I sighed before Miguel snatched two papers with the competition sign on. He gave one to me and I hid it on my sewing kit before we ran after them.

"How many times have we told you that place is crawling with mariachis!"

Berto said more to Miguel than me. Miguel's answer was with a sigh "Yes Tio Berto" A bark coming from behind me came as Dante went under my legs and went to Miguel.

"No, no, no, no..."

Miguel said rapidly before Elena took out her shoe and swatted Dante away.

"Its just Dante"

Miguel said but Elena was quick to retort "Never name a street dog, they'll follow you forever" My Abuelito also chose that time to add.

"Not to mention the diseases it has"

"Now, go get my shoe" Elena ordered Miguel as if he was a dog.

***

After bidding Miguel and his family goodbye, Abuelito grabbed me by the arm and literally dragged me home.

"I saw your daughter at the plaza today"

Abuelito said flatly, the entire family gasped in shock. I quickly stood up for myself "I was just sewing up torn clothes"

Abuelito scoffed "You were sewing a mariachi's sombrero!" Papa groaned and turned to me from his work.

"Angelita, we have talked about this. When Abuelito says no then its no"

I lowered my gaze and nodded my head. I suddenly perked up "um...Papa, there is this talent show tonight and I was thinking that I should sign up" Wow, that was easier than I thought.

Antonio and Maria snickered "Angelita, you got to have talent to join a talent show and the only thing I know you're good at sewing" I opened my mouth to retort but closed it.

They didn't know I could actually Tap Dance.

"And besides, it's Dia de Muertos, No One is going anywhere"

Abuelito said with emphasis as he fixated his stern glare on me. I sighed in defeat.

If Abuelito says no, he always makes sure to empathize it on me.