Tap Through The Beat

Running Away

Once again I was grounded in my room. Usually this happens when my mistake is grave and heading off to the plaza is a grave one.

For a five year old.

I sat on my bed brooding before I looked around and took the slab of wood out and get Mama Coralie's Tap Shoes.

I went to the window and saw Miguel on his bedroom waving at me. He pointed to the direction of the Rivera roof and I nodded. I placed back the shoes and the slab.

Sometimes when both of us are down, Miguel and I would meet up in the old attic.

Sliding down a pipeline beside my window, I snuck inside the Rivera household before I clambered up to the roof.

Pushing the Rivera Zapatos sign to reveal a hole good enough for a small body to fit in, I crawled in and pushed the curtains.

Miguel was strumming his hand made guitar while listening to a video of Ernesto de la Cruz and Dante was sprawled beside him. My feet began tapping to the slow song in a relaxed manner.

Soon, the video reached the part where Ernesto was being interviewed. Both of us listened closely to the musician's answer.

"...No one wasn't going to hand it down to me, I've got to reach for it, grab it tight and make it come true"

At those words, the screen went blank and Miguel stood up "We've got to do this Angelita, no more hiding" I grew confused for a moment before realization clicked into my mind.

"We're going to join the competition?!"

Miguel nodded and Dante barked "We have to if we want to prove ourselves as musicians and dancers even if it kills us" I chuckled.

"Literally or metaphorically?"

Miguel shrugged before I gasped "You go ahead Miguel, I have to get my shoes first, I want Mama Coralie, if she is out there, to know I am using her shoes" Both of us (along with Dante) dashed out of our secret place.

Climbing into my bedroom window, I took the slab and grabbed the shoes before making my way down.

"Mama! Where do you want these!?"

I gasped when I saw Papa heading my way and took a step back only to hear voice of my Mama and Abuelito.

The only thing behind me was the ofrenda room so I hastily went in and hid the shoes under a bunch of marigolds before I heard someone call me from behind.

"Angelita?"

"Me fue no haciendo cualquier cosa!"

I said rapidly and plastered up a smile. Abuelito, Papa and Mama looked at me weirdly before Mama gave me an excited smile.

"Angelita, we've got good news for you"

Dread filled me by the minute because -

"You mi poco angel are going to start real tailoring."

What?!

"What?!"

I voiced out in shock. Abuelito looked at me with pride before prepping me with kisses.

"You are going to make creative outfits that will make a legend out of you"

They chatted excitedly about tailoring and the benefits I will gain but the only thing that stops me from tailoring fully is that I might never have the time for dancing.

Which would be a nightmare.

Before I could retort, they already left with excited smiles. As much as I hate tailoring, I could not bear to wipe their smiles.

Making sure no on wasn't looking, I pulled the shoes out of the marigolds before I heard Tia Gracia call.

"Angelita, can you bring up some more marigold petals mija?"

Dumping the shoes to the basket of marigold petals, I walled towards Tia Gracia "Let me do it, I'll finish it up" Tia Gracia gave me a grateful smile before she left for the ofrenda room.

As soon as I finished placing a marigold pathway for our ancestors to come, I quickly grabbed the shoes, put them on and made my way to the Rivera gate to wait for Miguel.

I was nearly crushed by the tall gate when it was wildly swung open and Miguel, teary eyed, ran out.

"Miguel?!"

I managed to shout out. He stopped before he ran back to me and grasped my arm before he pulled me to a sprint.

I clearly wasn't thinking because I was already running with Miguel as we darted through the crowd.

"Miguel what's wrong? donde es su Guitarra?" I asked but he merely tightened his grip.

We arrived at the plaza where the competition was starting. Miguel and I headed to the one who was signing on a check board.

"Please, we want to enter the competition, can we still sign up?"

Miguel asked desperately while I was trying to process the dampness of his face and the despair that seemed to cloud over his entire self.

"Do you have an instrument?"

"I-I don't have but can I borrow?"

The attendant answered "You are suppose to have your own instrument, I'll put you on the list" Miguel and I began scouring the entire plaza for a guitar but none of them seem to want to borrow their guitar.

"Miguel..."

I spoke softly when I saw his downcast eyes. I grasped his hands and tightened them in comfort.

"I found out that Ernesto de la Cruz is my great great grandfather"

That's new.

My eyes widen and my mouth gaped in shock. All this time, his great great grandfather was the talk of the town?!

"I told my family about my dream of becoming a musician. Abuelita smashed my guitar"

I know I'm not suppose to be mad towards the elderly but what Elena did was very bad in Miguel's part.

Does she even have any idea how many hours he spent crafting the guitar?!

Our gazes went up to the statue of Ernest de la Cruz "Señor de la Cruz what are we gonna do?" Miguel asked.

My gaze went to the plague of the statue before the sound of fireworks made me look up. I saw Miguel gazing at the statue's guitar and a thought crossed my mind.

Ernesto's tomb lay his guitar that hasn't been used for decades already.

"Oh no Miguel, we are not -"

"We have to Angelita, I want to prove to myself and to the family that music is a wonderful thing and not something they should ban. Also, it could give your family an idea that it isn't a curse"

I hate what I am about to do tonight.