We all know the story of Monse and Cesar. We know the backstory of these best friends turned lovers...well, part of it. The tip of the iceberg if you will. What if I told you that the beginning of their full story started way before any quince death...
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She was almost ready to leave the Martinez house after dropping Monse off and head to Oscar's, when she heard crying coming from Ruby's bedroom. It could barely be heard over the kids making plans in the dining room. She knocked softly on the door, and someone said to come in.
Molena cracked the door to see Olivia sniffling at the edge of the bed.
"I was about to head out...but we can talk if you need to vent, I have time." She smiled reassuringly
"I-I don't wanna hold you up. I know you were about to go-"
Molena sighed and sat in the bed. "Oh please, what did I tell you? We're family. And as my honorary little sis, you're allowed to use my shoulder the same way Monse does. Whenever you need it."
Olivia couldn't help but smile through her tears at that. She looked down and sighed.
"I can't believe I'm about to have my first birthday without my parents...and it's my quince! I mean, it's so ironic. Ever since I can remember my mother's driven me crazy talking about my quinceñera. Trying recipes, cutting magazines, making playlists...and my dad, practicing our waltz so he'd have it down on the day. He's been practicing for years!"
"That's a lot of dancing." Molena smiled sadly
Olivia laughed "Yea, and he has no rhythm, like none. So my feet are all shredded all in the name of my mother's obsession, which I used to pray would stop...but now that it has-" she shook her head, "I miss it."
"You know, I was around your age when I had my first birthday without my mom."
Olivia looked at her surprised. "Yea I knew she wasn't around. I guess you know what it feels like to have your mom there one day and gone the next. What happened to her...if you don't mind me asking."
"She left us. She chose not to be there, not to be a part of our lives. It was two weeks before my birthday actually. I woke up in the middle of the night and my dad was just sitting in the kitchen, head in his hands. I decided whatever he could muster up for my birthday, I would pretend it made the best day of my life. I didn't want him to feel like he couldn't do it without her."
"I'm so sorry, that must've been so hard." Olivia sniffled and wiped her cheeks.
"It was...but that's not the point. My mother decided she didn't want to be around for my birthday or any more after that, Mines or Monse's. Leaving us was her choice. Leaving wasn't your parents choice. If they could be here for your quince I know they would, but they put in all that planning for you, not them?"
Olivia looked down at her hands in her lap. "I feel like it'll feel wrong without my family there."
"Look around, Olivia. Your family will be there. When my dad was having trouble planning my party, he came here." Molena laughed at the memory. "Everyone whipped up into a frenzy, preparing. Ruby's mom cooked all my favorites and baked this beautiful cake, Abuelita made me the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen, and they each used money out of their own pockets to get me gifts. It was like there weren't any missing pieces in my life anymore. Or rather the one that was missing wasn't necessary to finish the puzzle. I have plenty of family here and so do you."
Olivia smiled brightly at the older girl and for the first time it actually touched her eyes. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in for a tight hug.
"I think Im ready to start planning." She whispered
* * *
Ruby adjusted his headset and barked out orders across the table. Lena couldn't tell what he was saying because she was too busy texting Oscar. She had let him know that she wasn't gonna make it due it party planning obligations. He was upset but she thought it was funny and he'd get over it.
Suddenly she looked up startled as Ruby slammed a giant book on the table.
"Molena please pay attention. Everyone look at your mandatory part planning schedules-" his earpiece started to ring and he excused himself.
Lena took that as an opportunity to slip away. She made it known to Monse and Cesar that she would be right back. Cesar nodded and Monse waved her off, eyes concentrated an her computer screen.
She stepped onto the porch and dialed Oscar's number.
"Whatchu want, hyna?" He answered in an amused tone.
She laughed "Whatever, I know you're mad at me."
"Then why you callin' me? I gotta hear your voice over the phone, when your fine ass could be here, lettin' me slob you down."
"I told you I got shit to do today, you should know what that's like, vato."
He laughed at the last part and sucked his teeth. "Yea aight. Whatchu need tho? You good?"
She didn't want him to worry. "I'm fine, I need a little favor tho."
"What kinda favor?"
"Uhhh...it might be a monetary favor..." She cringed anticipating his answer.
He chuckled. "How little of a favor, Lenita?"
"Well, little to you, not to me."
He sucked his teeth again. "Come over and we'll see." He had a teasing quality to his voice as he hung up.
Molena walked back into the house as the kids prepared to rehearse Ruby's choreography.
"You can't stand on the porch kiki-ing with your cholo while we're in here working, Molena!" Ruby said frustrated.
Molena laughed "Boy if you don't-You know what, nevemind, I'll be back with my contribution for the day, alright." She smiled and grabbed her things and said a quick bye to everyone, stopping to peck her sister's temple on the way out.
* * *
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"So you need a stack, to plan a party?" Oscar looked up at her from where he was sitting on the bed.
She stopped pacing finally "First of all, don't be extra, I don't need a whole stack, maybe a couple hundred. Second, it's not just a party Oscar." She sighed and climbed onto his lap. "It her whole ass quince, her first birthday without her parents."
"Shiii, they got deported right?" He asked and she could make out his eyes softening.
Molena nodded. He eased her off of him and got off the bed. She sat with her legs crossed, watching him walk to his dresser. He pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it to her. It landed on the bed right in front of her and she eyed it, not yet picking it up.
"I told you, babe I don't need a whole stack-"
"Take it." He eases down on the bed in front of her and pecked her lips "and say thank you." He against her mouth. She smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you baby." She shoved the money in her back pocket and picked up her stuff. Before she walked out the door, she turned to him with an amused smile.
"Look at you taking care of your hood." He sucked his teeth and barked a laugh.
"Man get out and go do your humanitarian shit or whatever." He smiled at her and she laughed too.
