My Mexican Bodega

Part 22

From the Demented Mind

of

Eric Murphey

I wake up and look at the clock to see the time. I sigh and think 5:30 in the morning. I climb out of bed go take care of the three S's and go into the kitchen. I get to thinking today should be special for the children. Not just mine but, its the very first day of the new playground. I head down to the shop and grab a five gallon water bottle and after a lot of frustration manage to get about 5 pounds of ice in the damn little hole on top. I grab a few big bags of Zuko and pour it in the mouth of it making sure not to allow the powder to go anywhere but in the container. I add the water I need and tada 5 gallons of Zuko made up. I put a nozzle on it and roll it to the back door thinking, or hoping it will mix it enough. I try a bit and its just fine.

(Zuko is a powdered drink sold in Mexico that no sugar needs to be added. The flavors are amazing too. Not like Kool Aid where it kind of tastes like what it says it is.) I then grab a five gallon bottle of water and roll it to the back door. OK I should have thought about this before now. But I like the idea anyway. Its Sunday I know a ton of children will be there. I go to the shop and grab about ten pounds of ground beef and carry it upstairs. I'm at the counter making hamburger patties when the boys come out with their sleep drunk stagger.

"What are you doing papi?" Mario asks with his half lidded eyes. I swear they both look stoned as can be this early.

"Making hamburgers." I answer as I put another patty on top of the many I've already made.

"So papi why so may?" Emilio asks.

I give a far away look and then focus on them.

"I was thinking it being the first day of the park it would be nice to have a little party for everyone. Make a ton of hamburgers and hot dogs. Have lots of chips and sodas. I already made five gallons of orange Zuko."
"MMM That's my favorite." Mario tells us.

"Buddy you say that about every flavor." I chuckle as I say it.

"There are all good. Except horchata." he says with a sour face.

"Horchata is good. Your goofy." Emilio informs him of his lack of taste buds.

"I don't like the horchata either." I tell them.

Emilio looks like I just smacked him.

"Its OK buddy. I don't care. I don't like bacon either. You know my taste buds are broken."
They both giggle. I put the hamburgers on hold and start making them some pancakes, eggs and sausage. When its done I set the plates in front of them and they tear into it like ravenous wolves. Or preteen boys. Kinda the same if you ask me. I cant imagine when they get to be teens. I'm going to have to take out a loan to buy groceries. But I'm good with it.

I go back to making patties and when they get done they help and soon we have now fifteen pounds of hamburgers. I didn't think the ten looked like enough.

"Go get ready for mass boys." I tell them and they disappear and I hear the shower starting.

"I got good boys." I say to the hamburgers as I set them in the fridge.

I go and get dressed for mass. Because I'm pretty sure no one would say anything if I showed up in shorts and a t-shirt that saw its better days about 15 years ago. But still I want to look nicer than this. So I put on slacks, a dress shirt and some nice slip ons. I see the boys are ready so we start walking down to the church. I don't like that Emilio is getting adept at the steps. I know I want him better and the faster the better. But I cant help but feel a loss of him regaining his freedom and can do things without me or my help. I was in heaven helping him with everything. I suppose its like I had him as an infant for a while. Without stinky diapers, and constant crying. So much better. We get to mass and I let one of the deacons know to let Father Lopez I have an announcement when its time for them. We go in and the boys take their respective sides on me and we sit down. A few people mill around and work their way to us and chat us up. A while later the altar boys come in stinking the joint up with incense. I really don't like the smell of it. I hope heaven doesn't smell like this. Or bacon for that matter. I think they both smell equally as bad. Father Lopez comes in and does his thing. You know mass and all. He gets to the end and makes a couple of announcements and adds I have something to say to the congregation and waves his hand to me.

I stand up and for some reason speaking to large groups of people never bothered me. I would rather do that then talk to one person honestly. A group don't talk back. You say what you need to say and that's it.

"I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone that helped yesterday. It was an amazing surprise and showed how close of a community we have, and that we care about the children in it. I was thinking this morning that I have been so blessed in my life and even more so recently." I say looking at my boys on my sides. I cant help but grin. I see lots of smiles in return. "So I was thinking that to open the playground right we need a big old fashioned barbecue. Now I don't know about here but where I'm from it means hamburgers, hot dogs and chips by the pound. Everyone is invited to join my boys and me in celebrating the opening of the new play ground. I will think of some games for the children to compete in and we can have some prizes for them to win. So please come down and celebrate with us. A celebration is always best when celebrated by all."

Pastor Lopez is at the pulpit.

"Hamburgers, hot dogs and loads of chips you say?"he says to me.

"I do say." I say chuckling at him.

"Do I need to RSVP or anything?" he asks.

Now he has the church laughing because he is making faces and exaggerating his movements. He is just really funny when he wants to be.

"No father just show up."
"Should I bring anything?" he asks in a serious tone.

"I'm glad that you asked that. We don't really have anywhere to sit. So maybe bring some lawn chairs to relax in."
"Aright everyone that's mass." he announces to chuckles.

We head back to the shop and I roll out the grill and get it started up. I got lots to cook.

"Mario and Emilio go and get all the buns we have in the shop, and bring them out here. No wait hold on. Yeah go ahead."

They do a stutter step and stop looking at me like I'm crazy.

"I was thinking if I can get the table out and unfolded before you got back with the buns."

They smile at me and take off. I swear even with his cane hes still pretty fast. Just a little more wobbly. I am really worried that he is going to try to start walking without it before he is ready and hurt himself. I don't want to be a mother hen but I have to look out for his best interests. I love him and that's what we do. I am thinking this as I set the table and pull out the legs and sit it upright. The boys are back as I finish. They grin and put the buns on the table.

"I need to go get the hamburgers." I tell them.

"We can get them." Emilio informs me. Or so he tries to anyway.

"Yeah you juggling a cane and a plate of burgers on the steps. Not on your life mister man." I say a little harsher than I meant.

"I didn't mean it that harsh guys. Sorry."
They both just smile. I'm so happy they smile all the time. Sometimes I wonder if they aren't preparing to do toothpaste adds they smile so much. But I'm thrilled they do. I get them and am at the bottom of the stairs and see the boys rolling the jugs of drinks out. I'm less than thrilled Emilio is doing this. But I'm not saying anything this time. He wants to help and I get that. I'm not going to chastise him for wanting to do something good. There are some other children already playing. Laughing and having a great time.

"Go play guys. Its for fun not so you can hover around me all day." I tell them with a scowl I cant keep and smile.

They go to play. I smile after them. The grill is hot now so I start making burgers. I go in after I get some on the grill and grab a cart full of chips and wheel it back and put them on the table. I go back and grab a couple packs of paper plates. Not something I would normally use. But in this circumstance I see no other way.

Father Lopez shows up. I don't know seems like anytime there is food involved Father Lopez shows up. Must be a clergy thing.

"AH I see the man of the table cloth has arrived."

He immediately busts out laughing.

"I've not heard that before. But, it does seem to fit."
I flip burgers and pull some off that are done. I add some dogs and start opening some bags of chips. He helps of course and soon we have some hungry folks coming up. A while later Lupe walks up.

"tsk tsk tsk. I knew it just leave it to a man to plan food. Never a vegetable in sight. Julio go get the trays I made up." she tells a little man that is next to her. I am guessing her husband. I don't know I haven't met him. But he sure did jump when she told him to. So yeah husband.

"Oh for goodness sakes. This is too hot. Oh you are helpless." she says pushing me out of the way with her hips and taking the spatula from my hand.

I look at Father Lopez and he looks at me and shrugs. I shrug back and we start getting plates ready for our next person in line.

We had races, and we saw who could go highest on the swings. All and all we had a glorious time. I think the new playground is a hit with the neighborhood. I know the children all had a good time. It would be nice if we could do this say one a month just get together as a community and have a party celebrating our lives and our community. I think I will talk to Father Lopez and Sister Carmancita about this. I think its a good idea and would love to see it happen. We had so much fun talking and telling jokes, and lies. All of us just having great fun. After we got everything all cleaned up the boys and I get upstairs and shower because it was a hot day and we needed to wash the stink from us. We are watching TV and just enjoying being together. When a commercial comes on Emilio starts talking.

"Papi I love it here. I love our new apartment. I love the shop and my new school. I love everything about here. I never want to leave. But....…" he stops.

Mario and I are looking at him.

"Well, I been talking to Professor Suarez and I really want to study Solar Technology and they don't teach that here. One of the best schools for it Rose Hullman offered me a scholarship there. But its only a four year college so I would have to get my masters and PhD from another place. He said that its a good school and they will teach me a lot. But papi I don't want to leave here." he says tears streaming down his face.
I take him into my arms and hold him tight. Mario moves from my side and sits next to him holding him too.

"Its just not fair to you guys if I go there." he cries.

"Panchito we love you and we will go wherever you want to go. We all love it here so much. But its not our home. Our home is wherever we are together. Be it here or on Terre Haute, Indiana. Yes I know where it is." I say hen he looks up at me. "Its a good enough of a city I suppose. But its certainly not here and you guys will be able to see snow. Which I know will be exciting for you. I can teach you how to ski and sled and do all kinds of fun things in the snow. This isn't something to be sad about. Or something to worry about. This is a new adventure for us as a family. We can explore and find and see new things. We can go to Chicago and Indianapolis and you boys can see big cities. They have a place not too far from there called Holiday World. When I was your boys ages it was called Santa Clause Land I think. Its great fun. Also not too far from there is Cedar Point and Kings island which are both theme parks with lots of roller coasters and water slides. So Emilio its a great location for us to have ALL kinds of fun. So if that your choice I suppose with all the fun we will be having we can tough it out."

Now while I'm saying this Mario has perked up his head and is looking at me with excitement in his eyes when I start talking about the theme parks.

"Go get my laptop little mouse. So we can check out some things around there to do."

He does and we do. We go through all the things to do that are within a few hours car drive. They got really exciting about going to see the Cardinals play. They know I like that team and are excited I think for me. Because I haven't seen them watch too much baseball. They will if I am but to turn it on for themselves they don't do that. But I could be surprised. They are full of surprises that's for sure.

"Papi its weird I want to take a bath."Emilio tells me.

"Whats weird about that?"

"Well, I always take a shower but when I couldn't take a bath I wanted to so bad Now I can so I want to."
"Mario are you stopping him?"
"No papi."
"I'm not either. Why do you suppose he is still sitting here mouse?"
"I don't know. Maybe he cant get up?" he says grinning. "He is getting pretty old you know."he adds.

"Could be on to something there."
Emilio just rolls his eyes grabs his cane and we hear the water running for a while then it turns off.

"Papi I'm scared."Mario tells me.

"Why are you scared buddy?" I ask him wrapping my arm around his shoulders and pulling him close.

"I never been nowhere but here. America is different and I don't speak English. I'm scared how it will be there."
"It is different for sure then here. But its OK. I mean I like it better here. The people are certainly nicer. They are more willing to help someone in need then in America. There they treat people like they are nothing. So few people actually respect another person. It felt like it was everyone just getting what they can and didn't care about anyone else. But its not forever. As smart as your brother is I bet he is done in a year and we are back home again."
"You think so?"
"I don't know really. But I hope so."
"You don't want to go either do you?" he asks me point blank.

"I want to support Emilio in his ventures."
Holy crap I sound like a politician.

"I do too. But I still don't want to go. Its scary."
"It is scary a little. Especially when you don't know what to expect. But you will have me and your brother to be with. So that makes it some better."
He lets out a heavy sigh.

"If you want I can ask if you can stay with Chuy."
"Oh no I'm going where you go. I might be scared but, I'm not going anywhere without you."
"I suppose I should start teaching you boys English starting tomorrow huh?"

He nods at me.

"Alright. We will figure out the best way tomorrow. I know they have computer programs that can teach you. I think it might be the best way for you two to learn. Its easier I think than having me teach you. But I can certainly help. By the end of summer you both will be English speakers."
He gives me a doubtful look.

"Maybe not perfect. But at least have a general idea what your saying or what is being said to you."
I kiss the top of his head and a while later Emilio comes out and we head to bed.

__________________

Donate to Nifty.

ericmurphey1971@gmail.com

OK you think I mess with you. Read this great story and then say I mess with you with the story. Oh Lord this poor boy. I kept saying Oh shit. Oh shit. Time and time again as the story progressed. I know you will enjoy it. Let the writer know you do as well

Dominos by Cole Parker (awesomedude.com)

Have a great week

Eric