How Tía Lola Learned to Teach by Julia Álvarez Read Free Book Online Page A

After the noise dies down, old Colonel Charlebois bangs his cane on the floor to get everyone’s attention.
    “I would like to propose a toast!” he says, holding up his water glass. “To Rudy, who has created a gathering place for this town and given some of us who hadn’t had a taste of home cooking in a long time the opportunity to eat well and gain back some lost pounds. But best of all has been the chance to renew old friendships and make some new ones. Hear! Hear!”
    By the time the party is over, even Papi, who thought Mami was depriving his kids by moving them out ofNew York City, is a convert. “I can see why you love this place,” he admits as they walk to the car.
    “It’s a great place to live!” Carmen echoes.
    “That’s because we’re with the people we love,” Juanita speaks up. It’s some old lesson Tía Lola once taught them.
    “Except for Papi,” Miguel reminds her.
    His father reaches over and ruffles Miguel’s hair fondly, stirring up a little halo of snowflakes. Appropriate for a boy whose middle name is Ángel.

    The next morning, Papi shows up all by himself. “Let’s just us three go for breakfast together. We’ll swing by and pick up Carmen at the B&B on our way back. Sound good?”
    Juanita is disappointed. “Why can’t Carmen come, too?”
    “Because it’s just going to be our family, right, Papi?” Miguel looks up hopefully at his father. But instead of the fond smile of last night, Papi winces as if he’s in pain.
    “Families grow, families change,” Papi says quietly. It sounds like another of Tía Lola’s sayings.
    And that’s what he wants to talk about once they have sat down at the diner and the waitress has taken their order. They would have gone to Rudy’s, but the restaurant will be closed for a whole week for a remodeling to go with the new name. Stargazer, who owns alocal gift shop, and some of her artist friends will be painting murals on the inside walls—tropical jungle scenes that will make Señor Burro and Mr. Flamingo and the palm tree feel right at home. It was announced last night at the party.
    “I learned a lot from being married to your mother,” Papi begins. He is folding and refolding his napkin like it’s some origami project the waitress gave him to do while he’s waiting for his breakfast. “What can I say? We were kids when we got married. I, especially, had a lot of growing up to do. Too caught up with my own career as an artist, which wasn’t getting off the ground. I was depressed. I admit I wasn’t the best husband.”
    Oh boy, Miguel thinks. It’s always worrisome when your parents take the long way down memory lane.
    “Your mother made a lot of sacrifices. It was she who finished college and got her master’s and held down a job so I could paint.” The napkin has been folded down to such a tiny square, it might just disappear. Maybe it’s not an origami project but a magic vanishing act, Miguel thinks, wishing he could vanish. He doesn’t want to think about what’s coming.
    “It’s really because of the mistakes I made that I’m sure I’ll be a much better husband the second time around.”
    “So are you and Mami going to get married again?” Juanita asks excitedly. But suddenly, her face falls. “What about Carmen?”
    Papi smiles in spite of himself.
    “No, no, mi’jita ,” Papi tells his little daughter. “Mamiand I—Our marriage, well, it’s over. Sometimes we make mistakes and there’s no going back to correct them. But we can learn from them and make better choices in the future.”
    “Like me losing the treasure hunt for my team but learning to pay attention,” Juanita says, nodding.
    “Exactly.” Papi nods back, even though he can’t know what Juanita is talking about. But Papi doesn’t wait for an explanation. Soon the weekend will be over. He has some important news for them. “So, what I want to tell you is that I’m ready to be married.”
    A long silence follows this statement.