Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre Read Free Book Online Page B

to have it. I enjoyed being her partner in mischief. After that, she asked me if I liked music and if I knew how to dance.
    â€œAy,” I said, “I love to listen to music and dance.”
    Then she told me how, when she was young, she had been a great dancer.
    â€œI used to dance so well that men would line up for a chance to dance with me. I had many, many suitors at one time,” she said. “I had suitors that serenaded me in the evening and others that brought me flowers. But I didn’t go out with all of them. You have to be selective, you know.”
    Too soon we were interrupted by Sister Antonia. It was time to get on the bus and return to school. I didn’t want to leave.
    â€œThank you for the card, Marilia,” Elenita said. She opened her hand and gestured for me to give her mine. “I’ll keep this card to remember you by.”
    â€œI’m sorry you can’t see it,” I said as I squeezed her hand. For a moment it felt as warm and giving as my own grandma’s. “I wished I had brought you a better aguinaldo .”
    â€œThe best aguinaldo ,” Elenita said, “was your visit, Marilia.”
    As I left, I felt light and warm and peaceful. On the bus ride back, I told my friend Margarita all about our visit. I couldn’t wait to come back next year when I was in the sixth grade. I already knew what I would bring Elenita. I would make her a collage. That way she would be able to feel the many textures of my picture, even if she couldn’t see it. And maybe I could make the picture of her dancing. I knew she had been very pretty when she was young.
    â€œAre you going to wait until next Christmas to give her your collage?” Margarita asked.
    I thought for a moment. “Maybe Mami could bring me back sooner,” I said.
    As I looked out the window, I remembered how good Elenita’s hand felt to touch. It’s funny how sometimes things change unexpectedly. Just that morning I didn’t want to go at all. But then, I couldn’t wait to visit my new friend again. We had gone to the nursing home to give aguinaldos . And what a very special aguinaldo I had been given — Elenita’s friendship.

“¡Bueno!” cheers Abuelito from the head of the table after the last story had been told. “Wonderful stories, all of them!”
    â€œ ¡Sí! Oh, yes!” a chorus of voices answer Abuelito from around the room. “Wonderful stories.”
    Abuelito looks pleased. “Now tell us, Carmen Teresa, which of the stories will you write down first?”
    I am about to answer, but everyone answers for me.
    â€œShe will record the stories in the order she heard them,” Mamá says. “It’s the only fair way.”
    â€œNo, no,” says Abuelita. “There are too many. She should write only the ones she likes best.”
    â€œI saw Carmen Teresa laughing while I told my story,” Abita confides in Abuelita. “I’ll bet she will choose mine.” Abuelita nods in agreement.
    Uncle Robert thinks I should write down everything I can remember. Tía Marilia generously offers to write hers. “It will make it easier for you,” she assures me.
    Suddenly, Flor appears from the kitchen with another tray of natilla and flan de coco . After everyone hastaken seconds, she whispers to me that her story doesn’t have to be included if there isn’t room. But I can tell that she hopes there is.
    â€œCarmen Teresa!” my sister Laura calls from across the table. She has already finished Alex’s and her natilla and licks her spoon clean before she reaches for a third helping. But Mamá stops her.
    â€œAfter you write those stories down in your book,” Laura says sweetly, “I’ll draw pictures to go along with them.”
    â€œNow, there is a fine idea!” says Abuelo Jaime. “You two can work on the book together.”
    By now, everyone has told me what