“What did you say, Mom?”
She turned to find Kenny standing several feet away. It was apparent he’d waited in his room until Frankie’s uncle left. “I told him you could take cooking lessons once the school term ends.”
“Yes!” he shouted at the top of his voice; then he pumped his fists.
Justine smiled. It wasn’t often that she’d witnessed her son this excited. The only other time was when he discovered she had purchased a television. She’d limited his TV viewing during the week when he had school but allowed him more time on weekends and holidays.
“After you learn to cook, I’m going to expect you to cook for your mama every once in a while.”
“That’s for sure.”
“I know you’re probably full, but there’s sweet potato pie if you want some.”
Kenny shook his head. “I’m past full. I’m going into my room to read over a chapter in my science book. Then, I’m going to bed.”
Justine watched his retreat, her chest filling with pride.Not only was her son growing up, but he was also becoming the young man she’d wanted him to be. He was studious, polite, and obedient. She hadn’t known when he’d drawn his first breath that he would make her proud to be his mother. She loved him with all of her heart and would willingly sacrifice everything, whatever it would take to raise him to adulthood.
CHAPTER12
Ray sat on the sofa with his brothers, while his sisters occupied other chairs in the crowded living room. He could not remember the last time his father had called a family meeting, and he assumed this one was important, because when Enrique returned home from the wedding of a coworker, he told his children he needed to talk to them.
I hope Papi and Mami aren’t splitting up. There are times when I hear them arguing, but they never talk loud enough for me to hear what they are saying.Ray shook his head as if to banish the thought. His parents were Catholic, and they didn’t believe in divorce.
Enrique Torres stood with his back to the windows, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. He wasn’t a tall man, but his ramrod-straight posture made him appear taller than he actually was. He rarely raised his voice, but when he did, his kids knew they were in trouble.
“Your mother and I have had long conversations about you kids, and we’ve decided that once school ends, we’re sending you to my cousin’s farm in Puerto Rico for the summer.”
“All of us, Papi?” Delores questioned.
“Yes.”
Ray felt his heart beating a double-time rhythm in his chest. “But why, Papi?”
“It’s because me and your mother plan to work a lot this summer to save enough money to buy a house. Mami has been approved to work double shifts, while I found a weekend job delivering newspapers.”
“Where are you buying the house?” Ray asked.
Mariana walked into the living room and sat on the arm of a chair next to her youngest daughter. “We’re thinking about a nice neighborhood in the Bronx. There are some two-family homes with front and back lawns and enough room where all you boys and girls won’t have to share the same bedrooms.”
“When are we moving, Papi?” asked the youngest girl.
“Not for two years. It’s going to take us that long to save up enough money for a down payment, closing costs, and if we have to make repairs.”
Ray met his father’s eyes. “Are you saying we have to spend two summers in Puerto Rico?” He was six when his parents took him and his older sister to the island to visit with relatives who owned a farm. The days seemed to fly by when he woke to the sound of a crowing rooster. Then he would scramble out of bed and go to the chicken coop to gather eggs that were still warm and bring them back to the house for breakfast. All of the food grown on the farm seemed to taste better than what he’d eaten on the mainland. His fourteen-year-old cousin would settle Ray in front of him on a horse as they rode along unpaved dusty roads where people had erected makeshift outdoor structures to roast whole pigs.
It was the last time he’d visited his island relatives, because once Mariana had another four more children in rapid succession, she claimed it was impossible to travel with so many babies, some who still were wearing diapers. Now that all of the Torres children were school age and becoming more self-sufficient,they were ready to visit the island of their ancestors. Although he was looking forward to going back to Puerto Rico, Ray knew he had to tell Kenny and Frankie that they would have to scrap their plans to spend the summer together.
“I signed up to get working papers so I could get a job this summer,” Delores said, frowning.
“You’ll have plenty of time to work once you finish school, but right now you’re going to Puerto Rico to help look after your brothers and sisters,” Enrique stated firmly.
“But that’s not fair, Papi,” she retorted.
“What’s fair is you helping out when needed. Right now, your mother and I need everyone’s cooperation, and that means doing whatever we tell you to do.”
Mariana nodded. “I’m going to fly down with everyone and see that you get settled before coming back.”
“What aboutabuela?” Ray asked.
