American Tropic - By Thomas Sanchez Page 0,41
a blessing. I’ll go see how she’s holding up. The guests are coming in two hours.”
Joan gently touches Luz’s cheek. “Are you sure you are okay? Should I go with you?”
“No. I can do it. She’s waiting.”
Luz leaves Joan and walks down the hallway to Nina’s bedroom. The door is open. Inside, a frail Nina sits in her wheelchair, wearing a white Quince-party dress. On her head is a wig of cascading brown ringlets. At her feet is Chicken, curled up and snoring peacefully.
Luz steps into the bedroom. She slips a gift-wrapped box out from her guayabera shirt pocket. She holds the box behind her back as she kneels in front of Nina’s wheelchair.
Nina’s voice is weak, but her face is animated. “Mom, what’s that behind your back?”
“Something for the most special fifteen-year-old girl in the world.”
Nina’s thin lips turn up in an ironic smile. “I’m special, like the poster child for cancer.”
“I didn’t mean it that way, darling.”
“I know, Mom, I was just kidding. You always say, laughter is our secret weapon.”
“You and I, we have a lot of secret weapons.”
“So—what’s in the box? I bet it’s a wedding ring. I bet you’re going to show me the wedding ring you’re finally giving Joan after twelve years.”
“Well, that’s an interesting idea.”
“You know, you guys should just do it, tie the knot, go on an old-fashioned honeymoon to Niagara Falls.”
“You’ve got my wedding all figured out.”
“Carmen and I have it planned.”
“It’s something to look forward to, but what’s in the box is just for you.” Luz brings the box from behind her back and offers it to Nina.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t open it. My fingers aren’t working so well today. You help me with it.”
Luz peels off the gift wrapping, exposing a silk jewelry box. She snaps the box open; inside is a gleaming pearl necklace. “Happy fifteenth birthday, darling!”
Nina tries to reach for the pearl necklace, but her arms are too weak.
Luz slips the necklace around Nina’s neck and fastens it. The pearls glow in a soft pink halo against Nina’s white dress.
Nina beams with pride. “I’m the luckiest girl to have you as my mom.”
“It’s me who’s the lucky one.”
“Thank you for such a beautiful gift, and for giving me a party today.”
“Nothing could stop me from celebrating this day with you.”
Nina’s eyelids become heavy, almost closing; the light in her eyes dims. “Mom, can I lie down before the party? I’m so tired. Will you stay with me?”
“Of course—there’s time before the guests arrive.”
“Are Uncle Noah and Auntie Zoe coming?”
“They wouldn’t miss it.”
Luz lifts Nina up into her arms from the wheelchair. She lays her on the bed.
Nina’s dimming eyes look up. “My wig, Mom. Take my wig off, so it doesn’t get crushed before the party.”
Luz removes the wig, exposing Nina’s bald head. She places the wig carefully on the nightstand and sits on the bed. She caresses Nina’s bald head, her fingers stroking back and forth across the smooth skin.
Nina’s eyelids flutter. She struggles to keep her eyes open and focused on Luz. “Sing to me, Mom. Sing me your song.”
Luz sings in a haunting voice, her words drawn up from a deep well of emotion with melodious melancholy.
“The first time ever I saw your face,
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love.
The first time ever I kissed your cheek,
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of …”
Nina’s breathing becomes slow and shallow. She sleeps.
Luz and Joan greet the guests in their garden. They give welcoming hugs to the men dressed in colorful slacks and guayabera shirts and kiss the women wearing flowery tropical dresses. Beneath a banyan tree, a banquet table is set with a Cuban feast, a steaming roast pig at its center. Nearby, guests dance on a wooden platform to a snappy Cuban rhythm played by three musicians. Noah stands off to the side of the crowd, tossing a tennis ball to Chicken in a game of fetch.
Nina, wearing her curly brown wig and white Quince-party dress, is wheeled through the merriment in her chair by Carmen. Carmen pushes Nina between guests and stops in front of Noah. He notices the pearl necklace gleaming around Nina’s neck. “Who gave you those beautiful pearls?”
Nina blushes with pride. “My mom.”
“I’m glad your mom didn’t give you one of these, or I’d be out of luck.” Noah holds up a delicate watch with