Comment Fic Party Response: Elena's Quinceneara
Written for the openveinwriting October Comment Fic party.
The backyard was a mist of purple and teal lights and shimmering white ribbons. Candles floated in lanterns on the pool and hot tub. The centerpieces of the table were apple blossoms and black magic roses surrounded by small bags of candy all labeled "eat me." The bottles of sparkling apple juice were all labeled "drink me." The cake was Alice in Wonderland inspired, a Mad Matter Mix of purple and white and green and black; all of it a reminder that even little heavy metal rocker girls could be connected back to the magic of fairy tales and inspiration.
His princess was growing up.
Glancing skyward for a moment, Carlos caught a face in the window overlooking the backyard and a smile crossed his lips. Feeling a bit like a prince scaling the tower, he took to the stairs, dodging family and his daughters friends as he made his way toward his queen.
"I'm not old enough for this party to be taking place," Carlos said as he walked into the living room where his wife was watching over the party from one of the windows. She turned, a wine glass in her hand, and for a moment looked as young as she had that night twenty years ago when she'd ducked her head and laughed as he tucked her hair back behind her ear. The years had been good to her, but they weren't the children they'd been that night when fate had pushed them together. The smile she offered made him feel twenty years younger and he stepped forward to kiss her gently.
"You're not old enough for this, really? You?" She said, her eyebrow raising. "I'm the one in her fifties here."
"Hush. You wear it well." He slid his arm around her waist and felt her curl up against him. Since the beginning, they'd always been a perfect fit. "I can't believe she's fifteen."
"Scares the hell out of me," Gina said. "Just yesterday she was dragging surfboards too big for her across the sand and trying to ride the dogs. Now she's ... picking out dresses. God," she shook her head. "I blinked, Carlos. I blinked and she was turning fifteen."
"You kidding?" He laughed. "I still think we're standing in the aisle of that Target, looking at sheets for the crib, you telling me what I already knew."
"I was so scared," she said. "So certain that this time would be like the other time. That all our hopes would be dashed. I felt like it was our last chance."
His arms tightened around her, remembering how she'd withdrawn after their first hopes were dashed, how she'd hid behind her walls, so scared she was too old and they just shouldn't do it. "Didn't matter if it was or not," he said. "We got her and she's amazing."
"Yes, she is." Gina smiled. "And that means Disney Princess dresses and cakes right out of Alice and Wonderland and throwing our girl the best Quinceneara ever."
"Legendary," he smiled. "Legendary."
She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "Is she going to be okay, Carlos?"
He kissed the top of her head and shook his head. "She has to be. We aren't going to let her brain eat her alive and I'm not going to let the doctors medicate her into a zombie. We'll get her through this. It's depression and hopefully it's manageable."
"I know ... but I just wish we'd taken all those early signs seriously."
"And done what? Hey, we're doing what we can now and we're learning a hell of a lot about mental illness that we never expected to learn." He squeezed her a bit tighter, understanding her worries and her guilt. Every time they refilled Elena's medications, they wondered if it was too much, wondered if there had been more to notice earlier. He'd seen so much of the light go out of his baby's eyes since they'd realized that what was going on was more than typical teenage angst. "At least you're here, Gina. I mean, I come home, shower her with guitars and hugs, and then skip out again."
"Hey, stop that," Gina looked at him. "Carlos, she knows how much you love her and she worships you. Absolutely worships you. You've never been anything but honest with what your job is and what it does and why you're gone and you've never made her feel anything but adored. Yes, she misses you when you are gone but so do I. She gets it." She shook her head. "And for the record, she is you, you know. I've lost my husband and my daughter to the music industry."
"Oh," Carlos laughed, glad for the lighter mood, "I hope so."
She swatted at him. "Cute. I'm all alone in this house."
"I dunno. She's a pretty good actress. I've seen her cry on cue when she's in trouble."
"Ha. You don't know the half of it, baby." Gina winked. "Caught her sneaking into the house about a month ago. Oh, the tears ... it took everything in me to not crack up."
"Wait ..." Carlos' eyes widened. "She's sneaking into the house? Crying in front of you to get out of trouble? She wanted a Disney Princess ball gown for her dress ... could it be our daughter might be a bit more normal than we realized?"
That brought a full smile back to his beloved's face. "Possibly. So maybe we should both stop worrying, hmm?"
"Well, that can't happen." He chuckled. "Hey, speaking of worry and sneaking into the house ... you don't think her and Micah ..."
"God," Gina laughed. "Honey, the only thing that boy is coming on to is his drum kit."
"Good. I mean, mostly because I think of him as a son. I don't want that weirdness ..."
"Speaking of ..." Gina pointed down to one of the tables. Micah was coming up the stairs. Ready, they both knew, to escort Elena into the party. "We're up, baby." She kissed him. "Congratulations."
"You too."
"I'm going to go get our princess." She squeezed his hand and then made her way into the master bedroom, where Elena had set up her makeup. While she hadn't wanted a court, complaining it felt too much like a bridal party, her cousins -both blood and band related - were all invited and two of them were in with her, helping to tweak the dress and hair and makeup. Gina stopped cold in the doorway, staring at her daughter.
Elena had not inherited her parent's height, but she was lithe and slender and the gown hugged her, creating curves that seemed to have cropped up overnight. Her hair was down, held back off her face with looped braids and golden thread that matched the golden highlights in her purple Disney-inspired gown.
This morning, they'd presented her with her first full jewelry set of a necklace, bracelet, earrings, ring, and anklet, all set with her diamond birthstone. Gina loved the symbolism of the stone as it related to her only child, especially since her diagnosis. If diamonds were forever, then Elena would endure. Now, the silver chains glinted off her pale skin, shimmering with the accents of the dress.
Now she understood why fifteen was such an important age. They didn't need to wait until sixteen. No, her baby was all grown up.
"Oh, Elena," she whispered as she came in. "Oh, honey. You ..." Tears touched her eyes as she wrapped her daughter in her arms. "Oh ... god. You look like a queen."
Elena clung to her and then pulled back. "Gracias, mami," she turned and looked at herself in the mirror again.
"Doesn't she look amazing, tía?" Danny's daughter, Maci, piped up.
"She really does," Gina sucked in a breath and did her best not to let the tears fall. "Girls, can you give me a minute? Tell Micah and Carlos that we'll be right in."
"Okay." The girls hugged Elena and then hurried out. Gina took a breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. Elena sat next to her. Gina linked their hands and looked into her daughter's eyes.
"We are so proud of you, Mija. So proud of you."
"I ... I just don't deserve..."
"Shh." Gina shook her head. "You deserve everything, baby. Everything. You're fifteen. You're a woman now. And there is a world out there that is waiting for you to take it by storm." She sniffed and reminded herself not to cry until after the pictures were taken. "Right after you were born," she said, "the doctors took you away from me. They'd put you on my chest and I was holding you and your father was holding both of us and you started to cough, just a little bit, but it was enough to worry them and they took you away to make sure your lungs were clear and I was so scared. So scared. It was only for a couple of minutes and you were back in my arms again, but I never wanted to let go of you ever again."
"You never told me this."
"It wasn't something ... you were fine and back in my arms and I feel like you're still there some days. And even though you're growing up, I'm still here for you. Forever."
Elena sniffed and Gina opened her arms and folded her daughter into them. "I love you," she said. "So much."
"I love you too, Mami."
Gina kissed the top of her head and then got up. "I have a present for you."
"I've been spoiled enough!" She paused. "But I do like presents."
"There's more down there," Gina laughed. "Your baby girl only turns fifteen once you know and for your sweet sixteen you're getting a picnic and a cupcake." Elena giggled. Gina took a box from the top of her dresser and handed it over. "Every queen needs a crown."
"Mami!" Elena's eyes widened. She opened the box and pulled out the tiara that matched the jewelry set. "Oh, this is too much!"
"No, it isn't," Gina smiled and drew Elena back to the mirror. She settled the tiara into her hair. "Now come on. Let's introduce you to the world." She held out a hand and led her down the hall to where Micah was waiting with Carlos.
"Ai, Mija," Carlos shook his head and Gina didn't miss the tears in his eyes. "When did you become a woman?"
"I'm still your little girl, Papi," Elena said.
"Forever." He kissed her cheek and then handed her over to Micah, who was staring, dumbfounded. They all chuckled. Gina took her husband's arm and walked toward the entrance to the backyard, where Danny called the party to attention, announcing them. Walking out to the main party area, Gina looked around at the faces of the family and tears touched her eyes again. They'd adopted her as one of their own and Elena was everything to them. She looked at Carlos as they turned to watch Elena walk in and, like the rest of the party, held their breath. She was regal. Commanding.
Everyone applauded as her name was called and Elena ducked her head a bit, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.
"Shut up," Micah muttered. "You deserve it."
"Yeah yeah." She almost tripped but recovered herself and when Micah handed her over to her father for the daddy/daughter dance, she felt herself fall into the warmth of her father's arms.
"How did you grow up so fast," he asked as the music began.
"I don't feel grown up."
"Good," he smiled. "Because if you want to stay in that room forever ..."
It was her turn to smile. "Maybe ..."
They'd practiced the dance a hundred times and she still tripped a bit when he turned her, but no one seemed to notice. But the dance ended too soon and she hugged him for a long time after the music ended. "I love you, papi," she whispered. And he held her too and she realized how much it was his scent that comforted her when she was upset. The weight of his arms, the feel of his cheek against her head. He'd looked so sad since that doctor had sat them all down and explained depression and self harm and suicidal ideation. She just wanted him to smile. Just wanted him to be proud of her. She wanted him to be happy.
"I love you too, honey," he whispered. And then Danny put the mic in her hands and she turned to look at her friends and family. She had to say something.
"Um ... gracias por venir esta noche. Sé que fue difícil para algunos de ustedes para llegar hasta aquí y esas cosas. No soy bueno hablando realmente es así, simplemente gracias. Realmente significa mucho para mí. Ahora ... la danza!"
Everyone applauded, even her friends and family who didn't speak Spanish. And then the party, which had already been rocking, really kicked into gear. There was an order to things. There was food and dancing for a while, but there were presents to open and cake and all of it made her nervous. What if people weren't happy?What if she wasn't a good hostess? So she hung back for a while, watching her parents dance, wishing that she'd get their fairy tale.
"You are not having nearly enough fun," Micah said. He plopped into the chair next to her. "But don't worry, we're about to make you open your presents."
"You realize I'm a spoiled brat and don't need anything else, right?"
"You're spoiled. You are not a brat. And shut up you're turning fifteen."
"What are you giving me next year then?"
Micah smirked at her. "Hey, all I can afford is my dad's vodka."
"Shut up." She pushed at him. "And for your birthday I want you to move in. I mean it. Get out of there. It isn't like you aren't always here anyway."
He kissed her cheek. "Maybe."
She watched her parents walk over to the present table and groaned, getting up, but the little girl she still felt like sometimes took over and by the time she took a seat and people who cared had gathered around her, she was giddy.
Micah gave her guitar picks with her name engraved. She stared at him, wondering how he'd pulled it off, but he only shrugged. There were similar presents from friends, as well as boots from her cousins and a new set of skirts from her tia. Her nanny from when she was younger couldn't make it, but she'd sent a leather-bound volume of Naruda poetry.
Her Abuela presented a guitar that had been her abuelo's.
But it was the final present from her parents that stopped her heart.
Inside the purple and black hard-case was a purple-stained Warwick bass with her name engraved into the front and on the back, some of her favorite lyrics.
Smiling through a smokey hourglass
Hiding behind the wounded
Bruised mask
And off into the distance
Somewhere above reality
Essence of feeling
Has somehow reminded me
God. They fucking paid attention. They really did.
Even more than that, the bass came accompanied with a half-stack of ampeg amps, secured a in Punk Hello Kitty frame, and even an Ibenz pedal.
"Plug it in!" Called the cousins who hailed from the rock side of the family.
Her hands were shaking.
Her parents understood her. They got it. They got that the only time anymore that things made any sense in her head was when she was playing. They knew that she wasn't hiding away because she hated them or the world but because music worked. She clutched the instrument, feeling her pulse in her fingers, and looked up at her mother and father, tears in her eyes. Behind the crowd of people, they both nodded at her.
Elena let out a tearful, nervous giggle and looked around for the nearest outlet. "Well, let's try this out!"
Micah handed her one of the picks and she put the plastic to the strings, feeling the buzz of the guitar, the energy of the muse as it moved through her and into the wood of the bass. It wasn't much of a riff that emerged, but it was something and it was her own and when she was done, the entire party cheered.
She laughed and looked up at her father. "Papi?" She asked. "Can you and tía AJ get your guitars?"
They both ran so fast they tripped over each other. Elena took a breath.
So this was what they meant about starting to feel grownup.
She met her mother's eyes and smiled.
***
Gina groaned and collapsed onto the bed, still in her dress. Carlos laughed and leaned over and removed her shoes. "Gracias," she responded. When he pushed the heel of his hand into the ball of her foot, she moaned. "See, that's why I married you."
"I know," he chuckled.
"Well, I think we did good. And she made out like a bandit."
"Only turn fifteen once," he said as he collapsed next to her. Gina rolled over and cuddled next to him. "And," he said, "thank you."
"For?"
"This was important to me. To her. To the family."
She kissed his cheek. "Baby, I married into an amazing family that believes in celebrating her culture. And if I'd had any problem with this, I'd hoped you would have taken her and run. I mean all I've got for her is french and decent wines."
He chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
"Anyway, sweet sixteen isn't nearly as important in the scope of things and because I escaped my mother, there's no worries for any kind of bullshit débutante ball. We'll get her a car or something."
Carlos cracked up. "I'm glad we can spoil her though."
"She's spoiled but is still reasonably down to earth. I'll take it." She sighed and started to sit up. "I feel like I should check on her."
"I did before I came in," Carlos said. "She's already passed out."
"Tell me she took the dress off. She's worse than I am when it comes to throwing clothes around."
He laughed. "Yes. She was in her hello kitty pj's and curled up with her unicorn. I put the bass in a stand for her."
"We survived," she sighed. "She's fifteen. Now all that's left to do is make sure she can speak up and think for herself, teach her to drive, and pray that she knows that no matter what, she can always come home."
"Congratulations, Mrs. Munez."
"You too." She kissed him. "And if I weren't so tired, I'd jump you right now."
He laughed. "Come on. Let's get out of these monkey suits. There's still cake in the kitchen."
"Hmmmm. Cake." She grinned and rolled off the bed. Carlos unzipped her dress and she sighed as his fingers worked their way across her back. "Hey," she said as she stepped out of the dress. He turned and she kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too." He nuzzled her. She smiled and stepped back to fetch a pair of leggings and one of his t-shirts. Their party clothes were draped over the chair in their room and they made their way to the kitchen.
Elena was sitting at the table, a piece of cake in front of her. She looked at them. Gina grinned and walked over to kiss her. "I thought you were asleep."
"I woke up." She shrugged. "I mean, cake."
"Cake." Gina dished out ice cream for all of them and took a seat. "So what about tomorrow, baby? What do you want to do?"
"Sleep?" Elena said with a laugh. "And go surfing. Definitely surfing."
"I think that can be managed. You've got a new board to try out."
Elena rolled her eyes. "You guys did too much. The whole family did."
"No," Gina said. "But if you're happy, that's all that matters."
"I am. Thank you." She paused. "Can I ask a question?"
"Of course," Carlos said. He was pulling fondant away from the cake and rolling it into little balls.
"Why did you only have me? I mean, really?"
Gina sighed and leaned across the table to take her daughter's hand. "I had a hard time getting pregnant and staying pregnant, sweetie. You stuck. And I wasn't going to keep having my heart broken. You were all we needed and it wasn't worth to risk my health just to give you a sibling."
Elena smiled at that. "I can understand that. I mean, I have a brother anyway."
"Where is Micah? Did he stay?"
"In his room ..." she looked at them. "Guys, can he move in? I mean ... you have no idea how bad it is at his place. He's just ... his dad is so bad for him."
Carlos furrowed his brow and Gina was glad to let him talk, since they'd already discussed it. "Micah is welcome to that room whenever he wants it, honey. But to make it official, there are a ton of social work issues that we'd have to deal with and hoops to jump through and he'd had to officially go into the system and we'd have to be certified as foster parents and by the time it all settled down, he'd be old enough to be on his own anyway."
Elena nodded. "Okay. As long as it's okay whenever he's here."
"There is no question for us that he's good for you, honey. And if we need to make something official at some point, we will," Carlos said.
Elena's smile was all Gina needed to know everything was okay. She got up, put her bowl in the sink, and put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Happy birthday, Sweetie."
"Thanks, Mami."
Carlos stood up and kissed her cheek. "Don't stay up too late."
"I won't."
Carlos wrapped his arm around her and Gina cuddled into him as they walked back to their bedroom and shut the door.
The backyard was a mist of purple and teal lights and shimmering white ribbons. Candles floated in lanterns on the pool and hot tub. The centerpieces of the table were apple blossoms and black magic roses surrounded by small bags of candy all labeled "eat me." The bottles of sparkling apple juice were all labeled "drink me." The cake was Alice in Wonderland inspired, a Mad Matter Mix of purple and white and green and black; all of it a reminder that even little heavy metal rocker girls could be connected back to the magic of fairy tales and inspiration.
His princess was growing up.
Glancing skyward for a moment, Carlos caught a face in the window overlooking the backyard and a smile crossed his lips. Feeling a bit like a prince scaling the tower, he took to the stairs, dodging family and his daughters friends as he made his way toward his queen.
"I'm not old enough for this party to be taking place," Carlos said as he walked into the living room where his wife was watching over the party from one of the windows. She turned, a wine glass in her hand, and for a moment looked as young as she had that night twenty years ago when she'd ducked her head and laughed as he tucked her hair back behind her ear. The years had been good to her, but they weren't the children they'd been that night when fate had pushed them together. The smile she offered made him feel twenty years younger and he stepped forward to kiss her gently.
"You're not old enough for this, really? You?" She said, her eyebrow raising. "I'm the one in her fifties here."
"Hush. You wear it well." He slid his arm around her waist and felt her curl up against him. Since the beginning, they'd always been a perfect fit. "I can't believe she's fifteen."
"Scares the hell out of me," Gina said. "Just yesterday she was dragging surfboards too big for her across the sand and trying to ride the dogs. Now she's ... picking out dresses. God," she shook her head. "I blinked, Carlos. I blinked and she was turning fifteen."
"You kidding?" He laughed. "I still think we're standing in the aisle of that Target, looking at sheets for the crib, you telling me what I already knew."
"I was so scared," she said. "So certain that this time would be like the other time. That all our hopes would be dashed. I felt like it was our last chance."
His arms tightened around her, remembering how she'd withdrawn after their first hopes were dashed, how she'd hid behind her walls, so scared she was too old and they just shouldn't do it. "Didn't matter if it was or not," he said. "We got her and she's amazing."
"Yes, she is." Gina smiled. "And that means Disney Princess dresses and cakes right out of Alice and Wonderland and throwing our girl the best Quinceneara ever."
"Legendary," he smiled. "Legendary."
She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "Is she going to be okay, Carlos?"
He kissed the top of her head and shook his head. "She has to be. We aren't going to let her brain eat her alive and I'm not going to let the doctors medicate her into a zombie. We'll get her through this. It's depression and hopefully it's manageable."
"I know ... but I just wish we'd taken all those early signs seriously."
"And done what? Hey, we're doing what we can now and we're learning a hell of a lot about mental illness that we never expected to learn." He squeezed her a bit tighter, understanding her worries and her guilt. Every time they refilled Elena's medications, they wondered if it was too much, wondered if there had been more to notice earlier. He'd seen so much of the light go out of his baby's eyes since they'd realized that what was going on was more than typical teenage angst. "At least you're here, Gina. I mean, I come home, shower her with guitars and hugs, and then skip out again."
"Hey, stop that," Gina looked at him. "Carlos, she knows how much you love her and she worships you. Absolutely worships you. You've never been anything but honest with what your job is and what it does and why you're gone and you've never made her feel anything but adored. Yes, she misses you when you are gone but so do I. She gets it." She shook her head. "And for the record, she is you, you know. I've lost my husband and my daughter to the music industry."
"Oh," Carlos laughed, glad for the lighter mood, "I hope so."
She swatted at him. "Cute. I'm all alone in this house."
"I dunno. She's a pretty good actress. I've seen her cry on cue when she's in trouble."
"Ha. You don't know the half of it, baby." Gina winked. "Caught her sneaking into the house about a month ago. Oh, the tears ... it took everything in me to not crack up."
"Wait ..." Carlos' eyes widened. "She's sneaking into the house? Crying in front of you to get out of trouble? She wanted a Disney Princess ball gown for her dress ... could it be our daughter might be a bit more normal than we realized?"
That brought a full smile back to his beloved's face. "Possibly. So maybe we should both stop worrying, hmm?"
"Well, that can't happen." He chuckled. "Hey, speaking of worry and sneaking into the house ... you don't think her and Micah ..."
"God," Gina laughed. "Honey, the only thing that boy is coming on to is his drum kit."
"Good. I mean, mostly because I think of him as a son. I don't want that weirdness ..."
"Speaking of ..." Gina pointed down to one of the tables. Micah was coming up the stairs. Ready, they both knew, to escort Elena into the party. "We're up, baby." She kissed him. "Congratulations."
"You too."
"I'm going to go get our princess." She squeezed his hand and then made her way into the master bedroom, where Elena had set up her makeup. While she hadn't wanted a court, complaining it felt too much like a bridal party, her cousins -both blood and band related - were all invited and two of them were in with her, helping to tweak the dress and hair and makeup. Gina stopped cold in the doorway, staring at her daughter.
Elena had not inherited her parent's height, but she was lithe and slender and the gown hugged her, creating curves that seemed to have cropped up overnight. Her hair was down, held back off her face with looped braids and golden thread that matched the golden highlights in her purple Disney-inspired gown.
This morning, they'd presented her with her first full jewelry set of a necklace, bracelet, earrings, ring, and anklet, all set with her diamond birthstone. Gina loved the symbolism of the stone as it related to her only child, especially since her diagnosis. If diamonds were forever, then Elena would endure. Now, the silver chains glinted off her pale skin, shimmering with the accents of the dress.
Now she understood why fifteen was such an important age. They didn't need to wait until sixteen. No, her baby was all grown up.
"Oh, Elena," she whispered as she came in. "Oh, honey. You ..." Tears touched her eyes as she wrapped her daughter in her arms. "Oh ... god. You look like a queen."
Elena clung to her and then pulled back. "Gracias, mami," she turned and looked at herself in the mirror again.
"Doesn't she look amazing, tía?" Danny's daughter, Maci, piped up.
"She really does," Gina sucked in a breath and did her best not to let the tears fall. "Girls, can you give me a minute? Tell Micah and Carlos that we'll be right in."
"Okay." The girls hugged Elena and then hurried out. Gina took a breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. Elena sat next to her. Gina linked their hands and looked into her daughter's eyes.
"We are so proud of you, Mija. So proud of you."
"I ... I just don't deserve..."
"Shh." Gina shook her head. "You deserve everything, baby. Everything. You're fifteen. You're a woman now. And there is a world out there that is waiting for you to take it by storm." She sniffed and reminded herself not to cry until after the pictures were taken. "Right after you were born," she said, "the doctors took you away from me. They'd put you on my chest and I was holding you and your father was holding both of us and you started to cough, just a little bit, but it was enough to worry them and they took you away to make sure your lungs were clear and I was so scared. So scared. It was only for a couple of minutes and you were back in my arms again, but I never wanted to let go of you ever again."
"You never told me this."
"It wasn't something ... you were fine and back in my arms and I feel like you're still there some days. And even though you're growing up, I'm still here for you. Forever."
Elena sniffed and Gina opened her arms and folded her daughter into them. "I love you," she said. "So much."
"I love you too, Mami."
Gina kissed the top of her head and then got up. "I have a present for you."
"I've been spoiled enough!" She paused. "But I do like presents."
"There's more down there," Gina laughed. "Your baby girl only turns fifteen once you know and for your sweet sixteen you're getting a picnic and a cupcake." Elena giggled. Gina took a box from the top of her dresser and handed it over. "Every queen needs a crown."
"Mami!" Elena's eyes widened. She opened the box and pulled out the tiara that matched the jewelry set. "Oh, this is too much!"
"No, it isn't," Gina smiled and drew Elena back to the mirror. She settled the tiara into her hair. "Now come on. Let's introduce you to the world." She held out a hand and led her down the hall to where Micah was waiting with Carlos.
"Ai, Mija," Carlos shook his head and Gina didn't miss the tears in his eyes. "When did you become a woman?"
"I'm still your little girl, Papi," Elena said.
"Forever." He kissed her cheek and then handed her over to Micah, who was staring, dumbfounded. They all chuckled. Gina took her husband's arm and walked toward the entrance to the backyard, where Danny called the party to attention, announcing them. Walking out to the main party area, Gina looked around at the faces of the family and tears touched her eyes again. They'd adopted her as one of their own and Elena was everything to them. She looked at Carlos as they turned to watch Elena walk in and, like the rest of the party, held their breath. She was regal. Commanding.
Everyone applauded as her name was called and Elena ducked her head a bit, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.
"Shut up," Micah muttered. "You deserve it."
"Yeah yeah." She almost tripped but recovered herself and when Micah handed her over to her father for the daddy/daughter dance, she felt herself fall into the warmth of her father's arms.
"How did you grow up so fast," he asked as the music began.
"I don't feel grown up."
"Good," he smiled. "Because if you want to stay in that room forever ..."
It was her turn to smile. "Maybe ..."
They'd practiced the dance a hundred times and she still tripped a bit when he turned her, but no one seemed to notice. But the dance ended too soon and she hugged him for a long time after the music ended. "I love you, papi," she whispered. And he held her too and she realized how much it was his scent that comforted her when she was upset. The weight of his arms, the feel of his cheek against her head. He'd looked so sad since that doctor had sat them all down and explained depression and self harm and suicidal ideation. She just wanted him to smile. Just wanted him to be proud of her. She wanted him to be happy.
"I love you too, honey," he whispered. And then Danny put the mic in her hands and she turned to look at her friends and family. She had to say something.
"Um ... gracias por venir esta noche. Sé que fue difícil para algunos de ustedes para llegar hasta aquí y esas cosas. No soy bueno hablando realmente es así, simplemente gracias. Realmente significa mucho para mí. Ahora ... la danza!"
Everyone applauded, even her friends and family who didn't speak Spanish. And then the party, which had already been rocking, really kicked into gear. There was an order to things. There was food and dancing for a while, but there were presents to open and cake and all of it made her nervous. What if people weren't happy?What if she wasn't a good hostess? So she hung back for a while, watching her parents dance, wishing that she'd get their fairy tale.
"You are not having nearly enough fun," Micah said. He plopped into the chair next to her. "But don't worry, we're about to make you open your presents."
"You realize I'm a spoiled brat and don't need anything else, right?"
"You're spoiled. You are not a brat. And shut up you're turning fifteen."
"What are you giving me next year then?"
Micah smirked at her. "Hey, all I can afford is my dad's vodka."
"Shut up." She pushed at him. "And for your birthday I want you to move in. I mean it. Get out of there. It isn't like you aren't always here anyway."
He kissed her cheek. "Maybe."
She watched her parents walk over to the present table and groaned, getting up, but the little girl she still felt like sometimes took over and by the time she took a seat and people who cared had gathered around her, she was giddy.
Micah gave her guitar picks with her name engraved. She stared at him, wondering how he'd pulled it off, but he only shrugged. There were similar presents from friends, as well as boots from her cousins and a new set of skirts from her tia. Her nanny from when she was younger couldn't make it, but she'd sent a leather-bound volume of Naruda poetry.
Her Abuela presented a guitar that had been her abuelo's.
But it was the final present from her parents that stopped her heart.
Inside the purple and black hard-case was a purple-stained Warwick bass with her name engraved into the front and on the back, some of her favorite lyrics.
Smiling through a smokey hourglass
Hiding behind the wounded
Bruised mask
And off into the distance
Somewhere above reality
Essence of feeling
Has somehow reminded me
God. They fucking paid attention. They really did.
Even more than that, the bass came accompanied with a half-stack of ampeg amps, secured a in Punk Hello Kitty frame, and even an Ibenz pedal.
"Plug it in!" Called the cousins who hailed from the rock side of the family.
Her hands were shaking.
Her parents understood her. They got it. They got that the only time anymore that things made any sense in her head was when she was playing. They knew that she wasn't hiding away because she hated them or the world but because music worked. She clutched the instrument, feeling her pulse in her fingers, and looked up at her mother and father, tears in her eyes. Behind the crowd of people, they both nodded at her.
Elena let out a tearful, nervous giggle and looked around for the nearest outlet. "Well, let's try this out!"
Micah handed her one of the picks and she put the plastic to the strings, feeling the buzz of the guitar, the energy of the muse as it moved through her and into the wood of the bass. It wasn't much of a riff that emerged, but it was something and it was her own and when she was done, the entire party cheered.
She laughed and looked up at her father. "Papi?" She asked. "Can you and tía AJ get your guitars?"
They both ran so fast they tripped over each other. Elena took a breath.
So this was what they meant about starting to feel grownup.
She met her mother's eyes and smiled.
***
Gina groaned and collapsed onto the bed, still in her dress. Carlos laughed and leaned over and removed her shoes. "Gracias," she responded. When he pushed the heel of his hand into the ball of her foot, she moaned. "See, that's why I married you."
"I know," he chuckled.
"Well, I think we did good. And she made out like a bandit."
"Only turn fifteen once," he said as he collapsed next to her. Gina rolled over and cuddled next to him. "And," he said, "thank you."
"For?"
"This was important to me. To her. To the family."
She kissed his cheek. "Baby, I married into an amazing family that believes in celebrating her culture. And if I'd had any problem with this, I'd hoped you would have taken her and run. I mean all I've got for her is french and decent wines."
He chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
"Anyway, sweet sixteen isn't nearly as important in the scope of things and because I escaped my mother, there's no worries for any kind of bullshit débutante ball. We'll get her a car or something."
Carlos cracked up. "I'm glad we can spoil her though."
"She's spoiled but is still reasonably down to earth. I'll take it." She sighed and started to sit up. "I feel like I should check on her."
"I did before I came in," Carlos said. "She's already passed out."
"Tell me she took the dress off. She's worse than I am when it comes to throwing clothes around."
He laughed. "Yes. She was in her hello kitty pj's and curled up with her unicorn. I put the bass in a stand for her."
"We survived," she sighed. "She's fifteen. Now all that's left to do is make sure she can speak up and think for herself, teach her to drive, and pray that she knows that no matter what, she can always come home."
"Congratulations, Mrs. Munez."
"You too." She kissed him. "And if I weren't so tired, I'd jump you right now."
He laughed. "Come on. Let's get out of these monkey suits. There's still cake in the kitchen."
"Hmmmm. Cake." She grinned and rolled off the bed. Carlos unzipped her dress and she sighed as his fingers worked their way across her back. "Hey," she said as she stepped out of the dress. He turned and she kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too." He nuzzled her. She smiled and stepped back to fetch a pair of leggings and one of his t-shirts. Their party clothes were draped over the chair in their room and they made their way to the kitchen.
Elena was sitting at the table, a piece of cake in front of her. She looked at them. Gina grinned and walked over to kiss her. "I thought you were asleep."
"I woke up." She shrugged. "I mean, cake."
"Cake." Gina dished out ice cream for all of them and took a seat. "So what about tomorrow, baby? What do you want to do?"
"Sleep?" Elena said with a laugh. "And go surfing. Definitely surfing."
"I think that can be managed. You've got a new board to try out."
Elena rolled her eyes. "You guys did too much. The whole family did."
"No," Gina said. "But if you're happy, that's all that matters."
"I am. Thank you." She paused. "Can I ask a question?"
"Of course," Carlos said. He was pulling fondant away from the cake and rolling it into little balls.
"Why did you only have me? I mean, really?"
Gina sighed and leaned across the table to take her daughter's hand. "I had a hard time getting pregnant and staying pregnant, sweetie. You stuck. And I wasn't going to keep having my heart broken. You were all we needed and it wasn't worth to risk my health just to give you a sibling."
Elena smiled at that. "I can understand that. I mean, I have a brother anyway."
"Where is Micah? Did he stay?"
"In his room ..." she looked at them. "Guys, can he move in? I mean ... you have no idea how bad it is at his place. He's just ... his dad is so bad for him."
Carlos furrowed his brow and Gina was glad to let him talk, since they'd already discussed it. "Micah is welcome to that room whenever he wants it, honey. But to make it official, there are a ton of social work issues that we'd have to deal with and hoops to jump through and he'd had to officially go into the system and we'd have to be certified as foster parents and by the time it all settled down, he'd be old enough to be on his own anyway."
Elena nodded. "Okay. As long as it's okay whenever he's here."
"There is no question for us that he's good for you, honey. And if we need to make something official at some point, we will," Carlos said.
Elena's smile was all Gina needed to know everything was okay. She got up, put her bowl in the sink, and put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Happy birthday, Sweetie."
"Thanks, Mami."
Carlos stood up and kissed her cheek. "Don't stay up too late."
"I won't."
Carlos wrapped his arm around her and Gina cuddled into him as they walked back to their bedroom and shut the door.