How Tía Lola Came to (Visit) Stay Read Online Free Page B

Rollerblades; a visit from his best friend, José, once the weather gets nice-“One other thing,” he tells his dad, lowering his voice-“I wish Tía Lola…I mean, she was supposed to come for a visit—and she’s still here—and she won’t even try to learn English—”
    “Is that so? Maybe it’s good to have your aunt around so you have to practice your Spanish-”
    “But the kids at school already think I’m different enough,” Miguel explains-He is surprised that he is telling his father this much-“They can’t even pronounce my last name!”
    His father has gone very quiet on the other end-“Mi’jo,” he finally says, “you should be proud of who you are-Proud of your Tía Lola-Proud of yourself-”
    It is Miguel’s turn to be quiet-He knows hisfather is right, but he can’t help feeling what he feels.
    “I know sometimes it’s hard,” his father is saying softly. “You’ll grow into that pride the older you get.
Te quiero mucho
,” he adds. “Don’t forget.”
    For the next few days, the secret look that has been traveling between Tía Lola and Miguel’s mother, and then Juanita, suddenly finds its way to Miguel’s friends.
    In the gym, Miguel comes upon Dean and Sam whispering. They stop the minute they see him.
    “What’s up?” he asks.
    “Top-secret!” they chime in together, and then burst out laughing. Miguel doesn’t know what they are laughing about. He feels uncomfortable, but he laughs along with them.
    Friday morning, when Miguel comes downstairs, his mother is already eating her breakfast.
    “Buenos dias
, Miguel,” she says, looking up and frowning. “You’re going to wear
that
toschool today?” She stares at his Yankees sweatshirt as if it has a bad smell to it.
    “It’s my favorite shirt,” he reminds hen Just last Christmas, his father gave it to him. A few days later, his parents sat him and Juanita down and told them about the divorce.
    Juanita walks into the kitchen. “Mami, where’s my book bag? Oh, hi, Miguel. I thought I left it in the mudroom.”
    IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!!! Miguel feels like screaming.
    Tía Lola has been outside feeding the birds. The minute she enters the room and sees Miguel, she throws her arms around him and gives him ten kisses, one for each year since he was born. Then she adds a couple more, which she calls his
ñapa.
    His mother stares pointedly at Tía Lola, the way she does when she wants to remind her of something without saying it out loud. “That’s right, big boy,” she says, play-punching him in the arm, “you’re in the double digits now. Gotta run,” his mother adds, glancing at her watch. “Staff meeting.” She rolls her eyes.
    “Guess I’ll be catching the school bus today, the thirty-first of March, the anniversary of myfirst decade on planet Earth,” Miguel says. If he can make his birthday sound important, maybe he’ll get presents and lots of attention. Maybe he’ll get a ride to school from his mami instead of having to ride the bus on his birthday.
    “We’ll celebrate later. Promise!” his mother calls as she heads out the door with her coat half off, half on.
    All morning at school, Miguel feels gloomy. His friends are acting funny. No one wishes him “Happy birthday,” though he has been dropping hints for the last few weeks.
    “Want to hang out after school?” Miguel asks Dean as they head back for their classroom after recess.
    “Can’t today,” Dean explains. “My mom’s, um, picking me up early. Got…uh…uh…uh…a dentist appointment.”
    “I got…uh…a dentist appointment, too,” Sam says when Miguel turns to him.
    Nice friends, Miguel thinks. José would have hung out with him on his birthday instead of going to some stupid dentist. Maybe these new friends are not real friends, after all.
    Miguel grows even gloomier as the day wears on.
    That afternoon, Miguel comes out of school, head bowed, dragging his feet. His friends have run off early. The school bus is gone. Just as