Page 24 of Broken Chords
It’s a tight fit with eight of us around the farm-style table. Ben, Sara, and Josh take up one side, while Carla, Damian, and I are on the other. The ends appear to be reserved for Hector and Elisa, who are busy setting out the food.
“Mamá, let me help. It’s your birthday. You should be sitting,” says Carla from Damian’s other side.
Elisa waves a hand. “Sit, sit. You’ll just be in the way. We have it covered.”
Carla settles back in her chair, and Sara gives her a knowing look, as if to say,You know how Mom is.
Bowls of rice and beans appear on the table along with a heaping bowl of shredded lettuce, smaller bowls containing shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and salsa. Another wrapped dish appears at my elbow. Hector holds a shallow dish in front of him and places it in the center of the table with a flourish.
Damian smiles and rubs his hands together in anticipation. “Dad’s famous carne asada. We have this every year for Mom’s birthday.”
“And yours. And Carla’s,” interjects Sara.
“Hush now,” says their mom. “It’s my birthday, and I don’t want to listen to you bickering while we eat. Save it for later.”
“But if we don’t do it now, we won’t get to,” Sara says in mock protest.
“Exactly,” adds Hector. “Charlie, will you pass the tortillas please?”
Damian gestures to the wrapped dish next to me.
“Oh! Of course.” I pick it up and hand it to Damian, who opens it and places a tortilla on my plate before taking one for himself and handing the dish to Carla.
“Mom’s homemade tortillas are the best,” Damian says to me.
“Don’t let your Tío Marco hear you say that,” Elisa quips. “He’ll act like you’ve knifed him in the heart.”
Everyone laughs, and I smile, enjoying getting to witness their family interactions. I sit quietly, taking it all in as we eat our dinner, answering the handful of questions that I get asked. From the fact that I don’t have to rehash anything discussed before we sat down at the table, I assume that Hector and Elisa overheard our conversation as they finished the meal prep.
Seconds are pressed on everyone, with exhortations to eat since we’re all nothing but skin and bones. I laugh, but can’t say no. I’ve gained seven pounds since arriving in Spokane. My mother would be horrified. But I’m enjoying the unfettered freedom of eating whatever I want whenever I want. There’ll be cake later, and I’ll have as big of a piece as they decide to give me.
The affection and love between the siblings and their parents is evident, even under the veneer of bickering and teasing, despite Elisa’s injunction to save the bickering for another time. It’s clear that this is all part of their dynamic—the teasing, the prodding, the arguing among siblings, who all take turns telling me stories about Damian, filling in my picture of him even more. Not just because of their stories, but because this is the family that produced him. I can see why he’s so kind and considerate, but also why he’s more on the quiet side. His older sister is outgoing, dominating the conversation more than the others. But Ben and Carla give her competition on that front. Damian, on the other hand, hangs back, only throwing out the occasional quip or comment. But when he does, they all listen. His voice matters to his family, even if he doesn’t push his way to the forefront as often as the others.
Watching Elisa and Hector interact is also fascinating. With my parents, my mom is the one who’s clearly in charge. My dad goes along with whatever Mom says and always agrees with her. The few times I’ve witnessed him push back, she always talks over him until he gives in to whatever she thinks is best.
Hector and Elisa talk to each other, bantering and teasing like their children, but giving each other smiles as they do it, making it clear to everyone that they love each other. And when Elisa needs a refill of her drink, Hector stands to get it, giving her a kiss after he fills her glass.
After dinner, we move to the living room again where Elisa gets to open her presents. At least the ones from her children.
“What did Dad get you?” Sara asks as she hands over a bright pink envelope.
Elisa tucks her chin-length dark hair behind one ear, revealing a set of sparkly teardrops. “Earrings.”
“So pretty!” Sara leans over to examine them. “Good job, Dad.”
As she resumes her seat next to her husband she pats him on the chest. “Take notes.”
Josh chuckles, but looks toward Hector who says, “I’ll email you my tips.”
Damian hands over his card, and I retrieve a slim cream envelope from my bag, standing to hand it to Elisa. She looks at me with surprise, and a quick glance around shows it’s mirrored on everyone else’s faces. “That’s so sweet of you, Charlie. Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s just a little something. Damian told me ahead of time we were coming for your birthday. I was always taught that you don’t show up empty handed to a birthday party.”
Elisa smiles, her fingers going to the seal on the flap. “Well, now I’m curious to know what this could be. My children aren’t very original, so I have a feeling I know what I’m getting from them already. You’re the unknown quantity here.”
She gasps when she pulls out the simple cream cardstock with elegant script illustrating a gift certificate to a fancy local spa.
“I included one of their treatment menus. The certificate should cover pretty much anything you’d want.”
