by Molly Sloan
One by one, each of the women who’d benefitted from Ava’s loans arrived. It was a celebration, of sorts. Salima, Michele and Jennifer joined the room full of other female business owners. From hair salons to auto repair shops, these were the women who owned the businesses that helped keep Havana running. It was such a pleasure to see them all together like this.
The wine, mojitos and champagne flowed while the women shared marketing strategies and business ideas. As Ava served everyone finger food, she was filled with a deep satisfaction that she had made a difference in the world. No matter what happened in her life, she had made a difference.
Tapping a knife on the side of her glass to get everyone’s attention, Ava cleared her throat and spoke. “First of all, I want to thank you each for coming.” She teared up and her voice got husky with emotion. “As you all probably know, I lost my parents in a fire when I was a baby. My tia raised me, and then when I graduated college, someone gave me the money to start Bobo Flamingo’s.” The women were silent as they listened and sipped their drinks.
“Every woman in this room understands that economic power is power. Without money, a woman is at the mercy of the men in her life. And, as many of us learned the hard way, without an education, it is hard to earn money. Not every woman can be as fortunate as we are to have someone to back our dreams.”
They all nodded and looked at each other in agreement.
Ava walked over to the counter and picked up a manila envelope. “That is why I am proud to announce the formation of the Maria Martinez Scholarship Fund. Named after the mother I never knew, this fund will provide a university scholarship to one girl every year.” The room erupted in happy chatter.
“This is where I need your help. If you know someone, a teenage girl, with the mind and passion to go to university, let me know and I will give you the details on the scholarship.”
“Does it have to be a teenager?” Salima asked.
“Well, I’d been thinking so. Who did you have in mind?”
“What about Astrud?” Ava had told Salima what had happened with Humberto.
Nodding her head thoughtfully, “I like that idea. Let me talk to her.” That reminded her of something.
“One other thing before I forget and bring out the cake. I had a little altercation last week with one of my employees. He’d hinted around that he knew about the loans I’ve been giving out, and was being threatening. I’m pretty sure he’s just a small man who’s all talk and no balls, but I wanted to let you all know to keep your guard up just in case.”
The women nodded their heads in agreement.
“Okay, who is ready for cake?” she asked with a big smile.
Chapter Twenty-One: So Many Women, So Little Time
Caleb hadn’t realized how many women had suddenly appeared in his life until they all called him at the same time. First, it was Gina.
“Hey, dude. Guess what?”
“What?” he was half expecting this to be a joke.
“I met a girl.”
Whoa, this was no joke. “Wow! Where?”
“My sister took me to one of those paint night drink parties. She was the artist.”
“A what?”
Groaning, Gina said, “You are such a guy sometimes. It’s called a paint night. People show up at a restaurant and an artist is there with supplies and everyone drinks and makes a painting.”
Still stuck on the concept, he asked, “You all paint the same thing? How do you know what to paint?”
“Caleb. That’s not the point. I. Met. A. Girl.”
“Right. So, tell me about her!”
Gina went on to say how cute she was, her name was Lesley, and they were going to the movies this weekend. “When are you coming home, man? I’m so desperate for friends I’m being forced into going out with my sister. You know. My sister, the craft queen. If you don’t come back soon, she’s going to make me go to plant night.”
“What’s plant night?”
The next call was from Ava, “Hey handsome.” He loved it when she called him that.
“Hi beautiful.”
“Are you stopping by the club tonight? We are doing dress rehearsals for the Carnaval show. It’s really coming together.”
“If it means seeing you, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Caleb, it’s your mother.”
Which one? he thought for a second.
“When are you coming home? Eden’s twenty-first birthday party is coming up, and we’re having it at the club.”
Caleb wasn’t about to forget his own brother’s birthday, but he answered, “I think in a week or so.”
“Also, did you ever call the attorney back? They still need your signature on the paperwork that transfers your portion of the inheritance into your personal trust.”
He’d called last week, and with all the excitement, Caleb had forgotten to call him back. “No, I forgot. I’ll call him soon.”
“Please do. This is important, as you know.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Don’t forget to let me know your flight plans so I can arrange to have you picked up at the airport.”
“I won’t. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, son.”
“Caleb, it’s your mother.”
Oh god, not again, he thought. What now?
“I hope you don’t mind me calling you Caleb. In my heart, you’ll always be my Ramon. But you are a man now, and that man is called Caleb.”
Gabriella? “Oh! Hi. Wow. I didn’t expect you to call. No, it’s fine. Call me whatever you want. Wow. I can’t believe I am talking to you on the phone.”
Her voice sounded soft and sweet. She’d lost some of her accent, and so it was a gentle combination of American and Cuban.
“I am calling to tell you that my visa was approved. I am finally coming back to Havana, even if only for a visit.” Gabriella had become an American citizen after being denied return home. Like him, she was traveling on a “family visa.”
Caleb realized that it might be possible for him to still be here when she arrived. “When are you coming?”
“I have waited for twenty-four years to see my Ramon. I don’t want to wait any longer. My flight is in three days.”
That’s the night of the Carnaval party.
“Perfect! You remember Ava Martinez?” he asked.
“How could I forget her? It was the fire that killed her parents that scared me into leaving Havana. What about her?”
There was so much to say, but that was for another time. “She runs a club in Havana called Bobo Flamingo’s.”
“Bobo Flamingo’s? That’s a weird name.”
Laughing, he agreed. “It is. Well, anyway, they have a big Carnaval party every year, and it’s the same night you’re getting in.”
“Oh wow. I forgot all about Carnaval.”
“It’s a masked ball. Wouldn’t it be fun to surprise Papa with you at the party?”
“Mijo, that is a brilliant idea.”
Yes, it was. It would definitely be a night to remember, he thought.
Chapter Twenty-Two: It’s All Fun and Games
The days had flown by, and the day of Carnaval was finally here. They’d reworked Astrud’s performances and hired another guy to play saxophone. Ava had spent as much time consoling the girl and her broken heart as possible, but she’d been swamped with last-minute details.
Grabbing her coffee, Ava headed out to inspect the preparations. There was a circus tent going up in the back parking lot, and the performers were starting to arrive. She’d hired a clown, a man on stilts, a juggler, a magician, and there would be white ponies for the kids to ride.
“Hey Boss. The guy that fixed the smoke machine needs a check,” Joey said as he walked by her, carrying a case of expensive rum bottles to the kitchen.
Heading back to her office to grab the business checkbook, Ava felt a shiver run down her spine. It was a momentary ominous feeling that passed almost as soon as she felt i
t. I’m just stressed about tonight, she thought.
Grabbing the checkbook, she headed back out to the technician standing talking to Mariah. “How long have you been a bartender? Has anyone ever told you you have very nice eyes. So wholesome…”
She rolled her eyes and looked at Ava, as she said to the man. “My husband Hector says the same thing all the time. We met when we were kids.”
The technician looked deflated, but perked up when Ava handed him the check. “Thanks, Ms. Martinez. This looks like it’s going to be a great party.”
“Thank you. You should come. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Shaking his head, he said, “No, I’m not a fan of crowds. I’ll just read about it in the paper.”
Speaking of crowds, the sheer number of people coming in and out of the club this afternoon was almost overwhelming. From delivery people to people decorating with balloons and streamers, sound checks and performers rehearsing, caterers and customers, it was almost impossible to find anyone. Next year, I’m going to get everyone walkie talkies, she thought.
Heading back to her office, Ava thought she spotted Astrud out in the parking lot talking to none other than Humberto. Instantly pissed off, she turned on her heels and headed out to shake some sense into the girl and kick Humberto off the property. Before she could get there, one of the sous chefs grabbed her and said, “There’s an emergency in the kitchen.”
Emergencies trump personal issues, she thought, as she headed into the kitchen. Pushing her way through the doors, Ava realized quickly that the “emergency” was the head chef getting all diva over the caterers wanting to use his equipment. After reminding him that it was her equipment not his, he calmed down.
By the time she got back out, Astrud and Humberto were gone.
“Ms. Martinez?” She turned and saw Gil the Flower Boy standing there. That was odd. She didn’t remember ordering flowers from him. He was holding a single red rose. “This is for you.”
Not understanding at first, she said, “All of the flowers are going over there on that table.”
“No, Senorita. It’s for you.”
Oh! Rummaging around in her pocket, she found enough money for a tip and handed it to the boy. “Thank you, Gil. Be sure and come back later, and we’ll make sure you get some cotton candy and popcorn.”
The boy’s face lit up. “Thank you so much, Miss Martinez.”
Taking the single flower back to her office so that she could read the card in private, she suspected that she already knew who it was from.
Closing the door behind her, the noise of the club was silenced. Smelling the rich fragrance, Ava opened the small white envelope and pulled out the card, and read it aloud.
“I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on a successful Carnaval. You set my heart afire… Caleb”
Oh wow. He is truly amazing, she thought. At the same time, her heart sank a little. He was leaving in less than a week. “Love will find a way,” she said aloud.
Several hours later, the partygoers were starting to trickle in. The families with young kids were enjoying the outdoor circus, and she could hear squeals of delight as “Bobo the Flamingo’s Clown” made balloon animals for the kids. She could smell the meat roasting on the open flame barbecue, and women in sequins and feathers were walking around handing out large neon cups containing the drink special. Joey was at the entrance, handing out colored wristbands to tell the servers who was of legal drinking age, and who was not.
Ava still hadn’t seen Michele. She was excited for her to meet Astrud. She selfishly hoped that maybe the two women could work together when Michele came back from her leave.
Both Michele and Selima were bringing their kids, and she hoped they got there before the pink and green colored cotton candy ran out.
She also hadn’t seen Caleb, but he said he had a errand to run before coming by, and it was early.
Grabbing a water bottle, and cruising around to do final checks of everything, Ava was satisfied. It appeared that Carnival was going to go off perfectly, and as planned.
Chapter Twenty-Three: Mother and Son Reunion
Caleb’s heart was practically pounding out of his chest as he approached José Marti International Airport. I am being ridiculous. I’m acting like a little boy who hasn’t seen his mommy all summer. Until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know this woman existed.
And yet, now he did know she existed. He also knew the lengths that she went to in order for him to have the life he had. She, very literally, gave up everything. For him.
He parked the car and walked inside the airport. She’d have to come through customs, of course. He hoped that it would be smooth for her, given her dual citizenship. Looking at his phone to check the time, Caleb wondered how things were going for Ava. The early part of the Carnaval celebration had begun, and he was curious to know if her vision for the event was coming to fruition.
He’d planned to meet Ramon there later, and of course, surprise him with his long-lost wife. Excitement coursed through his veins as he shifted from foot to foot in the airport waiting area. This was one of the coolest things he had ever done.
People started to trickle through the gate, and Caleb’s heart started pounding again. Would he recognize her? Would she recognize him? Staring closely at each woman who was remotely in the same age range as Gabriella, he felt like one of those weird creeps. I should be playing it cool, he thought.
Caleb felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and it was, without a doubt, Gabriella. His mother. Although he definitely resembled his father, he could see that he’d gotten her chin and her eye color. While Ramon’s was a dark chocolate brown, Caleb had gotten Gabriella’s clear cola colored eyes.
“Oh my god. Ramon.” Gabriella burst into tears. “My baby. My little boy.” Her tears made him cry too. “Let me look at you.”
She took a step back and wiped her tears. “You look so much like my Ramon. It’s uncanny. I am sorry, I forgot to call you Caleb. But you are definitely a Caleb. I can see it now.”
Taking her by the arm, they headed to the baggage claim area. They had so much to catch up on.
The car ride across Havana was surreal for Gabriella. “So much has changed, and yet so much is the same.” She pointed out landmarks that were still there, and stores that were not. They drove by the hospital he’d been born in, and the cemetery where his grandparents were buried.
Looking at her more closely as she was watching the scenery go by, Caleb could see that she was still beautiful. It wasn’t the young maiden kind of beauty she’d had when he was an infant, but it was a womanly beauty, forged from strength and loss. The light lines around her eyes were smile lines, though, which told him she’d had more joy than pain. He was glad for that.
As they got closer to Bobo Flamingo’s, Caleb could sense her excitement growing. She kept checking her lipstick in the mirror and smoothing her hair. And, understandably so. She was about to reunite with her husband. The lover she hadn’t seen in almost twenty-five years. It was unthinkable, really. Yet, the day had finally come.
“How much farther?” she asked.
“A few kilometers.”
Suddenly, her excitement transformed to nervousness. Her skin had gone pale and she looked concerned.
“Mama.” It felt weird to call a virtual stranger this, but she had earned the name. And, he know that Susie wouldn’t mind.
Gabriella looked at him. “It’s so strange to hear you say that.”
“I wanted to say something before we get to the party.”
“Yes, mijo?”
“I have been in Havana for several weeks now. In that time I have gotten to know Ramon fairly well.”
Gabriella was looking at him and nodding.
“Now, seeing you, and knowing him, I want you to know that you have nothing to worry about.”
She looked down at her hands. “What if he does not find me pretty anymore? What if too much time has passed?”
“Trust me. He wi
ll still find you beautiful. The love you had is very much still alive. Love like that… the kind that makes life, the kind that transcends selfish motives… that kind of love doesn’t die. It stays like a burning ember, waiting to light again into fire.” Reaching his hand over, he grasped hers. “I promise.”
Chapter Twenty-Four: Where There’s Smoke
Carnaval was in full force. Outside, children squealed in delight at the circus acts, carnival games, and food. Michele and Salima had arrived with their kids who were taking turns going down the huge inflatable slide. Ava was happy to see Michele’s children having fun. It had been a rough few weeks with their father being hurt.
Inside, the vibe was completely different. The interior of the club had been totally transformed. Large pink and green helium balls floated above the room. She’d even managed to get a trapeze safely installed, and a performer was up there swinging and blowing bubbles that floated down to the crowd.
Onstage, Astrud was singing, decked out in a skintight silver bodysuit, and her long brown hair seemed even longer than usual. The thumping bass added an animalistic feel to her rhythmic dancing and singing.
Mariah was handing out pink and green glow stick necklaces and drinks in neon plastic cups that glowed in the black lights that had replaced some of the spotlights.
Later, the faux bonfire would be “lit” and the dancers would lead a conga line around it.
Ramon was being his usual charming self, and was circulating and greeting guests. Because it was a masked ball, the music was punctuated with squeals of recognition as partygoers lifted their masks to reveal their identities to friends.