How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over

by Julia Alvarez

  Ding-dong goes the homework warning bell in Miguel’s head. But Miguel also feels pleased to be complimented on his Spanish. And with Tía Lola in charge, this wish could turn out to be fun. Only problem is his little sister. Having a second language will only increase Juanita’s territory for showing off how special she is.

  “No hay problema, right, Tía Lola?” Juanita says, as if on cue.

  Victoria takes a deep breath. Here goes the awkward request. “For our family wish of something we’d like to keep …” Victoria hesitates. She doesn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. But with a stepmother about to enter the scene, all three sisters are aching for a way to include their own mother in this new familia.

  “It’s about Mama.” Victoria glances toward her father, not sure that she should continue.

  “Go ahead, Victoria. It’s okay,” her father reassures her.

  “We want to keep doing something special on Mama’s birthday.” Then the harder words to say, “Just us.” This is a tradition they all came up with when their mother died three years ago. On the first anniversary of her birthday, the family went out to Montauk, a place Mama loved. On the second birthday, the family attended a concert of really pretty music Mama liked to play on the piano. This year they went camping by a waterfall where Mama and Papa had gone on their honeymoon.

  Víctor pulls his three teary-eyed girls toward him. “Of course we’ll keep having our own special day,” he promises them.

  “What a beautiful way to remember your mother,” Linda says, tearing up herself.

  More than anything she could say, these words endear her to Víctor’s three daughters. They will not have to choose between their stepmother and their own mother. Víctor sighs, gazing with gratitude at his bride-to-be.

  “Our turn,” Juanita pipes up, eager to say what she’d like to keep from her old family. She has done the math. There are four big bedrooms on the second floor in the old farmhouse, as well as two little attic bedrooms, one of them being Tía Lola’s. There isn’t enough room for everyone to have their very own bedroom. “I want to be able to keep my room by myself.”

  “We’ll see about that,” her mother says noncommittally.

  Juanita presses on as if her mother had said yes. “And for my new wish”—Juanita steels herself not to look over at Essie—“I want to change the decoration of my room to be like a bride’s room.”

  A shocked Essie comes hurtling back from Space Mountain. Another girly girl in the family! But Essie knows better than to show her disgust by sticking her forefinger into her mouth and risk Papa canceling the trip to Disney World until Essie learns her manners.

  “And from my other family—”

  “You’ve had your two wishes already,” her brother points out.

  “But we’ve got two new stepparents.” Juanita appeals to their aunt. “Right, Tía Lola, that we can have two wishes for each new family?”

  Before Tía Lola can deliver a verdict, Carmen pleads Juanita’s case. “I’d actually love to hear any suggestions for things to keep from your old family.”

  “I want to be able to keep coming down any time we want to see Papi,” Juanita blurts out the minute Tía Lola nods. And then, without warning, she is crying. The adults all swing into consolation mode. Mami puts her arm around Juanita; Carmen squeezes her free hand; Papi strokes her head. “Of course, of course,” they all keep cooing like she’s a little baby.

  If his sister had stuck to the rules, this meltdown could have been avoided. Especially since Miguel’s wish is this same exact one, and he could have said it for both of them without bawling.

  Juanita gives her nose a final blow. “Your turn, Miguel,” she sniffles.

  “Ditto on that wish,” Miguel says, trying to avoid another scene. “And for my new family, I’d like to have a friend stay over even if it’s a weeknight.” His mami is pretty good about letting him have friends over on weekends. But with so many girls around, Miguel will occasionally need another boy in the house even if it is a weeknight. “It’s just a lot of sisters,” he adds, as his mother is looking like she might veto his request. But the word “sisters” warms her heart. The thin edge of the wedge, Tía Lola would call it.

  “Poor Miguelito,” Mami sympathizes.

  There’s another wish Miguel would make if he thought it would do any good. He doesn’t want to be called “little Miguel” anymore. Bad enough that he’s losing his place as the eldest. At least he will continue to be the eldest son.

  “Maybe we can have a man’s night out,” Víctor puts in. “Go to Rudy’s. Afterward catch a movie. In the summer, throw some pitches.”

  This sounds awesome! But Miguel doesn’t want to seem too excited and hurt his father’s feelings. No matter how great a stepfather Víctor will be, he will never ever replace Papi.

  “I think these are all cool wishes,” his father is saying. Víctor nods. Meanwhile, Linda and Carmen are both dabbing their eyes, touched by the loving spirit among all the families.

  As if he were the gavel concluding the meeting, Valentino starts barking. The room explodes with laughter, thinking Valentino is just being his cute doggy-wanting-to-be-a-human-being self. He barks again, more insistently.

  Tía Lola intervenes on his behalf. After several months, she has become quite proficient in dog language. “Valentino says he wants his turn. For his new wish for the new family, he would like to cast his vote to move out to the country, where he can run free.”

  The children again break into cheering. The truth is, if you are going to be in Vermont, it makes sense to live out in the country, surrounded by rolling hills and green pastures. A dog can feel like he doesn’t have to die to be in heaven.

  Tía Lola cocks her ear and listens to Valentino’s little barks and pants to be sure she understands. “As for what Valentino would like from his old family, he votes that we keep Tía Lola’s B&B open.”

  Víctor and Linda are about to say, “We’ll have to see about that.” For one thing, how can they live in the country and still run a B&B in town? But they are drowned out by the renewed cheering and clapping of five children, two fairy godparents, and the insistent barking of Valentino.

  The four parents exchange a worried glance. It’s as if they just now did the math and realized they are in deep trouble. Anything that comes up for a vote, they will be outnumbered.

  How Tía Lola’s Wish Came True

  There’s no denying there is a contradiction in Valentino’s wishes, which Víctor points out once the children have quieted down. They cannot both live in the country and run a B&B in town.

  “At least we can grant half of your wish, old boy,” Víctor consoles Valentino. The family will move out to the farmhouse as soon as he and Linda marry.

  “And I can grant the other half!” Tía Lola offers. Nothing she likes better than to make a wish come true. “When your family moves in, I will leave the country.” She announces this so cheerfully, the children can’t believe it. This is the worst news in the world! Tía Lola isn’t going to stay? This was just a visit after all?

  Juanita’s wish has backfired on her! She is ready to sleep in the garden shed if that’s what it takes to keep Tía Lola with them. “Please, Tía Lola, I’ll share my room, please. Don’t go back to the Dominican Republic.”

  “If you leave, I will, too!” Essie folds her arms and lifts her chin in defiance. Too late, she realizes this is not a smart move. You don’t bail out of a family that will soon be going to Disney World.

  “Un momento.” Tía Lola holds up one hand. Who said anything about leaving the country-country? She meant leaving the country, as in “out in the country,” where Miguel and Juanita live. English is so confusing! “I will move into town to run the B&B, if the coronel permits. This way he won’t be left alone.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” the old man says in a gruff voice, but he is touched by Tía Lola’s offer. He has grown used to good company. And he so enjoys having a B&B in his house. It brings interesting pe
ople to his doorstep now that he is no longer able to travel around the world meeting them.

  “For me, as well, coronel, it will be a pleasure to start over with a new adventure.” This would be Tía Lola’s wish come true: her very own place where the whole world can come visit and stay! “And any of you, children, who want to spend the night, the week, the month, in town at Tía Lola’s B&B are more than welcome!”

  “Sounds to me like the best of both worlds,” Papa says, already promoting the idea that a moment ago seemed impossible. “But one thing that still intrigues me,” he adds, fixing his gaze on the family mascota, “why would Valentino vote for your B&B to continue if he’s going to be with us in the country?”

  Tía Lola shrugs. “You’ll have to ask him.”

  Valentino wags his tail at his master, a dog’s way of smiling and evading the question. As much as he loves the country, Valentino is planning on being a frequent visitor at Tía Lola’s B&B in town. He has found that guests tend to be quite generous with treats—especially if he does cute stuff like fetch their slippers from upstairs when they are sitting by the fire or bring in the paper while they are eating breakfast. However, it’s probably not in his best interests to share this discovery with Víctor. Next thing he knows, there’ll be a sign posted in the dining room: PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE DOG.

  “It’s definitely going to be an exciting year,” Carmen exclaims happily. “Two marriages, a move to the country, a permanent B&B in town!”

  “Two trips,” Essie is quick to add.

  “And one huge birthday party,” Tía Lola says, turning her bright gaze at the colonel, who scowls back like the sun is in his eyes.

  “Don’t even think of it!” he tells her. But that is like telling someone, “Do not think of an elephant in the room.” That’s all anyone can think of: the colonel’s eighty-fifth birthday on the ninth of December.

  That night, Miguel has a dream. Cannibals are chasing after him again! This time they catch him and carry him off to their village, where Miguel is sure a big pot of boiling water awaits him. Instead, he comes upon the most astonishing surprise: the whole tribe is wearing party hats and blowing whistles and popping favors. Sitting at the center of the circle with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish is Tía Lola!

  When he wakes up, Miguel lies in bed wondering, When exactly is Tía Lola’s birthday? Every time he asks, Tía Lola just waves him off.

  Miguel corners his mother coming out of her room. But Mami herself doesn’t know for sure, just that it’s sometime in December.

  “When I was growing up, we were so poor that Tía Lola never made a point about her birthday. But she made a big deal about celebrating mine, including always telling me a special story.” As to how old Tía Lola is going to be, Mami is not really sure about that either. “It’s like her beauty mark, sometimes it’s here, sometimes there.” Mami points to her right cheek, then to the center of her forehead. “Sometimes Tía Lola is fifty-two, sometimes she’s fifty-five.” The point is Tía Lola is young at heart, no matter how old she is on the calendar. “But why this sudden curiosity about her exact birthday?”

  So Miguel tells his mami his dream. That’s where he got the idea. “We should give Tía Lola a birthday party this year. You’ve said yourself, she’s never had one.”

  Mami hesitates. “It’s a lovely idea. But you don’t know your aunt. She’s worse than the colonel, and more mobile. The minute she finds out we’re planning a party for her, she’ll take off. Maybe even get as far as the Dominican Republic.”

  This will not do at all. “So, we’ll make it a surprise party,” Miguel suggests.

  “Hide anything from Tía Lola, are you kidding?”

  But Miguel thinks it can work. After all, he and Essie were able to keep their Margaret-Henny sting operation from Tía Lola. Of course, that secret lasted less than twenty-four hours. December is a month away.

  A sly look has come over Mami’s face. “The only way it could work is if we were to hide the birthday party right under her nose. Say we combine Tía Lola’s birthday party with the colonel’s but make Tía Lola’s half a surprise. Of course, we will have to be absolutely, totally …” Mami makes a motion of zipping up her mouth.

  Not a problem for Miguel. But the same can’t be said for Little Bigmouth, also known as Can’t-Keep-a-Secret Juanita. After making her cross her heart and hope to die enough times to kill off a small army, Miguel fills her in on the plan. “AWESOME!” she cries out. “Oops, I’m sorry. I meant”—Juanita leans in and whispers—“awesome.”

  Mami talks to Víctor, who calls Carmen at the law firm where he used to work when he represented Tía Lola. Carmen digs up Tía Lola’s application for staying in the United States, which includes her birth date. It turns out Tía Lola will be fifty-six years old on December 12. Víctor and his daughters are on board with the secret half of the birthday party. But they won’t be telling the colonel. He’ll just start fussing all over again about the half of the party that is for him. Meanwhile, Carmen has already asked if she and Daniel can come and bring Abuelito and Abuelita along. No one wants to miss Tía Lola’s first birthday party ever, even if she is going to be fifty-six.

  With so much excitement in the air (a party, two weddings, a two-in-one trip, a here-to-stay B&B), Tía Lola can’t separate out the children’s extra excitement over the one half of a birthday party that is going to be a surprise for her.

  But a few times, she comes close to guessing the secret.

  Sometimes, one of the children will let slip a remark. (“Do you think the second cake should be pink or purple?”) Or Tía Lola will go on and on, adding more frills to the colonel’s party (a parade, the Bridgeport school marching band leading the way; Rudy’s son, Woody, doing his magic tricks), not realizing she is making a bigger party for herself. The children all have teeth marks on their bottom lips from biting down so hard to keep from laughing.

  Planning meetings are the hardest, as Tía Lola insists on being present. After all, it was her idea to give the colonel a birthday party.

  At this latest meeting, Victoria announces they are up to a hundred guests.

  “A hundred?!” Tía Lola can’t believe it. During their cozy evenings in the parlor, they have managed to wheedle only about forty names from the reluctant colonel.

  “People have friends, Tía Lola. Look at you,” Essie hints, giggling. That is precisely it: Tía Lola has a lot of friends, so the guest list is climbing. The giggles seem to be contagious. First Juanita catches them, then Cari.

  Victoria eyeballs the gigglers. They are going to ruin the surprise! “Hey, people, we need some committees here,” Victoria says, trying to distract Tía Lola, who is still puzzling over the guest list. They better change the subject. Out comes Victoria’s clipboard again. “I’ll do the invitations and the food.” Actually, all she has to do for the food is coordinate who will cook what. The party is huge. It only makes sense to have a potluck.

  Essie offers to be in charge of the decorations and enlists Miguel to help her.

  “Make sure you go to Estargazer,” Tía Lola reminds them. Their friend’s gift shop is full of neat, interesting things.

  “No hay problema,” Essie says, setting off a round of giggling. Tía Lola laughs along good-naturedly. The children often tease her for overusing her favorite mantra.

  But the children are laughing because of a funny coincidence. For Tía Lola’s surprise birthday gift, they and their parents decided to order a sign for her B&B. Lo and behold, when they walked into Stargazer’s store, they learned that Tía Lola had just been in ordering the same thing! Perfect. Tía Lola will be getting exactly what she asked for. Stargazer will go ahead and fill the order according to Tía Lola’s specifications. She’ll set up the sign in front of the colonel’s house right before the birthday party. The tricky part will be putting off Tía Lola when she tries to pay for it.

  Again, Victoria has to steer the group away from hilarity or Tía Lola will get suspicious. �
��Juanita, how about you be in charge of entertainment.”

  “Sure!” Juanita loves dressing up and putting on skits. “I can also do flowers. Stargazer has some really beautiful sunflowers that look so real. You know, they’re her favorite flowers.” Juanita gasps, realizing her slip. Oops, I’m sorry, her look says.

  “Whose favorite flowers?” Tía Lola wants to know.

  “The colonel’s?” Juanita says it like she’s asking a question.

  “But you said ‘her favorite flowers.’ ”

  “Did I?” Juanita smiles lamely and looks over at her partners in crime for rescue. “You must have misheard, Tía Lola. Anyhow, I meant the colonel’s.”

  Thank goodness Cari chooses this moment to feel left out. Everybody is getting to be in a committee. “What about me?”

  Tía Lola looks at her with disbelief. That she should even have to ask! “Who else can head the Utensil Committee: polishing all the silver, folding all the napkins. In fact, you sure you can manage on your own?”

  Cari nods importantly. Reporting for duty, as the colonel would say.

  The minute Tía Lola leaves the attic room, the children explode with laughter. Valentino barks. That reminds Cari. “What about Valentino? What can he be in charge of?”

  Miguel comes up with a committee for Valentino. “You can be the head of the Distraction Committee. Like, if we’re talking about Tía Lola, and you hear her coming, bark so we stop. Or if we’re preparing something, distract her so we have a chance to hide any evidence. Sound like a job you can do?”

  Valentino barks, You bet! The children laugh, so he barks again. The more they laugh, the more he barks. Soon Tía Lola is back at the door. “What’s going on?” She looks from child to child, like she mislaid something in one of their faces and is trying to find it.