Going Home (18 page)

“Look, in the future you must stay longer with us right here,” said Abuelo Juan. “I know that you love your Tio Jorge, but after all, I have as much of a right to see my granddaughter as anyone else! Now, tell me what you think of Puerto Rico, Felita.”

“Abuelo, I love it so much and I want to come back.”

“Wonderful.” He was real pleased. “That makes me so happy. I can hear you are now speaking Spanish almost like a true Puerto Rican. You tell your brothers, my grandsons, that they better start learning Spanish too! You hear?”

The day I had to leave, most of my family loaded up into two cars and drove me to the airport. Aunt Julia gave me instructions on how I had to pick up three boxes for Mami when I got to the airport in New York. Everyone kept hugging and kissing me until it was time to get on the plane. Aunt Julia made sure I got a window seat and told the airline clerk that I was traveling alone and to take care of me.

The ride home was smooth and quiet. After lunch I took a nap, and when I woke up, I turned to the lady sitting next to me.

“Do you know the time?” I asked her.

“I'm sorry,” she said, “but I don't speak Spanish.” I hadn't even noticed that I was talking in Spanish.

“Excuse me,” I said in English, “do you know the time?”

“It's three o'clock. We'll be landing in less than half an hour.”

“Thanks.” I yawned and stretched out.

“You speak English very well. Have you ever been to New York before?” she asked me.

“Yes, I was born there.”

“Oh.” I could see she was embarrassed.

“In fact,” I went on, “I've been visiting Puerto Rico and staying with my uncle up in the mountains.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“Yes, I had a wonderful time. I enjoyed myself a lot.”

“Are you sorry, then, or happy to be going back to New York City?”

“I guess I'm sorry to be leaving but happy to be going home.” As soon as that lady asked me how I felt, I realized I was having such strange feelings. One minute I was sad and then I remembered I was going to see Vinny and Gigi and all my friends and I got happy. I wondered where it was I wanted to be most. In P.R or home in New York City? Then I remembered Vinny's letter tucked away in my suitcase. Vinny and me were going to junior high with a bunch of my other friends. Junior high school, with no little kids running around! I thought of my parents and my brothers, and all the kids on my block. I couldn't wait to tell everyone about the great summer I had—about the beaches, the sightseeing, and the play. And best of all, I could tell my family, Gigi, and Vinny about Anita, Marta, Gladys, and Ismael and how it had finally turned out so good. All of a sudden I couldn't wait to get home!

After the plane landed and I got to the luggage claim section, I saw Papi waiting for me.

“Papi! Papi!” I went running over to him. Papi picked me up and I could feel his strong arms as he lifted me up in the air.

“Felita, mi hijita. How you have grown! You are so tall and so beautiful. Look at you! You are as brown as a coconut! Wait until your mother sees you.” We got my suitcases and the boxes Aunt Julia had sent and headed straight for Mami, Johnny, and Tito. Mami came rushing over, threw her arms around me, and gave me a real tight hug and lots of kisses.

“Dios mio, my baby. Look at you!” She kept on staring at me. “I left a little girl in Puerto Rico and now I get back a young lady. Felita, I couldn't get used to being at home without you. I missed you something terrible! Now, tell me, did you have a good time? Honest? How's Tio Jorge? And Tia Maria and Tio Manuel? I know you just spent a few days with your grandfather. How's Abuelo Juan? You have to tell us everything, everything, you hear!”

“Good to have you back,” Johnny said, and we kissed and hugged.

“Hey, you are looking less ugly,” said Tito as he gave me a hug. “You must've done something good. Keep it up and you might get pretty. Right, Mami?” Everyone laughed. That was my brother Tito, all right. He was a character, and that was for sure!

“So, how did you find living back in the mountains of Puerto Rico?” Papi asked. “Did you find enough things to do there? It wasn't too boring, was it, Felita?”

“It was great!” I said.