Quince Clash (3 page)

T
he mood was upbeat and festive when Fabi pushed open the doors of her family's restaurant. The music of Little Rafa, Fabi's late grandfather and a Tex-Mex icon, was playing on the jukebox. Her mother, Magda, was yelling an order for carne asada over the music and the noisy chatter of customers filling the tables. Fabi closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

The familiar scent of rice and beans enveloped her like a warm embrace from an old friend. Garza's was her first childhood memory. She remembered running into the kitchen and latching on to her father's leg as he tried to cook. He would pretend not to notice and then say, “And where did this little monkey come from?” That's how she got her nickname
“changuita
,” little monkey. But it had been years since anyone called her that. Now, as a young woman of fifteen years, everyone called her Fabi, short for Fabiola.

For a split second, Fabi actually felt like everything would be all right. But then reality came crashing in behind her. Alexis burst through the front door with Milo at her heels.

“Okay,” Alexis stated, throwing her arms in the air like a traffic guard. “I don't want you to worry about a thing. I already have it all figured out.”

“No,” Fabi protested, “you two have done enough.” She tucked her books under the counter and grabbed an apron. “Maybe I can reason with Melodee — if you guys just stop
helping
.” Fabi hurried over to her mother, who was busy clearing a table of plates, cups, utensils, and used napkins. Her parents worked really hard every day and it tugged at her heart to see them so stressed all the time. “Sorry, Mom. We got here as fast as we could. Milo's car broke down a block away and we had to push it.”

Magda made a forget-about-it gesture with her hand. Her mom was old-school and always wore dresses, stockings, and small black pumps. Fabi's dad, Leonardo, was a towering figure with thick wavy hair. He paused on his way to the refrigerated room to cough, before pulling the heavy door. Her parents were very different from her, and sometimes they didn't all understand one another.

“No worries,” her mother said. “I had a surprise assistant.”

“Really?” Fabi looked around the restaurant with an inquisitive expression. Lydia and Lorena, the waitress staff, were busy at their stations — which was a surprise. Those two were always calling in late or sick.

But everything else looked normal. Grandma Trini was feeding Fabi's two-year-old baby brother mashed-up beans. Grandfather Frank was in his usual seat. A circle of old retired war vets was standing around him, swapping stories. On the other side of the restaurant sat her other grandmother, Abuela Alpha Omega, as always.

Just then a guy came out from the kitchen with a tray. She didn't recognize him at first in his hairnet and long white apron. Then it hit her like a sack of beans. It was Santiago — and he was bussing tables! Fabi rubbed her eyes to make sure she was seeing correctly. Something was definitely not right. First Santiago went to school on time, and then he came to the restaurant to help? It had to be a sign of the end of days.

“When did Santiago get here?” Fabi asked.

Magda smiled. “I know. I can barely believe it myself. I had to take a picture with my phone and send it to his mom. He got here about an hour ago and just started doing whatever needed to get done.” She put her hand on Fabi's. “Why don't you just start on your homework? I think we've got enough help.”

“Really?” Fabi didn't know how to feel. She always worked after school.

“I don't know how long this is going to last, so you might as well take advantage.”

Fabi smiled and balled up her apron. She turned, not quite sure what to do with all this time she'd been granted.

Then she spotted Alexis. Her sister was supposed to be practicing her violin scales, but Alexis and Milo had gathered Grandma Trini and Abuelita Alpha to a table by the jukebox. Fabi did
not
like the excitement on her sister's face. Was her sister already making this quinceañera business even worse?

Walking up to their table, Fabi's suspicions were confirmed.

“Oh, you should have seen that Melodee,” Alexis was telling their grandmothers. “I thought she was going to faint when I told her the convention center was too small for Fabi's quince.”

“But it is,” exclaimed Grandma Trini. “Much too small for my
guapa
.” She turned to Fabi and pinched her cheek excitedly, pulling her closer to the table.

.Abuelita Alpha motioned for Fabi to sit next to her. Her tight white hair bun, black clothes, and pale face contrasted with Grandma Trini, who was always fighting age spots and wrinkles with beauty creams, makeup, and chemical peels.

“Now, Fabi,” Alpha began, looking at her sideways. “I'm glad to hear that you've finally come to your senses and are ready to affirm your dedication to the church. You know, it's really short notice, but I think that if you promise to fast for fourteen days, Father Benavides may overlook your lack of enthusiasm for Bible camp and squeeze you in for the next open quinceañera service.”

“What? No.” Fabi shook her head. “I am not having a quinceañera. I'm going to New York City.”

“Oh, no you're not,” Alexis cut in. “Remember, Dad said you weren't responsible enough to go away by yourself.”

“Yeah, well, he could change his mind, you know? And I only got in trouble because you snuck out of the house to go to that party.”

“No, it was God's will,” Abuelita Alpha interrupted.

“Everyone just stop,” Fabi stated. “Milo, tell them. Tell them this whole quinceañera business is all a mistake. You spoke out of turn. You didn't really mean it.”

They all turned to Milo, who had up until then been as quiet as a stone. But instead of explaining what happened in the cafeteria, he said, “Why don't you want a quinceañera? It'll be so much fun. I went to a couple in Phoenix and all the girls seem to love it. The big dresses, the cake, the dancing. I can be your
chambelán
—”

“I can't believe I'm even having this conversation! Do I look like
all the girls
to you?” Fabi blushed. “Wait. Don't answer that. I mean I'm not like other girls. I don't want a party. I want to go to New York. I want to get out of this town!”

Her grandmothers flinched.

“I mean,” Fabi tried to backpedal. “Look, we don't even have the money for a quinceañera. I have five hundred saved in the bank that I got from my birthday, but that's not enough. Melodee is renting the McAllen Convention Center. Do you even know how much that place costs? She's having her dress made by some fancy designer in Austin. And she's probably going to hire some famous singer to be there. I can't compete with that. I don't
want
to.”

“God does not care where you have your quinceañera,” Alpha said.

“Yeah, but everyone at school does,” Fabi tried to explain. “And now, thanks to Alexis and Milo, I'll have to shave my head and be Melodee's slave for a week.”

Abuelita Alpha got up, shaking her head. “I don't understand you kids. You don't want a quinceañera,” she said, pointing to Fabi. “And you two” — she gestured at Alexis and Milo — “are making up tales you know aren't true,
pa' qué
?”

“Because Melodee is a brat and someone has to stand up to her,” Alexis stated heatedly.

“Then why don't
you
stand up to her?” Alpha suggested.

Alexis blushed and looked away.

“Ya
, Alpha,” Grandma Trini interrupted.
“Pobres huercos
.” are just trying to help. They need understanding, not your scolding. Besides,
no hay quinceañera fea.”

Abuelita Alpha nodded and she sat back down. Trini was right. There was no such thing as a bad quinceañera.

Grandma Trini turned to Fabi and cupped her hands over her granddaughter's. “Now,
mija
, I know this is not what you had in mind for your birthday celebration, but you need to stop thinking about yourself for one
minuto
, okay?”

Fabi nodded, feeling a bit confused. She wasn't sure if it was from all the excitement, the quick movement from her grandmother's glittery false lashes, or the heavy scent of her Jean Naté perfume. But she listened as her grandmother went on.

“You have to think of
la familia
. We Garzas have a reputation to uphold.”

“She's only half Garza!” interrupted Abuelita Alpha. “The other half is Ibarra. That's Basque, you know,” she said to Milo. “From Spain.”

Grandma Trini cleared her throat pointedly. “Like I was saying. You are a Garza. You're the granddaughter of the one and only Tejano Hall of Famer Little Rafa ‘Los Dedos del Valle' Treviño Garza — don't you forget that. And more important, you have my hair. There is no way,” she said, shaking a long manicured nail in Fabi's face, “
no
way that I will let you shave your beautiful head.”

Her grandmother pulled Fabi into a tight embrace, petting Fabi's hair lovingly. Fabi wanted to cry out in frustration, but she couldn't breathe because her grandmother was pressing her head down to her chest. What was she going to do?

When her grandmother finally released her for some air, Fabi noticed that Santiago was getting along really well with the customers and even her dad was smiling from the kitchen. This could not last, she told herself. Milo smiled brightly at her from across the table.

“What's your problem?” she asked him.

“Your family. They're great. My parents don't even talk to each other. All they do is watch TV and drink. But your relatives are just so passionate about everything.”

“You want them?” Fabi motioned to her grandma Trini, who was adjusting her brassiere as if she was in her home alone. “You can have all of them.”

Milo laughed.

“You like the older ladies, don't you,
mijo
?” Grandma Trini asked Milo, smiling seductively. “You know that show
Cougar Town
? I like that show. I want a show like that one but for women my age.”

“Grandma!” Fabi and Alexis cried together.

“Ay, Diosito.”
Abuelita Alpha pulled her rosary from her bosom. “Please take this lost soul,” she said, referring to Grandma Trini. “Take her now.”

“Ay
, Alpha.” Trini slapped Abuelita Alpha's thigh. “I was just teasing the
muchacho
. I know he's just a baby. You need to relax. If you just let your hair down.” She reached for Abuelita Alpha's hair tie. “You remember when you used to wear your hair loose? We used to have fun, didn't we?”

“Have you no shame?” Alpha cried, getting up.

Grandma Trini started to crack up as the other
abuelita
stormed back to her side of the restaurant. “Don't you worry about her,” Trini said to Alexis, Fabi, and Milo. “She's all big hat, no cattle. Now, Fabi,” she said, growing serious. “Have you talked to your parents about this? I'm sure that now that you're not going to New York they'll be more willing to help you out for your quinceañera.”

“Well, I haven't —” Fabi began and stopped. When had she crossed that point of no return? So now she
was
having a quinceañera? Fabi sighed. There was just no fighting the family.

“Go, talk to your mother right now,” Trini said, pushing Fabi forward. “See, she's all alone looking at that book. It's a perfect opportunity. I know she's going to be so
thrilliada
. I know I am!”

Her mother would
not
be thrilled, Fabi thought as she got up. Magda was leaning over the register counter, which also held gum, candies, postcards, and other trinkets. She was reviewing the bankbooks, adding up sums with her small calculator. Fabi thought about turning back. But Alexis, Grandma Trini, and Milo had their heads huddled together, watching her every move.

“Hey, Mom,” Fabi said as she approached.

Magda raised a finger in the air for Fabi to wait. Fabi noticed the pile of letters to her mother's right. They were overdue hospital bills. Fabi's dad had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There were lots of tests and doctor visits now. Visits and tests that their health insurance would not cover, so they had to pay out of pocket. Fabi wasn't supposed to be concerned, but how could she not be, when she heard her parents arguing at night about the bills, when they thought the kids were asleep?

“It's nothing.” Fabi turned to leave.

“No, it's fine,” Magda said, removing her reading glasses. “What is it?”

Fabi pressed her lips together. What was she thinking? Her family couldn't throw her a quinceañera. Even if they didn't have the hospital bills, her parents still struggled. Fabi went without braces so that her sister could get voice lessons once a week. The quinceañera was an unnecessary expense.

Magda smiled at Fabi, encouraging her to go on.

Just then Alexis came up behind Fabi. “We got it! We got it all figured out. Did she tell you, Mom?” Alexis asked her mother.

“Tell me what?” she asked, sensing Alexis's enthusiasm.

“About Fabi's quinceañera!”

“What? Oh, my!” her mother exclaimed. Fabi noticed with surprise the sudden twinkle in her mother's eyes. “What are you talking about? When did this happen?
Mija
—” She turned to Fabi. Her eyes were dancing with hope. “I thought you didn't —”

“It just happened, Mom,” Alexis gushed. “Isn't it wonderful? I'm so excited.” Alexis hugged their mom and then pulled Fabi in with her other arm. Once again, Alexis was oblivious to Fabi's lack of enthusiasm.

“This is so wonderful,” Magda said, tears forming in her eyes. “I had given up hope when you said you wanted to go to New York. But this —” She clapped her hands together. “This is the best news.” She turned to Alexis. “We have to start planning right away. It won't be a big one, of course, but I'm sure we can do something real nice at the park. Maybe your grandpa will butcher a goat? Oh.” She noted Fabi's stunned expression. “Don't worry,
mija
. We will take care of everything. All you'll have to do is show up.”