Little Sanchez
December 5, 1992. Carlos Sanchez was at the bullfighting arena, practicing for his upcoming show that week. Although he was proclaimed to be the best bullfighter in the family, he had been distracted and a little stressed lately.
And when I said 'lately' I mean that he had been distracted during the past NINE MONTHS. Yep, you probably understand now. His wife Carmen was overdue by ten days and the stress for both parents was overwhelming.
Although the stress was probably more for Carmen. She couldn't help it with her emotions being all over the place. One minute, joyous, the next, just plain depressing.
Anyway, with not much of a technology improvement in those days, all they knew is that the baby was coming soon; but whether it was a boy or girl, was completely unknown. But, like a lot of good parents, they had created a list of names for both boy and girl.
For girl's names, they like the options of: Ashlynn, Rachelle, Bonita, Selena, and Rosita.
Boys names included: Manolo, Ricardo, Antonio, Miguel, and Jesse.
Boy or girl, they didn't care. All the parents wanted was raise their child to be wise and independent in this very cold world.
But, times were getting tough. He wished there was someway to hold off the due date of the baby with the Mexican Revolution going on and everything. These years just weren't safe for a newborn baby to be raised around.
Anyway, Carlos was just wrapping up rehearsal, when his father-in-law Luis came running into the arena.
"Mijo! You must hurry!"
"What is it, Papa?"
"It's Carmen! She's gone into labor and is just about ready to deliver the baby!"
"What?! Is she at the hospital, already?"
"Yes, don't worry about that; just get there so you can see your familia as soon as possible!"
"Y-yes, I'm going!"
He threw the cape down and left it behind with his father following him.
They arrived at the hospital in time. Carmen was awaiting for the nurses to bring the baby out from the nursery. And Carlos and Luis were there waiting with her. Her husband took her hand, looking very anxious in the best possible way.
"Tell me, Mi Amor; is it a boy or girl?"
She smiled back and told him to just wait for the nurse.
"I just can't wait! If it's a boy, he will be the next magnifico bullfighter in the family; and if it is a girl, she will be a strong and beautiful young woman just like you."
Carmen was just as excited too.
"Beautiful and strong, yes. Young, no." she laughed.
"Oh, stop, you're only 29."
Just then, the nurse came in, holding a little wiggling bundle.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez, I'd like you to meet the newest addition to your family."
She walked over to the couple and handed it to them. Carmen gently pulled the blanket from over the baby's face and it sneezed.
Carlos nearly cried at the moment.
"I-it's, it's a boy."
"I've decided on the name Manolo." she said
"That name fits him like a glove." Carlos happily sniffed
"Look, he's got the Sanchez curl on his head!" Luis pointed out.
Carmen slowly frowned.
"Don't worry, Sweetheart, he's got your smile."
"No, Carlos, it isn't that.
"Care to share?"
"I'm worried about Manolo's safety. We're in the middle of the Mexican Revolution; the bandidos could barge into our home at any time of night and take him; maybe even use him against us, or even just kill him."
Carlos gently smiled to her, and handed the baby over to Luis.
"Carmen, you don't have to worry about Manolo. I promise those bandidos will never lay a finger on our boy; neither will Chakal."
They both smiled in agreement and laughed when they saw Luis enjoying baby Manolo's curiosity.
"Hey, Little Sanchez; I'm your Abuelo."
Manolo reached up and started playing with the man's facial hair.
"He seems to look up to your mustache, Papa."