Land of the dead Christmas 1974

It was Christmas night, the second that Hector spent in the slums of Shantytown and this time he wanted to spend it in the company of his in-laws, without his addiction to psychiatric drugs that would have ruined everything *;so he had found a decent enough Christmas tree and decorated it with the forgotten children to try to make them happy for at least one evening and bottles of rum for the older ones that they would drain in front of the fire where they would also dance all night ; certainly it was the least they could afford but for him it was enough: he was not used to great luxuries and was not spoiled like Ernesto, his adoptive father Emilio had taught him to always remain humble and respectful for those who have nothing. But a surprise happened: Emilio had presented himself with the rest of the family and a truck of a company that offered food to the needy

"Dad, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home celebrating with your family?"

"Hector, you too are part of my family! Besides, everyone deserves to celebrate Christmas, even the forgotten ones."

"Then let's clean up this place!" he said with a smile. Everyone lent a hand to tidying up, set up a huge table outside with lots of food, drinks, sweets, more than they used to and had an amazing party making the kids have a lot of fun too

"Tio Hector, can you sing us a Christmas song?" Diego, one of the children, asked during the evening

"Mijo, you know I'm no longer a musician!" he replied sadly, thinking for a brief moment of Imelda and Coco

"Please!" all the children screamed

"Yes please darling, your voice is wonderful." Tia Chelo added to the request

"Okay, but only one. Cheech pass me the guitar!" he gave in to prayers

"Ok, but try to give it back to me whole. You never know with you!" Chicharron pretended to complain but hiding a grin. So Hector began to strum the guitar, intoning the notes of "Deck the Halls"

Deck the hall(s) with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fill the mead-up, drain the barrel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I sing of beauty treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Laughing, quaffing, all together
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Once finished, everyone clapped loudly

"This is my baby, the most beautiful voice in all of Mexico." Emilio said with pride

"He's right, you should be there in the square performing at the Christmas concert, not De la Cruz!" Claudia said angrily

"Tia, I already told you, I don't want to have what Ernesto has, not when it cost me my family!"

"You're right, sorry sobrinito."

"Come on, don't worry!"

"Anyway cousin, you may not be interested in glory but at least we have our own personal exhibition as a family souvenir!" Paloma said smiling at him

"I don't believe it, your husband filmed me! Jorge, cancel it immediately!"

"I'm sorry Hector but I've registered by now. There's nothing you can do about it!" he said laughing like a madman

"You are worse than my brothers-in-law!" and they all burst out laughing. In the end, Christmas was spent in the best way and they could always count on each other in times of need.