Still not mine, just playing.
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Google maps and translator, my bestest friends.
Italics = spanish
Enjoy!
HOME WORK - WE MEET AGAIN
"Enrique...Julio...Xavier, look out the windows, are there pigs flying?" Celia yelled over her shoulder in the direction of the SoBe kitchen. "Mickie's here for the second time in one week."
"Well if my business isn't welcome I'll take my friends and go party elsewhere."
"Just kidding girl. Of course you're welcome and especially with company. Grab a seat and I'll be right back. Nice to see you Hector, Felix, Lula and you too Sally, love your wig." The greetings were said with hugs and kisses all around.
"Woman, you think this is a wig? Let me tell you, there is nothing but real authentic Italian indigo locks adorning this head." Sally said throwing back his waist length curls. Sally was a hair stylist sporting a different color every month. Obviously January was indigo blue.
We found an empty table in the back and had merely sat our selves down when Xavier came baring a huge tray with pinchos and a pitcher with mojito. I really like the fact that I don't have to spit mint leaves while enjoying my mojito. I've even corrupted my friends to my way of drinking the traditional Cuban beverage. A tray of glasses filled with lime and crushed ice followed in the hands of Julio. Xavier and Julio were Celias sons who some times helped her out at the bar. They were both studying at U of M, biochemistry and environmental engineering. Tonight they had server duty.
"And then I told her 'lady, you can buy all the stylish clothing you want, but that don't make you classy'. Lula was telling us about her newest client, a wanna-be reality show celeb-brat with too much money. "I dropped her skinny ass like a hot potato. Lula don't need that, Lula shops for real celebrities." Lula was a wardrobe shopper who lived and worked in Hollywood. She originally came from California where she worked with Val. She came cross country for her sisters funeral a few years back and stayed. Lula was a colorful and straight forward persona. An acquired taste. I love Lula.
"There was someone admiring your bike this morning when I came back from my coffee break." I said to Hector "He said it didn't look very manly."
"What was he, some short teachers aid with a knitvest and bottlebottom glasses? Orthopedic shoes and greasy hair? Nobody, and I mean nobody makes fun of Hectors bikes."
"On the contrary, this was a fine specimen of man. Tall, mocha latte skin, long black hair in a ponytail, beautiful buff body dressed in a charcoal Armani business suit."
"Sounds like you're talking about me again Mickie." Enrique sat beside me in his not so pristine white apron. "Take away the ponytail and suit, that's one) me or two) Marco."
"Actually I'll go with three) Carlos. I met your brother this morning. He took Julie to school and we chatted for a bit."
"What, Ranger chats? Ranger doesn't chat, Ranger barks orders or gives one word answers. Are you sure it was him? Besides he lives in Trenton, New Jersey these days. It couldn't be him."
"I'm pretty sure it was him. I haven't seen any pictures of him since he was a teenager but he introduced him self as Ranger and came with Julie. So yeah, I'm pretty sure I met your baby brother."
"Celia, did you know Ranger was in town?" Enrique asked his sister.
"No, I had no idea. But then again he never announces his comings and goings anyway. Mickie, where did you meet him?"
"Yeah, he returned the project paper and we chatted for a bit. No biggie."
"So, what do you think about my baby brother?"
I didn't have time to answer her before there was a commotion at the door.
"Daddy come on all ready, I haven't seen aunty CC for ages and I'm hungry."
"I'm coming Jules, hold you horses. You can't just throw your bike in front of the door like that, I almost stumbled on it."
"Finally admitting that you aren't the skater you use to be?"
"I admit no such thing. But when I was your age the rollers were in pairs with a brakes in front, not like these with all four wheels aligned."
"Keep telling your self that old man."
"I'll show you old man missy. You ask your aunt if I wasn't the fastest skater around."
"Hey, aunty CC good to see you. Is he lying or what?"
"Hola mi sobrina, it's been too long. But no he's not lying. What he's also not telling you is that he mostly skated to ballroom or disco tunes. He was the winner of the Basement Fall Ball twice."
"Thanks sis, good to see you too."
"You had a skating rink in the basement?"
"No, it's a nightclub/bowling alley/skating rink on Collins Ave. Your dad use to hang around there quite a lot. Your bisabuela used to live near Collins Park, on Liberty. He and his friends used to sneak in to impress the girls. Isn't that right Carlito."
"I still won't admit to anything, but anyone who wants to challenge me in skating is welcome."
"I might just take you up on that. Hola hermano, que pasa!"
"Hector, hermano. It's good to see you. What are you doing here?
"Having drinks and dinner with friends. You remember Felix? This is the lovely Lula, the guy in striking blue hair is Sally and this stunning beauty beside me is my house mate Mickie."
"So we meet again Babe, sooner than I expected but later than I wanted."
I almost choked on my mojito "Does that line actually work for you?"
"Dad! Are you hitting on my HE teacher? Hi Mickie, Mr. Moralez, nice to see you again. I told you dad, you do know him."
"This the guy you were talking about white girl? You's right, that's one fine piece of man. Wouldn't mind some of that my self. But Lula might be too much woman for him to."
"Thanks Lula, I think. Julie did you find us a table?"
"I'm gonna eat with Xavier and Julio in the kitchen, they've got the latest issue of The Marine Biologist."
"Man that's harsh, superseded by a fish magazine. Sit down and drown you sorrows in mojito. Then I dare you to tell Felix about disrespecting The Silver Lightning. You know, I might have bled out but I still hang with the boys."
"Relax Felix, I would recognize Hectors handy work anywhere. I needed an opening to talk to the pretty teacher."
"Oh, so you are hitting on the teacher?"
"What if I am? Got something against that?"
"No, not me man, but your sister or brother might."
"Why? She's a grown woman with a good head on her shoulders. What do you think Babe, was I hitting on you?"
"Well, I haven't been hit on in the parking lot since high school, but I don't think so. Usually when you hit on someone you don't insult their ride."
"See, if I was hitting on her I would've told her she had nice eyes or a pretty dress."
"But I don't?"
"You do. I even like this outfit better, it complements your skin."
"That there is a certified Lula outfit. My girl wants to wear nothing but blue, when Lula thinks pink and purple are her colors. And Lula knows 'cause Lula's a professional. In fact Lula's so professional she's gonna go and get us more drinks."
"Does she always talk in third person?"
"No, just when she's had a drink or three and today she's had plenty. I think it's time to take her home. Sally?"
"Yeah, I'll go get the car, please have her out in five. I don't want another ticket."
"Will do. Talk to you later, bye Sally."
"I think it's time for us to leave boys. I have an early morning class and Felix has two new cars coming in."
"You still do cars?"
"I do, I bought the chop shop on Dade, I'm all legit now."
"You got security?"
"Looking to upgrade. You selling?"
"Ever heard of RangeMan?"
"Nothing but good, that yours?"
"Yeah, me and my man Tank started it after we got out of the army. Got offices in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Washington, Trenton and New York."
"It's no wonder you don't have time to come and visit your favorite sister any more."
"Well, sister dearest then you'll be happy to know I'm gonna be here till Rachel and Ron get back from their cruise. And maybe even longer."
"I am happy and I hope Julie's happy too."
"What am I supposed to be happy about aunt CC?"
"That your daddy is here while your parents are on the cruise."
"I love it. Marisol makes the best pancakes and smoothies. There's fresh bread everyday and diced fruit in the fridge."
"Marisol? Carlos, I didn't know you had a lady friend. Have you been together long?"
"I don't, she's my house keeper."
"Is she lady friend material?"
"Auntie, she's like sixty years old, besides she's married already. Isn't she dad?"
"Yes and yes. Now young lady it's time for us to go, you've got school at 0815 in the morning."
"Ok, race you back. Bye everyone." And after hugging everyone she was out the door.
"Carlos, do you need a ride? I don't think it's safe for you to skate after those mojitos, especially when you just nibbled on the pinchos."
"I'm fine, I'll walk. It's less than a mile down Ocean Drive. Clear my head a bit. You wanna join me?"
"I'll take a rain check if that's ok."
"Any day any time. You give me a call."
"Now you're definitely hitting on me."
"Can you blame me?"
"No and I wont. I'll see you around. Bye Celia, hugs and kisses everyone."
"Any chance you pick up a shift or two next week?"
"Call me!"