On Saturday night, I finished getting dressed. Javier was back in what he always wore; a wife beater and button down shirt. He played happily with Rafael in the parlor. My girlfriend, Lola, sat on the couch talking in quick Spanish to Mama.

"Are we ready?" I asked.

Lola nodded and picked up her purse. She followed Javier and me out the door.

--

Javier wandered through the beaded entry of La Rosa Negra. About one hundred Cubans were heating up the dance floor. I held Lola's hand as we followed behind him. I saw my Julio and his sister waiting by the bar. I led Javier to them and introduced them.

"Hola, Julio," I said. "This is my brother Javier and my girlfriend, Lola."

"Hola," Julio said. "This is my little sister. Her name is Ana."

"Hola," Javier said. "Would you like to dance?"

"Of course," Ana replied. She was wearing a skin tight pink halter dress with a flowing skirt. She was really pretty, with curly brown hair and chocolate eyes. Javier couldn't find anything wrong with her.

As soon as the music started, Javier found a flaw. She couldn't dance. She was all over the place. Her hair and arms were up in the air, she had no rhythm, and she kept pushing Javier. Javier slowly backed away and bumped into a young American girl.

"I'm sorry," Javier exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess," the girl said. She had striking blue eyes and long blonde hair. She reminded him of Katey. "I'm Jessica, but everyone calls me Jess. What's your name?"

"I'm Javier. Would you like to go outside to get some air?"

"Yeah, it's so hot in here.
Javier led her outback and sat on the bench. "What brings you to Cuba?"

"My mom and I moved here. My parents are divorced, so I just gotta go where they take me. Oh, and my mom's boyfriend is Cuban and she does whatever he wants to do."

"So, do you like Havana?"

"Yeah, its okay."

"So, what are you, eighteen?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Nineteen."

"Oh. Javier, can you dance?"

"I used to be a good dancer."

Javier told Jess about last year and about Katey.

"Why did you stop dancing?" Jess asked, moving closer. "Giving up your dream isn't worth a girl."

"I loved her though," Javier said. "I wish that I could be with her. After she left, I just kind of fell apart."

--

I eyed Javier and the girl suspiciously. The girl had her hand on his shoulder. Javier seemed uncomfortable, but that didn't stop him from flirting.

"Carlos, stop spying on your brother," Lola interrupted my thoughts. "Let him and his new friend get to know each other."

I smiled and took her hand. We walked back to the dance floor and moved to the beat.

--

Javier found himself with his arms around Jess and his mouth against hers. She reminded him so much of Katey, but she was a lot braver. She wore a sky blue dress that practically looked painted on her body.

After an hour of kissing and drinking beer, Jess decided to head home.

"No, don't you leave me too!"

"What, Javier? Have you been drinking?"

(He had) "Katey, no, stay."

"I'm Jess, not Katey." Jess stood up and ran down the beach. Javier stumbled after her. After a minute or so, he collapsed in the sand.

--

Lola and I were holding hands walking down the beach. Suddenly, we came upon a black lump.

"Oh my gosh, it's Javier!" Lola yelled.

I bent down next to her and noted that Javier was passed out. I picked him up and carried him home, with Lola following close behind.

Mama let out a cry of surprise when she saw me carry Javier through the door.

"My baby," Mama cried. She rushed over to me and stroked Javier's face. I carried him a laid him in his bed. Mama came in with a sponge and she cleaned his face.

"I'm gonna walk Lola home," I said, escorting her out front.

--

"Sorry about Javier," I said holding Lola's hand.

"Oh, it's not your fault," she replied smiling.

I walked her to her home and kissed her good-bye.

I walked back to my house and went to bed.

AN: If you like this so far, please comment and tell me so!