Chapter 2

When they got to Abuelita's home, the place was full of people. Angel said a quick hello and took her bag straight to her old room in the back. Abuelita used it now for her sewing machine and projects. Boxes of brightly colored fabric were stacked to the ceiling in places. Angel put her bag down on the narrow bed and immediately felt better than she had in years. She remembered Abuelita teaching her to sew when she was a little boy. Some of the other boys had laughed at Angel for spending so much time with her grandmother, but Angel had loved it, and of course, her skills came in very handy later. She sighed and opened her bag, pulling out her favorite acid-green tights and her floral tennis skirt with a soft light green t-shirt to match, She unwrapped her big platform heels from their custom-made flannel bags and set them on the floor. She started slowly taking off her men's clothing and put on her real self.

Chapter 3

"Ah, Angel-cita. Mija." Angel smiled that her grandmother was greeting her in entirely the feminine. Abuelita reached way up to hug her. "You look like yourself now." Angel had never really realized how tiny her grandmother was. With her shoes on, she barely reached Angel's chest. Angel also realized that Mimi reminded her of her grandmother. 'Perhaps that's why we hit it off so fast,' she thought.
Abuelita had prepared a huge feast in honor of Angel's return, and it looked like the whole family was there to share it. Cousins and aunts and uncles spilled out of the warm kitchen, holding overflowing plates of food. Loud conversation in Spanish and English filled the small house. Angel smiled again. She had forgotten what a San Juan party was like. She had forgotten what a San Juan family was like. These were the people who had financed this trip for her. She had called her Abuelita and told her that she needed to come see her, the family had each contributed a little to the cause, and now she was among them, the guest of honor. She realized how lucky she was in her maternal family. Her father's side would not have welcomed her so warmly.. She fixed herself a plate of her grandmother's good food and sat down to eat it, among her rowdy extended family. It was good to be home.

Chapter 4

After most of the crowd had dispersed, late that night, Angel went to her grandmother to thank her for the dinner and the wonderful party. Abuelita held Angel at arm's length and looked her over carefully. "Mija, you are so thin!" The tiny woman pressed her cool hands against Angel's cheeks and forehead. "And so warm, what is wrong?" Angel steeled herself for what was coming. She wished that Collins was here. She really wanted to snuggle against him now, and feel his hands on hers, strengthening her. She concentrated for a long moment, and pretended that she felt him behind her, then took Abuelita's hands and pulled her to sit on the couch with her. She began, slowly, in Spanish.
"Grandmother, I have so much to tell you. Some of it is happy, some of it is not. . ."
Angel began telling her Abuelita everything. She began with Collins, showing her all of his pictures, and there were many. Abuelita crowed over him, how handsome he was, how much he loved her Angel. Angel wished for the millionth time since this morning that he had come along on this trip. When the conversation turned to more difficult topics, Connie came from the kitchen, wiping her soapy hands on a towel, and sat close beside Abuelita. Angel told her grandmother about her illness, how she felt fine, really fine, but how many of her friends had died from it. Abuelita's strong face began to fall, as she realized what her favorite grandchild was telling her. Her hands gripped Angel's tightly, as if she could ward off disease with only her will. Angel had no doubt that if anyone could do such a thing, it would be this little woman sitting next to her. Connie held their grandmother close, as her strong little body began to crumple slowly. She cried for a few moments. It was the first time Angel had ever seen her cry. She was always so strong, so certain.
"Angel, what does your doctor say? Has he given you any medicine? You must come and see my doctor, he is a very smart man."
"I have been going to a specialist at a clinic, Abuelita. I am on a special medication, and I take it several times a day. We are fighting as hard as we can."
"But you will see my doctor tomorrow. Maybe he knows something yours doesn't."
Angel smiled. "All right, Abuelita. I will see whoever you want me to see."
Connie sighed "I will call him first thing tomorrow, Abuelita."
"Grandmother, I. . .I am so sorry that I had to tell you any of this. I am so sorry to bring this sadness here. I wish I didn't have to, but I needed to see you, needed to tell you."
"I am glad you did, Angel-cita."
"I am glad too, Abuelita." Angel smiled and held her grandmother close. She reached for Connie and she joined in the hug too, and all three wept together.