Show Me Chapter 7

Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing okay with the worldwide lockdown right now and staying healthy! I'm currently going nuts at home but I am doing okay healthwise and have been keeping busy writing and cooking!

ainmals1, best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope you get well soon!

Enjoy the chapter!

Date: February 1, 2019

The big day when four of the Riveras were headed to America had arrived. Everyone had gotten up early to see them off, even baby Socorro, who was currently playing with luggage tags. As Enrique secured the last bit of luggage, which also included Miguel's guitar and some of his music theory books, Luisa came around to the other side, picking Socorro up as she played with her papá's suitcase.

"Be safe, Quique," Luisa said as she gave him Socorro. "I want both of my boys to come home in one piece."

"We will," Enrique said as he blew a raspberry on little Socorro's stomach. "Te amo, Luisa."

Gently kissing her husband and taking her daughter back into her arms, Luisa said, "Yo también te amo, Quique. You probably should get going, you don't want to miss your flight."

Hopping into the car, Enrique, Gloria, Elena and Miguel settled in for the long ride to the México City airport. Turning around from the front seat, Señor Quesada, their next-door neighbor said, "Is everyone ready to go?"

Elena said, "Sí! Let's get moving! We've got a family to go and help!"

Gloria and Miguel both nodded. Gloria had nearly backed out from the trip earlier in the week, unsure of how her nephew would react to her presence. But Miguel reassured his tía that he held no grudges against her and asked for her help in learning some more English for the trip. Rosa had taught him some, but most of it came from her American romance novels.

"Gracias, Guy," Enrique said. "If you want me to repay you in some way—."

Cutting him off, Guy Quesada said, "No hay necesidad, Enrique. Just promise me that you'll bring that awful man to justice once and for all!"

Enrique looked like he wanted to press the matter further, but one look from his mamá and he relented.

"We're off to get justice!" Miguel said excitedly as he looked out the window.

Smiling softly, Enrique settled in for the long car ride.

The trip to the airport took a lot longer than anyone expected thanks to the traffic, but finally, the Riveras pulled up at the gate, passports and tickets in hand. After a hurried thank you to Guy Quesada and an unexpectedly quick trip through security, the four Riveras started walking towards their gate.

"We're flying to Hoo-stone, right, Papá?" Miguel said as he attempted to pronounce the English name of the city. "Did I say it right?"

"Almost, Miguel. It's Houston. Señor Martinez said that he'll meet us at the airport as soon as we arrive." Enrique said as he sat down on a nearby bench. As there was nothing left to due but sit and wait, Elena and Gloria both agreed to go and look for some food, having had almost nothing eat earlier that morning.

"You both are going to be twigs if you don't eat something!" Elena said as she looked at her son and grandson.

"But Abuelita, we had a big breakfast before we left!" Miguel said, slowly beginning to look sheepish as Elena fixed him with a glare. "And I'm not hungry?"

"Nice try, mijo," Elena said. "But no Rivera is going to starve on my watch! While it's not my cooking, some coffee and maybe a tamale from one of the restaurants wouldn't hurt."

Sighing resignedly, both Rivera men decided to try to read more of the research as Gloria and Elena headed for one of the small shops. There was no arguing with Elena Rivera when it came to food or the wellbeing of the other members of the family.

Enrique had mentioned the camp to his mamá the day before they left. And much to his surprise, she was completely on board with the idea.

"Miguel needs to experience a normal childhood! He couldn't have that with the ban!" Elena said as Luisa and Enrique brought the idea up.

"And I agree, Mamá. Miguel needs to experience things that he couldn't do when the ban was active! It's what Abuelita would have wanted." Enrique said, knowing that Coco would have wanted Miguel to experience everything.

At the mention of her mamá, Elena's eyes saddened but quickly brightened again. "I think this camp thing is a good idea," Elena pondered softly. "It might do Miguel and Rosa some good to see the world outside of Santa Cecilia. And the museum is doing very well as well as the shop, so it is not like we can't afford it."

While the women went to go grab something to eat, Miguel decided to go exploring.

"Just make sure to come back before 11:00, mijo. That's when boarding starts." Enrique said.

With an affirmative nod, Miguel took off towards one of the shops that he saw Gloria and Elena walk into. While walking, he watched as the television blared the latest news from America and México City. Nothing new or crazy, he noted. Cleanup from the recent earthquake the previous week had been ongoing in Santa Cecilia but thankfully, the shop remained undamaged. A few windows were broken, and some local buildings had some minor structural damage, but overall everything looked to be fine. Compared to other towns in the State of Oaxaca, things could have been much, much worse.

I'm pretty sure that Mamá Imelda and our ancestors were looking after us that day. Miguel thought as he continued walking. Suddenly a poster made him come to a screeching halt.

A photo of his family coming out of the courthouse on the day that Lopez was sentenced was there for all to see. And next to that photo was a photo of Ernesto de la Cruz, in all of his charming glory. As Miguel took a closer look at the headline, he reeled back in shock. Is de la Cruz Being Framed? Find Out Tonight in An Exclusive Jailhouse Interview with Santiago Lopez!

Too shaken to continue exploring the rest of the terminal, Miguel headed back to where his family was, numb and in disbelief.

"Miguel?" Enrique asked in a low voice, so Elena wouldn't overhear. "Qué paso?"

"Another advertisement, Papá." Miguel whispered. "From that talk show that Tía Carmen watches."

Silently squeezing his son's shoulders, Enrique said, "Díos, those locos have nothing better to do with their time. Don't worry, Miguel. We will show the world what really happened. But it's not going to happen overnight."

Just as Miguel was about to respond, the flight attendant said, "Attention. AeroMéxico Flight 1138 from México City to Houston, Texas, is now boarding."

Miguel had never been on an airplane before, so it was only natural that he was bouncing slightly in his seat and looking out the window. Gloria and Franco had been to the U.S. before on a business trip, years before the ban had been lifted. But Elena had never been outside of the country or even on a plane before and she was looking a bit queasy.

"Miguel, settle down," Elena said, eyes closed shut. "We've got a couple hours before we land! Ay, you're squirming worse than Dante when he's got a treat coming!"

Obediently, Miguel sat back in his seat, fidgeting slightly as he looked out the window. The flight to Houston would be a couple of hours but he didn't mind. All that he was excited about was getting justice for the Rodriguez family and seeing whether or not they would change their minds.

Miguel slept for some of the flight, excitement taking over as he watched bits of an inflight movie (which was about a Spanish guy wearing a mask saving a beautiful woman) and read a bit of his music theory book.

"Atención a todos los pasajeros," The flight attendant announced. "We're making our final descent into Houston. Please return to your seats, stow all carry-on items and put back the tray tables back."

As Elena, Gloria (who had fallen asleep watching a Spanish telenovela) and Enrique began to stir, Miguel excitedly said "Despierta a todos! We're here in America!"

Feel free to take a guess as to what movie Miguel was watching! And we're heading off to the Land of the Dead for the next chapter so stay tuned!