Imelda was beside herself, doing what soothed her best . . . Making shoes, however since everyone knew of her date and heard of the attack in the restaurant, her family could tell she was upset, her shoes were at their best when she was at her worst.
"C'mon," She said rubbing polish on a red stiletto so hard it might have burst into flames. "Shine, you will shine."
"Mama Imelda it is shining!" Julio said scared of getting the stiletto thrown at his throat.
"It can shine better!" She snapped rubbing it until it gleamed like the moon.
Julio was about to compromise when Rosita put a hand on his shoulder as warning, which he wisely took.
"You know, Coco and Julio met during a music festival?" Rosita said hopefully.
Imelda continued to shine, but Rosita could tell that her words were working, for her polish had let up.
"They met over their love of dance," Rosita continued. "You know what best help with dancing?"
Imelda sighed looking up, to Julio handed her a box containing what appeared to be antique dancing shoes.
"I planned on giving my old shoes to Hector the night you took him back, since he never knew how to make his own," Julio said hopefully. "Sadly that might not be soon, but if it does happen, it should be you who gives them to him."
"You're right," Imelda said taking the box before pushing it to the other side of the table. "I would have thrown that box if they weren't your shoes, now listen when i say I'm never giving Hector so much as quarter, much less my forgiveness."
"I know. This is for if you . . . change your mind." Julio said walking back to his desk.
Imelda went back to her shoes, but one slipped on the wheel sending it into the ceiling, just like her great, great grandson Abel, this caused her to curse, but she realized the slip was caused by the bell at the door.
"Who in the forgotten?" She mumbled bitterly opening the door.
Imelda looked down to find a letter within the strings of Hector's guitar, she clenched her fist at the sight of it.
"Hector," She said venomously ripping the letter open. "Him and his damned apologies."
Imelda,
There are no explanations I can so easily write, or songs i can so easily sing for what i have done, I only tell you the truth. For years i loved you, but i loved this world and i loved it far to much, I let my choices be made when they weren't my choices, leaving you and Coco, it was the first of many mistakes I made. From then to last night, when our waiter, Ernesto De La Cruz tried to ruin us . . . I didn't want to hurt him, well maybe i did, but what i really wanted, was to hurt what i saw, which was the part of me that made so many choices that weren't my own. I do not choose to give up music, or you, i will never stop loving you, instead i do as any simple man would have done years ago, i give you my choices, for you to make for me in my afterlife, i give you back the guitar you gave me, and if you wish to love me again, I have returned to Shantytown where you will find me, it was where i found friends, even though none are there now, it holds the best memories, and it is where i shall remain. Finally, if you wish to hear not song from me, then break the guitar that tore us apart, and i will never so much as hum again. I love you Imelda Rivera, that is one of the few decision that was by no means, a mistake.
Hopefully, love Hector.
