Eek, I'm so so sorry that I took so long. I got my teeth pulled and I was in a lot and a lot of pain the last couple weeks.
And sorry to say that this will most likely be the last chapter until next year. I'm going to be out of town all week after Christmas with my family and friends. So, let me make it up to you with a loooooong chapter.
There is going to be TWELVE chapters of "Tio Ernesto" (and maybe two more? I'm toying with an idea) and yes, I have the story outlined. I'm going to do the best as I can to finish it by next month.
Thank you so much for your love and support (Ahhhh!) and have a great holiday!
1920
The plaza of Santa Cecilia is always busting with musicians, but lately, the plaza had been abuzz with a up-and-coming young duo. The macho, smooth singer was known as Ernesto de la Cruz and the skinny and quiet, yet appealing guitarist was called Hector Rivera. People were always charmed by their looks, energy, and passion in music. Girls always swooned and giggle over how handsome they were and picked who was going to marry who. Not surprisingly, most girls preferred Ernesto, but Hector didn't care.
Even though Hector appreciated the attention he has personally gained, he didn't care much for it. Ernesto singing his songs and letting himself go with his guitar are his rewards. Ernesto, on the other hand, favored the attention more than music.
"And the world es mi familia…." belted Ernesto as Hector ended the song with a riff. The two basked as the audience whooped and let out loud gritos.
"Look at them," whispered Ernesto, patting Hectoe on the chest. "Not even Jorge Conde gets that much response." Hector looked at the audience with a sheepish smile. He couldn't help, but appreciate the loud feedback. But, there was one thing more important than fame and music: His beautiful Imelda and his precious, little Coco. And with the sun setting, it was time for Hector to go to them.
"Gracias all of you for supporting our music," called Hector. "We'll be here…"
"All night!" interrupted Ernesto. The audience erupted with cheers.
"What, no?" Hector whispered. He pulled Ernesto out of the gazebo and into the bushes.
"What are you doing?" frowned Hector.
"What do you think? Pleasing the audience!" smiled Ernesto. He took a glimpse of the eager audience.
"Ernesto," protested Hector. "I have to go home. Imelda should be finishing dinner right now and Coco is waiting for me."
"Hector, wake up!" debated Ernesto. "It's like what your song says. The world is our familia! These people are our familia."
"Funny," Hector frowned. "You know who your family is. I barely know these people." Hector brightened and graciously smiled at Ernesto. "But, I know you. You are a part of my familia. Come on, you can have dinner with us tonight. Coco would love to see you." But, Ernesto didn't care. He had the audience going. Why should he stop?
"Very well then," Ernesto surrendered, annoyed. "It's going to be a one man show then." Ernesto was a good manipulator, but Hector wasn't going to let him win this time.
"Fine with me," shrugged Hector, packing his guitar case. "Have a good show." Hector knew Ernesto was glaring at him behind his back, but Hector knew the only solution was to walk away and keep going.
"Can I just borrow your guitar?" Ernesto called out. This is what got Hector's attention back. He turned to him, surprised.
"But, you have barely played this in public."
"Yeah, but I still know how to play it. Look, let me borrow it and I'll return it to you tonight. Okay?"
Hector thought he was loco, but if he really wanted to play for the audience, he must face the embarrassment.
"Okay, then. I still think this is a bad idea."
As Hector was leaving, he heard Ernesto slowly strumming the guitar.
"Huh, so far, so good," he thought to himself.
Hector just only left the crowd when…
"Well, everyone knows Juanita,
her eyes each a different color."
Hector's ears were perked and he stopped in his tracks. That is one of his songs for Coco: A funny song that he uses to make her laugh. Ernesto knows that he isn't allowed to play it! It took every whim of Hector's body to not come back there and stop him.
His troubles, however, melted away when he saw Imelda outside.
"Hector!" she embraced with a hug.
"How's my girl?" he replied with a half smile.
"What's wrong, Hector?" Imelda caressed his face and then gasped when she noticed that his guitar was missing. "Your guitar! What-?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing!" he chuckled. "Ernesto has it."
"You actually trust him with it?" Imelda glared, rubbing her forehead.
"Why wouldn't I?" Hector followed her into their home.
"Hector," she sighed. "I love you, but you are so naïve."
"Really, why shouldn't I trust Ernesto?" Hector was genuine.
"Both of us know Ernesto well and you know that Ernesto can be….ambitious."
"What are you saying?"
"I think he's starting to take advantage of you. With your talent, your kindness, your trust in him." Hector exhaled. She was right and he had to admit it.
"But, what does this have to do with my guitar?"
"What if he borrows it tonight, and then tomorrow, and then the next day? What if he pushes you aside and disappears completely? And with the guitar! You know why that guitar means to me so much." Hector dipped her.
"How could I? It was your wedding present to me." They both chuckled and as they were about to kiss, they were interrupted by a loud "Eww!"
The couple both smirked at each other and looked down at a very tiny girl.
"Sorry, Imelda," Hector said simply. "This kiss doesn't belong to you."
"Oh, no?" Imelda rose her eyebrow, playfully. "Who does it belong to, then?" The darling little girl couldn't help it, but giggle "Uh oh" and smile.
"I think it belongs to," Hector said slyly, looking down to Coco, "my loco Coco!" He swept the playful child and gave her a thousand kisses on her face.
"Papa!" she laughed. Her joy grew as Hector swung her around.
Coco was now two. Gone were the days of crawling, and feedings at 3 am, and gaa gaa goo goos. Coco was an energetic tot who loves to run (or in this case, waddle) around and play and snuggle and sing. She had her daddy's happy attitude, but her mommy's stubbornness and sensitivity.
"Now, come on," smiled Imelda. "Let's have some supper."
"No," protested Coco, clinging to Hector's shirt. "Bath time."
"No, Coco," rebutted Hector gently, "Supper time."
"No, bath time!" Coco was getting stubborn.
"No, supper time," Hector said in a goofy voice.
Usually, his silly voices work. But, Coco started to pout and her eyes started to fill with tears. She loved bath time. It was her time with Papa. It's so hard for her to be separated from him all the time.
"But, if you eat all of Mama's tamalas," Hector smiled, "you'll get twice the songs today!" Coco gasped and pointed to her seat.
"You can't just bribe our daughter, Hector!" frowned Imelda as she put the food on the table.
"But, it work, didn't it?" smirked Hector, sheepishly. Imelda chuckled and pinched his cheeks.
The family started to have a nice dinner when the door suddenly burst open. It was Ernesto and he was obviously very happy about something. He carelessly threw Hector's guitar on the floor.
"Tio, tio!" immediately squealed Coco, happy to see her godfather. She reached her arms out to him to pick her up. He ran to the dining room.
"You make me, Un poco loco," sang Ernesto, patting Hector on the back. Imelda and Hector immediately shared the same glance to each other: Why is he singing their wedding song? Before Imelda could utter a breath, she was swept unto Ernesto's arms. "The way you keep me guessing," he sang to Imelda before dropping her on the floor.
"Ernesto," called Hector. Hector wasn't sure if Ernesto was deliberately ignoring him or if he was floating on clouds, but he kept going.
"I'm nodding and I'm yessing," Ernesto grabbed Coco and swung her around to her happiness.
"Ernesto!" Hector yelled.
"Hector! Hector!" Ernesto gave Coco, who continued to reach out for him, to Imelda and rushed to Hector. "I did it! I totally did it!" Ernesto gave him the tightest hug in the world.
"Playing my songs without permission?" Hector gasped out.
"No, no!" Ernesto squeezed his face. "I got myse…us famous!" Hector and Imelda exchanged confused looks. Before asking what Ernesto meant, the door knocked.
"What did you do, Ernesto?" Imelda dryly asked him. She frankly didn't want to know.
"Wait, wait!" Ernesto rushed the door. He exhaled, slicked his hair back, and opened the door. A serious-looking man walked in the Rivera household. His white skin gave away that he was not from Mexico. Coco, frightened, tucked her face inside Imelda's shoulder. Hector and Imelda again exchanged glimpses. Imelda shifted her eyes to the man and nodded at Hector.
"May I ask what you are doing here, sir?" Imelda stepped forward in her usual no-business attitude.
"Why, you don't know who I am?" the man chuckled in broken Spanish language, quickly shifting his focus to Hector.
"You seriously don't know who he is, Imelda?" Ernesto was stunned. "Hector?"
"Yo soy Cliff Garland," the man shook Hector's hand. "And I am a movie director." Hector gasped and looked at Ernesto, who gave him a "You're Welcome" smirk.
"My good apologizes, sir!" exclaimed Hector, playing with his head to make it looks presentable. "It's just that-" Cliff Garland halted Hector.
"I happen to be at Santa Cecilia to scout out wide-eyed stars from an unknown town to make them famous," explained Cliff Garland. "And you two have what it takes to be famous!" Hector nearly fell on the ground out of shock.
"Sir, wow," Hector was starting to float. "I don't know what to say. I never thought-"
"So, Senor Garland," Ernesto, annoyed with Hector's flabbergasted attitude, stood in front of Hector. "Is there something you would-cough-like to discuss with us?"
"I was getting to it," said Cliff Garland. "I am directing a movie in Hollywood…." Both Ernesto and Hector's jaws drop.
"Holly…Holly…Hollywood?!" they both said, stunned.
"Si, si!" Garland nodded. "In Hollywood, we are looking for new ideas and themes, and we are looking at South America. To try something new. To give something our audiences haven't seen before. And I want to cast you two as my leads in my first feature film En los Desiertos Calientes de México." Ernesto was jumping up & down and Hector could faint. Them…movie stars?! Hector looked at Imelda, who started to get choked up.
"Senior Garland," Hector stuttered, shaking his hand. "I-I don't know what to say!"
"Yes!" Ernesto squeezed Hector out of giddiness. "We'll do it!" Mr. Garland clapped his hands.
"Brilliante!" smiled Cliff Garland. "I'll get the champagne! And not just champagne-" Ernesto knew what he was about to say.
"Champagne from Hollywood, USA!" the two said in unison. Hector turned to Imelda, who was beaming with pride.
"Imelda!" Hector gasped. "Can you believe it? Me in Hollywood? An actor? I don't know how to act!"
"Does it really matter?" laughed Imelda, hugging him. He looked down to Coco, smiling sweetly at him.
"Papa is getting you a full and wonderful life, mija!" Hector said tenderly, kissing her on the forehead. But, a chuckle from Garland brought Hector's happiness to a halt.
"Excuse me, kid." Garland frowned, seriously. "You and mister de la Cruz are going to Hollywood, not them."
"Wait, what?" Hector and Imelda stared at him blankly. Ernesto froze, stiffly. What the hell is he doing?! "What do you mean? Imelda and Coco are coming with me, aren't they?"
"Afraid not," Garland was sincerely sorry. "Our housing is very limited and plus, immigration laws here are strict."
"Well," Imelda smiled a little. She really wanted Hector to have this opportunity. "If he is only gone for a couple of months, then he should be able to go."
"Oh no, senora. He'll gone for a whole year."
"A-a-a year?" Hector and Imelda barely called out.
"Which is totally doable!" Ernesto bursted out. He turned around to Hector and glared at him. Don't mess this up for us, Rivera.
"Well, that's good for you," said Garland. "But, I don't know about your friend here." He shifted his focus on the Riveras. "Yes, a year. There'll be shootings, parties, interviews, premieres, and award shows. We need you to stay in our fingertips, boy." Hector turned around to give Imelda a "no" look, but he saw Imelda with tears streaming down her face.
"Go, Hector." Imelda smiled through the pain. She stroked his shoulder. "I can't take this away from you." Hector was shocked. Can he really leave his wife? Yes, he can write letters. But, is that good enough?
"Well, that settles that!" Ernesto swept Hector to Garland. "Where do we sign?"
"Papa?" squeaked a voice. Everyone turned to the source of the sound. "Papa, bye bye?" Hector immediately knew what to do.
"No deal!" Hector pushed away the champagne glass. Imelda looked up with hopefulness. "Senor Garland, this opportunity would have been amazing." He snatched Coco away from Imelda and kissed her. "I have the best little girl in the world and I won't miss her years for anything." Ernesto and Garland looked at him with shock. Hector smiled at his little girl. "Papa no bye bye. Papa stay right here with his Coco." The sight of Hector giving Coco a huge hug and a kiss and Coco laughing warmed Garland's heart.
"Oh, who would tear apart a father with his little girl?" Garland smiled. "I'll tell you. A monster!" Imelda put an arm around her husband, proud of him.
"Ernesto, I'll miss you brother." Hector said to Ernesto with a pitch of sadness. "Seize your moment." He gave him a hug and patted his back.
"Wish you can come with me," Ernesto smiled.
"Well, don't worry, you're not leaving him." The two friends knew it was bad news. "Because if Hector doesn't go, you don't go." Ernesto stepped back.
"No, no, no." reassured Hector. "You can't do that to him! He has worked too hard."
"What's Jack without Jill?" Garland quipped. "What's milk without cookies? And what is salt without pepper? I will tell you: nothing." Garland sighed. "When I only saw Ernesto tonight, there was charisma. But, something was missing. When I saw you together this evening, it was magic. He needs you to survive. You need each other. So, no Hector, no deal."
Ernesto turned to Hector with his eyes full of sadness and betrayal. Hector bit his lip and looked at him with equal amount of sadness.
How could you?
I'm sorry, brother. Please, don't hate me.
After a moment of silence, Ernesto ran out and slammed the door. The noise scared poor Coco and she started to cry. Everyone did nothing, but stare at the door.
"Ernesto…" whispered Hector. Imelda rubbed his back.
"I think I can help your friend though," offered Garland with a kind smile to Hector. "I know a guy."
Ernesto couldn't sleep and it wasn't because the fireplace was crackling loud. That was the biggest opportunity of his life and Hector ruined it for him.
I happen to be at Santa Cecilia to scout out wide-eyed stars from an unknown town to make them famous. And you two have what it takes to be famous!
A director from Hollywood. Hollywood. Of all places! He was going to sweep them off their feet and give them the world. And what does Hector do? Gave it all away.
Ernesto took picture of Hector's family off a mantle.
Go, Hector….I can't take this away from you.
Sweet Imelda. Ernesto was surprised that she would let him go. She was always stern and rough, but to give up her happiness for his? Ernesto stroked her face lovingly. Imelda deserved way better than that ungrateful fool. She deserved Ernesto. The beauty would be treated like a queen under his care. In fact, if it was just the two of them, they would be the musical duo that everyone loves. The movie would be about them. En los Desiertos Calientes de México would be a hot romance and the world would melt the love and chemistry they have for each other. And now, she's stuck at home, doing chores and taking care of…her.
Papa? Papa, bye bye?
And that's what the root of the problem is. Ernesto felt his anger growing as he looked at the face of the one thing that's standing in his way of everything.
I have the best little girl in the world and I won't miss her years for anything.
Hector's precious little princess. Hector's precious little angel. Hector's precious little, loud…whiny…needy, impatient pain in the-
Ernesto didn't need any strength at all to rip Coco from the picture. He gave Coco a good hateful look. He couldn't stand the girl from literally day one and today, she seriously crossed the line.
"And that's why I must dispose the problem…for good," Ernesto thought as he watched her burn in his fireplace.