Thank you all for your support and comments and love! This means so so much to me! I'm trying so hard to finish this before January 17 before I leave for Orlando. I have so much to do: an online class, packing, seeing my friends before I leave for 5 or possibly 8 months, and more writing (including a full on spec script for the Nickelodeon Writing Program that is due at the end of the month!). If I don't finish by the time I begin my Disney internship, please please be patient with me. I have a full-time work schedule, so it'll be complicated! Enjoy Chapter 5!

1922

Santa Cecilia wasn't a well-known town. You can not find it on any map. Plus, it's a tiny and plain town. So, what was so special about Santa Cecilia? Well, there was one little person…an alarmingly rising star named Ernesto de la Cruz.

Two years ago, so the story goes, Senor de la Cruz was discovered by a Hollywood director, who introduced him to golden music producer Rodrigo Amez. Amez was so blown away by de la Cruz's pipes and charisma that he, at once, got a recording deal. Within a year, his first single Para mi corazón y espalda blew up in cities across Mexico. Did it take over the whole country? No, but it got enough reception that de la Cruz's name was spread around. He was recognized from town to town and of course, he loved the popularity & attention that came with the fame. Everyone asking for photos, autograph, a song, a smile, anything! The "random" guitarist that follows him around? Eh. He caught a few girls' eyes, a usual back pat or hand shake. But, not a lot of recognition. Poor Hector barely gained anything from Ernesto's fifteen minutes of fame. He pitched to Senor Amez that he will be Ernesto's songwriter and guitarist. Hector proved to Amez that his guitar skills were spectacular. But, because Hector refused to show him his book of songs, he didn't get the songwriting gig.

"Besides," Senor Amez sneered, "my brother is a song writer anyway."

Every time Hector listens to Para mi corazón y espalda on the recorder, Hector cringes. So cheesy in a bad way. No soul or feeling behind it. Ernesto always tskes in shame when he sees Hector pout over the song.

"You know, my friend. You would actually be famous if you just gave Senor Amez your songs."

"These songs aren't for him. They aren't for the world. They're for Coco." This leaves Ernesto rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Typical Hector. Putting the pushy brat first. If only Hector isn't stubborn as a tired mule and give himself to Amez, the world will be Ernesto's.

However, the advantage of being the uncredited guitarist gives Hector one reward: Playing for more people. Once a week, Hector and Ernesto get invited to play for random towns. Not until now that Hector recognized the rush and joy of performing for strangers. This is not just a small town. This is people from wherever. Can you imagine being seen by hundreds and hundreds? Wow.

"A feeling so close, you could reach out and touch it," he wrote in his songbook on the bus home one night. "I never knew I could want something so much." Hector read the lyrics and smiled. I hope Coco understands the meaning of following her dreams someday. Hopefully, a musician just like her papa. She does have a beautiful voice for someone so small. If only Ernesto let her sing with them.

But, the growing music career started taking time away from Coco and Imelda. More rehearsals, more meetings, more traveling, more interviews. Hector wasn't even there to greet Coco in the morning anymore. Coco was now turning 4 and she craves more attention. But, she isn't worried about her papa. He may be tired now, but he's always his warm, loving, musical, mischievous self. That's all she ever needs. She may miss him a lot more, but as long as she seems him later, she's happy. Imelda, on the other hand….

Months and months go by. More when Hector is gone, more she hardens. Even when he's home, he mainly only sees Coco and goes to bed. He barely talks to her anymore. If he does, it's always him rejecting something.

"Can we talk in the morning? Ernesto was exhausting today."

Oh, so he's your wife now?

"I can't have your mama's cookies. It ruins my voice."

Excuse me for baking something for you!

"Have you seen my nice mariachi outfit?"

It's right up your-

"Tomorrow, okay?"

This is my best ropa interior and no one turns me down in my best ropa interior!

Imelda came to the point that she didn't even talk to him. When Hector tells her "Buneas dias" or flashes her the smile that she still adores, she just nods. But, she still lets a smile go when Hector sings to Coco or during the very few times they are together.

Soon, Imelda became a very lonely woman, even with Coco. Fortunately, for Ernesto, it was a good time to strike. That's why, in exchange for a full night with Coco, Hector would let him take Imelda to a nice dinner. Of course, always trusting with his friend, Hector let him go with her. It'll be nice for them to catch up.

"I feel your pain, Imelda," Ernesto sighed in the restaurant. "Hector ignores me too." Imelda looked up from her chicken in confusion.

"But, he's with you all of the time?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Not really," he scoffed. "He likes to be alone with his guitar, trying to focus what's ahead of him in our performances. Great musicianship, no?"

"Si," frowned Imelda. "But, he's cutting time with the people he loves like us."

"What about your Coco?" Imelda was getting so upset that she didn't caught the anger in Ernesto. "He sure cares about her. So much that he won't give up his songs."

"Really?" she smiled a little. "At least, he gives his little attention to our Coco." She chuckled at the thought of them together.

"Well, this is the first time in the while that I have seen your smile," exclaimed Ernesto. "It suits you." Imelda immediately hid it and sighed.

"Well, with Hector gone, how can I?" frowned Imelda. "I really have no one to talk to."

"Nonsense," Ernesto grabbed her hand and rubbed her knuckles. "You have me." Imelda scoffed coldly.

"This is all your fa-" Imelda started to spit out when she was interrupted by the nice massage. Ernesto sneaked a peak. She was relaxing. He literally had her in his hands.

"You are tense," he "innocently" smiled. "Go on." Imelda had forgotten what she was going to say.

"No, no. I like it," said Imelda honestly. "I hadn't really had physical contact at all lately." Ernesto was actually shocked.

"What a fool Hector is!" he blurted out. "Ignoring you. Come on, let me give you a massage."

"Oh, no, no." Imelda was sensible. "That wouldn't be right. I mean, I don't want to put you in an awkward position." Ernesto chuckled and tightened his grasp on her hands.

"Sweet, sweet Imelda," he tsked. "You're a mother. You take care of the house. You need some tender love and care too." Imelda blinked in realization. Huh, I guess I do.

"Fine," agreed Imelda, loosening her shoulders. Ernesto immediately heeded to her call and massaged her shoulders.

"You know," Imelda teased, "how about giving up being a performing monkey and being a massager instead? I think that's your calling." Ernesto laughed as he took every inch of her body in.

"I always loved your sarcasm," Ernesto smiled. "That's, you know, what attracted me-Hector!-to you all those years ago." Ernesto gently removed the sleeves of her shoulders, so he can really enjoy her. As the norm, Imelda caught the blunder.

"You guys were fools when you two were fighting over me those years ago," Imelda laughed. "Like two dogs fighting over a toy."

"But, you aren't a toy, are you?" Ernesto was now stroking her shoulders. So smooth and soft. "You are way more than being tossed around and left in the dust." Ernesto stared at her thin neck, trying so hard not to nuzzle or kiss it.

"No," Imelda frowned. "No, I'm not." As Ernesto was losing the battle, Imelda got off the chair, causing him to fall forward and kiss the table instead.

"I need to talk to him," she was determined. "I know he loves me, but your music careers aren't an excuse to leave me aside."

"Um, yeah." Ernesto was helpless as she saw her get her coat and purse.

"Oh!" Imelda ran to hug him. "Thanks for tonight! You are a pretty good friend." Ernesto sighed in defeat. At least, he gets to hold her.

"You're welcome, love," Ernesto sadly smiled, stroking her hair.

"Don't need to walk me home," Imelda smiled as she let him go. "I know the way. Buenas noches."

"Buenas noches," he muttered sadly. The only thing he could do is to watch her walk away through the windows.

Hector laid on his bed, watching Coco sleeping on him. They were playing with her dolls when she started to feel sleepy. Imelda would carry her to her room, but the cool parent (which Hector calls himself) lets her sleep on him. He gently stroked her hair and back as she kept dreaming about whatever. I needed tonight so badly. Just me and my Coco.

Hector looked up when he heard his bedroom door open to see his beloved Imelda watch her sweetly.

"Our little one must had a good night tonight," smiled Imelda.

"Come, join us!" invited Hector. His happiness started to melt when he saw an angry shimmer in her eyes. She laid next to Coco and started to act as if he wasn't there.

"I-Imelda?" Hector questioned.

"Oh, now you're paying attention to me?" she spitted out, coldly.

"Wha-what do you mean?" Imelda sat up and looked at Hector straight in the eyes.

"Ever since that damn album, you have not acknowledged me at all! I don't see you in the morning. At night, you only notice Coco and then go to bed because you are so tired." Hector frowned and gently took Coco off him.

"Well, sorry that music is actually my life now!" Imelda looked at him in disgust.

"Music is your career. Coco and I are your life. There's a giant difference!"

"Come on, you know what I mean."

"No, I didn't! How could I?"

"Imelda, you know that I love you!"

"I don't know anymore!" Imelda fought the tears in her eyes and Hector walked to her, concerned. Hector looked at her for a minute, focusing on the sadness and neglect on her face.

"Imelda!" Hector took her hands and kissed it. "I am so so sorry if I'm ignoring you." Imelda looked down, feeling ashamed that she let a tear out. "I never mean to."

"I know, mi amore." Imelda squeezed her husband, sensing the love that she surely missed. "I missed your touch so much."

"I'll tell you what," Hector lifted her face. "Let me put Coco to bed and I will really-" A cry interrupted him. They looked at Coco, who was clearly having a nightmare.

"Papa! Papa!" she cried out. Imelda and Hector looked at each other sadly. Imelda shook her, waking her up.

"Aw, did my loco Coco have a bad dream?" Imelda comforted.

"Mm-hmm," Coco hugged her mama. "Papa was gone and I couldn't find him."

"Oh no, no, no, no." Hector picked her up. "Papa is right here. Papa isn't going anywhere." Coco hugged him and he walked to her room.

"I will never leave you, mija," Hector turned on the lamp.

"But, you're gone a lot," Coco pouted as Hector put her on her bed.

"Ah, I see. Your mama feels the same. Looks like Papa needs to travel less." Coco nodded.

"But, you know why I'll never be gone?" Hector smiled.

"Why?" Coco didn't know.

"Come on, you know." He tickled Coco.

"Papa and Coco's song!" Coco beamed, remembering.

"Mmm-hmm!" He looked behind Coco and found her small guitar. He sat next to her on bed and strummed it.

"Remember me…"