Chapter 5: Gangster Paradise
"...That's why I wanted to get out of here," Isabella finished. She had been pouring out her heart and soul to Bubo about her time at the dance. "Every boy I have met always acts goofy around me!" She sighed and looked down. "I'm sorry, I must be boring you."
"No, no, no," Bubo shook his head. "Far from it." At first, he was anxious to hear anything relating to Frida or that blonde man. But the more Isa talked about her problem with her dance partners, the more empathy he felt for her. "You must be quite upset."
"Yes!" Isabella said, relieved that someone was listening. "Do you have any idea what it's like for someone to judge you based on your looks? While other people complain about not being pretty enough, I'm too pretty!"
"Of course, I know what it's like," Bubo nodded. "People used to make fun of my glasses. But I've learned how to deal with them." He tilted his head when he saw the object of his target walking out of the door.
"Hola, Isabella!" Frida greeted her niece, warmly. "Having fun?"
"Yes," Isa said through a pained smile. She did not want to give her family anything to worry about.
"Well, your grandmother was looking for you. I'll go back inside and tell you that you were safe and sound." Frida quickly did as she said she'd do, before Bubo could ask her one question.
"Isabella," Bubo began. "You don't happen to know what she and that blonde man were talking about, would you?"
"No," the girl shook her head. She did remember seeing her aunt talking to Andres but the loud music and other conversations kept her from hearing them. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Bubo lied. He may not know what conversation took place but he was determined to find out. Even if it meant spying on Frida at her house tomorrow. Just as long as Isabella doesn't see him, he'd be fine. 'But what about the blonde man?' His brain told him. 'Well, Juan and the others had plucked out all the marigold flowers, so even if the blonde man tried to find one, I won't have anything to worry about.'
"Tio Hector, Tio Hector!" Miguel shook his uncle who was sleeping in his bed. "Wake up, wake up!" The boy grabbed a pillow and hit the adult on the head, repeatedly.
"Oye chamaco!" The young shoemaker tossed and turned, feeling irritable. He didn't hear the rooster crow. "Why are you waking me up at this ungodly-"
"My flower is gone!"
"Que flor?"
"The marigold flower!"
Irritation melted away as Hector, finally understood the situation. He yawned and rose up from his bedchambers. Although the shoemaker was still tired, he was no longer crabby. "All right, let me get dressed and then I'll help you look for it."
The Riveras spent the whole morning, looking for the marigold flower, but were not having success.
"I don't understand," Abuelita cried. "What could have happened to the flower along with my vase? I should have realized that something was up when I noticed something was missing from the table, last night. But I thought one of the girls placed it somewhere else!"
"But I didn't touch the vase," Carmen confirmed.
"Neither did Luisa or I!" Gloria added.
"Now, now, no need to fuss," Abuelito assured them. "Let's just keep looking. Wherever it is, it's misplaced."
While everybody resumed their search, Miguel plopped down on the couch and sulked.
Hector put his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Are you okay, chamaco?"
"I finally found a flower and now it's gone!" the boy whined.
"Now Miguel, that's not true," Hector said, rubbing his head. "You found some flowers here last year."
"Yeah, but they were only roses, nothing else ever grows in the West Side!"
"Don't worry, we'll find it," Hector nodded.
"I think someone stole it!" the boy concluded. "If we can't find it, can we go back to the East Side and get another one?"
"I'm sure it is misplaced," Hector said, shaking his head. "It has to be here in this house, because I'm not going back to the East Side for another flower."
"Aw, but Tio-"
"Don't 'Tio' me, chamaco," Hector said firmly. "I know we got lucky last time, but I don't want to risk running into the Princesa De Mafia."
"Juan, are you sure you've plucked out all the marigold flowers?" Imelda asked. She was eating her breakfast when she received word from her lackey, Chicaharron, who had been doing night watch, that a trespasser was looking for marigold flowers.
"Yes," Juan answered. "I've plucked every single flower."
"Well, check to make sure that you have plucked out every single one of them," Imelda instructed him, coldly. "The last thing I want is someone to use it to make it into a love potion! You recall what happened last time."
"Yes, Senorita Imelda," Juan bowed. Truly, he was annoyed. He had spend the whole day yesterday or so, pulling out all the marigold flowers. "But may I remind you that I spent the whole day pulling them out?" 'She's going loco!' He thought. But he understood her concern because what happened last time was still fresh in his mind, just as much it was in hers.
"No need to worry, my brothers and I will help you," Imelda reassured him. "Oscar and Felipe!" she called to them.
Two boys who were about 17 years old, both appeared to her. They both wore glasses and had peach fuzz below their noses. When they learned from their sister that they must pluck marigold flowers because of trespassers, they groaned.
"Oh Imelda," Felipe began.
"Do we have to?" Oscar finished.
"Yes," Imelda sighed, and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You know that I hate this time of the year," She spat sourly. "Spring doesn't bring me new beginnings, it brings me pain."
"Does Chicharron have any idea who trespassed our territory?" Oscar asked.
"No," Imelda answered. "But whoever it was, he or she had no good reason to be here and take my marigold flowers, for they are dangerous." She walked in the fog, looking out for any marigold flower that her henchmen overlooked. The boys followed her.
The crime boss overlooked her mansion and then her territory. She began to sing.
"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
"I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left
"'Cause I've been robbin' and shootin' so long, that
"Even that Juan thinks that my mind is gone!"
"Oye!" Juan cried, offended.
"I'm the girl of the gang, I'm into discipline
"Got a gun in my hand and a hat on my head
"But whoever it was that crossed our line
"Then tonight, he's going to wish that he were dead!"
Then Imelda, Juan, and the twins broke out into a chorus.
"We been spending most our lives
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"We bootleg drinks at discount price
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"We've learned how to shoot our guns
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"It's all bloodshed and no fun
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise!"
They looked to see Gustavo smuggling some beer into a speakeasy joint.
"Oh, I hate that guy!" Juan grumbled.
"What did he do to you?" Imelda asked, concerned.
"Gustavo kicked me in the butt last week," Juan sang.
"I just smiled at him and I turned the other cheek
"I really don't care, in fact I wish him well
"'Cause I'll be laughing my head off when he's burning in Hell."
Gustavo made a rude gesture at Bruno in the distance.
Juan growled and attempted to leap and punch his brains out. But he was restrained by Oscar and Felipe.
"You better calm down your anger, dude!" Oscar sang.
"You're just as bad as our hermana here!" Felipe added.
"But I never crossed a man that didn't deserve it," Imelda rapped.
"A woman with a 'tude,
"You know that's unheard of
"I never wear pearls but I got a cool hat
"And my homies agree I really look good in black, fool!"
She smiled, when Guilia Marcovaldo, and her friends, Cecilia, and Alejandro waved to her.
"I'm the kinda woman little ladies wanna be like
"On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight!"
Imelda looked over the distance where she and the boys could see the West Side area.
"You better watch how you talkin' and where you walkin'
"Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
"So don't be vain and don't be whiny
"Or else, my brother, I might have to get medieval on your heinie!
"Tell me why are we so blind to see
"That the ones we hurt are you and me?"
They see an orphan boy, Mowgli, trudging on the path. Imelda handed him a dime, which the boy took and smiled gratefully at her. They watched him walking away in happy spirits. Then the mafia boss resumed singing.
"We been spending most our lives
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"We been robbin some money
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"We help those down on their luck
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"We learned from our father well
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise
"It's really a hard knock life
"Livin' in the gangsta's paradise.
Imelda smiled with satisfaction, tracing her lower lip with her elegant cigarette holder with two nonchalant fingers. "So if anyone messes with us, they're going to get it!"