too busy to write. Between homework, cleaning the house, and helping Abuelo to exercise, all my time seems taken up. Then to add to all this, Mami and TÃa Carmen got a new order for embroidered sweaters. The man from the factory was so happy with their work that he brought over double the amount from the first time. This means that Mami and TÃa Carmen have asked us to help by organizing the sequins and pearls in a special way that makes it easier to sew them on the sweaters. Ileana and I also help pin the design patterns on the front. Ileana said that if she can do this for free, then she should get a job for money at the Grand Union as a checkout girl. Mami said she was much too young, though now she is seventeen, the same age EfraÃn was when he began working at the Tandy craft store. Boys are different, TÃa Carmen and Mami said at the same time. Not in this country, Ileana told them right back.
Tuesday, 20th of February
Papi got a raise. He was moved to the purchasing department in the hospital, too, where he has more work. For dinner he took us to a hamburger place on Northwest Seventh Street called Burger Castle. It has a giant lighted statue of a man with a crown on his head. We ate hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. What a splurge!
Wednesday, 21st of February
EfraÃn has found a job for Ileana at the craft store where he works. Now she wants me to help convince Mami and Papi to allow her to do this. I think this is a wonderful opportunity because if EfraÃn can work, so should Ileana. But my parents will never listen to that reasoning. I am sure they will come up with some excuse. Why do I know this? Because when I talked to Mami about the car trip this summer, she told me she would have to discuss it with Papi. Well I know what he is going to say.
Friday, 23rd of February
I hate to say this, but I was right. Papi refused to allow Ileana to work with EfraÃn. He said she was much too young and inexperienced, especially if she planned to work in a city full of wolves. Thatâs just how he said it. What wolves? She would be working with EfraÃn and his boss and the bossâs wife. We have already met them, and they are very nice. They have been good to EfraÃn, too. I can only imagine what Papi will tell me when I bring up the subject of Janeâs grandparentsâ trip again.
Ileana argued that she would always be inexperienced if she remained imprisoned in her own home. Mami defended her, which surprised me, but Papi would not budge. He can be so mean sometimes. Whoever made him the boss? I wish Mami would stand up to him more. She is always skulking around so as not to upset him. I wonder what he will say when he finds out that Mami has learned to drive with EfraÃn and TÃa Carmen. He better not cause a scene. Instead, he better be proud of her. Mami is trying so hard to be brave and to adapt to this new life.
Saturday, 24th of February
Papi bought a car! It was a big surprise. He didnât say a word to anybody when he and Mami left this morning to run errands. We thought they were going to visit somebody in the hospital because we were not allowed to go along, but the last thing I ever thought could happen was this. Our very own automobile!
It is a 1954 Plymouth station wagon, and Papi bought it from the father of a man who works with him. It is green, and the inside is in good shape for being an old car. The three of us girls fit comfortably in the back. Papi drove us around the block and over to TÃo Pabloâs, and then everybody took turns going for a ride, even Abuela MarÃa, who whooped and hollered like a little girl. After TÃa Carmen made café, Mami told Papi she had something to show him. He gave her a funny look, and we all went outside to watch as Mami got into the driverâs side and took Papi on his own ride. When they returned, he was pale. Papi told TÃa Carmen that she had done a good job teaching Mami to drive but that Mami needed more
Tuesday, 20th of February
Papi got a raise. He was moved to the purchasing department in the hospital, too, where he has more work. For dinner he took us to a hamburger place on Northwest Seventh Street called Burger Castle. It has a giant lighted statue of a man with a crown on his head. We ate hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. What a splurge!
Wednesday, 21st of February
EfraÃn has found a job for Ileana at the craft store where he works. Now she wants me to help convince Mami and Papi to allow her to do this. I think this is a wonderful opportunity because if EfraÃn can work, so should Ileana. But my parents will never listen to that reasoning. I am sure they will come up with some excuse. Why do I know this? Because when I talked to Mami about the car trip this summer, she told me she would have to discuss it with Papi. Well I know what he is going to say.
Friday, 23rd of February
I hate to say this, but I was right. Papi refused to allow Ileana to work with EfraÃn. He said she was much too young and inexperienced, especially if she planned to work in a city full of wolves. Thatâs just how he said it. What wolves? She would be working with EfraÃn and his boss and the bossâs wife. We have already met them, and they are very nice. They have been good to EfraÃn, too. I can only imagine what Papi will tell me when I bring up the subject of Janeâs grandparentsâ trip again.
Ileana argued that she would always be inexperienced if she remained imprisoned in her own home. Mami defended her, which surprised me, but Papi would not budge. He can be so mean sometimes. Whoever made him the boss? I wish Mami would stand up to him more. She is always skulking around so as not to upset him. I wonder what he will say when he finds out that Mami has learned to drive with EfraÃn and TÃa Carmen. He better not cause a scene. Instead, he better be proud of her. Mami is trying so hard to be brave and to adapt to this new life.
Saturday, 24th of February
Papi bought a car! It was a big surprise. He didnât say a word to anybody when he and Mami left this morning to run errands. We thought they were going to visit somebody in the hospital because we were not allowed to go along, but the last thing I ever thought could happen was this. Our very own automobile!
It is a 1954 Plymouth station wagon, and Papi bought it from the father of a man who works with him. It is green, and the inside is in good shape for being an old car. The three of us girls fit comfortably in the back. Papi drove us around the block and over to TÃo Pabloâs, and then everybody took turns going for a ride, even Abuela MarÃa, who whooped and hollered like a little girl. After TÃa Carmen made café, Mami told Papi she had something to show him. He gave her a funny look, and we all went outside to watch as Mami got into the driverâs side and took Papi on his own ride. When they returned, he was pale. Papi told TÃa Carmen that she had done a good job teaching Mami to drive but that Mami needed more
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