The Cholo Tree by Daniel Chacón

Author:Daniel Chacón [Chacón, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arte Público Press
Published: 2017-06-15T05:00:00+00:00

When I got to the apartment, Jessica was sitting on the table, a Diet Pepsi in front of her, her hands folded. She gave me that look, like I was in trouble, and she told me to sit down.

I sat opposite her. “What is it now?”

“I have something to tell you, Victor.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty obvious,” I said.

She sighed deeply. “You’re so sarcastic,” she said. “You always think everyone’s dumber than you. You’re father was like that. You’re just like him, you know.”

“Sorry,” I said. “You liked Dad, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did. He was my husband. You’re not. Anyway, I have big news.”

“I’m ready.”

“I’m getting married.”

“What?”

“There’s going to be a lot of changes.”

“You’re getting married? Who? Why?”

“I waited long enough, Victor. I waited many, many years.”

“I didn’t know you were waiting.”

“That’s not what I mean. I mean, it is not disrespectful to your father for me to marry again. Read the Bible.”

“Who are you marrying?”

“Mr. Chávez.”

“The owner of the Taco Palace #3? He’s like 100 years old!”

“He’s not that old. He’s a good man. He worked hard all his life and made something for himself. He has a house, he owns an apartment building and makes money just collecting the rent. Everything he has will belong to me now too. His daughters se ponen locas, pero ni modo. He wants me as his wife, and I said yes. We’re going to sign an agreement.”

“What are the terms of this agreement?”

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that this makes me the owner too.”

She looked around the apartment as if she were seeing something about herself she didn’t like. “We’re moving out of this place. We’re moving into his house,” she said. “You’ll have your own room. He has a big backyard. You’ll like it there.”

“But . . . ”

“Victor, you want to hear something good? You know what this means for you? You can someday manage a Taco Palace, maybe all of them. I’ll teach you everything I know. You can have a career!”

“I’m not sure the restaurant business is what I’m interested in. I think I want to be an artist.”

“Oh, I’m not talking hobbies. You can do whatever you want on your free time, I’m talking about a real career. You’re a great cook, m’ijo. One of the best I know. I can’t tell you how I love to watch you cook, adding this spice or that one, tasting your sauces with a wooden spoon. You’re good at it. You have talent. For now you learn the business, but in a few years, who knows, maybe you can open your own restaurant, gourmet food and everything. You can call it whatever you want. Victor’s Place. M’ijo, don’t you see what a great opportunity this is for us?”

“But at what price?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you love him?”

“Don’t be so one-sided. If you don’t want to come, that’s all right with me. Live in the street if you want.”

“It’s not that. It’s just . . . Give me some time to get used to this.

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