Renata heard the key turn in the door, so she stopped talking. Not that there was anything wrong with pretending to have her own cooking show. It just wasn’t something she felt like publicizing.
Grandma took off her coat and laid it over the chair. She was carrying a heavy shopping bag.
“Anybody ho-ome?” Grandma always said that when she came in. It was an inside joke between them, given the meager size of their apartment. Last summer, they painted the walls yellow because it is such an uplifting color. Their floor used to be bare parquet, but then they bought an orange rug from the neighbor down the hall who moved to a different building with better wheelchair access. Grandma slept on the flowery foldout bed she had rescued from a Park Avenue Dumpster. Renata couldn’t imagine why anyone would throw away such a beautiful piece of furniture. Grandma explained that it was because crazy New Yorkers were always redecorating. As the rich gave face-lifts to their already fabulous co-ops, doormen, maids, and supers upgraded their own homes with the valuable cast-offs that magically and regularly appeared in trash rooms throughout the city.
“Casserole’s just about ready.” Renata went to Grandma, gave her a kiss, and took the package. “What’s in the bag?”
“Christy had a party tonight, so they sent me home with food. But your dinner smells delicious. Let’s eat this tomorrow.”
Renata took the containers and placed them in the fridge while Grandma changed into her pink satin robe from Macy’s. It had been a special present from Renata last Mother’s Day. Grandma always wore it after a hard day because it made her feel comfortable and pretty at the same time. Renata pulled out a kitchen chair. “Sit, Mommy, you look tired.” Renata and Grandma called each other “Mommy.”
“I am. It was a busy day getting ready for all that company. I’m pooped.”
Renata stood behind Grandma and rubbed her neck so hard that her fingers got sore. Grandma’s shoulders were thick with knotty muscles underneath. Lots of kids at school didn’t get along with their parents, but Renata loved Grandma. She was glad her mama didn’t raise her. Her mama had been mixed up with trouble. Renata wouldn’t have known what to do with a mama who was mixed up with trouble. Last year, Grandma gave Renata a snapshot of Mama in her white confirmation dress. Renata stuck it under her mattress that night. Later, Grandma bought her a wooden frame from Hallmark with red hearts just for that picture, but Renata placed one of her and Grandma in it instead.
“Thank you, Mommy,” Grandma said. She looked at her granddaughter with so much love that Renata lowered her eyes. The child walked back to the kitchen, pulled the casserole dish out of the oven, and fixed two plates.
“This looks delicious,” Grandma said. “You are a better cook than I am, Mommy.”
Renata beamed at the compliment. “No, I’m not. Anyway, you taught me how to make this. Mommy, guess what?”
“What?”
“We’re having a concert at school two weeks from today, and me and Andrew Gutierrez are singing solos. Can you come?”
“I’ll do my best, Mommy. If Christy can spare me.” Grandma was rubbing her forehead absentmindedly.
“Tired?”
“No, headache.”
“Maybe you better go to the doctor.”
“No, I’ll lie down. A doctor can’t do nothing for me.”
Grandma finished eating, then opened up the couch and climbed into bed. Renata was glad today was Monday because Grandma had clean sheets. Quiet as a mouse, she rinsed the dishes and snuck back to her alcove, pulling the curtains closed and curling up with her journal beneath her Mary-Kate and Ashley quilt. Soon Grandma was snoring lightly. Renata got up and locked the door and the dead bolt, and gave Grandma a kiss. To Renata, being with Grandma in their cozy apartment was about the safest feeling in the world.
DEAR DIARY,
ITS STILL MONDAY BUT I’M WRITING AGAIN BECUASE GRANDMA’S SLEEPING SO I CAN’T WATCH TV. TODAY MRS. GERMER CHOSE ME AND ANDREW TO SING SOLOS IN THE CONCERT. YAY ME (AND ANDREW TOO)!!! WE HAVE TO LEARN THREE SONGS IN SPANISH. EDDIE GOMEZ SAYS THERES GOING TO BE A TALANT SCOUT FROM NICKALODEON IN THE AUDIENCE. EVERYONE IN MY CLASS THINKS I SING AS GOOD AS JENNIFER LOPEZ SO THERES A BIG CHANCE THEY WILL PICK ME TO STAR IN A SHOW. AND HERES MORE GOOD NEWS!!! GRANDMA’S COMING TO THE CONCERT IF CHRISTY GIVES HER THE DAY OFF WHICH OF COURSE SHE WILL. BREAKING NEWS ON THE ROMANCE FRONT! EDDIE GOMEZ LOVES ME. I MEAN LOVES MELOVES ME. HE CHASES ME IN P.E. ALMOST EVERY DAY AND WHEN HE CATCHES ME HE SITS ON MY CHEST. IF HE CALLS I WILL HANG UP ON HIM.
SINCERELY YOURS,
RENATA RUIZ
A Rich Brownie
Christy couldn’t believe what a difference a year could make. She felt she could almost reach out and touch the meringue caps of the treeless peaks on either side of her as the helicopter floated noisily up the valley toward Davos. It was her first copter ride. She could hardly fathom that she was arriving with one of the major players of Davos and that he was her very own. Never again would she have to worry about being in the freshman class. Or alone. Her life as
