[https://i.imgur.com/nwqYuMp.png]

“We are so late, Milagros!” I exclaim as I try to rush out the door.

“It’s ok, Papi. Doña Elena does not need the ingredients until tonight.” Milagros always has a cool head. She seldom buckles under any pressure. Funny though, a six year old shouldn’t be suffering under pressure at all. She has me to thank for it. What child wants to spend their life caring for their ailing parent?

I stop my thoughts temporarily adding a note to return to them later. “Nonetheless, we should be hurrying”. I look over at my tools by the floor. “I still have work to do."

Milagros lets out a sigh. “I’m sure it will be ok.” I can feel her eyes on me as I try my best to dart around the room. “Please, please stop. You are going to fall and hurt yourself Papi!”

* * * *

I stop to catch my breath. I'm hurting all over. It's no good for me to get injured. As much as Doña Elena would be willing to help, it would be irresponsible of me to ask her.I don't want her to get injured on some dumb foolish errand.

“Will you still be getting those other things you need for work?” Milagros has no trouble keeping in step with me as we walk down the unpaved road.

“I have to, nena. Without them I would not be able to fix those things for our neighbors.” I pause. “Elena is expecting them to be completed. She can't ask for rent when things are broken. It embarrasses her.” Por dios, why did I mention her by name?

“You like her?” Milagros stares at me. I knew that this question was coming.

I play dumb. Some would say coy. Not me. "Who? Doña Elena?” I keep my eye on the road.

Milagros loses patience quickly. “Yes, Papi. Do you like…Elena?”

“Yes. I do.” There. That should stop the questioning. I admit, that came out a little too easily.

“You don’t love her…do you?”

“Really, Milagros? What type of question is that?” I finally give in and stop my awkward gait.

“I just think maybe you love her more than me.” Milagros burries her face in her hands.

“The only love I have in the world is for you, hermosa.” I kiss my little girl on the cheek and hug her tightly.

“Papi! I love you too.”

“How adorable!” I know that voice.

“Buenos dias, Señorita!” I stand and tip my hat at the ravishing young woman in front of us. She’s also my savior from Milagros incessant questions. Poor Milagros.

“Hola, Rocio. How are you?” Well, she forgot all about me rather quickly. Should I feel jealous? Offended maybe?

We immediately greet the street vendor as Rocio de la Cruz. She is a very genuine woman: honest to a fault. She will make acute observations that could be looked as insults if not for her pure heart.

“You look awful today.” Rocio doesn’t give a second to prepare for her comments.

“By your standards, I guess I look ok to be seen in public.” I start to play our little game.

“I don’t mean that you look hideous.”

“Just that I look more awful than usual?”

Rocio starts to double back. “No. You just don’t look well rested I should say.”

“Do not worry Rocio. I’m kidding. I know what you mean.” A sigh of relief washes over her face. “I had a bad spill earlier. My cane and leg both gave out.”

“Yes Señorita. He refused to stay indoors.” Milagros always tells the truth. Even if it is detrimental to my reputation.

“Milagros, do I look that bad to you too?” I try to laugh but only a mild chuckle escapes my lips. Milagros puffs her cheeks up.

“No Papi. You should be resting to heal.” She stomps on the ground for emphasis.

“I know I know I know.” I keep laughing to myself. The chuckling renews my strength for life, but reminds me of the stiffness of my joints and the injuries on my body.

“So what brings you out here?” Rocio asks as she steps out from the shade of a tree.

“We are actually kind of in a hurry.” My memory springs back to life. Honestly I would have completely forgotten. My morning ritual helps keep my mind alert, but I’m always struggling to keep things in order. “We need to make some purchases on a few items for Milagros.”

Milagros perks up and smiles proudly. “I’ll be making Papi dinner today and Doña Elena asked me for a few items. She is going to teach me to make some food she recommends.” She glances over at me as she approaches Rocio’s ear. “She thinks that Papi will like it,” she whispers.

“What do you think, little Milagros?” Rocio smiles as she whispers back.

“I think so. I will do my very best!”

Rocio stands at full height. “Will you be making enough for two?” She winks.

“I…I don’t know.” Milagros becomes embarrassed at unable to answer the question honestly.

“Will it be a special night for your papi and Doña Elena? Hmmm?” Rocio likes to tease. But she’s putting me in an awkward position.

“Of course not. We are celebrating…?” Milagros stops with her hand in the air. “What are we celebrating?”

“Life mi amor.” I try to make a large gesture with my open arms but I lose balance quickly.

“Sí!” She squints as she smiles.

Rocio looks up at me and whispers something into Milagros ear. She stands back up and fans herself while she eyes me. Milagros turns beet red.

“Well, can I provide you with a list of items, Rocio?” I try to interrupt the moment between them. It’s cute when Milagros has another woman to look up to, but it is taxing on my sanity when I become the subject of their exchange.

“Of course. Follow me and I’ll have my little brothers get the items together for you.” Her brothers aren’t very little. They are very tall and quite burly. It’s amazing how such a petite little figure like Rocio can belong in such a group of strapping men. “You know you don’t have to go through all that trouble.” I try to keep up with Rocio. She can be very dynamic as she walks ahead of us.

“I like you, Alvaro.” She pauses. Probably to catch her breath. “I like you both very much.

You are my friends, and maybe, just maybe…more.” Her last word was barely audible to my ear. I think she said what I think I heard. She winks at Milagros.

“So of course I’m going to do what I can.” Rocio places her clenched fists at either side of her waist and puffs up her chest slightly. She may not look like her brothers but she can sure act like them sometimes.

“I’ll make sure to return the favor, Rocio.”

“Ha ha! You don’t even know the price of the items yet.” Rocio is right. I don’t know.

“No, but you are making things easier for me since I can’t run across the village to get the items."

Rocio turns her back towards me. “Someday you can have me over for dinner…”

Milagros rushes between us.

“The three of us, of course.” Milagros gently nods at Rocio’s clever addition.

* * * *

Rocio and her delivery brothers return with the items I needed. “Rocio!

You outdid yourself. Thank you to you and your brothers.”

Rocio’s cheeks flush red. “It’s nothing."

“How on earth do you work so quickly?” I glance over at the items as Milagros plays with two of Rocio’s brothers. She giggles as they throw her into the air.

“I’ve grown up in the business. From the family ranch to different types of businesses they have set up over the years.” Rocio looks over her shoulder to watch Milagros at play. “My mother is a seamstress. My uncles are tailors. I even have a cousin who’s a mortician. And then there are those that serve as carpenters and woodworkers."

“I’m surprised. Do they all live here in the pueblo?” I wipe my brow. The sun isn’t blaring hot but the effort to be out here in the open takes a toll on me. I wish I wasn’t so physically weak.

“Actually most do. Some left to the coastal port towns to pursue fishing, though.”

“How on earth will you find a suitable husband with so many family members living in your same town? They must take up half the population.” I joke. Well, I partially joke.

“Papi?” Milagros runs up to my side.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was being rude.” I scratch my head in embarrassment.

Rocio reaches past Milagros and grabs onto my hand. She pulls me closer towards her. My heart beats rapidly and I suddenly feel very hot.

“Oh, I’m sure a fine caballero can be found here somewhere.” Her voice, her bright eyes, her lovely scent all leave a mark on my consciousness.

“Rocio, you have beautiful eyes, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed.”

Rocio blushed and steps away, hiding a part of her face with her fan.

“Well it’s true. I’m only sorry I didn’t notice them sooner."

I feel Milagros’ stare burn a hole through what is left of my head. I try not to let her notice that I notice.

“Um, I feel that, um…I need to get back to work.” Rocio fans herself very vigorously.

“Of course. We do as well. Excuse us for keeping you.” I turn to walk away. Milagros runs up ahead a bit.

“Oh! Perhaps next time we can speak about Milagros wardrobe?” Rocio calls out from afar.

“Papi? What’s wrong with my clothes!” Milagros asks as I approach her. I laugh.

“I’m sure you can use a woman’s touch. That’s all.”

“Do I not look like a girl?” Milagros looks like she is about to cry.

“No, that’s not it. I just don’t have any fashion sense.” I look down at my coin purse. “I don’t have much money for it either. But I’m sure Rocio will find a good deal or two.”

“But I don’t need to impress anyone. Do I?” Milagros looks down at her feet as she walks by my side.

“I would like you to look your best when you start school.”

“Start school? Who will stay home to take care of you?” She stopped for a second then started beating my chest with her little hands. “No! I will not let Doña Elena take you away from me. Or Doña Rocio!”

“Shhhh! No one is going to take me away from you. Someday mija, someone will come and want to marry you. Then it will be you who will be taken from me. And that’s ok.”

“Never!” This time Milagros really begins to cry.

“Ay, mija! Do not worry about that now. Let’s go take these items back home. I’ll get started on work and you can start in the kitchen with Elena.”

“Sí, Papi.”

…