“I’m all set.” Though having only one good hand with limited maneuverability, I am nonetheless satisfied. It took only twenty minutes to pull up my pants. Huehue needs to still button me up of course.

“Are you sure you don't want to try out the prosthetic hand Dr. Sepúlveda brought you?”

I look at the prosthetic with disdain. “The hook? No thank you. It will damage that one last part of me that remains original and authentic from birth.”

“True.” Huehue obviously knows what I'm talking about.

“I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Me too.” Huehue’s tail wags emphatically. She has no shame. I catch her grinning from ear to ear.

“Papi, are you ready to eat?” Milagros pokes her head through the door.

“Only if you made arrangements.” I was eating alone at first to hide my ugly visage but it did little to keep the women and my daughter from checking up on me. Elena and Milagros enter the bedroom with a small table between them. They leave and return with four simple stools.

“Here is the meal!” Milagros comes bouncing in with the tray.

“Milagros helped prepare it.” Elena looks proudly at my little girl. Or is that our little girl?

“Elena, you are such a good teacher. You'd make such a good mother.” I should have stopped myself from complimenting further. Elena suddenly dropped a ceramic plate onto the tiled floor. “Elena? Are you ok?”

“Yes sorry. It's just a simple plate to keep the tortillas warm. It was tired and old.”

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“I think we need to replace it nonetheless. I’d go…if I could.” So hard not to be able to just stand up and do what I need or want to do without help. I feel useless.

“Papi, you still need to get used to walking. You fall too much. Way too much. Even with Huehue’s help.”

“I’m going to be needing a few things for dinner as well. Alvaro, do you think it will be all right if I send the girls out to retrieve them?”

“Only if you allow me to make it up to you, Elena.”

Elena spills the contents of her mug over the makeshift table. “Ahem…well, if you feel so inclined. I won’t object.” She’s obviously flustered but by the glow in her cheeks, I see she may have something different in mind. But I shake it away. My mind is drifting into places that can never or never will occur.

“Papi, do not worry.” Milagros puffs up her cheeks. She has a short temper. Definitely didn’t get it from me. “I’m sure we have enough to pay for it.”

Elena slumps in her chair a bit. A hint of disappointment washed over her face. Huehue chuckles. Even without her eyesight, she seems to get the humor of the situation. She definitely finds ways to lighten the mood. I look over the little table. Everything smells so good. “Pass the frijoles please.”

“Si Papi.”

I stop and look at everyone enjoying this moment in life. I glance at my arm. Missing my dominant hand at any given meal has been tough.

“Here, I’ll feed you, Alvaro.” Elena nudges me closer to my face.

“I can feed you too.”

“Huehue you made a mess of my Papi’s face last time.” Milagros is quick to defend me.

“I’m sure it didn’t look any worse than it is now.” I try to smile but it hurts my face. The women definitely do not know how to react to a jab at me. “Elena, can you please help me?”

“Of course.” She is a little too happy.

“By curling my fingers correctly and guiding my hand?”

“Of…course.” The spring in her step is gone.

“I’m very sorry but you’re the only one that can help me learn to use my hand correctly.”

“Oh, um, I’m happy that I can help you, Alvaro.” A weak smile presents itself on her lovely face.

“Perhaps you can paint again, someday.” Milagros tries to be cheerful. Huehue puts a hand on her shoulder.

“Little…little steps, mija.” I try not to sound angry, or depressed. It is quite difficult sometimes.

“Si.” She nods but it is clear she learned her lesson at speaking without thought.

...