Quince Clash (10 page)

T
he cleansing baths didn't make Fabi feel any better, but at least she was clean. When Monday came around, Fabi broke out in hives. She was all too happy to stay home from school — she couldn't imagine facing anyone, especially Melodee and her boyfriend, Daniel. But she had to tell her parents the truth. She spent all morning in bed, trying to come up with the best way to explain. What if the truth made her dad sick again? Her mother now had double hospital bills to worry about.

No, she had to tell them.

At noon, Fabi crawled out of bed and made breakfast.
Huevos a la Mexicana
was her favorite. There was extra for her dad.

His face lit up when she walked into his bedroom with a tray. Fabi noticed the walker that he refused to use. He needed to walk, like the doctor prescribed. But her dad was also really stubborn and didn't like change.

“Wow,
mija
, you made this?” Leonardo said, looking at the scrambled eggs with green jalapeño chilies, onion, and tomatoes.

“I learned from the best.”

He took a bite, and then another. His eyes grew big. “This is real good.”

“And good
for
you,” Fabi added. “I used extra virgin olive oil, and the vegetables are from Grandpa Frank's garden. They're organic.”

Her dad didn't say anything. Munching softly, he closed his eyes to let the flavors sink in and swirl in his mouth. Then he opened his eyes and said, “When I get back to the restaurant I want you to start working with me in the kitchen.”

“Really?”

“Of course,
mi changuita
.” He pinched her cheek lovingly. “Maybe you can teach this old dog some new organic tricks,” he added with a wink.

Fabi beamed. She was touched — and she could see he was in a good mood. This was the moment she'd been waiting for. “So, Dad, there's something I need to tell you about the quinceañera.”

He sat up. Leonardo had lost a lot of weight since his heart attack. She didn't like to see her dad like this. He looked so fragile and vulnerable, but she had to tell him the quince was off.

But before she could speak, her father said, “Good. There's something I've been meaning to tell you, too. Being in the hospital gave me a lot of time to think. I thought a lot about my life and the things I'm grateful for. I'm sorry I couldn't provide you with a proper quinceañera —”

“No, Dad —”

“Let me finish.” Leonardo put his plate to the side and looked her in the eyes. “Maybe this
ataque
was a good thing. I've been working too hard, trying to run everything by myself. I've missed out on so much of your life, and look at you now, all grown up and feeding me.” A tear jerked from his big dark eye. “I'm so grateful that your sister and grandmother were able to get you this opportunity,
mija
. Who cares who serves the food and whether it's any good. The important thing is that you get the fiesta that you deserve.”

“Dad.” Fabi's chest tightened with emotion.

“I'm so proud of you. I love you so much,” he said, and pulled her into a hug.

Tears welled up in Fabi's eyes as she pulled away. She didn't know what to say.

“You're becoming a beautiful woman and I can't believe that you're mine. Now, what did you want to tell me?”

Fabi stared at him. How could she break his heart? “It's nothing.” She wiped away her tears. “I'm just so happy that you're feeling better and will be there for my special day.”

“I wouldn't miss it for the world.”

Fabi got up to let him rest. He had a beautiful smile on his lips when she closed the door behind her. What was she going to do? she wondered, her anxiety rising. Fabi started to clean the kitchen. Cleaning always helped her think. Her quinceañera was scheduled for Saturday, and she hadn't heard a word from Grace since Melodee's party. Was Grace already back on a plane to L.A.?

 

By Wednesday, the hives had blistered up and her mom threatened to drag her to the doctor if she didn't get better. After school, Alexis brought Fabi's homework so she wouldn't fall behind. People were asking for her. They wanted to know if the party was still going to happen.

The sun was just starting to set when there was a knock at the door. Fabi answered it in her pajamas. It was Grace Cooper. The surprise visit shook Fabi, and without thinking, she slammed the door closed. Fabi leaned against the wood, heart beating wildly. Her body was so tense she could barely breathe.

Grace knocked on the door. “Fabi,” she said shyly. “Can I come in?”

There was no hiding now. Fabi took a deep breath. Her face was hot and she started to feel dizzy. But she had to face up to her actions. Grace wore a blank expression when Fabi opened the door a second time. She looked cool and collected in her black business suit, frilly blouse, and black pumps.

Fabi led her into the modest living room. She was a little embarrassed because she knew her house wasn't glamorous — most of the furniture was secondhand.

“I'm sorry I didn't call before,” Grace said. “I've been having a lot of meetings with the show's producers and this was the first chance I got to come over.”

Fabi curled up in a ball on the opposite side of the couch. Grace smiled sadly at her, then looked down at the floor.

“That was quite a shocker we all got at Melodee's quinceañera,” she said.

Fabi looked down, unable to raise her eyes.

“I talked to Alexis and your grandmother,” Grace went on. “They explained everything about the letter.” She took a deep breath. “By contract, we have to cancel this episode. We take fraud very seriously, you know? And you're obligated to pay for all expenses we've incurred.”

Fabi nodded sadly, surrendering to her responsibilities.

“But …”

Fabi looked up.

“I was able to convince my producers that we had to do this show. With your dad's heart attack and the great lengths your family made to provide this opportunity, it gave me an idea.” Grace reached out to Fabi, putting a manicured hand on her knee. “I know what it's like to feel inadequate, to feel less than, because your family is low income.”

“You do?” Fabi couldn't believe what she was hearing.

“Yeah. My family didn't have money when I was your age. I never even had a quinceañera. I know I don't look it, but my mom's Dominican. Quinceañeras are a big deal in the Dominican community. My parents couldn't afford a fancy party and I didn't want my friends to laugh at me. I lied to my friends at school and told them that I didn't want one and that my parents were sending me to Paris instead.” Grace laughed as if the whole thing was ridiculous. “I was ashamed of my family. It's hard to admit now, because I love them dearly. They worked hard and did without a lot of things so that I could get a good education and go to college. My parents were both illegal immigrants: My father was from Ireland and my mother was from a small ranch in the Dominican Republic. They met at a restaurant where my mom cooked and my dad was a waiter. Like you and your family, we didn't have a lot of money growing up, but we had heart.”

Fabi stared at Grace Cooper in shock. This fabulous, sophisticated woman used to be like her. It made Fabi's heart swell and she liked her even more.

“Since they gave me this project, I decided that I was going to continue it. But it's no longer about a girl who is dying. The show is about a healthy American girl and the family that loves her.”

“Really?”

Grace nodded. “Fabi, I don't think you realize how special you really are. There're a ton of girls out there who, because of the way they look, where their parents are from, or their economic status, don't think they're special enough. I'm tired of my bosses and their demands for high ratings. That's not the spirit of the quinceañera and not why I took this job.”

“Really?” Fabi repeated in disbelief.

“Really,” Grace said with conviction. “The party is still set for Saturday, if you're still interested.”

Fabi didn't know what to say. This was so unexpected. Was this a dream?

“Yes,” a voice said behind her. Fabi and Grace both turned to see Leonardo standing in the hallway. “Fabi will have her day.”

Tears sprang to Fabi's eyes and she smiled brightly at her dad. She didn't care anymore if he knew about the lie. She didn't care if the whole world knew the truth. “Yes,” Fabi said to Grace. “I'll do it.”

“Good,” Grace said, and leaned in to Fabi. “Besides, between you and me, I don't want Melodee to have the last word. I hate bullies, and she is a
queen
bully if you ask me.”

Fabi pressed her lips together for a moment. “She's been a thorn in my side ever since freshman year.”

“Well then, it's settled. I need you back in school tomorrow for a couple of new shots we need to take. Can we meet at lunch?”

“Of course.”

Grace got up to leave. At the door Fabi was overwhelmed with appreciation and gave her a big hug. Grace beamed back. “You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad I was here to make this happen.”

 

When Saturday finally came, Fabi couldn't calm the butterflies bouncing around in her stomach. Grace was doing a great job of coordinating all the details, but Fabi still didn't have a
chambelán
. Santiago offered to step in, but Grandma Trini told them not to worry; she'd already taken care of it.

The plan was for everyone to come over to Fabi's house to get ready. Grace had arranged for a hair and makeup artist to help. Now Fabi glanced at the quince party, sitting around the makeshift dressing room that used to be her kitchen. Alexis was sitting on a stool at the counter. Her hair was in rollers and she was smiling with her face tilted up as the makeup artist painted her eyelids. Grandma Trini was making some last-minute “improvements” to her dress — lowering the neckline so her bosom had air to breathe. Santiago was hogging the bathroom. He was worse then Grandma Trini when it came to gelling his curls.

Fabi felt a pang of sadness that Milo hadn't shown up.
He must still be sore
, she thought. But she didn't know how to make things right with him. Thankfully, Chuy was about Milo's size, so he fit perfectly in his suit. Fabi couldn't help but notice how cute he looked in a tux.

Grace walked in, texting on her BlackBerry. She'd been running back and forth from the hall to the house all morning, making sure nothing went wrong. Fabi was so happy to have met her. She was the supreme quinceañera coordinator and kept everyone on time.

And then Grandma Trini informed everyone of the latest addition to the party.

“A surprise
chambelán
!” Grace smiled approvingly. “I love it. Who is it? No, wait, don't tell me. I want to be surprised, too.”

“Who is this guy?” Fabi asked; she couldn't help but be worried. Her grandmother had a knack for making situations even bigger. But her grandmother wouldn't budge. Fabi prayed that nothing bad would happen today. One day, that's all she wanted. One day with nothing bad happening.

Fabi chose a classic updo with curly tresses. It was a fun, sophisticated look, she decided. She gathered her dress, shoes, gloves, and tiara and kicked Santiago out of the bathroom to change. She loved the feel of the silk dress fabric on her skin. The dress was her favorite color, turquoise. Fabi had originally wanted a simple, classic gown that she could wear to other events. But when she saw the strapless gown with the sparkly green and orange beaded floral design on the bodice and the soft billowy full-length skirt, she fell in love. The dress was a little snug around the waist, but the designer swore that all of the gowns fit that way.

With her tiara and favorite checked sneakers on, she was ready to go. Fabi glanced, with hesitation, at the pretty stiletto heels that Grandma Trini had convinced her to get for the shoe-changing ceremony. She didn't quite understand why she had to give up her sneakers for a pair of uncomfortable heels. It was a rite of passage, her grandmother swore. But Fabi knew that Grandma Trini really just wanted to borrow the heels someday, since they wore the same size.

“This is it,” Fabi said to herself as she opened the bathroom door. She took a deep breath. Would people think she was pretty?

The kitchen erupted when she walked in.

“Woo-hoo!”

“Yeah!”

“Que guapa!”

Everyone cheered as she twirled around. Fabi could feel her face growing hot. But she couldn't help but admit it felt good to be the star today.

“All right, everybody,” Grace called out from the door. “We need to all be in the car heading to the church in ten minutes.”

 

Abuelita Alpha demanded no music or even laughing in the rented Hummer limo on the way to church for Mass. She also made sure that she sat next to Fabi. She wanted her to focus on the prayers she'd learned and her commitments to the church. If it were up to Fabi's
abuelita
, there would be no party. To her, the quinceañera was all about Fabi's relationship with God. As her grandmother prayed loudly for her, Fabi couldn't help but wish Melodee had a grandmother like hers.

During the Mass, Fabi was worried that she would make a mistake, forget her lines, or fall, but the service went smoothly, much to her
abuelita
's surprise.

After the priest's blessing, it was time to celebrate. They were finally allowed to play music in the Hummer, and Georgia Rae put on one of Milo's CDs. Alexis raised the volume to full blast. Milo's music made Fabi a little sad. She missed him, but Fabi had to bury her feelings and put on a happy face. Especially since the rest of the limo was having a blast dancing and sipping sweet tea out of champagne glasses. Grandma Trini kept standing up and poking her head out of the sunroof. It was a lot of fun.