Emilio’s hair was thinner than Rina remembered, but he still
had Papi’s smile.
“Will you be in town long, hermanita?” he asked as they
stood outside the funeral home.
“Just until the burial. You know how it is owning a
business. Thanks again for the loan.”
“Please, I’m happy to help family. You seem happier owning a
coffee shop than you did in an office. And much happier single than married to that
cheating sinverguenza.”
Rina smiled. “Thanks for having my back. That’s more than
some people did.”
“Speaking of which…”
“No, don’t bring up Angi, Emilio. Mami’s death was hard on
all of us with Papi being gone less than a year. Her trying to spin my marriage
problems as trivial next to one mediocre college grade was bullshit.”
“That was a long time ago. She’s married with a child now. Look.” He took out his phone and showed her a picture of Angi’s family. “Anna
should know her aunt.”
Rina saw the concern
in his eyes. “Is everything OK with them, Emilio?”
“Angi and Fernando are fine. It’s just—Anna reminds me a
little of you when you were young.”
Ah, the Gutierrez gift for understatement. Rina couldn’t
resist pushing. “In what way?”
Emilio reddened. He darted a look back at the funeral home. “Magdalena Fuentes helped when you were
having a hard time.”
“According to Angi she’s why I got ‘spooky’.”
“You were always spooky,” Emilio whispered. “But
you’re family. Anna needs someone like you. Please think about it.”
Rina sighed, but promised.
When Rina returned to her hotel room, Magdalena’s ghost was
waiting for her. “You're far from home, Rina.”
“That’s the reoccurring theme of my life.”
“So is finding ways across improbable divides. Call your
sister.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but Angi’s alive and I’m dead. Call.”
Rina picked up her phone and dialed.
Song Choice: Family is Family by Katie Musgrave
Liner Notes for this Groove: This short story was created for Art Flash 55 over at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads. The image of Life and Death in balance made me think of Rina, a character that appears in my short story collection, The Trouble with Wanting and Other Not Quite Faerie Tales. Rina has always had to live with an internal balance between the two. Sometimes that pushed her family away, and sometimes, like in this case, it helps her find her way home. More about her and her gift can be found in the the short story, "Her Homesick Spirit", in my collection. I am also linking it to Pantry of Prose, Telling Tales with Magaly Guerrero at Poets United.
This is a very interesting piece, structured around conversations. I was particularly struck by the line: “That’s the reoccurring theme of my life.” Death is that reoccurring theme.
ReplyDeleteThe conversations as story was something of an experiment for me. I think I was able to get across most of what I wanted. Yep, death very much is a reoccurring theme for her.
DeleteLove how you used dialogue in this piece... I like how Rina seems to have a gift that can also be a curse. I am interested what she can do for Anna...
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad that the duality of Rina's abilities came through in the story. I didn't know if I could entirely pull it off, but I enjoy challenging myself.
DeleteThis is absolutely brilliant!💖 I love the depth of this piece and the sensitivity with which it's penned. Familial bond is something that exists even after death 😊
ReplyDeleteThanks Sanaa! My original idea for this story was so much bigger, and I really wanted to explore that idea more fully, but I think I got across the main points I wanted.
DeleteYes, I love how you took this prompt into a conversation. Great writing!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I get these weird notions of how to experiment with my writing every now and again. I don't think it's always a great idea for me to write a story that is as dialogue heavy as this one, but I really wanted to see what I could convey in both what they said and what they did not say.
DeleteI know these people--their attitudes, the loud things they say by not saying them at all, the marriages that leave relatives with a serious case of embarrassment by association, the dead we can't let go of (and who tend to nag from across The Veil). Through the tones, I was able to see Rina's and expressions (I can swear I heard suck and teeth).
ReplyDeleteAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
DeleteDo you know how hard it was on me to try to keep little details like that out? LOL. The original idea for this story was so much bigger too. I wanted a reunion with Spider (complete with a invite to his cookout before she leaves, because how's she going to taste food this good when she goes back to PA). But in the end I felt the heart of this story was her interacting with Emilio, (who's always been a benefactor of sorts). I wanted to explore the interplay between his feelings of duty and awkwardness (in my mind, he's the only one who believes his sister can talk to the dead--he just never wants to talk about it, ever) and her feelings as a black sheep who still hurts but like all people needs a connection to the living.
The teeth sucking, anticucho cook-out, and shouts of "Hey nena!" as she walked down her old neighborhood were left on the cutting room floor. And then the idea of playing with the way some families say a lot with what they don't say came to me, and the idea for a dialogue heavy experiment was born.
I like the structure and form of your Art Flash 55, Rommy; although you describe as a short story, it looks and reads like a prose poem. Having recently had another death in the family, it resonated with me. The opening line reminded me of the funeral I attended a few weeks ago, seeing family members after a long time, and the balance of birth and death is subtly portrayed in the lines with Magdalena’s ghost.
ReplyDeleteI kinda felt that way too when I was done. It definitely wasn't intentional, but I guess the poet sometimes peeks out behind the words.
DeleteWhat a wonderful read this was! Great use of dialogue, which carries the plot admirably. I hope she will befriend Anna.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry. Aunt Rina definitely does get involved, as both Yuuki and Ajani can attest to.
DeleteOh, beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cie!
DeleteYour story doesn't seem to end for the readers. We keep on speculating what Rina is capable of. She is like an iceberg, only the tip is visible; a point between two worlds? Highly interesting. A wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I can't resist writing about these characters even though the book is done. I suppose I shall have to write more books about them.
DeleteI like the way you told the story through conversation, the way we got a glimpse of the backstory as well. Something tells me that each of these characters have something more they could share with us. Such rich detail, Rommy!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I started in my blog and in books, there is definitely a lot more left to write about all of these characters. :)
DeleteHonestly I got stuck on the thought of being happier in a coffee shop than an office. SIGH
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's that
DeleteI wonder why I relate so much to your story! It reminds me of the sometimes dreaded family reunions; the nuances and friction between siblings, things said or not said, and one waiting for the the other to make that call...*sigh.
ReplyDeleteI like how the dialogue carries the story and also reveals the characters. Neatly done.
Thanks. This was totally experimental. LOL, I think when all is said and done, I'm happy with what I wrote, but just like with every story in the Yuukiverse, there's a lot more tale to tell here.
DeleteI am sure this is something that occurs far more than most of us think as we talk to those that have gone to give us strength, and love and of course advice.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed.
DeleteI loved this sweet fiction. So important that psychic and magical children find understanding teachers and mentors.
ReplyDeleteRina's just paying forward all the help Magdalena gave her when she wasn't sure what to do. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteCaptivating story--the kind that feels like you're eavesdropping but the conversation just catches you up and takes you with it. Sometimes indirection feels a little like grace.
ReplyDeleteCool! I love that it feels that way. :)
DeleteA story that catches you, and makes you want more. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThis conversation story is truly clever and very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week Rommy
Much❤🕊❤love
Thank you so much Gillena
DeleteVery interesting! I haven't read the full story yet though!
ReplyDeleteLOL, it should be available on Amazon Australia in both paperback and e-book format.
DeleteI love how you wrote this, through a conversation Rommy! I love this story! Thank you! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacey!
Delete