Bodega Dreams by Ernesto B. Quinonez Page A

She stopped and took a deep breath. She lowered her head and asked the Lord for help. When she raised her head to look at me again her face was red and her eyes were wet from the hurt that dries your throat and hurts when you swallow.
    “I’m happy that you got us this apartment, Julio. I’m actually veryhappy. It was a good thing. But you didn’t ask for my input. You just went and did it. Do you understand what I’m saying?” I nodded.
    “Nancy”—I called her Nancy when I wanted her to know that I wanted to clear things up without fighting. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but it was always worth a shot. “Nancy, I’m new at this married thing, all right? You know I love you but I’ve been used to doing things alone all my life without consulting anyone. But I’m trying, Nancy. All I know is that I try. At times I forget to tell you things and just play it by ear. If I’d asked Housing for a two-bedroom they would have just placed us on a five-year waiting list. After five years the rent for a two-bedroom would be even higher and we’d still be living in a project. So when the chance came around to get something better, I took it. You know how fast applications go, Nancy. So I just filled it out and hoped for the best.” I didn’t know what else to say.
    “I’m not saying this wasn’t a good thing, Julio. Just tell me what you are planning, all right? If you filled out an application just tell me where.”
    “Why? As long as it’s a better block—”
    “Because I want to know!” Her face got angry again. “Besides, did you ever think that I might not want to live there? Did you ever think of that, Julio? What if I don’t like the block, the building? From here on out I better not get secondhand news, all right?”
    “Yeah, all right,” I said.
    “We’ll talk about moving tomorrow, okay?” Then she gently kissed me hello, since she hadn’t when I’d walked in. She thanked the Lord again and hugged me. Her eyes fell on the bloodstain on my sleeve.
    “What’s this?”
    “Ketchup. I was eating fries,” I lied. She bought it.
    Then Blanca, placing her hands in the small of her back, slowly sat down on the couch. She took a pillow and positioned it behind her arched back. She pressed her hands against her swelling belly and focused her eyes straight ahead, on nothing in particular. I knew she wanted to ask me something and was debating whether to ask me now or later.
    “Do you know anyone who wants to get married?” she finally asked.
    “Why?” I went into the bedroom to change.
    “Well, there’s this sister …” When Blanca said “sister” or “brother” that meant it had something to do with her church, which made me nervous and angry at the same time.
    “…  and she needs to get married.”
    “Aren’t there any men in your church?”
    “No, there aren’t. Most of them are married or teenage boys. And if they’re single and old enough they want a young sister who’s beautiful and a virgin. It’s the worst thing.”
    “I like it when you knock your church.”
    “No one is perfect, Julio.” She didn’t appreciate my comment. “The church is full of imperfect people. Noah was a drunk, but God gave him the ark. David committed adultery with Bathsheba but God made him king. Peter denied Christ, but God—”
    “I get your point. So what you’re telling me is, because this sister is not that young and who knows if she’s a virgin, no brother will take a chance on her?”
    “Yes. They say they want a wife that’s spiritual and wants to serve God. That’s all they say they want. But when a sister shows up who’s not that young or pretty it doesn’t matter how spiritual she is.”
    I started laughing. I could hear Blanca laugh a little and get up from the couch.
    “Yes, it’s funny,” she said.
    “Don’t worry,” I told her, “let her wait, a brother will come.”
    “That’s the problem. She doesn’t have time, she’s illegal. She’s going