Signal to Noise(46)

Sebastian cut wrapping paper and folded it, his long fingers carefully taping the sides.

He decided to think about something else. Meche’s Christmas present. He usually bought her books, which she invariably hated, but he tended to complement those with mix tapes, which she liked. He was thinking of buying her a book of Auden’s poetry and he could make a mix tape of songs from the 60s because Meche liked that time period.

He pasted bows and cut more wrapping paper. Once in a while he looked down at the list of songs he had written on a little piece of paper and struck one out.

“I didn’t know you worked here.”

He looked up. Isadora was carrying a couple of boxes in her arms. She set them down on his counter. Sebastian felt terribly embarrassed to be caught looking like such a fool, wrapping gifts for a few pesos an hour.

“Just ’til Epiphany,” he said. “Those two?”

“Yes.”

Sebastian tried to cut the paper as quickly as he could, his fingers flying over the boxes.

“Are you excited about the play tomorrow?” she asked.

“Not really.”

“Me neither. It’s always the same deal every year. The posada might be fun,” she said with a little shrug.

“I am not staying for the posada after it.”

“No?”

“There’s a party at Jimena Estrada’s house later. Do you know her?”

“I don’t think so.”

“My friend Meche thinks the school posada is kind of lame so we’re going to Jimena’s posada. You’re... ah... welcome to join us.”

Isadora did not say anything. Sebastian regretted his attempt at small talk. He should have just kept his stupid mouth shut. Like Isadora would care what he did in his free time.

“Well, here you go,” he said, putting two red bows on the packages and handing them back to her.

“Thanks.”

“Bye,” he said cutting more little pieces of tape and readying himself for the next client.

“I’m sorry if I was rude to you at my birthday party.”

Sebastian looked up at her, shocked to hear her say that.

“You weren’t really rude,” he said.

“No, I was. You were just trying to be friendly. It’s just, Constantino was being annoying... ugh, anyway, you’re always nice to everyone.”

“I don’t try to be nice.”

“That’s why you are.”

She grabbed her presents and paused for a moment.

“Where is that posada? I might go.”

“Do you have a piece of paper? I can write it down for you.”

“I don’t have paper.”

“Give me your arm.”

Isadora put down her packages and he grabbed her arm, carefully writing the address with blue ink.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Cool.”

He watched her walk away and smiled.





SEBASTIAN DID NOT listen to a single line during the performance. He stood in his place at the back of the stage with Meche and Daniela, simply staring at Isadora and willing the performance to end so they could all escape to Jimena’s apartment.

After the show, they decided to go home and change. Sebastian said he would pick Meche up. He was late because he’d taken special care in choosing his clothes. He wore a nice black shirt and jeans and had combed his hair back with a lot of gel.

He jumped on his motorcycle to pick up Meche. She climbed behind him and they sang The Fishes in the River at the top of their lungs. Sebastian had never understood the significance of a song which talked about fishes drinking river water while the baby Jesus was being born, but it was one of the few Christmas songs he knew from beginning to end, so he was happy to sing it.

When they reached her apartment, Jimena greeted them with a loud, festive hug, planting a kiss on each of their cheeks. She was dressed in nearly nothing, belly bared, and tottered on high heels. Pretty much what you’d expect from Jimena.

“I brought beer,” Meche said.

“Put in the kitchen, girl,” Jimena said. “Your little friend is here.”

“Who?” Sebastian asked, perking up.

“Dani.”

“Oh.”

They dropped the beer in the kitchen and Sebastian served himself fortified punch with a big piece of cinnamon. Meche carried two little plastic cups in her hands, giving one to Daniela, who had found a place near the sound system.

“Hey,” she said. “Where were you? I’ve been waiting for ever.”

“I dunno. He took forever,” Meche said, giving Daniela a little cup.

“Thanks. My mom said I could only stay ’til nine, so I can’t be here for long.”

“Aw. That’s like nothing at all.”

“You know how she is. She’s afraid I’m going to have a relapse.”

“You just want to go home and watch your soaps.”

They pulled up a couple of chairs and sat with Daniela, drinking their punch until it was time for her to leave; then they walked her downstairs and waited for her dad to arrive. They waved goodbye when Daniela got in the car.

“Man, Jimena sure poured a lot of booze in that punch this year.”

“Yup,” Sebastian said.