How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water (45)

Now you understand why I couldn’t come to the last session. I felt like the boy in the painting who got the fruit and the branches, but I must be careful to want too much in this life. This is the lesson. We must appreciate what we have.



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So, of course, I was suffering, but also surprised that La Vieja Caridad thought of me. But around Lulú, I could not talk about my luck, because Lulú was not so lucky like me.

I know, I am not just lucky. You are very good to remind me of this. I work hard all the time. You are right I must take some credit for this. But it’s crazy because Lulú was the one that liked to show off how everything was so good in her life. And this was true. For many years Lulú got many presents from her son. A new mattress, a new knife to cook, a set of good pots. He was generous with her. This made her happy. But in the past two months, the only thing her son Adonis gave her is more worry. This proves that the more money you make, the more problems you make. And now, Adonis, Patricia, and the babies moved into Lulú’s apartment. And, of course, now Lulú is cooking, cleaning, and taking care of four people.

Ay, pobrecita Lulú. You can imagine how upset she is. She is not like me. I am easy. If I have to accommodate ten people in my apartment, it’s no problem. But Lulú likes to have her own room that she can close the door. She says, A leona needs her own cave. She is a Leo, so this makes sense. With the entire family inside the two-bedroom apartment, she will have no place to be alone. Only the bathroom. And they have to share that.

Then I had a great idea. Because I have money, I thought I would take Lulú to the salón of Alexis. Yes, Alexis, remember him? He sent me this card. Maybe he sent the card to everybody he knows. But also to me. Yes, it is in El Barrio—I know, so far away, but maybe he has news about Fernando. So I said to Lulú, Please come with me to this salón?

Why so far?

Ay, Lulú, do this for me. I need to fix my hair, I said. But really she needed to fix her hair. She looks abandoned. Still no faja. She is wearing a bra for the jogging. Do you understand what I am saying? For the jogging! It smashes your tetas. Not good.

Oh, you also wear the bra for the jogging every day? Really? Ha!

She looked at my hair and made a face. Imagine that. Me, who looks very good even if my life is hard like hers.

I will go with you, she said. If it was not for me …

You see what I mean? Even now, she makes like she is doing me a favor. But I permit her to be the way she is.

So we took the train to the train to the bus and we walked and walked and found the address: 2123 Second Avenue. A big sign, escrito a mano in the window, said, MAKE ME OVER: SALóN Y LAUNDRY.

I looked inside and saw Alexis fixing a person’s hair. The last time I saw him was eight years ago, but he was the same with the exception that his hair was rubio. He still looked like he belonged in the future.

On one side of the wall we saw the mirrors, the chairs, the shelves stocked with hair dryers and brushes. On the other side were the washing machines and the dryers. It made sense to do both at the same time.

When I opened the door, he turned to look at us. The lights so bright. Both Lulú and I could use a little sun, a little lipstick. A music of drums was playing.

Mami? Alexis recognized me immediately. He told me to wait. So we waited.

This is Fernando’s friend? she said.

I could tell she had many opinions, but said nothing. In the past she would have said many things.

The client waved goodbye to Alexis. She looked good.

He asked me, What you doing around here?

You wrote to me! I said.

I showed him the card that said 20 percent discount.

Sit, sit, he said, looking closely to my ends. When was the last time you cut your hair?

I told her, Lulú said. Maybe she will listen to you.

I sat on that chair like a sack of arroz with a hole in it. I didn’t recognize me in the mirror. My eyebrows were a disaster. When he brushed my hair, it was uneven. I didn’t know because I always wear it up. But me too, I was a little abandoned. But not so bad as Lulú.

So one chair for Lulú, one chair for me.

I’ll do both of you for the price of one, he said. What do you think?

Lulú had no money, so I said, Yes, if it is OK with you. We accept!

No, I am OK, Lulú said. I don’t need.

She is so proud. But Alexis understood how to manage because he took out Lulú’s pinchos without asking and said, Today we make you over.

Is this place yours? I asked.

All this is mine, Mami. Mine. Alexis waved his arms around the room. Freshly painted. Signs full of color. WASH AND DRY. SELF-SERVICE. 25 CENTS, 10-MINUTE DRYER.

Have you heard from Fernando?

Ay, Mami, you just missed him.

How can that be?

He is traveling a lot. His new job has him on a plane all the time.

Don’t tell me. What job?

He works in a store on Madison Avenue. He designs the windows and makes everything look nice.

How did he learn to do that?

Fernando is very lucky for the jobs. People love him. He learns fast. In this world all you need is people to give you a chance.

Does he still live with you? I asked.

Not anymore. But we talk all the time. I will tell him to call you, Alexis said.

People say things and never do it, but I trusted Alexis the Pisces would do that.