I stared hopelessly at the dry Christmas tree, wondering whether I should take it down or leave it up until after New Year’s Day. Sometimes Frank made me so angry. It never failed. Every year when we first brought the tree home, he’d be like a small child, rushing to trim it. But as soon as it came time to take it down, he disappeared.
I shrugged wearily and decided that leaving the tree up one more day wouldn’t hurt. After all, I was dead tired from the holiday trips. First, we had driven to Delano and spent a few days with my parents. Then we had driven to Orange County to Frank’s parents’ where we spent our customary three days. And they certainly were three very long,’ days. The smog was unbearable and my sinuses bothered me the entire time we were there. Then there was my overbearing mother-in-law. Three days were all I could stand to be around her. If it hadn’t have been for Frank’s older brother Bryan, I would have felt totally left out. He was the only one in Frank’s family who went out of his way to make me feel comfortable. I knew that Bryan sincerely liked and appreciated this “Mexican.”
The sound of the doorbell interrupted my thoughts. I slipped my shoes back on and lifted my tired body off the couch. When I opened the front door, I was happy to see Maya and Juanita.
“What a nice surprise,” I said. “Come on in.”
“Feliz Navidad, Ms. Martínez,” Juanita said as she and Maya stepped into the living room.
As I motioned for them to sit down, I smiled to myself. Maya was wearing purple stretch pants that made her look skinnier than a bean pole.
“We wanted to surprise you,” Maya said.
Then Juanita handed me a brown paper bag. “My Amá sent you these tamales. She also sent some hot chile ‘cause she remembered how much your husband likes her chile.”
“That was so nice of her,” I answered, setting the bag down on the coffee table. “Frank is going to go crazy with your mom’s chile. He says I never make it hot enough.”
“How was your Christmas, Ms. Martínez?” Maya asked me.
“Oh, it was very nice. We went to my parents’ house and then over to Frank’s in Orange County.”
“What did Santa Clos bring you, Ms. Martínez?” Juanita asked.
“Oh, the usual: perfume, clothes. Frank gave me a sexy black leather skirt.”
“¡Híjole!” Juanita said, and we all started laughing.
“This is for you, Ms. Martínez,” Maya said, reaching over and handing me a beautifully wrapped package. “I bought it in Santa Fe. My mom and I flew there for Christmas and we had the best time ever. Mom and Grandma made up.”
Maya’s eyes were shining and I could tell she was bursting with joy. “That’s wonderful, Maya,” I told her. “I am so happy for both you and your mom. But you didn’t have to bring me anything.”
“I wanted to thank you for helping me.”
“Open it, Ms. Martínez,” Juanita ordered.
“I love opening presents!” I said as I began to peel off the bright wrapping paper. When I removed the cover from the box, I found a delicate hand-carved wooden figure inside. “It’s beautiful, Maya,” I sighed, carefully taking it out of the box and setting it on the table next to me.
“It’s a Kachina doll, Ms. Martínez,” Maya proudly explained. “It’s a holy spirit that is supposed to protect you.”
“I love Native American art. Thank you so much, Maya,” I said, reaching over to hug her. Then I turned to look at Juanita. “Now, how about having a soda with me?”
“Sorry, Ms. Martínez,” Juanita answered. “We have to go. We’re going over to the mall.”
“Can I give you a ride?”
“No, thanks, Ms. Martínez,” Maya said. “We’re taking the bus over to Ankiza’s house and then her mom is dropping us off at the mall.”
“Are you meeting anyone special over there?” I asked mischieviously.
Maya and Juanita glanced at each other and started giggling.
“I see,” I said, laughing out loud.
“Well, we better go,” Maya said, standing up.
I followed them to the door and gave them each a big hug. As I closed the door behind me, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Frank was right. This was why I had become a professional: to feel good by helping people. And that was all that really mattered.