"Papi!"
"Yes Milagros?"
"Doña Elena needs for us to pick up some onions, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes from the mercado." It's that time of day again. Without any way to properly store cooked food, we insisted of making trips to the street market each day for Elena. It's the least we can do for her kindness.
"Do you have any idea what she will be making?"
"It's a surprise, Papi!" Milagros gets easily excited. "She's letting me make it for you." Now I know the reason behind her burst of energy.
"That sounds wonderful, mi amor. I look forward to eating anything you make. It's always delicious." I am being very truthful. Normally, any parent would need to lie to their child to spare their feelings. Under Elena's tutelage, Milagros is becoming a very good cook. I'm so proud of her.
"But if you know it's already delicious, how will I surprise you?" Milagros' self doubt is contagious so I try my best to be positive and support her.
"I don't know what you are making. I only know that it will be delicious. So it will still be a surprise." I wink. I think it looks like a wink. One good eye and all.
"Well I hope it becomes your favorite." She leads with this desire every time she cooks.
"That's where I will have to surprise you, I guess." I smile at my little miracle. Without her, I wouldn't be willing to live another day.
I turn back to my project at hand. I finish hammering a broken table for one of our neighbors. It was a dire need of repair and had toppled over during one of their meals. "Phew! I think that's it."
"Papi, do you want to make a delivery first?" Milagros looks over my work instinctively.
"There is still one more thing I think I can do to the table. I need to buy a few items from one of the vendors across the pueblo. But I can do that on the way back from our trip."
"Ok. Let me tell Doña Elena."
"Tell me what, cariño?" Elena appears within the doorway of our makeshift work area. She then enters the room as I begin to pick up. She looks over my work, instinctively as well.
I nod to my little girl. "Go ahead, Milagros."
"We are going to get the items for that special dish. We will be back soon." Milagros gives a brief pause as if going over her mental notes one last time. "Is that ok?"
Elena smiles with that sweet smile of hers. "Of course, carino," she beams. "But that dish is going to take some time and I don't think you will be able to have it ready until dinner."
"I'm sorry," Milagros slumps over in disappointment with herself. :Oh no! I didn't think of that."
"It's not a problem. It just means you'll be spending some extra time in the kitchen with me to prepare. And I cannot think of anyone I'd rather spend time in the kitchen with than with you, Milagros."
"It's ok, nena," I reassure her. "I'll make sure I am extra busy to let you work your magic along with Elena."
"For now, why don't you two go on your little adventure. I'll have lunch ready for you when you return." Sometimes Elena is more of a host than the prim and proper landlady reputation she has throughout the pueblo. Milagros runs to Elena and gives her a big hug.
"Gracias, Elena. We will be back as quickly as possible." Milagros gives the best hugs.
"Do not worry about that, preciosa. Just be careful out there, and watch out for each other."
Milagros nods in agreement. Elena then blesses Milagros with the Sign of the Cross as we step through the threshold and out of the building.
…