3 “Little Celebrations” by Dulce Escoria

i

In the mornings, my uncle and his wife would rush out the door, hurrying to work. They were always running late because no matter what, my uncle would not go without his coffee. He was not to be rushed.

Mi cafecito es sagrado

My mom smiled at me, I smiled back.

And even more than 10 years later,

¿Te acuerdas que tu tío decía que su cafecito era sagrado?

ii

Mami, ¿quieres café? Te hago un cafecito.

¿Quieres que te lleve a tomar café? Mira, te voy a llevar a un lugar nuevo.

And when I’m sitting at the adult’s table at parties I know I belong because my aunt asks me directly if I want a cup. She already knows I do.

I had to make my sister a cup of coffee while she was in isolation.

Did I add too much creamer? Did I make it too sweet???

No, it was perfect.

I guess I haven’t been the best at keeping in touch this year. But at least I got it right.

iii

We met up for coffee, talked about our past, and the rest is history.

I wasn’t sure I remembered what she looked like. But there she was. Sometimes, I remember us being outside, but when I met up with her, she was inside. Maybe it happened more than once.

I cried, every time.

Memories, scattered. It doesn’t matter.

I can trace the timeline through coffee shops.

Now it’s been over a year. One day we’ll meet again in person. And remember how two old classmates reconnected through a shared love and passion for things to change.