The Lost City, a Continuation - Chapter 14

Index of Chapters (To start at the beginning)

Chapter 14
Aurora and Cecilia had burst out laughing at Fico's Ricky Ricardo impression. "I know we're early but I had less traffic than I expected," smiled Susan as she kissed Fico.

"My father would have loved you Susan. He was always on my case about being late to dinner," said Fico. "I suppose I can't be mad at you for being early." Fico put down a brown paper bag he was carrying and kissed his mother on the cheek and then each of his three children. Only after that did he look at Aurora.

"Aurora, I'm sorry about the other day," said Fico sincerely "It was quite a shock for me to see you after all this time."

"I understand, no need to apologize," replied Aurora.

"What's important is that we are all here together now," said Doña Cecilia as she revealed the contents of the brown paper bag Fico had brought home. It was a bottle of Red wine from Spain. "We shall have a toast."

"Ok kids, time to wash up for dinner," said Susan as Fico went into the kitchen and fetched the bottle opener and the wine glasses.

"What shall we toast to?" asked Fico.

"To old acquaintances?" said Aurora tentatively.

"To family!" exclaimed Doña Cecila who still liked her wine despite her 85 years.

"To family!" they all repeated.

When the kids returned they all sat down in the dining room. It was the elegant formal dining room that was hardly ever used. Fico never understood why the most expensive furnishings had to go into the rooms that were used the least. Doña Cecilia, who still cooked almost all the time, had prepared carne asada, Cuban-style pot roast, along with white rice, black beans and green plantain fritters known as tostones.

"So how exactly is it that you are our aunt?" asked Fred in English.

Fico frowned at Fred and said, "en español Fico, en español."

Fred looked down at his plate and didn't say a word.

"You're uncle Luis, the one your brother is named after, was my husband," answered Aurora in the best English she could muster.

At the mention of his name, Luisito looked up at Aurora and said, "My uncle was a very brave man! If he had killed Batista, Fidel wouldn't be in power today."

"You are a very smart boy, Luisito," answered Aurora. "I suppose that's true but then you wouldn't be alive today and we wouldn't all be here enjoying this wonderful meal together. Sometimes things happen for a reason. We don't understand why or how many times, but there's always a reason. I truly believe that."

Fred looked up from his plate and said in Spanish "Tu eres muy bonita, Tia -you're very beautiful."

The adults at the table couldn't contain their laughter and Fred's face turned beet red as he looked down in embarrassment.

"It looks like another Fellove has been lured by your charms," said Susan and this time it was Aurora that blushed.

"So you do speak Spanish Fred?" asked Aurora to change the subject.

"Yes he does," answered Fico. "But he's out of practice. Sometimes he outright refuses to speak it."

"I don't see why I need to speak Spanish. This is America," answered Fred defiantly.

"Spanish is a beautiful language. It's what's known as a romance language," Aurora said. "It never hurts to know more than one language. That's why in Cuba, many years ago I taught English to Cuban children. But I've forgotten so much..."

Fred smiled as he got an idea "Hey, what if I teach you English and you teach me Spanish?"

"I'd like that a lot," said Aurora.

The teen-aged Susie had watched the entire exchange with great curiosity. She hadn't known Aurora for 30 minutes but she knew that she wanted to be like her. She carried herself so elegantly and even though she was older than her mother she was still beautiful and seemed mysterious. "What kind of perfume are you wearing?" she finally asked, breaking the ice.

"It's Chanel Number 5," answered Aurora. I have a little sample bottle in my purse if you'd like?"

"Thank you Tia." Smiled Susie.

When Susan stood to clear the plates, Aurora joined her. They went into the kitchen and Aurora said, "Your children are so adorable and smart."

"That's very sweet of you to say. It's not every day they get to meet a long lost aunt," replied Susan. "Now it's time for dessert." Susan opened the refrigerator and took out several bowls of Cuban-style rice pudding. She took the bowls, one by one, and sprinkled a little cinnamon on each. "This is Cecilia's secret recipe, made by yours truly."

"Ah I've had the pleasure of Cecilia's Arroz con Leche, but many many years ago," said Aurora.

"Then you are in for a treat," replied Susan.