Chapter 1: Halloween eve
John and I are on vacation in Mexico for a week to celebrate Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos. We decided to fly to Mexico City, it is as beautiful as I remember. John and I were enamored by the colorful architecture and the history of the buildings that told a story to tell. The streets were lively, pulsing with energy. John was apprehensive about the street food, but I told him if he can handle chipotle sauce, then he can handle street food.
“Ok it’s your first time in Mexico, how about we start you off with street tacos?”
“I here to embrace the Mexican culture, I want to try local cuisine,” said John.
“Ok, how about patitas?”
“Ok, what’s that chicken feet, it’s a snack it’s not half bad, but they are a bit spicy”.
I could tell he was taken aback by the chicken feet, he stood there for a while thinking.
“Maybe tomorrow, tacos sound great right now,” said John while choosing his words carefully.
As we finished our meal, a cold wind swept through the alley, carrying with it a distant echo of laughter that no one else seemed to hear—a subtle omen, a shift in the air that something otherworldly awaited us later that night.
“Let’s go to Abuelita’s house now”.
“Why? We just got here,” said a curious John.
“I just miss her”. I didn’t have to heart to tell him the truth, about what I heard or about how I felt, he is skeptical of magic and traditions, he is agnostic.
John and I left the bustling streets behind and made our way to my Abuelita’s house, going through quiet neighborhoods that felt worlds apart from the city’s vibrant center. As we approached the rustic building, the familiar scent of baking pan dulce drifted through the open windows, and I think I smelled the mole, John loves Mole. Looking at John, John looked around with a mix of emotions nervousness and excitement, eager to experience the heart of my family’s traditions and the hospitality waiting for us inside. But a worried look on his face possibly by judgement from Abuelita, I keep on telling him it will be fine.
We went in, Abuelita immediately ran up to me and gave me a nice warm hug, for a good minute, she saw John.
“Oh he is so big, and handsome, good for you mija,” said Abuelita.
She hugged John, felt his arms and muscles.
“Oh he is strong too, I’m so proud of you mija, he is a keeper, you’re going to have strong kids,” said Abuelita.
“Abuelita, we are just dating”.
Abuelita replied with, “Don’t give away the milk for free”.
“Grandma!?!?” I said with embarrassment my face started to turn red.
I think it took a while for John to get what she said, because his eyes immediately were wide open. I stood there shocked; I love her but dang she has no filter.
“Ok we are going to set our stuff in the room, we had a long day”.
“Of course, over here,” said Abuelita as showed us to the room we will be staying in.
“Here you go, remember no kids before marriage. When you guys are done come on out, I have chicken mole and dulce ready for you,” said Abuelita.
“Thank you,” said John and me.
Once we got settled into the cozy room, John and I shared a quiet moment together away from Abuelita. The warmth between us grew as we held each other close, letting the intimacy deepen. We saw each other’s eyes, the soft laughter and gentle touches hinted at the love blossoming between us, filling the space with tenderness and anticipation. He grabbed my arms; I could feel it he wanted me and I wanted him. We kissed, his hand on my cheek, oh his hand is so kind and warm. I hear a knock, I jump.
“Mija the food is getting cold,” said Abuelita.
“Damn we got to go, hopefully it will be good,” said John.
“It will be she makes the best Chicken Mole and dulce”.
We open the door to big feast, beans, rice, a lot of rice, Chicken mole, and chicken tacos. The steam coming off the rice and the smell of chicken, it warms my heart. The look on John’s face, he was smiling. The three of us gathered around the small kitchen table, the aroma of Abuelita’s chicken mole filling the air with nostalgia. I smiled at the familiar comfort of my grandmother’s cooking. Abuelita chatted cheerfully, sharing stories and laughing with us, making the meal feel even warmer. We enjoyed every bite, grateful for both the food and the love that surrounded us.
After that amazing dinner we went to bed, our eyes heavy, struggling to stay open, as we opened the door.
We said, “Good night Abuelita”.
“Good night mijo and mija, remember no kids before marriage,” said Abuelita.
We laughed at the moment, then we walked to bed and fell on it. He put his hand on his stomach and started to move slowly towards my pants.
“John maybe not today, maybe tomorrow Halloween night?”
“Babe come on I want to make kids before marriage babe,” said John.
“Babe don’t make fun of Abuelita”.
“I’m not I like you; I plan on having kids in the future,” said John.
“I like you too”.
“Do you want kids?” Said John.
“Yeah, but not now, maybe in the future”.
“Oh ok, yeah maybe tomorrow,” said John as he rolled over on the other side bed.
Ah damn it, my mind was racing what does he want, what do I want out of this relationship, can we live without kids. Oh god what will Abuelita think or mom and dad. It’s fine I’ll talk to John tomorrow. I’m not against kids but I thought I would have more time, I am 25 years old and John 28. Would it be the end of world, I don’t know hopefully he can wait.
The windows bust open all of a sudden darkness poured into the room, the darkness swallowed John, then room was pitched black I couldn’t see anything. All I heard was manic laughter saying, “we will be remembered or die trying”, after that the laughing got louder, I woke up.
