Deployment 12

Series: The Journey of a Deployment: Perspective of the one that stays awaiting (Bilingual)

Hot Coffee

“Honey, it has been a while since you last visited us.” The daughter received a very warm and long hug from her mother. “Nena, you are so cold, come over here, take that coat off, this leather jackets are nice but I don’t think they are warm enough”, said the mother while helping Nena remove her jacket.

"Let’s go to the kitchen, I’ll prepare you a hot coffee that will put some color into your pale face.”, the mother said while hanging the coat and then moving to the front of the stove. Nena proceeded to sit at the dinner table.

“How are you doing mom?” said Nena. “Well, you know I don’t like this cold because it hurts each of my bones, but other than that I’m doing fine” replied the mother. “Where is Papi?”asked Nena. “He is at the market buying some “verduras” for a “sofrito” he wants to prepare”.

Nena, stayed quiet at the table while her mother was filling two cups with warm cream and sugar substitute and the pot started to boil the water that seemed like a song. The mother turned her head towards Nena and observed her without saying anything. She finished the coffee and walked to the dinner table with the two cups in hand. She place one cup in front of Nena who was seated at the end of the table, while she sat on Nena’s left side. In the middle of the silent the mother noticed Nena was lost in her thoughts.

“Drink your coffee Nena, it’s better while is hot”, the mother suggested. Both woman took their cups at the same time. Their eyes encountered each other.

“Estas segura que te van a querer. Estas segura que te amaran, respetaran , seran fiel, te daran valor, te homenajearan, te celebraran, te cuidaran, estas segura?" the mother asked Nena.

Nena held her cup next to her lips without moving her eyes from her mother’s and nodded. The mother stretched her arm and placed her hand on Nena’s left hand that was resting on the table and said; “yo tampoco.”

Nena attempted to drink from her cup while a tear seasoned her steamy coffee.