Meet the Cast
Here you will meet the people who populate my life.
Family
Adam: Adam is the most adorable little boy in the world, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my nephew… actually, I am mostly saying that because he’s my nephew since he’s a terror and does not listen anyone. He’s Linda’s child, the middle sister (I’m the oldest in the family). He’s seven years old; he inherited my sister’s fair complexion and his father’s hazel eyes. The little monster even has the audacity to have dimples when he smiles, and he always smiles after he’s done something he’s not supposed to or when he’s up to something. But I love him lots. * * *Alicia: My niece Alicia has always reminded me of a cat. She doesn’t want to cuddled or hugged, but she does want to get her way. She’s been that way since she was a baby (she’s 11 now, very cute and brilliant). She’s Linda’s oldest child, but I have often said that she should have been Arianna’s child instead of Linda’s - she’s too much like my youngest sister to discount the similarities. Oh, well… one hopes she’ll grow out of it.Linda’s oldest child, but I have often said that she should have been Arianna’s child instead of Linda’s - she’s too much like my youngest sister to discount the similarities. Oh, well… one hopes she’ll grow out of it. * * *Arianna: My youngest sister. She is a 30-year-old princess. “High maintenance” doesn’t even begin to describe her. She is pretty, smart and very good in a social setting. She will always surprise me with random acts of kindness, then she balances them out with random acts of meanness. She’s married to Tomás, no kids. To know her is to fear her. Did I mention that she’s a bilingual elementary school teacher? We have a complicated relationship. But then, I have a complicated relationship with every member of my family. Arianna can be my biggest supporter, or my worst enemy. And, as a true sister, she know exactly which buttons to press to get any reaction she wants.Of course, I know that same thing about her. It’s an good balance. * * *
David: The newest member of my family, David is
Arianna’s baby (also
Tomas‘). He is beautiful. Like
Adam, he has dimples and a killer smile.
Juan: My little brother. He’s a 22-year-old who’s at least six inches taller than I am and is built like a football player. My favorite sibling, he’s like me in too many ways to count. He’s the one person who can get me to do things even when I’m exhausted and beyond being nice. Right now he’s still going through his “I’m a teenager” phase, but either that won’t last long or I’m going to have to kill him. Of course, he’s back from the Army. I told him that was his version of running away. He wasn’t amused.
* * *Linda: My younger sister. She was the middle child until Juan was born. Now she’s the one that’s married with children. She has beautiful children and a marriage that frequently rivals the soap opera plots of Mexican novelas. Her life isn’t boring simply because she refuses to live without drama. And she frequently brings the drama into my living room. * * *Luis: The brother-in-law that pushes my buttons, and not in a good way. He’s a nice guy. He’s a good father. He’s married to Linda. Once upon a time, he was the spoiled oldest male child in a traditional Mexican family. He’s getting over that one day at a time, but making my sister’s plans go awry while that happens. If my sister changed husbands tomorrow I might not miss him. * * *Tomás: Brother-in-law extraordinaire. He’s a nice guy. He has managed to make the most difficult female in my world a very happy woman. I’m nominating him for sainthood.