THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN

CATHERINA

We weren’t expecting my abuela but there she stood at the door with a little packed suitcase and that grin that frightened me as a child. She was a tall woman for her age and that probably was the reason my papa was tall because I was sure he did not get the height from my midget of a grandfather who died before I was born.

“Well, child… are you just going to stand there and gawk at me without letting me in?” she said, her mouth thinning.

“Sorry abuela, we were not expecting you.” I answered, opening the door wider for her to come in

“Do I need to phone ahead before visiting my son and grandchildren?” she sauntered in, stopping to take a deep breath.

“Ofcourse not, abuela. I shall ask mamma to set out one more plate for lunch since you will be joining us.” I said, dragging the suitcase behind me; it was heavier than it looked and I wondered what she had packed in it.

“I came over to see the man that will be marrying my granddaughter… where is he?”

“He is with papa i