Reviews from Billy Blue and crew of the Wave make Christopher’s cheeks heat red with pleasure and embarrassment. Providing security to local businesses began as a neighborhood job when Christopher and his buddy Joe were teens. Over the years it has grown to include providing security for visiting performing artists at the Los Angeles Forum.
Shaking Billy’s hand Christopher says, “Bill I know you love American barbeque. You have some downtime. Why don’t you bus your crew out to my house for a barbeque on Sunday?
“Ya know mate, I’d love to,” Billy lays a friendly arm along Christopher’s shoulders. “I insist on bringing the brews.”
“You got it my man. I’ll set it up with your manager. Ginger right?”
A hand raised, saluting Billy yells over the noise, “I’ll see you Sunday.”
Sunday dawns with blue skies. Christopher slept in after a busy evening preparing for today’s barbeque. He awakens to the smell of buttermilk pancakes. He pads across the plank wood living room floor in bare feet. A terry cloth robe, a recent Father’s Day gift, is loosely belted. Steaming coffee with milk is waiting for him.
He takes a sip and smiles. Cutting into hot pancakes with melted butter and syrup never fails to make him happy. Pouring more syrup he envisions the day’s tasks. They are preparing for an afternoon of fun with family, friends, Billy Blue and the crew of Wave, as well as security industry associates.
By late afternoon it’s not easy moving his Dad away from preparing Lumpia. Christopher has assigned him supervision of the barbeque pit. He has a knack for cooking tender ribs. Ribs have soaked all night in Christopher’s marinade. Pineapple salsa, a pot of barbeque beans and King’s Hawaiian bread will round out the meal.
The crowning achievement will be Christopher’s Lumpia taught to him by his father. Christopher is explaining the ingredients to his daughter. Eight year old Cisne, standing on a chair peeks into a steaming pot. The party ebbs and flows, currents are balanced between Christopher in the kitchen and his father at the barbeque. Christopher says “Cisne honey, go into the back yard. Find out who is ready for desert Lumpia.”
Christopher’s family, friends, employees and their families celebrate raucously with the Canadian Wave band and crew members. Sitting on the patio are his mother and Rabbi Foxx. Heads bent together they are in a deep discussion. Christopher thinks they’re probably discussing the infinite expressions of Mitzvahs.
The light of candles in glass jars brightens the air. Chewing a butt of an unlit cigar Rabbi Foxx is gesturing passionately. Christopher catches his mother’s eye and smiles. She will keep track of him throughout the evening. She can never get enough assurance her son is alive and well. A left over from the time he was missing. He nods at her with understanding.
Across the yard Billy is wearing a sauce soaked apron. Christopher laughs. His friend is learning American barbeque from Christopher’s Filipino father. It’s music to his ears, his father’s laughter drifting across the backyard.
In front of Christopher are several trays of desert Lumpia. He has prepared the dish as a surprise for Juanita. Cisne has rematerialized at her chair by Christopher’s side. She says, “Daddy they are ready for desert Lumpia now!”
Cisne’s name translates from Spanish into ‘swan.’ Tonight she’s wearing a blue dress with a white collar. Juanita, at her daughter’s request, appliqued a white swan on the lower right half of the dress. It is surprisingly stylish and fresh, as is his daughter with her dark hair and brown eyes. She has Juanita’s sparkle.
For a moment in Cisne’s face he can see many women; his mother, grandmother, his wife, Juanita. In that split second all the important women in Christopher’s world looks back at him through the eyes of his daughter. Juanita’s swan peers over his daughter’s shoulder.
Rapping on Christopher’s arm with a wooden spoon Cisne says, “Dad, come back. The world needs you here tonight, making desert Lumpia for mom and everyone else.”
Christopher laughs. “You are a ‘sassy girl.’” Cisne is quick to laugh or scold depending on the needs of the moment.
Christopher remembers the phone call he made from the immigration room. When Juanita answered his parent’s phone the world stopped spinning. “Juanita! Is it really you?”
Laughing and crying Juanita says, “Christopher! Come home! We are waiting for you.”
A thrill runs through him remembering. As he looks for Juanita in the midst of their party they share a sweet and knowing glance. The air sparkles around her!
Christopher will never take for granted her unique beauty. It is a reflection of her soul, her work as a healer, the depths they have traveled together. Lifting a tray of desert Lumpia he swings Cisne off the chair and says, “Lead the way. Who is ready for desert Lumpia?”
Billy Blue turns away from the grill. He faces Christopher with a beer held high. “To my friend Christopher Marcos, the best security man in the business and to his beautiful family. Thank you for a fantastic evening. You live a charmed life my man.”