Verse 17: La Espiritista

Peta Ponce arrived all in white as if it was her wedding. She carried her short uneven body with poise and elegance, though her steps were hard and heavy as if she wanted to break the floors underneath her. While reciting some prayers, she first went on to smelling every corner of Taina's apartment like a puppy that had just been brought home. She'd also slide her nails all over the walls as if she needed to leave her fingerprints behind. Her appearance and actions did not scare me. I was happy that the espiritista had finally arrived. We would all soon find out how a thirteen-year-old Taina became pregnant when no one had touched her.

The kitchen table was covered with a white cloth, white flowers, and white candles. Delicious Puerto Rican plates were spread out and lay untouched for the spirits.

In the living room a scared Taina was sitting on the couch. She was wearing a long beautiful blue dress. Her hair was loose and neatly draped over her shoulders, her hazel eyes framed by newly done eyelashes. Her lips were a soft red that echoed the shine of her eyes. Taina's stomach was huge, it was only a matter of days before she'd give birth. I had never seen Taina look this beautiful and yet so familiar, as if we were still in middle school. When Taina saw me, she slightly smiled and this made me happy.

I was standing next to her uncle Sal. I had brought the money with me. "Afuera, Juan Bobo." Doña Flores said that I was not welcome, while she held out a hand for the money.

"Taina wants me here," I said in Spanish as it was all we spoke the entire night. Sal nodded to his sister that it was ok.

"No," Doña Flores shook her head, "this is about family. And Juan Bobo is not family. Just some stupid kid in love with my daughter."

I turned to the espiritista for help.

"Familia, na ma." Peta Ponce agreed with Doña Flores.

Taina's mouth opened in panic. She leaned up a bit as if she was going to protest my leaving, maybe throw a fit? But I knew Taina was not going to go against her mother's wishes.

"Then I'm taking the money with me," I said.

"No, you already promised to give it to me so I can pay the espiritista," Doña Flores said.

"Inelda, this ain't right. He got us the money," Salvador said. I knew how highly she held his words, so I thought I would be able to stay for the misa.

"He disturbs the spirits, they do not know who he is," she said to her brother, whom she took as a saint. "What happened to Taina in this house only the spirits know and he is not part of this house."

Salvador then bowed to Peta Ponce, who once again agreed that I was not welcome there.

I also bowed to the small woman who I had heard could fold time, twist definitions, change the meaning of feelings and talk to the dead.

"Juan Bobo," Doña Flores said, "give me the money. You can see Taina after we learn the truth."

"No," I said. "I'm leaving with my money."

And then I looked at Taina. "I will see you again, ok." Taina slightly nodded her head because she was scared. And it was there, when she slightly nodded at me, that I knew that she might like me, too?

"Malcriado, puñeta!" Doña Flores spat in anger.

I headed for the door and heard the espiritista ask Sal if anyone else had money to pay her. When he said no, the espiritista told me to wait.

"Tu nombre, mijo?" Peta Ponce asked.

"Julio," I said. "Not Juan Bobo, that's only what Taina's mother calls me." And then Peta Ponce began to sniff the air around me, the spaces around me, and to touch all my clothes and sniff them, too. She touched me...