In Rafael's House

      When Rafael came home with the news that his hours had been cut, his wife got very offended.

     "Papi," she said. "You think I'm going to love you any less because there's a little less money? You must think so little of me, or you must not remember where we came from, what things were like way back when."
     "I know, mami, but think about it. Think of all the things we won't be able to do."

     "We going to be able to eat?"
     "Well, yeah."
     "We going to be able to make rent?"
     "Yeah, of course."
     "Then what we need?"
     "Nice things."
     "There will be time for that, papi. There will be time for that."
     He smiled. "You're right, mami. We're going to be fine."
     "Better than fine, papi, and you know what? This is going to be the beginning of something big for us, I bet you. I bet you even though this seems like trouble, that it will end up being a big opportunity for us instead."
     "You think?"
     "No, papi. I know it."
     Rafael smiled. He had a good woman. He really did.

     "This mean we won't celebrate my birthday?" little David said.

     "No, no," Rosarita assured him. 

     "We going to celebrate your birthday in style!" Rafael said. "Don't you worry. You're going to have the best birthday of your life!"
     David giggled a little.

     What a wonderful thing it was to have family at a time like this one!