From In Search of Caridad

From in Search of Caridad Angie Cruz (bio) Daniel NYC 1967 Daniel's brother, Cesar, arrived in Nueva Yol on the third day of rain. Cesar was Daniel's favorite out of fourteen brothers because he was trustworthy. A tomb, a dead end, were references to how able Cesar could keep everyone's business to himself. All the brothers confided in him. Daniel rented the other mattress in his bedroom at Antonio's boarding house for Cesar. No more sharing a room for Daniel with strangers who come and go. He could lock the door with his own key. He could even store his money and documents in the room and not carry them with him to work everyday. He could return home from a long day from working at the hotel and the only person he had to talk to was Cesar. Who wasn't much of a talker. In fact he often answered in one word sentences. Yes, no, perhaps. This made him easy to be with. Cesar was also the youngest, thinnest, shortest, and to Daniel's dismay, the darkest of all the brothers. Daniel felt responsible for him and it felt good to be the one who knew more about things for once. Ever since Daniel's arrival to the city he found there were always more things he didn't know; more questions he had to ask. New York was one mystery after another. But with Cesar looking up to him and depending on him to show him the ropes, he realized how much he had learned. "It feels good to have you here," Daniel grabbed his brother, pulled and tugged him about like a child in a toy store. "Amazing no," Daniel pointed and explained to Cesar the neighborhood. "This is the upper west side. Over that a ways are los negros. Los gringos over here. The boricuas over there." "And us?" Cesar asked. "We're not even here, hermano. Keep your head down, work hard, get paid, and don't ask too many questions." Daniel advised him the same way Antonio did to him when he arrived. Cesar nodded and looked around on the street. There was a swarm of women in miniskirts. They looked like fashion models to him. Lean and tall, eyes lined dark, no bras under their shirts. "What about them?" "Dessert." Daniel admired the cluster of girls dressed in summer gear. It was the beginning of Spring. The days warmer than usual. "These blanquitas have crazy ideas about men like us. They don't even ask me my name and open their legs." "Really?" "Who am I to complain? They even pay for dinner." [End Page 754] "But what about your girl, Caridad." "She's the main meal." Daniel said quickly looking about making sure no one heard him speak of Caridad that way. The city was big but he had heard enough stories about Puerto Rican chicks acting crazy when it came to love. They wanted a man all to themselves, not like the Dominican women back home who knew better. Cesar trailed behind Daniel who sped through the city sidewalks like he owned them. He flailed his arms about pushing out his chest to show Cesar that he knew the city like any other. "Wanna a hot dog?" Daniel stopped in front of a cart. "The best thing you've ever had in your life." Daniel ordered two with all the works. Cesar made a face. He cupped the hotdog, the ketchup dripped through his fingers. He jumped back, arms outstretched careful not to dirty his only good suit. A girl walked by and winked. "That girl winked at me." Cesar was psyched. "Wink back." Cesar looked at Daniel in admiration. He was not the same brother who left D.R. with his tail between his legs. "Incredible," Cesar said. "This is another world." "You haven't seen anything yet. You came when things are good here. I was freezing my ass off from the moment I stepped off that plane. If it wasn't for Caridad, I would've killed myself months ago." Cesar didn't respond. This was what Daniel loved about him. He was

Archaeology · Art · Art history · Bedroom · Brother · Sociology · History · Latin American and Latino Studies

• Author and Title Index to Callaloo Volume XX (Whole Numbers 110-113)

  Florence S Davies•Callaloo•2007

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