Lupe and Selina Play Through the Storm

the room at home proved more difficult to sort. Personal memorabilia hung on the walls. Old toys were stashed in every corner. Old photos of teen idols lay concealed under her bed. She had outgrown most of these things but still wondered if she would miss the touchpoints of her old life once she lived far from home. Would she ever come back to this room, despite her agreement with her father to stay away for only one year? A faint tap on the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Come in, Mama.” Selina’s heart beat faster at the idea of seeing her mother, but the face and figure that entered the room was far older than she expected.

“Preciosa, da me un abrazo.” Mama opened her arms toward Selina. When they embraced, Selina realized how tall she was, now exceeding her mother by a full head. Selina had broad shoulders and strong arms in contrast to her mother’s frail frame. “Su abuela decia, te vayas bien, amor.”

“Tell her I love her, Mama. Can you believe I’m going back to California? I’m going to play for a university softball team. I’m so excited.” Her mother’s hair was pulled back in a low bun; the same way Grandma always wore her hair. Mama, only eighteen years older than Selina, looked much older.

“The years fly by. See what a young lady you have become?” Mama rummaged in her crocheted bag. “I hope you don’t mind my bringing you this.” She donned wire-rimmed spectacles, which added years to her appearance. “Here it is. Do you remember? I do.” She pulled out a small baseball mitt laced with pink leather and handed it to Selina.

“My first mitt! Mama, where did you find it?” Selina had always wondered what became of her mitt. Now that she held it again, it looked smaller than ever. “You kept it.”

“It might bring you luck on your new team. Maybe you will believe I am simply a crazy old lady, but I remember you were always happy playing ball.”