Lupe and Selina Play Through the Storm

Carmen’s sentimental headline appeared on television at six o’clock: “Mexican Coffee Heiress Reunites with Her Childhood Coach at CSULB.” Carmen gushed about the fateful meeting of Cece Fuentes and Lupe Lopez, athletics director and women’s softball coach, back together after twelve years and fifteen hundred miles between the young girl and the beloved coach of her youth. Most of the story was fabricated from Carmen’s imagination.

“This is great stuff. Why weren’t we informed of this sooner?” Dana Osborn phoned Lupe before the news show concluded. “This is what we’re looking for. It’s got a real human-interest component. Can I get an interview with the girl?”

“I doubt she’s ready for the limelight, Dana.” Lupe imagined the harm one interview might cause. If anyone knew about her relationship with Cece’s father, no matter how long ago, it could spell disaster.

“Is she an heiress? Should I be reaching out to the papers in Mexico City?” Dana looked forward to developing a large-scale plan. “We are sending a photographer with you and the team to Mexico. We might ask Carmen Rosa to become a stringer. I believe she speaks some Spanish. What’s your take on this?”

“Look, it’s not a big deal. Carmen blew the story all out of proportion, as usual.” Lupe never anticipated all the strings attached to the campus funding from the provost’s office. Her team’s sudden rise in popularity proved a heavy burden. If anyone discovered her short relationship with Selina’s father, she risked losing her job, career, and reputation.