One time Imelda came out of kitchen and said “That smells really good, you must have been a good cook”, that was when we started talking.
At the time I just moved in to the house, she seemed to be a person who only minds her own business, all I heard she said was just “hi”, “excuse me” and “sorry”. In fact, she did not even remember my name until later on. The first time I interacted with her was to invite her to join me having Vietnamese foods but she rejected. Then the second time was when she caught me running after a rain. We passed by and had some talks and that was it.
Who knows my foods were chemistry for us to start our friendship. It got her to be more open to have conversations, first about foods. She told me about her Mexican American root and how her family came here. She also shared about her life during college and how her career started. She works at front desk for a medical center. She can think quick on her feet because that what her job is, to connect people to things they need. She brought me to get Yogurt Land where she used to work.
I was raised to be a good student and to go to good schools, yet getting out to real life in the U.S has been a great opportunities for me to meet and to learn from people from all walks of life. Imelda is an example. She got her asses off in two jobs to pay and to get through college. She has been dealing with stuff, which makes her to be an independent woman. She inspires me of her common sense and the idea of life, realistically mixed with fun and hard work. Nothing big, nothing too fancy, nothing crazy, just life. While I am in the opposite spectrum, think deep, read, write, eat healthy, make arts, dream, try to think big and always take life seriously, value joy and happiness. Probably the difference is always what gets me curious and interested. She likes my cooking so we usually hung out at the kitchen, had meals together and talked, about life and sometimes guys, not to forget to laugh.
One night, she came out and told me “I am moving out and I am pregnant”, which took me a whole night to process. I thought I am sensitive but I guess I am not, I did not notice until she was five month pregnant. Though I burst out of joy to hear that and to be very happy for her new journey of being a mom. To her, it is a life changing experience. I wished her all the best and we still keep in touch now. Our relationship started at ease and has been like that, just food and a conversation, not having to go too deep, just laugh and share.
Ever since, I got to share with her more about pregnancy. I walked with her around the park. I touched the baby. She is a strong and independent mom. She knows what is ahead of her and what she needs to do now. She is she, never try to be more or less than that. She will be welcoming her baby in over a month. I can’t wait to hear more about her baby and maternal journey. Her life is turning into a new page. Yet us, will stay the same, I think, our bond.
Thank you for the good time, Imelda!
