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sauces, and stews. Luisito couldn’t believe so much food could exist in one single home. There were foods he had never seen or eatenbefore! He wondered if they worked for the government. Then he remembered things were different in this country. Back in Cuba, only those in the military or who were well connected had access to these things.
    â€œLuisito,
con
esa
pinta
vas
a
tener
a
las
muchachas
así
,” some of the elderly relatives teased him.
    Luisito noticed that some of his girl cousins laughed or rolled their eyes at the men’s silly remarks about having several girlfriends at a time.
    â€œDon’t listen to them, Luisito,” Rosie said, laughing. “They are married to their only girlfriends!”
    â€œI know,” Luisito said laughing.
“Perro
que
ladra
no
muerde.”
    Everyone laughed at the old Spanish saying that literally says a barking dog doesn’t bite, meaning that those who talk a lot are just bluffing.
    â€œHere, taste this, Luisito; does it need more salt?” asked a relative stirring something on the stove. The creamy sauce filled Luisito’s mouth and he licked his lips with delight.
    Relatives were turning Luisito this way and that. He was being hugged, patted on the head, and introduced to more cousins his age.
    â€œÂ¡Los primos!”
they shouted. He never knew he had so many cousins! They all waved shyly. Luisito found their names so strange and hard to pronounce: Sean, Avery, Ashley, Bradley. He wasn’t sure if the names were for boys or girls when he heard them in conversation. It was incredible for him to think that he had family that spoke a different language, with a completely different lifestyle, and yet with some similar customs.

9 NUEVE
    There was a tender
lechón asado
with rice and black beans, fried plantains,
yucca
with
mojito
, soft warm Cuban bread, and salad set on the table. On the side there was a smaller tray with slices of lean turkey, stuffing, and the creamy gravy he had tasted earlier. For dessert, they had a choice of flan with shredded coconut or chocolate cake with ice cream.
    He looked at his parents, who were staring at all the food on the table. Luisito knew what they were probably thinking. Their thoughts were back in Cuba at the empty tables of friends and of Abuela that very evening.
    The conversation went on through the night while photo albums were passed around and the smell of Cubancoffee filled the room. Rosie’s two-story house was too big for her family of four, Luisito thought. He wondered where he would sleep. For now, he enjoyed watching his parents smile as they spoke with the family.
    In the living area, there was a big stone fireplace, and Luisito wondered if they ever cooked on it when the electricity went out. He wanted to ask all the questions that popped into his mind as he glanced around the room, but everyone was talking at the same time. He could barely hear his own thoughts.
    Then out of a big
escaparate
, a wooden armoire like the ones Luisito’s parents used as closets in Cuba, a huge TV screen appeared.
    â€œLook at this, guys,” José said, proudly pointing a small box directly at the TV. “Did you see that?”
    â€œWhat?” said Ramon, an elderly uncle.
    â€œDon’t look at me,” José said. “Look what happens to the TV set.”
    â€œWow!” said some of the younger kids.
    â€œIt turns on and off without having to get up,” José said, smiling.
    â€œThese Americans are incredible! Look what they have invented,” Ramon marveled.
    â€œIt’s called a
clicker
,” José said.
    â€œDad, that was ages ago. My teacher calls it a remote,” said Tommy.
    As if by magic, the remote not only turned the TV on and off and made it louder and quieter, but it also changed the channels. And the TV set was in color!
    â€œHe has always liked technology. He always buys the newest thing on the market,” said Adita,