Viper

Too Early!

The ceremony was early, 8 am at the Senora de Nuestra Paz church. Nicole wore a white gown that was made at the fabric district down town from the finest material that her mom could afford on a janitor salary and with the help of godparents. It was tailor made thanks to the aunt of a friends, co-worker who was a seamstress. Even with a family discount, Nicole's dress ended up being a couple hundred dollars.

"Ahh, why they always have to make these things so early? Messing up my sleep schedule and chit," said Cheeto, his eyes and head hurting from having to wake up so early.

"Cheeto shut your mouth. You can't curse in a church," reprimanded Claudia in a low, stern voice accompanied by a backhanded slap to the arm.

"Orale! I didn't curse. And why you hit me so hard. Psh," said Cheeto tending to his arm.

"Ohhh my god I'm so bored," continued to protest Cheeto as the service carried on.

"Cheeto, shut up. You're being worse than the kids," said Claudia again in an aggravated whisper.

Two small children looked back and smiled seeing Cheeto squirm and disrupt the solemn service.

"Well, why you drag me here. I just wanted to show up for da pardi," said Cheeto, blaming Claudia for his discomfort and pain.

"You can't just be showing up to the party. It's not right. This is important for the family, for her. Besides, you were invited to a Quizeañera, not to a party. This is part of it," said Claudia putting her foot down.

"Ah pues Chales, this part sucks," Cheeto resigned himself and put his head back on the pew as some people turned back and stared at him.

"Shut up!" Claudia ordered once more discreetly, embarrassed by gazes.

The ceremony lasted about ninety minutes. Finally, Nicole was allowed to walk out the isle with her parents, now a young woman in the eyes of God. Everyone followed out cheering and congratulating her as they exited the church. No-one more pleased than Cheeto.

Claudia and Cheeto made their way to congratulate the family and birthday girl who patiently and politely stood smiling for everyone.

"Felicidades (Congratulations) Doña Cecilia!" said Claudia to the mother first as a sign or respect.

"Oh Gracia por venir mija (Thank you for coming child), Que bonito que pudieron benir tan temprano. Mucha gente nomas va a la comida (So sweet of you two to come so early. Most people only come for diner)," replied the mother with a hug and kiss to Claudia.

"No, no. Aqui estamos para acompañarlos (We are here to be with you)," replied Claudia looking at Cheeto having made her point.

"Si, y ahora estamos listos para el parti (Yes, and now we are ready to party)!" said Cheeto as he greeted Doña Cecilia with a hug.

Everyone around laughed at Cheetos comment and contagious joy. Even Doña Cecilia who pinched him on the cheek. Claudia smiled too, but her eyes shot directly at Cheeto who felt their burning sting.

"What?" he mimed back to Claudia without anyone else noticing.

"Este mi Cheeto, siempre esta listo para parrandiar (My Cheeto, always ready to get down)," said Don Fermin, Doña Cecilia's brother.

"No mijo. Eso hasta la noche. Ahorita hay que ir a arreglar la casa, y preparer las cosas. Mucho que hacer y no sufficiente tiempo. Mira que estoy bien preocupada. No se como le vamos a hacer (No son. That'll be at night. Right now we have to fix up the house, and get things ready. So much work and not enough time. I'm so worried. I don't know how we are going to do it)," admitted Doña Cecilia.

"Oh no. No se preocupe Doña Cecilia. Aqui Cheeto les puede ayudar! Esta libre todo el dia. Pongalo a trabajar (Don't worry Doña Cecilia. Cheeto can help out! He's free all day. Put him to work)," said Claudia offering up Cheetos services.

"Enserio? Gracias mijo. Eres un angel (Really? Thank you son. You are an angel)!" graciously replied Doña Cecilia.

"Si tiene un cafesito y pan, le entramos ahorita (If you have some coffee and bread, we'll get to it right now)," said Cheeto eager to get to work.

"Pues claro que si! Tenemos café, pan, y chelas para alrato que heste la comida lista. Nos hechamos unas mientras le damos bueno (Of course we do! We have coffee, bread, and brewskies for later when the food come out. We'll have some while we work)," said Don Fermin embracing Cheeto.

Claudia thought she had gotten some sort of retribution from Cheeto's behavior but he didn't mind helping out. Especially if it was for a party.

After the ceremony some people went back home since it would still be a couple of hours before dinner. Claudia was going back to her home and would be back later and left Cheeto to help out. Nicole and her court took a limo ride to the nearest park to take pictures for almost two hours.

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