I am an Interpreter for a large law firm, Guillermo, Beers & Peralta. At the office, I share a corner staple size cubicle with another translator. When I get to my desk Monday morning, I find a note that says, "Please see me in the office." written in black marker on a post it note stuck to the screen of my computer. I haven't even had a chance to take my seat and already I'm off to the principle's office. Bottom line the legal world is one of the highest competitive fields that you can imagine. This firm requires an individual to maintain the highest of ethics, demanding a strong mental capacity in order to deal with large amounts of stress at any given moment. Gloria Bernal Diaz is our head, translator and I am second to that lead, I am not as well verse in as many languages as she is. I speak 5, where she commands 12, which makes her most distinct. She holds a Masters in Economics, with an emphasis in linguistics. I was expecting Gloria to be at her chair this morning, but she must be running late. Gloria is to be starting a new family with her husband. She is pregnant.
"Good Morning!" Gloria greets me as she rushes in with her brief case in one hand and 3 books in the other. "I know, I know I'm just running a bit late this morning. Any calls yet?" I look up and stare at her, surprised that she is carrying so much in hand. I don't answer, she can see that I am clearly having a hard time getting the words out of my mouth. She looks up from what she is doing to the stack of papers on her desk and says, "Excuse me, but I like someone else." and smiles, clips her left earring off setting it on her desk. I walk over to her desk with a smirk, still not answering "Are you ready?" she asks. Gloria do you really think you should be carrying so much stuff with you? I say as I walk over to my side of the cubicle. I mean with the pregnancy that can't be too good for you! Wondering at the same time why she hasn't made it to the bad mood department this early A.M. neglecting to drop off her sense of humor at the door, keeping the punch line to herself. I wasn't getting the remark, or at least I didn't want to. I hadn't expecting the pregnancy, because she always talked about starting a family, but said it would a few years off. It might have all been a surprise to her. I put up with her nutty appetite, sarcastic persona. No big deal, right... considering she is the closest confidant here in the office. It's going to be a boy.
An audible tone pops off through the speaker phone. Yep, it's him! I say to myself. I think Gloria is already lost in her work and can't hear me talk under my breath. "You might want to offer him a cup of coffee!" Gloria teases as I head toward the break room.
I pass by a tidal wave of typewriters, phones, a Para-Legal, several secretaries and one bicycle courier signing in at the front desk with the receptionist. It's just another average day hearing them all work in sync. Walking down these walls is high stress. I enter the lounge room and head straight for the coffee maker, when I am greeted by a co-worker named James. "Good Morning, Luisa!" he says with a fake smile. Good Morning, James! How was your weekend, I ask. He replies with the usual off guard remark. "Oh! not bad. Took a short trip to Vegas... ALONE!" he says sarcastically with eyebrows raised. "How did your weekend turn up?" He says, expecting to know the outcome of my response. A slow pause and I drift away from the conversation, walking with two cups of coffee. One for me and one for my boss. Morning meetings are the pits, but he expects me to be on time. James will have to wait for the answer. You see in the office they call me No life, Luisa. It's a bit of a dig, because they know I'm always swamped with work and the talk around the water cooler is that I've never had a boyfriend. Which isn't completely true! People can be cruel when it comes to office politics, they get very caddy.
Guillermo's office door is slightly ajar. I pink through and swing it open with my foot and say, Good Morning, Mr. Guillermo! How was your Weekend? "Luisa, excellent! Thank you for the coffee, sweetheart. I hope your weekend was constructive." Not letting me elaborate or give him a positive or a negative response he continues on topic. "Let's get to the business at hand. as you know this firm has been on a tight schedule. I need to remind you Mrs. Diaz will be going on maternity leave for the next Month and a half, as of tomorrow. Of course you will be the acting lead interpreter for the office, all foreign accounts and all corresponding court cases. All of which come into effect for our jurisdiction on Wednesday. We have the International World Conference to be held in Mexico City next week." While all this information is being relayed I am taking notes and he seems to be rather busy tugging at his pink tie and staring out the window, which overlooks the city. He continues on "We would like you to join us." looking toward me with a firm glare. I reply to his gesture with a smile and say, I accept the invitation. I have been anticipating The World Conference. I am delighted to join. It is a great honor, to be attending. "Good! If you have any questions feel free to let Claudine know before tomorrow's work day ends." Claudine is his secretary. Now he is turning his large Red 3 ringed binder, searching through his notes. He archives each, every one of them. Guillermo is intelligent, in a hard noised and brash way, not in the geeky sense at all. A lovely speaker and he seems to have a difficult time lowering the Machismo attitude. When you see it flourish it's astonishing to watch. Type A personality all the way and spends a great deal micromanaging every minor detail in his lectures, not to mention the office. This temperament is exactly what makes him the lead partner, separating him from the rest.
In recent years the only way I ever feel safe visiting Mexico is with the firm. We travel with our own security, aware that there are still parts of Mexico which are infested with the Guerra's in the local towns and rural areas. You will find the more historic parts of the country the most dangerous, which is why I hardly ever go. Always news of a journalist being kidnapped on the news. Once we traveled with a reporter, who was captured by the Chiapas and he was held for ransom. I think the firm did whatever they could to return him safely. In the end, sadly they killed him. There are aspects to this profession that are not safe. What can I do. I have to carry the attitude of being delighted to be going on this convention. It is part of the job, but I don't really want to go.
1968 a Volkswagen bug, first and last car I took on the road. I do not drive anymore. Prefer to bus it to work and around town. Travel time in between destinations gives me time to think about what has been going on at home and at work. Sometimes I forget the world vastly moving about. Alone is not alone, not completely. This best part of leaving in the morning for work is the welcome home I receive from my wonderful cat companion, Mojo! This walk is always stimulating... I'm almost home. We have walls that border this city, gentrified by the nearby local community team which is made up of neighborhood children who come out every six months to beautify these border limit walls, adding a colorful touch. Don't get me wrong it's not so tranquil here. We might have rid these streets of the old crooked street gang, Frog town who roamed years ago, but their legacy lives on through the Ska Rats. I'm home.
I have distant relatives close by nephews, cousin and aunts. The majority of my family live outside of this country. My Grandmother lives in Mexico and for the most part she loves it, with the exception of me not living closer to her. She is a constant reminder that I should be married by now. She wonders how I can live life alone. I try not to think about it all that much. Every night I come home to the same companion, who is the greatest of company and who knows, someday there may be someone special in my life.
It doesn't look like I'll be getting any work done tonight. Just a cozy night on my own by the television with this lovely Carne Asada dinner I made for myself. I love tea! Absolutely...
9:30 p.m. and I get myself into bed after a nice shower, tucking in right under the covers with Mojo at the foot of my bed. After awhile of tossing and turning, I can't sleep, intermittently peaking at the clock, worried that I won't be getting any sleep before morning. My mind occupied with the office trip to Mexico. When I'd say about half past 10 the indescribable happens, you wouldn't believe it, because I still do not. A woman's voice echoes through the apartment walls. She is speaking in English separated by pauses and from what I can tell it seems like more of a chanting rant, because of the continuous flow of her words. I instinctively reach for the Baseball Bat at the side of my headboard, sitting upright on my bed with sheets down I glance at Mojo for a second. Most of the hairs on her back are standing at attention. I look for shadows in the halls, footsteps, anything to let me know someone had broken into the apartment, but nothing. There is a quietness for a moment. The voice stopped. Half-hour passes, If someone wanted to come in and get me, they would have already done so. I think to myself and I turn the out the light, lie in bed, gaze up at the ceiling, puzzled and fall asleep.
"Here is your itinerary. It's the red-eye. Have a safe flight!" Guillermo's secretary Claudine says, while handing over the flight ticket and paperwork.
This is no ordinary case, it is an international affair. Today is Friday and tonight we leave for Mexico on what will be the biggest assignment yet. It is total chaos at the office and my beeper is constantly ringing. It's Eloy paging me frantically, when I get the chance I pick up my phone to call him. What's up! I say as he answers the phone. I'm a tad busy with work. I just wanted to return your page, what is the emergency? "Luisa, yo preferiría si me dices que va pa México, no en el último minuto" he says to me in Spanish over the phone. You mean to have notified you before hand? I answer him in English. There is a silence and it seems like he laughs under his breath. Anyway, I'll let you know the minute I return from the trip. I say with a smile and assure him the trip will be a positive success, nothing will go wrong. Goodbye! I let go of the conversation before I hang up the phone.
Another night of packing up and getting ready for air travel. I'm ready as I will ever be, going to miss home and of course Mojo. Oh and I will miss Eloy, poor guy I give him a hard time and when I think how hard he tries to take care of me. I am grateful to have such a loyal friend. Feeling guilty about the phone conversation from earlier and cutting him off. I leave him a note here in my apartment. He will be stopping by to feed Mojo periodically. I hope he isn't too mad at me. Well, my shuttle will be here soon, no sense going over it. I hate sorry letters...
I have to do a lot of traveling for my career and all expenses paid for traveling on an airplane and hotel accommodations is not all bad for what seems to be one of the most unnatural things to do in life, flying on an airplane. When I arrive at the airport my thoughts run rapid and of course I always think to myself, this could be the end. No matter what!
Claudine put me in coach and I have a window seat. I see Guillermo and the rest of the partners of the firm up in first class. Hopefully I'll get a seat near Claudine, she's always cool to chit-chat. I wish Gloria could be traveling with us, she must be loving her leave of absence. I place my bag in the over head compartment and just before I take my seat I spot Claudine who is over in first class with Guillermo. Lucky girl! Guess it's just me this time.
I like to keep watch over the wings, sorry habit, watching out for things that might not happen, the fluttering movements during the flight. It's the negative part of me. Who likes turbulence anyway. The way I see it, the real perk to this hour of travel is the empty seats which allow for more leg room to take a load off. I take a magazine in front of me and start reading it. I read of all the wonderful places to travel to Portugal, Italy and Spain. Spain, now wouldn't that be lovely. I've never been to Spain. When I was a little girl I would dream about getting married and how going there would make a most beautiful honeymoon. Ah, dreams what becomes of them and how often do they not turn up. Eventually the Stewardess comes around with peanuts and then drinks. This won't be a long flight, but the snacks always help a nervous stomach. Anyway, I'm bored out of my mind... lost my train of thought as I take a sip of my 7-up and cautiously look out the window. I feel like taking a cat nap before we get to Mexico City. I'll be visiting Grandma as soon as I get there and the taxi ride will be a bit of a drive up to the Tabasco ranch. So I try to find a way to sleep, gazing out the window with my head to one side.
Regressing in thought to my childhood, I am taken back to when I was 4 years old, I remember an accident. A vague vision of me, chasing a car, when I lived in Mexico with my Mother and Grandmother at the Ranch in Tabasco. I don't remember her much - my Mother, but that was the last time I saw her. She had left the house one day with her husband, who was my step-father in his beat up old 75' Chevy. She just couldn't be at home, she was always gone. Maybe she didn't like me much. I don't know. That is all I can recall. Of course Eloy recants the whole story to me effortlessly. Raving about how I ran for dear life, missing my step, tripping over a rock and falling over a small cliff, landing into a ditch and a huge bed of cactus catching my fall. He said, I was caught like a fly in a web of cactus. Crying out for Grandma, while he ran to the house for help. Afterword, Grandmother sent for The Old Curandera who injected me with a potent cure, practically raising me from the dead. Eloy says, "It was my most Heroic effort to date!" very proud of himself. It isn't the most memorable in my eyes. I fall asleep to the soft hum of the airplane's engine.
"... And in about 15 minutes we will be landing at Benito Juárez International Airport. Thank you, it was a pleasure to be your pilot and we hope that you have enjoyed your journey with United Airlines. " The pilot's voice over the intercom draws me away from my brief nap. I check for the hours gone past and suddenly. "Are you Home?" I hear in a soft whisper. Instantly rising up in my seat and looking to the other passengers there is no one seated next to me and everyone is quiet and preparing for the landing. Where is that voice coming from? I think in my mind. It sounds exactly like the voice I heard the other night when I was at home, getting ready for bed. Again, the voice repeats, "Are you home?" only this time louder. I rise up from my seat, only half way to look around. It doesn't seem like anyone hears what I am hearing. The pilot asks us to stay in our seats and keep our seat belts on as we are coming in for the landing. The voice has stopped. I get back in my seat and put on my seat belt. I'm relieved to be getting out of here, but what was that? A woman's voice? When we land I gather up my carry on luggage and head for the exit of the place along with everyone else.
Outside the airport terminal I think it is better to catch a cab might be better to rent a car. The arrangements have been made at the hotel according to the directions given. Sure could use a decent meal and just then I run into Claudine and Guillermo who just came out of baggage claim. "Luisa, Where are you going so quickly? We tried to flag you down!" Guillermo says, as I turn around to notice them. Hey, well I hadn't noticed you to. I'm heading down to Tabasco to see my Grandmother. I should really see her before I leave. Seeing that this is a short trip and all. I respond brushing my hair to one side. "We wanted to invite you back to the hotel with us to have drinks! Why don't you come. Can't you go and visit tomorrow. The Conference isn't until Monday Morning." Guillermo says to me with a big smile. I totally don't have a handle on things and all I can do is open my mouth, the words of turning down the offer just won't make it past my lips, plus he is my boss. "Come with us! It's just a night cap. None of the other partners are going, so it won't be so business like." He says, and I smile this time saying, "Yeah, alright... sounds good!" From this point on I think all three of us are happy to be away from the office. Guillermo calls for a shuttle and we are off to the hotel.
Arriving at 'The Vincent' is no small task, the ride is bumpy a few miles away from the airport. Mexico City is a beautiful city with lots of Architecture and nightlife to keep a person busy, but that isn't what we are here for and I doubt I'll get a taste of it this time. Guillermo, Claudine and I have never had drinks together in a casual setting. It's been strictly formal dinners and nothing else. Usually keeping to myself or with Gloria to hang out with. The concierge of the hotel greets us at the front desk situating us in our rooms, they send the bell boy to help with our things. We are on the 3rd floor, when we drop off our luggage, we meet at the bar downstairs.
"So here I am at an amazing hotel with two gorgeous ladies for company, on such a night like this. What could be better? hmmm..." Guillermo says to Claudine and I with the hugest smile. Claudine is beautiful if she would only loosen up a little bit when she's around Guillermo. She's so uptight as it is, if she only realized how much he adores her. I bet when she was in college she wore a pocket protector and had buck teeth. She's got the sort of smile that is just too perfect... must have had work done... and she always wears her hair in that bun! My God! I wonder if she has a boyfriend yet! Everyone at the office pokes fun of her outlandish style of dress. It's amazing what she gets away with wearing, I would never dream of some of the outfits she wears. Yet she manages to keep the geeky style in check. Never irons her clothes and she wears glasses. The voice... Oh My! Her voice is sexy deep and dreamy, like Lauren Bacall. None of it goes together. Nonetheless if she were dressed up a bit more conventional, she would be absolutely, drop dead gorgeous! My thoughts make me laugh in between the chatter as I am listening with a smile. I wonder what Claudine would size me up to be! Oh well! We spend the night talking about work and office politics, nothing personal. They are both nice people. I am glad I came out for the night cap.
( Copyright © 2013 April 'Espinola' Delgado. All rights reserved.)
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