I got to the cemetery just minutes before its closing. I asked Felipe the

stone washer if he had been giving Speedy the cat his water.

He said he had. I have him a metal tray by the foot of the tree nearby.

Heat has been extreme this last few days. There was an outage in my

neighborhood. It took the city three hours to take care of it.

But still, my small apartment is vey hot. Rosa went to her Mother’s

house. She has a good AC system in her living room and rooms too.

These unexpected as always, contingencies…throw you completely.

But it’s OK now. Till next one, of course. What can I do abut it?

Wish I knew. It was that I tested COVID positive first… and then

another couple of minor things. But the speck of frustration I was

carrying on my little shoulders, magnified and made them appear

as more important as they in reality were.

I’m happy again. In two hours the heat should subside and things

will feel wonderful. As for now, I have the entire moon and stars to

myself. Let’s pull out my Tequila, limes, book. I’ll bring the petrol lamp.

There he is, Speedy. I have his can of tuna and water too.

Of course, Lobo is with me as well. The whole pack, the whole tribe.

We shall see who dares to disturbe our peace and quiet.

Let me knock on my Mama’s stone to let her know I’m here.

Ah, let’s settle down and get comfortable. I hear the echo of prayers

and sobbing of relatives who left before I arrived. I’m used to it now.

It’s the mourning music of the dead. Gone are those mariachi bands.

Who played till dawn celebrating all type of happy event. Today was

mourning chorus. In syncopated rhythm. They should become less

audible as the evenings ages.

Let me get a long one, use my backpack as pillow, hear my Mama cry

good night. Before I said good night.

EO