24
Sisters
Going to college in California was a stretch for the sisters. Zenaides, being older, was protective of Sissy. When Sissy told her about the Filipino man
she’d met at work, Zen cautioned her, “Just take it slow, Sis. Filipino men have a reputation for being super-macho.”
“Now you sound like Father,” Sissy came back. “We may be half-Filipino, but the other half is pure, unadulterated racist.”
“Sorry, Sis, I’m just playing my big sister role. What’s this guy like?”
Sissy pondered for a moment. “I don’t really know. His English is practically zero. He’s T’boli, from southern Mindanao. His cousin works with me at the foreign
students’ office. Zen, I can’t explain it. When we met, there was this… something. I knew I’d have to get to know Wanen.”
“Wanen,” commented Zen. “At lea
