CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
IT WAS CHRISTMAS Eve, and my family had gathered at Alexander’s house since it had the most space. It was also where my parents were staying for the week. Gabriel had a condo, and I lived in an apartment, and not choosing a standalone house was a lifestyle choice our mother disapproved of. She believed it would hinder our marriage prospects if we couldn’t offer a woman a “family home.”
Mamá had just finished such a lecture when Xander put the platter of lechón on the table next to the arroz con gandules, pasteles, and macaroni salad. The spread on the table would easily feed us all for several meals. Mamá rapidly fired off Spanish, ordering us all to sit and pay attention as Papá blessed the meal. We all dutifully crossed ourselves and then ate until our bellies were
