Chapter 2: Bienvenido

Tammy stared out the plane’s window. The dread she felt about spending over ten hours on a plane had manifest itself through multiple trips to the toilet. She finally heard a ping from overhead, then a flight attendant made an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to make our last pass through the cabin before beginning our final descent. We should be on the ground in about forty minutes.”

Tammy thought those last minutes would never end. She was happy when the wheels finally touched down, but then had to suffer through another thirty minute wait while the plane at their gate finished boarding before they could disembark.

When she finally exited the plane her nerves had returned full strength. She second-guessed her decision to even apply for the study abroad program. She missed Billie horribly. She put her bag over her shoulder and walked through the door to the gate scanning those that had gathered to greet the passengers.

A mid-thirties woman with very curly black hair stood to the side. A taller, teenage girl with straight black hair stood next to her holding a sign, “Bienvenido, Tammy.”

Tammy saw her name and approached. “Hello? I mean, hola? Uhm, soy Tammy.”

The younger girl smiled broadly.

“Hi, Tammy! My name is Gabriela. This is my mom, Nina.”

“Oh, you speak English!” exclaimed Tammy.

“Of course,” said Gabriela. “Well, I do, but my mom does not speak very much English.”

Nina spoke rapidly in Spanish to her daughter.

Gabriela nodded at her mom and turned to Tammy. “Mom said welcome. She’s so happy you are here, and if you need anything to let us know.”

Tammy turned to her and said, “Thank you, Nina. I’m excited to be here.”

Gabriela translated. Nina took Tammy by the hand and led her to baggage claim. Gabriela walked alongside Tammy and asked her about her flight, then briefly told her about their house.

They collected Tammy’s bag and went to the garage. Nina drove a late model Renault. It took a bit of struggling, but they got Tammy’s bag into the trunk. Tammy and Gabriela sat in the back seat. Gabriela translated to her mom as they chatted for the thirty minute drive to their home in Loeches.

“Is your dad going to be home?” asked Tammy.

There was a long pause. “No. My dad does not live with us any more.”

Gabriela spoke quickly and quietly to her mom, who looked in the rear view mirror with a scowl.

“I’m sorry,” said Tammy, both to Gabriela and to Nina in the mirror.

Two minutes later Nina swung sharply to the right and pulled onto a narrow street. Tammy was shocked at the narrow size of the street and the long row of houses that lined each side. Halfway down the block Nina pulled over and stopped in front of a townhouse painted a light blue with a dark blue front door.

“We’re home,” said Gabriela. “It’s not much, but we’re comfortable.”

They lugged Tammy’s suitcase into the house and up the stairs. Gabriela helped Tammy heft the bag onto a bed in a small bedroom.

“You’ll be in here with me. You get this bed. That dresser is empty and you can put your clothes there. We’ll share the bathroom outside this door. Mom’s room is downstairs behind the kitchen.”

“OK,” said Tammy.

“You want me to help you unpack?” asked Gabriela.

Before they could unzip the suitcase they heard Nina call from downstairs.

“Chicas! Vengan. Almuerzo.”

“This will wait. Mom’s calling. Lunch is ready.”

The afternoon passed quickly. They sat at the kitchen table for over two hours, then moved to the living room. Mother and daughter asked Tammy all about her life in America. How was her school? Hobbies? Her mom and dad? Other family? Boyfriend?

Nina had them move back into the kitchen so she could prepare her special paella recipe for dinner. Tammy laughed and talked freely with Gabriela and her mom all afternoon, through dinner, and into the evening.

Nina looked at the clock and put her hands to her mouth. She spoke rapidly to her daughter.

“Mom says it is getting late and we need to get to bed. We have summer school tomorrow.”

They all stood. Tammy went to Nina and gave her a hug. “Thank you for such a wonderful first day in Spain.” Gabriela translated.

Nina nodded, smiled, and hugged Tammy. She then shooed them out of the room and to their bedroom. Laughing, the girls skipped off to bed.

Tammy disrobed and put on a light t-shirt. She crawled into her bed and slid under the covers. She heard the toilet flush and then water running. A minute later Gabriela entered the bedroom. Her face was ruddy from a good washing and her hair was freshly combed. She wore only a thong. Her long legs were shapely. Her breasts were firm and a little smaller than Tammy.

Gabriela looked to Tammy and paused.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said as she paused. “I should have warned you. I don’t sleep in much.”

“It’s OK,” said Tammy with a small smile. “You just reminded me of my best friend back home. I usually sleep without a top, too.” Tammy sat up in bed and pulled her t-shirt over her head.

Gabriela nodded appreciatively, then went to her bed. By the time she pulled the sheet over her body she heard a deep breath and a quiet snore from Tammy.

“Good night,” Gabriela whispered to her roommate for the summer.

At 7:00 Tammy felt someone gently shaking her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s time to get up. We need to get ready for school.”

Gabriela was standing over Tammy.

“Yeah,” Tammy moaned. “I’m up.”

They took turns in the shower and were ready in about thirty minutes. Downstairs they found Nina. She was dressed and ready to leave for work.

“Good morning,” said Tammy. Nina smiled and answered in Spanish.

“Maybe by the end of the summer I’ll know a little Spanish,” lamented Tammy.