“I LOVE YOU MAGIE”

“I LOVE YOU MAGIE”

January 5

It has been one month tomorrow since my last entry on the story of Maria and others. I failed to finish the visit to “ la doctora’s” and our fine luncheon there. Then came our yearly trip to Mariano and other places with food and turkeys. John S. came with me again this year and we had two days of great fun and renewed old friendships. John is a favorite to many of our Mexican friends. I must return to these events at a later time.

What happened today must be put down on paper while the event is still fresh in my mind. To hasten things along I’ll start at the end rather than the beginning. Our luncheon date with Maria at a fine Italian restaurant in Mesa Otay was a success all around. As we were preparing to leave her room and I was making several trips out to the car with things to go back to SD, I heard “ I love you, Magie, “in English. Manuel is always saying English words and phrases. He shows a genuine interest in learning English. Upon my return, Marge asked me if I had heard what was said. “Maria just told me that she loved me. I almost fell off my chair. “What did you tell Marge? “ I love you, Magie. “ Do you understand the words, Maria? “Si, te quiero, Magie.” She never ceases to amaze us; the little Indian girl has made her breakthrough in her desire to learn English. “I want very much to learn English so I can talk with Magie. “It has started.

Maria was waiting when we arrived at her room at 2 pm. We had a date to take her to lunch. Immediately she handed me a fist full of one-dollar bills. Is this $30 enough for the lunch, David?” I started 201

to protest. “No, no, remember we agreed that we would each pay half of the bill. “I remembered and ceased to argue. $30 is more than you need. “You keep the money and pay my share. “

Giuseppe’s Italian restaurant is close by in Mesa Otay and we arrived shortly. On our last trip Marge checked out the place and we decided to try it. It was highly recommended by nearby businesses. For a 2:30 luncheon on a Tuesday, it was very busy; a good sign. Whenever we enter a restaurant in Tijuana, we are greeted very enthusiastically by many of the staff. Apparently, we look like typical rich gringos. Such was the case today.

“Did you and Magie like my gifts?” Indeed we did. I received a little spotted dog with a head that nods up and down. The kind one would put on their car dashboard. Marge had a little plywood model of a Mexican cantina; complete with bottles of tequila and beer. We see these at the border all the time. In our eyes, these two gifts were like a million dollars. They were received with all the love and friendship in which they were given.

Our “ Italian “ meals had arrived. Marge and I had the veal and Maria a nice salad with roasted chicken pieces. The food was very good, not real Italian, but rather, “Mexican Italian.” We had a pizza bread that was excellent. Maybe next time we will try their pizza. The three of us cleaned our plates and I ordered a piece of cheesecake with three forks. Most restaurants we have frequented serve their coffee with hot water and instant coffee. When the waiter brought these items I said that we wanted the other type of coffee.” Oh, you mean the “American coffee? “ Yes, the “gringo coffee.” The place was busy the entire time we were there and as we were leaving, I said to Felix, the manager, that we would return again and everything was just fine. The entire bill was only $27 so I left a rather large tip. Maria’s $30 was more than enough. She argued that I should keep the remainder but I would hear none of that story.

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Back at #35 Prieto, we still had some more Christmas doings to take care of. Diane and her cousin Gail had bought more outfits for Maria’s doll, Josefina. Each included a little book about Josefina’s life. “Please keep these clothes with my doll at your house, I do not have the room and my birds might eat at the clothes. Do you remember that Peri ate part of Josefina’s box before you took it back to your house?” Someday, my friend, you will have your Josefina back with you in your very own house with space for everything. With that, she let out a familiar sigh of anticipation.

Maria’s share of the Christmas food drive was so much that I take her some each trip. This time I brought canned goods; jelly, peanut butter, cookies, and fruits, and Marge brought her a 10-pound ham. “Thank you so much, Magie, we will have meat for many days. I am so thankful for all that you have done for me and my boys. Thank God for our friendship!” I say amen to that.

So it was that this second celebration of Christmas ended with those wonderful first words in English; “ I love you, Magie.”

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