Read Online Almost a Woman : A Memoir (9780306821110) by Esmeralda Santiago - Free Book Online

collect her books.
    â€œI can’t wait to tell Mami,” I said. “She needs good news.”

    â€œI wish I could see her face when she hears.” Natalia stuffed some loose papers inside a notebook. She seemed about to hug me again but pulled her books into her chest. “I’m so happy for you,” she said, and hurried down the hall.
    I didn’t realize I was smiling until Lulu passed me in front of the science labs, grabbed my arm, and asked, “What’s so funny?”
    â€œNothing,” I answered, suddenly serious, “nothing’s funny.” Lulu had lovely eyes—round, green, full-lashed. She blinked, seemed about to say something, but stopped when a teacher looked out.
    â€œYou girls better move on, the bell rang,” she warned.
    Lulu clicked her tongue at me, pushed me hard enough to let me know she could hurt me. “Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face,” she growled, and went off in the opposite direction.
    By the time I reached homeroom, Mr. Gatti was writing a question on the board for a pop quiz. He smiled and winked as I sat down. The telltale scratching of the speaker in front of the classroom let us know an announcement was coming. We dove for our books, intending to ignore the announcement for a few minutes of study.
    â€œAhem,” the speaker started. “Girls and boys, ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Barone’s crusty voice competed with the shrill feedback that accompanied the messages. “Ahem. I’m pleased to announce that one of our seniors, Esmeralda Santiago, has been accepted to Performing Arts High School.”
    I was embarrassed and pleased at the same time, didn’t hear the rest of what he said. Mr. Gatti shook my hand. Andrea, the girl next to me, patted my shoulder. Someone applauded and the other students followed, except the too cool. I sat in awe for the rest of the period, aware that something good had at last happened to me, afraid that it was too good and that it would disappear before the day was over.

    I ran home from school, burst in the door of our somber apartment, found Mami sorting papers on her bed.
    â€œI got accepted, Mami. I got into Performing Arts.” She looked puzzled. “The special school, remember? In Manhattan.”
    Her eyes widened. “ ¡Ay, que bueno! ” she said, pulling me close for a hug. I held on to her. Mami’s hugs were scarce these days, and I wanted to stay in her arms, to smell the flowery scent of her soap, so faint I buried my face into her neck to find it.
    â€œWhat did Negi do?” Alicia appeared, and next to her, Edna and Raymond. As usual when one of us received Mami’s attention, the others flocked to her, wondering how they could get some too.
    Mami guided me to the other side of her papers. “Your sister was accepted into the school for artistas in Manhattan,” she told them, and I was proud because I heard the pride in her voice.
    â€œYou’re an artist?” Hector asked from the other room.
    â€œShe’s going to learn to be an artist, so that she can be rich and famous some day,” Mami said with a smile.
    I panicked. Is that what I was doing? “It’s just a high school, Mami. So I can go to college.”
    â€œDidn’t you say it was to study drama and dance?” she scowled.
    â€œWell, yes . . .”
    â€œAre you going to be on television with Ricky Ricardo?” Raymond asked.
    â€œI don’t know . . .”
    â€œShe’s too ugly to be on TV,” Hector piped in from his corner.
    Everyone laughed. Mami hugged me, kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to start dinner,” she said. Performing Arts was never mentioned in that apartment again.

    A week later, Natalia wasn’t in school. She was absent several days in a row, so I went to look for her. Though we lived a few doors apart, we’d never visited each other, and it was strange to stand in
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