“Are we done here, Milagros?”  I look over the room and give it a double check.  I’m prone to forget my own head.

“Yes, Papi. I’m all finished.”  Milagros places the plates and bowls back onto the wooden tray.  She pats down her embroidered dress, shaking off any crumbs in the process.

“Don’t waste anything, mija,” I remind her.  “Food comes at such an expense.  We don't want to take advantage of the lovely Doña Elena’s efforts.”  Silverware rustles in the hallway.

“Go ahead and finish picking up the room, mi amor.”  I grab onto my makeshift crutch.  “And I will take these dishes out to the kitchen.

“Papi, I can do that instead.”

“I will be fine.  A bum leg and  one eye isn't going to make it that much harder for me.”

She smiles at me as I leave the room. I give her a good wink with my one eye.  Although I don’t think a person can wink with only one functioning eye, can they?

...