Abuela's Wrinkles

Abuela’

s Wrinkles

A HOLIDAY HELPER STORY

by Aixa Perez-Prado

December 2020

Abuela has lots of wrinkles.
Crinkly ones around her eyes.
Happy ones around her mouth.
And frowny ones on her forehead.
I trace them with my fingertips.
Every one of Abuela’s wrinkles is a story made of memories.

“Abuela, tell me the Happy-Empanadas-Eve wrinkle!”
“Ay, ay, ay,” laughs Abuela, “that’s a five wrinkle story! That year everyone had  agreed to make dozens of empanadas for our New Year’s Eve fiesta.”

Abuela chopped, stirred, folded, twisted and baked one hundred empanadas!
And then,… Mami called and asked Abuela to make one hundred more.
“Please, I don’t have time!”
“Bueno,” said Abuela, “no problem.”
And then,… Tia called.
“I’m too busy.”
And then,… Tio called.
“I’m running late!”
And then,… Madrina called.
“My oven broke!”
And then,… Padrino called.
“I’m swamped!”
And then,… Doña Rosa called.
“I have to study!”
And then,… Amiga Manuelita called.
“I’m sick!”
And then,… Vecina Josefina called.
“No puedo!”
And then,… Primo Cacho called.
“I burnt mine!”

Abuela chopped, stirred, folded, twisted and baked all day.
One thousand golden brown empanadas!

But by the time she finished, Abuela was so tired,…
she slept right through the holiday!

Not this year.
Now I’m her helper!
Together we chop, stir, fold, twist and bake yummy empanadas.
Ready for the fiesta!
“You’re my best helper,” says Abuela.

“FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!” we shout at midnight.

And then,…  I kiss my favorite wrinkles.
The ones that pop up on each side of Abuela’s smile every time she looks at me.