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I said that I was not going to be taking Kevin in a straight line. I hope that you enjoy the story. Let me know in the comments what you think that I should do with Kevin next.
Kevin was supposed to be in Mexico for two weeks.
It hadn't quite worked out that way. He had lost his temper again.
After threatening to beat his brother-in-law’s “Dusty little Mexican ass!” the frightened 5’ 4” man had demanded that Kevin leave his house immediately.
Respect for his sister, with whom he was finally trying to build a relationship, and the stubborn pride that was his trademark drove Kevin’s 6’ 5” frame through the streets of Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Kevin still had not learned much Spanish, despite the promises he made to himself while He lived in New York.
As he trudged through the foreign country streets Kevin marveled at the dog's scratching and children playing in the gutters, the broke down old cars, and the houses called Adobe that were literally made of mud.
It was beautiful and sad all at once.
Kevin guessed that no matter where you were there were ghettos, and slums, poor people, and people who worked hard not to be poor.
People were the same everywhere.
Kevin, had no idea where he was, or where he was going. He just kept putting one foot in front of the other.
He saw men and women going about their business.
He couldn't even ask if someone could point him to a hotel.
It was beyond his control of the language.
He only knew one sentence in Spanish, his friend Benjamin had made sure that he knew that sentence, “donde estan las prostitutas”
“Where are the prostitutes?”
That sentence would be of little help in his current situation.
Kevin knew that someone would rent him a place to stay.
He had American money, and quite a bit of it.
However, he had no idea how to ask for what he wanted.
Suddenly after a few miles of walking around Kevin, noticed a Cantina. The smell of traditional Mexican food and the sound of traditional Mexican music poured from the small business.
Through a series of mimes, bootleg sign language, and abortive attempts at conversation Kevin obtained a room and a meal. One that he devoured quickly, and completely. Much to the delight of the cook.
The following day he found an Adobe hut to rent within walking distance of the “Los Cactus Desnudo”
"The Naked Cactus" the Cantina from the first night.
At 60 pesos a month, it was a steal. The lack of modern amenities didn't bother him. Television had never held his interest, and though he was a great cook Kevin felt no need for a kitchen. Kevin, had no problem with showering outside, he had caught more than one of the local women watching him though.
Most of the young man's meals were eaten at the “Naked Cactus”, their specialty was of course cactus, Kevin discovered that he really liked Nopalas. Fried, with eggs, as a side, wrapped in the corn tortillas, It reminded him of okra, and to the southern boy was a welcomed reminder of his roots.
Kevin, ate like the giant of a man that he was.
The Cantina’s owner and his wife became totally enamored of the Twenty-six year old man. Donte and Marta, spoiled Kevin.
The couple delighted in introducing the Americano giant to Mexican cuisine.
Kevin, picked up the Spanish his friends spoke quickly as two weeks became a month.
His pronunciation was perfect, he imitated the accent of the people around him like a mockingbird.
The shopkeepers, and street vendors, all around the 9-17 km radius of the Cantina and his Adobe hut all knew about or knew “Grande”.
Kevin, wanted to work and would run errands for Donte and Marta. It was on these jaunts that he discovered more of the city.
Places where the people didn't yell “Grande” as he walked down the street. Kevin soaked up the culture on these adventures.
Kevin's Spanish vocabulary had grown enough to handle himself when he drove Donte's old Chevy truck to pick up supplies for the Cantina.
Kevin also helped do construction work always conscious of not stepping on the toes of a man trying to feed his family. Between fotbol, fornicating with senoritas, and eating his way through several Mexican cookbooks, Kevin had completely lost track of time.
Life was easy and easy going there. He didn't have to deal with any outside stress.
He forgot about life outside of the simple Mexican city. It reminded him of growing up in Alabama, the natural ingredients that went into the food, and the hardworking honest goodness of the people restored a part of him that had been lacking.
Kevin, didn't think of anything else.
He was reminded suddenly.
His sister stopped him as he walked down prol Alameda.
“Kevin, is that you? What are you doing here?”
She had not known that he was there because he hadn't said anything to anyone. Kevin had not spoken to his family since he left for Mexico. It had been nine months.
“Yeah Kat it's me. I look that different?” Kevin’s braids had grown and went down his back below his cowboy hat.
“Mom and dad said that you were okay and that I shouldn't be worried.”
Kevin’s sister Katrina’s beautiful features scrunched and she choked back a sob.
Kevin was flabbergasted.
He had no notion of wrongdoing. Kevin's parents had always known that he was okay if he didn't call, he never called. Why did his sister expect any more than that? In his still immature mind he still found no fault in what he'd done.
“Kat, come on its me ma I am always okay!”
Just than a shapely Mexican woman strolled past and said, “Que Pedo Grande”
Her flirtation was evident in every movement.
“Oye ya mamacita Buena para comer ”
Kevin responded with a lascivious wink and grin.
“Travieso grande yo soy travieso.” The way the woman said, the words were yet another way of flirting with him.
Katrina looked at her brother in awe. He had no clue how big a douche bag he was being.
“Kevin have you forgot all your home training? I was worried about you! This is a foreign country. I was worried sick! Nobody's heard from you! At least it looks like you're learning the language.”
Kevin's attention was still on the woman He had been flirting with's backside.
“Baby sis please relax don't get your bragas in a bunch. I'm fine, I found a place to stay. I'm eating good. Los Cactus Desnudo has a burrito named after me. I'm good”
Katrina was incredulous. To her the concept of not letting people know where and how she was, was ridiculous. Kevin was an insensitive bastard. How was he raised by the same people as her she wondered?
She decided that she didn't like her brother.
Kevin had moved out when she was 12 and uninterested in him at all. Their Father had warned her as soon as Katrina told him that Kevin III was coming to visit. Kevin Jr knew his son well, and he told her in his whiskey and cigarette voice.
“That boy don't care bout nobody, but hisself! He thanks the Sun, Moon, and Stars shine only on his ass!”
When she remembered her brother as a kid, he was big and handsome and he worked hard.
That was all she could recall, she had been busy with her own stuff and Kevin had seemed content to pretend She was invisible. She attempted to get to know him, now that they were both grown.
Katrina, made the first overture, called him and they had been talking for a long time before she invited him to come visit her and her translator husband.
Katrina knew that her husband had been in the wrong. Kevin had gone overboard however when he threatened him.
Katrina, looked up at her brother, her grey eyes shot through with specks of gold, “Erses un idiota" and just in case your Spanish isn't good enough that means you're a Dick!”
Kevin, still blissfully ignorant of his errors just wanted to get away. He hated confrontation with any woman. Not certain what to say he held up his hands in surrender, whispering “Lo siento hermana.”
Kevin walked around until the Sun was setting.
He knew that Donte wasn't expecting him back quickly, but he could be. The local butcher had matched the price of the out of town supplier, because he wanted to please the American Giant.
Kevin, could've walked the four butchered cows to the Cantina easily, but he put them in Donte's beat up truck and drove the 9.6 kilometers.
Nothing brought Kevin out of his melancholy, not even the extra attractive afro-mexican senoritas that obviously came looking for him.
Kevin didn't feel like playing. It was time to go home. It was funny how quickly New Orleans had become home.
Yeah it was time. First however he owed his sister an apology.
Three shots of the local tequila Kevin favored turned into 3 more and somehow he arrived at the small elegant home his sister and brother-in-law lived in.
His words were slurred, but he was able to express his feelings. In fact the words rolled off his tongue in the most honest expressions he had ever uttered, not in anger.
“Baby sister I don't mean to be selfish, I just anit really learned how to do much else. I am sure that I love you, but I anit sure that I really know how.”
Katrina and Gabriel hadn't opened the door, so Kevin leaned his large inebriated body against the door and said his piece.
“Shit this is the longest I have ever went without working. I just decided to take a break. I should have let you know but I just wanted to forget about everything for a while.”
The large man pulled one braid beneath his nose and sniffed it, he had developed the habit since he quit smoking. The act seemed to calm him.
Kevin stood, his powerful long legs propelled him up quickly and his head swam.
“Anyhow, I am going to be going home in bout a week. I would like to see you before I leave. Maybe do some tourist shit. Buenos noches hermana. “
Katrina and Kevin never hung out.
Kevin, had indiscriminate sex with a lot of the local women before he headed back to Louis Armstrong international airport and hopped a cab to his house.
The power was off and he was going to be basically starting over… Kevin didn't care he had proven that he would be okay anywhere.
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