It`s me-Mama, Mama said. I open up and she`s there with bags and big boxes, the new clothes and, yes, she`s got the socks and a new slip with a little rose on it and a pink-and-white striped dress. What about the shoes? I forgot. Too late now. I`m tired. Whew!

Six-thirty already and my little cousin`s baptism is over. All day waiting, the door locked, don`t open up for nobody, and I don`t till Mama gets back and buys everything except the shoes.

Now Uncle Nacho is coming in his car, and we have to hurry to get to Precious Blood Church quick because that`s where the baptism party is, in the basement rented for today for dancing and tamales and everyone`s kids running all over the place.