Chapter 2 - new york gluttony

Mr. Alvarez's assistant met us at the airport. We had never flown before, much less been in first class. The experience was stunning, and a little frightening.

The assistant brought us to The Four Seasons and we were in awe the whole time. Skyscrapers towered overhead, and men clad in fancy suits and nice watches crowded the streets. We both remained silent, feeling as though we had landed on an alien planet. Smells of restaurants and food stands, of cooked oil and spices and delights I had never known filled the air. My stomach growled loudly in excitement.

The assistant too spoke fluent Spanish and, when we had checked-in informed us, "Your per diem is 1,000 for the both of you, so spend it wisely."

"What is this?"

"It means you have $500 a day each to spend on clothes, meals, whatever you need."

We were speechless.

"You can call this number if you need a translator to help you, but Mr. Alvarez hopes soon you'll learn enough English to get around on your own. Bella's English lessons begin tomorrow and will be every day from 9AM to 6PM. A car will pick you up at 8:15 out front."

After Bella left the next day, I didn't know what to do with myself. I sat in the hotel room alone and was too afraid to go out unaccompanied. Luckily, Bella brought me home a sandwich. I was famished.

The next day the translator knocked on our door and said Mr. Alvarez had asked him to take care of me.

He took me around the city, seeing the Statue of Liberty and Empire State building. I tried to act interested, but eventually blurted out, "I'm starving. Can we please eat?"

He took me to a famous bagel shop. I quickly ate a bacon egg and cheese bagel. Then I ordered a sausage bagel with hash browns, then a smoked Salmon and cream cheese bagel.

"You weren't kidding, were you?" the translator asked. "You really were starving."

Throughout the week, the translator began to make me feel embarrassed at my eating habits. He seemed more and more shocked at how much I could eat, and that all I was interested in was in trying burgers and chocolate shakes. I didn't even care to be honest; I was in heaven. As each new flavor hit my lips, I felt such happiness I can't it describe to you. I gasped with pleasure and joy at my first taste of pistachio ice cream, and at my first bite of a big mac. I spent almost my whole per diem one-day on fancy sushi, trying nigri and sashimi doused in soy and fresh ginger.

I was a quick learner and within a few days I had figured out greetings, and basic questions in English. I learned how to ask where the bathroom was, how much something cost. I learned how to hail a cab, and how to pay for the subway. Most importantly, I learned how to point to items on a menu and ask for them, and how to order room service. I had the translator write me out a whole sheet of items to practice. I learned how to say "hamburger," "french fries," "milk shake," "hot dog," "ice cream," "big mac," super-size." I had him translate the whole Four Seasons room service menu. Soon I knew by heart words like "mediterranean platter," "chicken cobb," "turkey club," "reuben," "penne," and "curry." My absolute favorite expression to utter into the phone, sounding like poetry coming off my lips, and one which I quickly memorized, was, "Please, sir.... one grilled chesse with bacon, one french onion soup, one new york strip with mashed potatoes, one side of mac and cheese, and three pieces of new york cheesecake, two ice cream sundaes, and one Tiramisu." At first my stomach could not handle all this at once and I'd munch on the extravagant meal throughout the day. By week three, however, I could easily eat it all in one sitting and feel stuffed and happy. After, I always took a bubble bath to relieve some of the pain and stretching in my stuffed, happy belly. I cleaned the room before Bella got home to make sure she never knew how much I had eaten. In hindsight, I'm sure I began to gain weight, and I'm sure Bella noticed, but I was too excited by my adventure to realize or care.

When I no longer needed the translator, I walked around the city aimlessly trying little shops and restaurants. Men's eyes always seemed to be on me wherever I went. I didn't wear make-up and was not stick thin like my sister, so I didn't know what they were looking at. I worried that maybe my shabby clothes put the fancy New York men off.

Mr. Alvarez checked in on us after we had been in New York for a month. He seemed very pleased at how conversational my sister already was in English. She batted her eyelashes at him, and treated him just like she had treated Marcus, her first crush when she was eleven. His assistant whispered something in his ear and he chuckled a bit and looked at me. I worried I had done something wrong.

Bella left for her English lessons and he stayed and continued to stare out the window as cars passed by the street.

"Keep her happy, keep her calm," he said. "And if you tell her I said this, I'll deny it, but Sofia Veralla now has a scheduling conflict, so we're out a lead actress. I spoke to the director and he wants a sit down with your sister. I never thought it would actually work out for her, but if things go well she may be offered the lead. It's still a low budget movie. A passion project for the director and I, but it will at least get her noticed."

"I told you, she'll be perfect," I said, smiling.

"And how are you? Bored all by yourself all day?" He asked.

"I'm fine," I said. "Although, sometimes I'd like a little more of the culture. Someone to show me what New Yorkers' like, to see an American movie, and to see a play." I hesitated, "And to try... some restaurants."

"My assistant tells me you're quite fond of the room service here. She complained that you sometimes exceed your per diem."

"I'm sorry Mr. Alvarez, I just am enjoying the city life." My hand instinctively went to my stomach. It felt bigger and softer than I remembered. I looked down and realized that a small bit of flab was peaking through my now too small shirt. Mr. Alvarez noticed as I tried to pull it over my stomach. I blushed.

"Please don't apologize. I too grew up a poor man. I know what it is to feel luxury for the first time. Now that it seems you'll be in the family of a movie star, I'm going to up your per diem. Don't worry about that, and feel free to live a little. I know some great plays on Broadway I'll get you tickets to. And I'll get you reservations at some of my favorite restaurants. Would you like a date?"

My heart raced. "Sure, yes. I'd love one Mr. Alvarez."

"I have a nephew who lives in New York, he'll take good care of you."