Something Like Home

On Titi Silvia’s day off, she puts spam, cheese, and peppers in a blender to make the sandwiches of her childhood. Laura would rather have peanut butter and jelly. She was hoping Silvia would give up on her Puerto Rican education.

Laura rolls her eyes at the sandwiches. Silvia asks why she doesn’t want to learn about her parents’ homeland. Laura tells her that her parents would have taught her if they thought their heritage was important; they are all Americans anyway.

Silvia explains that Mom had trauma from Puerto Rico but shouldn’t take it out on Laura. Mom dated girls, which upset Laura’s grandparents. Because of her sexual orientation, Mom’s parents disowned her. Mom left Puerto Rico and never looked back.

Laura knew her Mom was bisexual, but she never realized her grandparents kicked out their own child. With this information, she has no desire to learn more about Puerto Rico or visit such terrible family members. Laura believes she won’t be there in December for the proposed Puerto Rico holiday trip anyway.