The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez

did know something.
“¿Por qué?
Tell me!”
    She bounced on the bed. “He asked because his best friend, Enrique, said his cousin only wants to go to the dance if you’re going. And you know Enrique’s cousin is …”
    “Manuel!” I squealed and sprang up off the floor.
    Ivette giggled. “Okay, that’s more like it. This is the Lucía I know!”
    I jumped on the bed next to her. “Is Manuel really leaving on Monday?”
    “Sí
. He’s all excited. My brother’s going, too.”
    “He is? Aren’t your parents worried? Him being by himself and everything?”
    Ivette looked down at my pink bedspread and started twirling a snagged piece of string stuck to one of the corners. “There isn’t too much to worry about. It’s very organized and it’s for the revolution. Teaching the peasants to read with all the other
brigadistas
. My parents say all students should spend some of their time doing that since they’ve had the privilege of receiving a good education in the cities.” Ivette shrugged. “I don’t really care about the teaching, but the traveling to otherplaces, meeting new people … that part does sound pretty cool. It’s not Paris or Rome, but it’s a start.”
    “I guess.” I didn’t want to talk or even think about the revolution. “So, what did you decide to wear to the dance?”
    “Ooh, my mother bought me this white dress with little black polka dots. It’s got a patent-leather belt around the waist. It makes me look like I’m at least seventeen. Very ooh-la-la sophisticated!”
    “A new dress, huh?” I wiggled my fingers at her. “Well, aren’t we fancy!” I laughed. “People might confuse you with one of the rich girls.”
    Ivette gave me a smirk. “Ha, ha. I guess Papá’s new job with the government does have some perks. Plus, it’s kind of a gift before I …” She bit her bottom lip.
    “Before what?”
    Ivette searched my eyes. “Nothing,” she said, and looked away.
    “Ivette, what’s going on?”
    “Nada
. I got the dress because it’s my first real dance, that’s all.” She rolled off the bed and opened my top drawer.
    “Are you sure? Is there something else?”
    “Nope. Nothing else to say except … what jewelry are you going to wear?”
    I shrugged. “You’re the expert. What do you think?”
    Ivette dug into my wooden jewelry box and pulledout a gold chain with a white daisy on it. “Well, this just screams out ‘I’m a little girl,’ so forget this one.” Next, she picked out a silver necklace with a small cross. “Oh no. We can’t make you holy and untouchable. You’ll never get your first kiss that way.”
    I blushed and nervously started to giggle.
    “Can you picture it?” She draped the chain around her neck and swayed to imaginary music. “Hi, Manuel. Oh, of course I’d like to dance, but be careful if you hold me too close, because not only is my mother chaperoning, God is watching and you’ll be sent straight to hell.” Ivette couldn’t hold back her laughter. “No, this is definitely not the right necklace!”
    I threw a pillow across the room and hit her in the arm. “You’re terrible!”
    “Who, me?” Ivette dropped the chain back in the drawer. “Let’s ask your mom if we can borrow something. I’m sure she’s got something nice. I mean, this is like a dress rehearsal for our
quinces.”
    I thought about how Papá had hidden all the good jewelry under the loose tile in the living room. “No. We can’t.”
    She gave me a puzzled look. “Why not? What good is nice jewelry if you don’t wear it? I’m sure your mother will say yes.” She came back to the bed and sat cross-legged in front of me. “You’re really acting weird today.” Ivette pushed me back by the shoulders so thatI fell against the large pink pillows on my bed. “You need to let your hair down and relax. You’re way too tense.”
    Doc Machado’s silhouette and lifeless hands flashed before my eyes. I shook my head. I wanted to tell Ivette what