Dynamic

Water poured into the sink, my grandmother’s,

Mami’s, veiny hands forming tan waves in the water

as she washed the dishes.

The room was tight. Five steps took her

to the stove and another two

to the dining table, where my mother, Ma, sat

reading werewolf fanfiction on her tablet.

The women discussed dinner plans. Mami

pulled out some meat to make chicken for the night

and her premade sasón to add flavoring.

A black furry tail curled around my Mami’s veiny legs.

“Meow.”

He stretched, exposing his claws, taunting Mami.

Mami yelled at Ma, “Saca al gato de la cocina

o lo echaré de la casa.” She grabbed a newspaper,

worried about her legs and his fur getting in the food.

swoosh She shooed the cat away.

She’d been saying that for 15 years, and he was still here.

“Ay, mami, déjalo tranquilo.” Ma hushed.

---

My grandfather sat on his armchair in the living room,

his eyes glued to the screen from sunrise to sunset,

waiting for his chance to watch the next Yankees game.

The room was stale, the white light haunting the room

with the curtains down. His butt carving his love in the cushion,

remembering the years of wear.

He ranted about politics

on the phone in Spanish with someone

I had never known.

His ears wore down

from working in a factory for 40 years withoutear protection. He spoke loud, wanting to hear

his own voice. His boasting echoed through the long

hallway and entered my room.

---

Like grand-

father-like daughter—

I sat in my room that I shared with Ma.

My bed sat atop Ma’s on metal stilts, casting

a shadow over her. I learned to stop

scraping my head or hands on the popcorn ceiling

the super refused to remove.

My eyes stayed glued onto the TV,

playing Minecraft alone, not speaking

a lick of Spanish unless my grandmother

or grandfather was speaking to me.

“¿Por qué me dejaste sola?