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I nod and go back to what I’ as they are, it’s these sether, the fact that we share a coht co under this same tyrannical roof, would unite us all as i friends But really it only worked to further divide us, creating sirls huddling together (La Gorda excepted, but still a part of their crowd), the s ones--until I was left all alone

A half hour later when everything’s ready, we carry the food fro people clap At the back of the line I see my favorite person in all of Santa Teresa: Héctor Ricardo His clothes are dirty and wrinkled, and his hair is tousled He has bloodshot eyes, an almost scarlet complexion to his face and cheeks Even froht shake in each hand, as he always does on Sundays--the only day in the week he swears off drinking He looks especially rough today, though when he finally approaches, he holds his tray out and fixes on his face the most optimistic smile he can muster

"And how are you, my dear Queen of the sea?" he asks

I curtsy in return "I’s, then says, "Life is but a fine wine, to be sipped and savored"

I laugh Héctor always has soe to share

I firstoutside the lone café on Calle Principal drinking a bottle of wine by himself It was midafternoon, and I had been on my way home from school Our eyes met as I passed

"Marina, as of the sea," he had said, and I’d found it odd that he knew h I shouldn’t have since I’d seen him every week at the church pretty much since the day I’d arrived "Come keep a drunk man company a few minutes"

I did I’reeable about Héctor He makes me feel relaxed, and doesn’t pretend to be somebody he isn’t like so many other people do He exudes the attitude of "This is who I am; take it or leave it"

That first day we had sat and talked long enough for him to finish one bottle of wine and order a second

"You stick with Héctor Ricardo," he’d said when I had to get back to the convent "I’ll take care of you; it’s in my name The Latin root of Hector means ‘to defend and hold fast’ And Ricardohis chest tith his right fist "Héctor Ricardo will take care of you!"

I could tell he one on "Marina ‘Of the sea’ That’s what your name means; did you know that?"

I’d told hiitta meant And Yasmin What Emmalina was rooted in

"That means you are Santa Teresa’s own Sea Queen," he’d said with a sideways grin

I’d laughed at hi too much, Héctor Ricardo"

"Yes," he’d replied "I am the town drunk, dear Marina But don’t let that fool you Héctor Ricardo is a defender all the same And besides, show me a man without vice and I’ll show you one without virtue!"