de primera clase

220 miles west of destination. first class, 6 ppl total. Reclining almost all the
way flat. 2 glasses of wine. She asked for Shiraz, they gave her Cabernet. Calmase.
1 cup of nuts. Chicken Cobb salad. Stale pita and hummus on a broken plastic case,
she knew someone whose dog was named Hummus. A plate of warm sugar cookie.
She has no interest in watching what's on screen, so the only other option is to
listen to the radio station. Number 2. Jazz.

It's a long way home from La Boca nor did she realize that her voice was worth
anything lest be flown to different parts of the world singing. Torch songs, yes.
They've compared her to the Buika, Mariza, Lhasa, Allyon, Evora, Lumpur and Simone
of Argentine pain. Wait a second, the left side of her lip just slid upwards.
They're playing her Spanish rendition of Strange Fruit. Not as critically acclaimed
as other performers' but this rendition of the does hauntingly please her, it's
reminiscent of where she comes from...welfare.

After the crash of Millennium, there were two things that the poor thought about.
One, how everyone will soon experience what it's like to work for bringing home
some Pollo Milanesa on the table and two; how the poor will find new lows in their
begging. She recalls that this was when she started singing on the streets of
Casa Rosada, well not exactly because they would have kicked her out. No, just a
few blocks away from the Havana store where she would try Alfajores samples knowing
that it might be the only meal she will have that day. Ella es una fruta extrana.

"Voy a cantar para ti si puedo usarlo," pointing towards the baño as she
smiled at the flight attendant who had no problem returning the flirtation. He let
her through of course, even if the seat belt sign was on, and all throughout the
flight, he would pass by and say,
"Espero por tu cancion." She actually thought about it.

" Please turn off all electronic devices as we prepare for our descent."
As she reached up to get her carry on, another hand took hold of her bag and
smiled as he handed it to her. The Flight attendant was just doing his job and
being flirtatious at the same time.

"Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and giggled and sang for him as she
walked away.