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Papi was a nine-year old boy who strongly believed in the Three Kings. He was a good student, respected everyone and did the daily errands for his mother. He was clean-cut, the way his mother wanted him to be. Papi was hoping that this New Year, the Three Kings would bring him the toys he’d always wanted, especially the toys he had jotted down on a piece of brown paper bag. “Mom, this is for the Three Kings,” Papi whispered in his mother’s ear and then he placed the note in her hands. His eyes were full of excitement and joy. Papi’s mother tenderly gazed into his eyes, took the note and put it inside her apron’s pocket. “Papi, you know that the Three Kings are really burdened this year. There are lots of children in need of toys and the Three Kings come from a far away place. Their camels will be tired and weak, so don’t expect too much from the Three Kings this year.”
“Mom, you said that if I behaved, the Tree Kings would bring me lots of toys, right? Well, I’ve behaved this year! I always behave and all they bring me is wind-up toys and cardboard airplanes! Why?”
“I know, Papi, I know you’re a good kid and I also know that you work hard on being good, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up high, because the Three Kings are old and tired and may not bring you all you want.” Papi gave his mother a hug and a big grin.
“This year they will, Mom! I know this year the Three Kings will bring me my toys! I got grass and milk for the camels and cigarettes for the Kings, they love cigarettes! They’ll be so happy with me that they’ll bring me my toys. Why Carlito gets all the toys he asks for? He’s the worst kid on this block? Why does he get so many toys? He curses, breaks people’s windows and throws stones at dogs and cats?” Papi’s mother paused momentarily and then looked him straight in the eyes.
“Life is like that sometimes, Papi, the worst people get the best out of life. Look at me! I’m a good mother and I have always struggled. Life has always been hard on me. But I’ve always managed to put food on the table, clothe you and protect you and your sisters, right? I don’t look at other peoples’ fortune and compare it to my misfortune, that’s called envy! I want you to always do the right thing. Eventually, whatever you deserve, God will provide it for you.” Papi’s mother held back her tears, as she held Papi’s face in her hands. Papi gave her a big kiss and ran out to play in the mid afternoon sun.
Christmas had passed and Papi was eager for January 6th to arrive, the Three Kings’ Day! He pictured himself riding the red bicycle that he wanted so badly. Perhaps he could look at the stars through the telescope that he had long dreamt about. Or maybe the Three Kings would bring him a new television? Papi was excited. He shared his glee with his two older sisters, Aida and Sara. Aida was a year older than Sara. She loved hanging around older people and would often wait for Sara and Papi to go to bed and then she would accompany her mother to the local malt shop for sandwiches and shakes. Sara was a year older than Papi and was very naïve. They would both engage in role-playing, acting out novella scenes. They would make believe that they were in Hollywood. One day, as they played, Sara asked Papi,
“Do actors smack themselves for real?”
“Of course not,” Papi replied. “Here, let me show you how it’s done!” he continued. “Stand right here, Sara! No, right here! I’m not going to hit you for real,” Papi said, positioning Sara at arm’s length. “Now, don’t move. I’m going to make believe that I’m going to smack you, but you can’t move! When I swing, I will hit my hand and it will sound like I’m smacking you for real, okay?” Sara was skeptical but agreed to stand still. Papi aimed carefully at Sara’s face. Then, with all his might, he let it fly. Of course, Papi misjudged the distance between Sara and his striking hand and smacked the day lights out of Sara. Sara let out a loud shriek and ran to her mother. Needless to say, Papi got the whooping of his life.
The chill of January was in the air. January 5th had arrived! At twelve midnight, the Three Kings were poised to arrive. Papi made sure that everything was in place. He made sure that the blades of grass, milk and cigarettes were under his bed. All Papi needed now was for the night to come quickly. But nine O’clock was just too far away. Papi went to bed earlier this time, seven O’clock, to be precise. But Papi could not find his sleep. He decided to say a little prayer, perhaps this would help. Papi put his hands together and prayed hard. His little hands clasped tightly and his eyes utterly shut, “Jesus, I pray the night come quickly. Let the Three Kings arrive safely. Help the camels carry the toys, Amen!” He squinted really hard, as if to put an emphasis on his prayer.
Papi pulled the sheets over his head, perhaps the darkness would help him fall asleep faster, but it was to no avail. He could not fall asleep. It wasn’t until two in the morning that Papi fell asleep. The sun peeked through the tumultuous clouds and the night vanished. The sunlight slowly crept over Papi’s face. The magical yellow light caressed his cheeks. Suddenly, his eyes popped opened. It was the Three Kings Day! The day was finally here! Papi was paralyzed with excitement. He reached under his bed and realized that the grass, milk and cigarettes were gone. Papi slowly removed the bed sheet from his face and gingerly stepped out of bed. He could not contain himself and let out a big yelp.
Papi knelt and looked under his bed. It was dark under the bed. It was difficult for him to see what was there. But soon, he saw three small boxes, wrapped in Christmas paper. He took one of the boxes and opened it. Inside of it, there was a small battery operated robot. It was red and had a logo on its chest that said, “Robopol.” Papi turned the black toggle switch to the ON position. The robot’s jerky motion was all too familiar to Papi. Papi put the robot down and reached for the other box, as his eyes welled with tears.
He opened the second box, not knowing what to expect. The second boxed contained a note book, a pen, paper, a ruler and a pink eraser. Every year, Papi would get school supplies. This year was no different. Papi opened the third box. The box contained a model car. It was a 1963 blue Chevy impala. He remembered this model car. He’d seen it a few weeks ago in a store-front, up on Saint Martin Avenue. He had pointed it out to his mother, while perusing around the stores. There was also a note inside the box. The note read, “Dear Papi, I know that you asked for a lot of toys this year. But we were not able to bring them all to you. Perhaps next year, if you’re good, you’ll get what you ask for.”
Papi was furious. He was tired of being good! Papi put the toys away and darted to his mother’s room. On his way, he heard a commotion coming from the street. He opened the window and looked out. Papi could not believe what he saw. It was Carlito. He was banging away, having fun with his new drum set. The other neighborhood kids gathered around Carlito, begging him to let them play the drums. Other kids were riding around with their new bikes and tricycles. Papi was beside himself. His mother slowly approached him from behind. She put her hands on his shoulders apologetically. Papi started to sob.
“Why couldn’t I get the toys I asked for?” He demanded. “I was good all year and the Three Kings forgot about me, why? Look across the street! Carlito got what he asked for, a new drum set and he's not a good kid! It isn’t fair! ” Papi’s mother could not hide her frustration. In anger and desperation, she shot back, “I’m the Three Kings, that’s why you didn't get your toys! I’m the Three Kings, the same ones that put the toys under your bed every January 6th. I have no money to buy the things you want! That’s why! There are no Three Kings! You’ve got that?” Papi’s eyes grew wide. “There are no Three Kings! I can’t afford the toys you want!” She carried on! She felt a big release. All these years, she had lied to Papi and every year was the same, now, Papi new the truth. There would be no more lies from now on. Papi ran to his room, closed the door and went to bed again. He pulled the covers over his head and sobbed until he fell asleep. He developed a mild fever and did not taste a morsel of food. The next day, Papi felt better. He started playing with his new toys. Papi’s mother was sewing, when he approached her, gave her a hug and apologized for being a bad boy.
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