This story is by Robert Ochart and won the Readers’ Choice Award in our 2024 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
Robert Ochart lives with his wife in Queens, NY. He’s taught at an inner-city high school; sold anti-terrorist data to financial institutions around the world and collected taxes for the Internal Revenue Service. When not cheering on his sports teams, he writes stories and invents ways to kill his characters.
Six months after my mother-in-law’s death, Sara and I spent Christmas alone. In our desire for normalcy, we put up a last-minute Charlie Brown tree and sung along to holiday classics. But a weighty emptiness filled the room, and everything felt forced.
Even drinking coquito and eating Ma’s traditional Christmas meal of pasteles with arroz and gandules tasted bland.
After dinner, Sara plopped into Ma’s recliner and closed her eyes. “I can still smell her.”
“I miss her, too.”
Sara’s eyes watered. “I wish I’d taken her to Puerto Rico one last time.”
“She would’ve loved that; except with her dementia, she wouldn’t have remembered.”
“But she would’ve enjoyed it, if only for that moment.”
I lifted Sara out of the chair and hugged her.
“Holidays are tough without our loved ones,” I said. “I think about mine every year.”
“Have you ever wished for another opportunity to say something or do one last thing for them?”
“Like a do-over?”
She nodded.
“I think everyone has had those thoughts. Heck, I’ve had full-blown conversations in my head.”
***
Christmas felt hollow, so we looked forward to Sara’s sister joining us for Three Kings Day. She wasn’t due until 2:00PM, so I jumped when the doorbell rang at 9:00AM.
I answered the door and grabbed the door frame to keep from fainting, as I stood face-to-face with my mother and Sara’s parents, Ma and Victor.
I stammered, “I don’t understand.”
“Are you letting us in? It’s cold out here,” said my mother.
While I’d never met Sara’s father, I’d seen enough photos to recognize the beaklike Santiago nose. Victor held the door open for the women to enter first.
“I’ve missed you, Mom.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Is it me or my cooking you’ve missed?”
“Both.”
“Then you’ll like this.” She handed me what smelled like her savory roast pork on a gold platter and patted my stomach. “Looks like you’re enjoying someone’s cooking.”
I took the platter to the kitchen and returned to hug Ma. Her hands trembled as she squeezed the back of my neck. She whispered into my ear, “Thank you for everything you did for me and my daughter.”
Her words released the tsunami of tears I had held for so long.
“You still taking good care of her?”
I nodded.
“She’s special.”
“I know.”
Sara yelled from upstairs, “Babe, who are you talking to?”
“Come down, you won’t believe it.”
***
When she saw our parents, Sara screamed. “It can’t be!”
She looked at me, but I just shrugged.
“Hola, Sara,” said Ma.
“Hola, Mami.”
Sara hugged Ma so tight, Ma’s eyes bulged. “I’ve missed you so much. I think of you often.”
“Me too. I’ve missed you both,” said Ma, tilting her head in my direction.
Sara hugged her father. “Papi, it’s been so long.”
“Yes, I’ve missed you tremendously. Is this your husband?”
“This is Thomas, the love of my life.”
I extended my hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“If you’re married to my daughter, we’re family.” He ignored my hand and hugged me instead.
Sara cleared her throat.
“Mom, this is Sara.”
“She’s beautiful, and from the size of your belly, she must be an amazing cook.”
Sara chuckled. “Thank you, for the beautiful part, but Thomas’s stomach is his own doing. He’s the cook.”
Mom smirked. “Thomas? You’ll always be Little Tommy to me.”
Mom turned to Sara. “You don’t cook?”
“No.”
“No wonder you’re a flaquita like me.”
Mom laughed at her own joke and the laugh turned into a coughing fit.
“That’s my body telling me I need a cigarette. Can I smoke here, or do I have to go outside?”
I pointed to the back door, and Mom said, “I liked it better when we could smoke inside.”
“I’ll join you,” I said.
***
Mom lit her cigarette and looked around. “It’s quiet, not like Harlem.”
“We like Queens.”
“Sara seems like a nice girl. You happy?”
“She’s my best friend. One of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”
Mom blew smoke rings and watched them dissolve as they floated above.
“I used to be your best friend.”
“That was before you…”
“Go ahead. You can say it. Before I died, killed myself, took my life?”
“Mom, stop.” I felt tears forming and looked away. “You don’t know how often I’ve relived that day; fifty-one years ago, today.” My voice cracked. “How I could’ve stopped you and didn’t.”
“Tommy, stop. No one could’ve stopped me. I needed to get off the merry-go-round, so I jumped.”
As I cried, I was Little Tommy all over again. “Yeah, but the last thing you said was you loved me, and I didn’t tell you how much I loved you.”
“You didn’t need to. A mother knows these things. Remember, we were best friends. Plus, you’re telling me now. I knew if I didn’t leave when I did, I’d chicken out.”
“But you left us alone. It was tough for all of us.”
She hugged me and held the cigarette away from my coat. When she pulled away, she said, “Looks like you did okay for yourself. Thomas.”
I nodded and wiped my eyes with my sleeve.
She took one last drag of her cigarette before stepping on it. “It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
***
Victor handed a scented candle to Sara. “I remember lavender was your favorite.”
“Still is.” Sara whiffed the candle called Tranquility. “Thank you.”
“Ma, Thomas and I are taking salsa classes. He calls himself El Salsero.”
Ma scrunched her brows. “Both of you?”
“I’m being supportive. Plus, I’ve learned a lot.”
“You don’t need lessons. I taught you everything,” said Victor.
“Papi, you taught me a lot, but there’s still much I can learn.”
“Well, let’s see. Tomás, música, por favor.”
Victor showed why he was the O.G. Salsero. He glided across the room with skill and grace and brought out the best in his daughter. Sara’s perpetual smile showed how much she loved dancing with her original dance teacher. She spun and kept in step and never tried to lead like she did during our classes.
After three songs, the O.G. wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. “I’m a little rusty, but you still dance like a ballerina. He may be the problem.”
“I’ve often dreamt of us dancing together,” said Sara.
“Me too. Remember when you used to stand on my feet to dance?”
Sara nodded.
“Papi, can you teach Thomas how to lead with more confidence?”
“Sure. I can’t have my daughter looking like an amateur on the dance floor.”
For the next hour, Victor showed me how to hold my partner and lead her on various turns. When finished, he told Sara, “He has potential. With practice, he may earn the right to call himself El Salsero.” Victor looked at me. “The problem is in your head, not your feet.”
***
“Now you don’t need to bother me to dance,” said Ma. “You can dance with Sara, but first rub this on your knee.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a vial of oil. “It will help with the pain.”
“Gracias, but you know you loved when I’d ask you to dance.” I winked at Ma. “Especially when we watched the dancing on the WAPA television station. We haven’t watched WAPA since you’ve been gone, and I miss the dancing and the daily island news.”
“I want to visit the island to see my family and climb to the top of El Yunque,” said Ma.
Sara’s furrowed brows confirmed how much she regretted not granting Ma’s wish. “Ma, we can’t go to Puerto Rico, but I have a crate of family photos needing organization. Would you like to help?”
“Yes,” said Ma, as she struggled to stand.
“Don’t get up. I’ll get them.”
For the next two hours, Sara and her parents laughed and cried as they went down memory lane looking at family photos. Whenever her parents asked if someone was alive, Sara reassured them the person was alive and well in Puerto Rico, even if the person had transitioned. She let her parents enjoy their wonderful memories.
“We must visit the island and climb to the top of El Yunque,” said Ma.
Sara looked at her mother through watery eyes. “I’d like that.”
***
By the time Sara’s sister arrived, our parents had disappeared as mysteriously as they had appeared. We never mentioned them, since she wouldn’t have believed us, anyway.
While preparing for bed that evening, Sara said, “I don’t understand what happened today.”
“Me neither. But you asked for a do-over, and we got it. I don’t know if it was real or not, but after speaking with my mom, I feel like I unloaded an anchor I’d been carrying for over fifty years. And watching you laugh and cry while dancing and sharing memories with your parents was priceless.
“Let’s not forget, the roast pork wasn’t too bad, either.”
The short story “Memories with a Side of Salsa and Love” evokes optimism and reflective thoughts. It conveys real life emotions, somber moments with a whimsical ending leaving one with a smile and a hearty, succinct laughter. Truly an enjoyable read!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story.
This story is deeply moving, filled with raw genuine emotions Robert! It felt like I was in the same room watching this beautiful novel. Truly powerful and beautifully written. Well done!
Thank you, Elvis!
What an amazing and emotional story. A dream come true!
Thank you, Marlitt!
Just great.
Thank you, Aida!
This short story was full of emotions, bringing fantasies of a re-do with passed loved ones hits home for many. Wonderfully written and I have read multiple times over.
Thank you, Jake! Glad the story struck a chord.
The story is a mixture of super natural elements with our daily experiencies of the real world. It makes us wish to have a second chance to be with the people that we loved so much but unfortunately are not with us anymore.
Adolfo, thank you for taking the time to read, comment, and vote for my story.
What an amazing story so emotional I’ve been in tears we all can relate to the strong desire for a re-do. The heartwarming story has so many interesting family dynamics and traditions such as the 3 Kings.
Thank you, Colette for your kind words.
A wonderful dream come true story to finally get closure. I could appreciate the mom’s pain in her explanation that she needed to get off the merry-go-round.
Thank you, Myriam!
While reading I started to think about which three of my loved ones I’d like a “re-do” with. Getting a visit from three loved ones bearing gifts on Three Kings Day… spiritually moving.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story.
Beautiful story. I would like a “re-do” family reunion with all our family members that had passed on. I am sure that they would have a lot to say on how their off springs have done with their Lifes. Nice to know that we have an author in the family.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Amazing author! I love his attention to details in his stories !
Thank you, Bill.
My favorite stories are those that transition the reader from reading someone else’s story to imagining and reflecting on their personal story. This story does that. Beautifully written!
Thank you for your wonderful comments.
This story caused my eyes to swell up and to overflow with tears that began to run down my cheeks as it brought fond memories of my childhood with my mother’s roast pork and her love of dancing and my father’s appreciation of celebrating “El Dia de losTres Reyes Magos”, Three Kings Day.
Mr. Ochart’s story is emotional and filled with the hope of being able to get a do over and get a chance to tell a loved one who has transition what you failed to tell them while they were here with us on this earth. The Christmas Holidays is a time for celebration and of being with your family eating, laughing, singing, dancing and sharing stories and gifts. In my family, we celebrated the Epiphany, Three Kings Day. Roast pork was and is an integral part of the celebration as well as dancing and listening to our favorite salsa music.
This story has enlightened me to one day write a story of my own of the wonderful times I shared with my father in Puerto Rico and my mother here in “El Barrio” in Spanish Harlem on the Upper Eastside of New York City.
Thank you Mr. Ochart for writing this beautiful story of love of family and traditions that I still enjoy celebrating..
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Thank you, Jose. I’m thrilled my story brought back wonderful memories with your family.
Memorable story. You should be very proud of the final work product. Most definitely looking forward to many more stories.
Thank you, Wayne!
Bravo! A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I read this through watery eyes.
Thank you, Chefi!
This story was amazing and has inspired me to imagine my own do-over with my father. The imagery and understanding of the love between all of the individuals was clear, and I have a feeling it will resonate with many.
Thank you, Nicole! I’m thrilled the story inspired you to write your own story. We all have one.
Awesome story with tons of emotion, real or perceived by both of them as it invoked great holiday memories of dancing with my own mom and missing her excellent skills in the kitchen making her Puerto Rican delicacies. Loved it as we all could use some optimism in today’s society. Congratulations Robert – I feel you have a winner here.
Thank you, Raymond. I’m glad the story invoked wonderful memories for you. I miss your mom’s delicious food as well.
This short story brought so many emotions. I love the fact that they were able to have a do over like most people dream of.
Thank you, Kristine! I think that’s the story’s superpower; the fact that it is a universal story.
Wonderful story. If only we could all experience a do over like that.
Thank you, Erik. I thought it might resonate with you.
Beautiful story. It brought happy tears to my eyes. All the mentions of food made me hungry too lol.
Thank you, Lily!
Love this story. It will make for a great play or screenplay. Don’t forget your tissues.
Thank you, Efraim.
This is a fantastic story that I can relate to it as is full of emotions and depicts circumstances that the majority of us are currently facing. My story is that my brother is incarcerated, and although he is alive, we miss him deeply every single day. Once holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or his Birthday are approaching, the sadness grows even more as we feel empty without his presence around us. I hope it will soon come to an end when he returns home.
Congratulations on your beautiful story and thank you for sharing it with the world.
Thank you Michell for taking the time to read and comment on my story. I’m happy the story resonated with you and I hope the sadness goes away when your brother returns.
I was taken to a time and place of my youth where family gatherings were fun and eagerly looked forward to. I now am of an age where life is now taking things and people from me. My deepest wish would be a do over to appreciate those people who made my life happy and enjoyable with far less effort and cost as today. Another opportunity to tell them I love them and that everything is going to be okay. That would be priceless!!
Thank you, Artie. I remember those times as well. Just be sure to let those in your life how much you love them while you still can.
From the start of the story, I felt the writer was creating moments many, if not all of us, wish we could experience. The opportunity to bring our memories to life. To relive those moments with beloved family and friends who are no longer with us, while sharing the sounds, senses and blessings of the holidays.
The story was also very interesting as I felt the sadness & emptiness that Sara & Thomas were feelimg at the start of their day, then the uplift of their spirits as they got to experience the joy of spending time with their loving parents again.
The story also left me feeling excitement for Sara & Thomas as I felt the arrival of Sara’s sister would be the continuation of a beautiful day, creating not just memories but very, very special heartfelt family moments.
Thank you Will for taking the time to read and comment on my story.
Very well written, emotional story reflecting on the idea of ‘What if?’ Many of us have had regrets once our loved ones are gone. What if we had another opportunity to spend time with them. What would we do or say?
This brought back many memories of my own parents and my happy times with them, especially the holiday cooking and the laughter and joy that accompanied it.
After a sad, reflective start. I saw the parents arrival and ultimately, the arrival of Sara’s sister as a sign of hope and happier times to come for both Sara and Thomas.
Thanks Robert
Thank you, David. I’m glad the story stirred up memories of happy times with your parents.
Dear Robert, you know how much I liked your story… especially when you wrote about the relationship with your mother. Of course I also enjoyed the Salsero dancing again with his daughter!
Yes, many times, I have thought about what I would tell my deceased mom and dad if I had “a second chance.”
Thank you, Marita!
Love the story very emotional we enjoy it very much
Good Luck. From Eddie and Marisol Davila.
Thank you Marisol and Eddie!
great story definitely brings back memories from my younger days.
Thank you, Mark! I’m glad the story brought back good memories.
Beautiful story. We all wish we had a chance for a do over. Brought back beautiful memories. I always enjoy reading your stories. Great job.
Thank you, Judy. I’m glad my story triggered beautiful memories.
Very well written with emotions, thank you Robert.
Thank you, Ahmad.
Great Story. It is so amazing how we never let go of memories. As the song goes “Memories don’t leave like people do, they always stay with you weather they be good or bad”. Again, great story Mr. Ochart, I’ve always love reading your stories.
Thank you, Jackie!
Poignant. I don’t know if there is a single person who has not wished for what this story captured. Simple phrasing which made for impactful, heartfelt moments. I particularly enjoyed the perspective from a ” Puerto Rican ” family which allowed me to appreciate the universality of grief, regret and sorrow.
I loved it!
Thank you, Martin!
Robert!! what an amazing relatable journey to recover lost wishes! You offered a narrative that’s vivid and captivating, i just wanted to continue reading to see what’s next! Bravo for giving Sara an opportunity for the “do-over” and making it so culturally realistic!
Thank you, Marcia!
Hi Robert,
I really enjoyed your story! It does a great job showing how complicated grief can be and how much we miss our loved ones. The way you connected the past and present, especially during the holidays, felt really real and relatable. The surprise reunion with the parents was so touching and felt almost magical, bringing in a sense of healing. I loved how you showed the strong bond between Sara and her family—it added a lot to the story. Overall, it’s a heartfelt look at love, loss, and memories. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you, Didier!
Robert’s story is a reminder of making memories and enjoying the company of our loved ones while we still can.
The essence of “Memories with a Side of Salsa and Love” is touching and heartfelt since there are constant questions dealing with my mother, who is suffering from dementia. I now have confirmation always to move forward, making memories even if the trajectory of dementia makes it short-lived.
Thank you, Rodney. Your first and last sentences sum up the point of my story. I’m happy the story resonated with you.
…there is mucho onions on that roast pork…thank you Robert…
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story.
What a wonderful read! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thanks Jeff!
Very heartwarming! Top-notch!
Thank you, Kevin!
A very moving story. We’ll done my brother!!!
Thank you, Curtis!
I enjoyed this story, is a reminder of how life is to short and making memories with your loved ones was always fun. you had me dancing salsa smelling pernil and crying for my Titi’s that I lost. Great heartfelt story.
Thank you, Maritza. I’m glad the story brought back memories and had you dancing and smelling the pernil. LOL
At first, I was reading so fast and got confused.. but reading over and slowly taking up what was going on…what a beautiful story! Imaginary “do over” I know I can relate to the story, and not to mention the “lump in my throat”…the story of the food, music, dancing and reminiscing over photos, I swear I’ve been there! Beautiful story and well told! Thank you for sharing
Thank you, Daisy. I’m happy the story struck a chord and brought back memories.
This short story was full of emotions! Reading this short story brings to live of a similar situation I am leaving with my mother. She is alive, thank God, but I cannot imagine my live without her! This was an easy story to read and I enjoyed reading it!
Thank you Marta for reading and commenting on my story.
Your story touched me deeply, evoking a flood of emotions as it took me back to the cherished moments I shared with my mom and dad. Since their passing, I have often felt their presence beside me, comforting me during my most difficult times and during the good times too. While I can’t claim to have seen them with my own eyes, the truth is that their spirits surround me, bringing me a sense of peace and harmony. Robert, your narrative resonated with me profoundly, it stirred up memories I will forever hold dear. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt journey in your writing.
Nydia
Thank you, Nydia. I’m glad the story resonated with you and brought back cherished moments with your parents.
Your story was so beautifully written. I wish we all had the opportunity to do-over. Memories are gratifying to the soul. Loved the story it was inspiring.
Thank you, Luz! I’m glad the story struck a chord with you.
“Blood makes you related, Love makes you family.”
So true. Thank you, Abdul, for reading and commenting on my story.
Proud of you Dad <3
<3 <3 <3
Amazing
Thank you, Barbara!
Congratulations, what an incredible story of love and “re-do.” I hope to see more of your work in the future.
Thank you, Christine!