Fluffuary Entry 1
Rudy was six the first time he met Alejandro.
He sat on the low wall outside his abuela’s house, legs swinging, clutching a pan dulce in both hands like it might escape him. His mother stood nearby, laughing softly with another woman Rudy had never seen before — tall, expressive, her hands moving as she spoke. So much fire contained in one living being, that being still and calm was never an option, warmth spilling from every movement and every expression. It was such a difference to his own mother, the calm and collected one, radiating love and warmth like gentle air on summers days.
“Ru,” his mamá said gently, crouching in front of him. “Come say hello.”
Rudy peeked over his bread, shy but curious.
“This is my friend,” his mother said, smiling. “We grew up together. And this,” she added, gesturing behind her, “is her son. Alejandro.”
Alejandro was a little taller than Rudy, hair sticking up in every direction, knees scraped raw from playing outside. He stared at Rudy openly, no shyness at all.
“You’re small,” Alejandro announced.
Rudy frowned immediately, offended. “I’m six.”
Alejandro considered this seriously. Then he nodded. “Okay. That’s fair.”
Their mothers laughed.
“Why don’t you boys play?” Alejandro’s mother suggested. “We’ll be right here.”
Rudy hesitated, glancing back at his mamá. She squeezed his shoulder gently. “Go on, corazón.”
Alejandro didn’t wait. He grabbed Rudy’s hand—warm, confident, unafraid—and tugged him toward the dusty yard.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll show you where the ants live.”
And just like that, Rudy went. He did not have a choice. He still had his bread clutched tightly in hand.
They spent the afternoon crouched in the dirt, Alejandro narrating everything like a guide and Rudy listening like it all mattered. When Rudy’s bread broke in half, Alejandro immediately offered his own without thinking.
By the time the sun dipped low, Rudy had dirt under his nails, a scrape on his elbow, and Alejandro sitting close enough their shoulders touched.
When it was time to leave, Rudy clung to his mamá’s skirt.
“Can Alejandro come back tomorrow?” he asked quietly.
Alejandro answered first. Loud and without hesitation. “I will.”
And he did.