March 30, 2006
La botellita
There are probably thousands of them. In Miami, New Jersey, Michigan, Texas. Scattered about the country and world just like their owners. Waiting. Silently. Tucked in the back somewhere behind the milk and OJ.
La botellita.
At one point every refrigerator in every Cuban exile home had one. Chilling. Waiting for the day.
Other botellitas have come and gone. One was opened when they took the oath and became Americans. One was opened when a son graduated from college. One was opened when a daughter had their first grandchild. One was opened, perhaps, when reunited with a long lost relative.
But that one botellita, that one bottle that each time they open the refrigerator door serves as a painful reminder, it is still there. Corked. Unopened. Full. Stoic. Still waiting.
Oh, but how glorious it will be! That day. That day when they pop that cork. That beautiful, glorious day. The new dawn! The day that botellita has been waiting for all its peaceful life.
They will rush to that refrigerator with the news still sinking in, still blaring loudly all around. Cheers from outside their windows. Car horns blaring up and down the streets. They'll reach past the milk and OJ, delicately grab that botellita that has had such patience. Such determination. Such anguish. Such patience!
And they will pull that botellita out, stare at the label. Remember the day they bought it. How young they were then. How optimistic. How hopeful. How naive. My God, but how young they were!
"Bring me the glasses!" they'll yell. The special glasses. The expensive ones. The ones in the china cabinet that have never been used. Yes, those. They will set them down on the table. Stare each other in the eyes with indecision, remorse, elation.
Slowly they'll unwrap la botellita's foil. Undo the little wire. Squeeze ever so gently that cork. Slowly. Make the moment last. It has been a long time coming.
POP!
Like a cañonaso. Cannon fire signifying the culmination. Marking the beginning of time.
They will pour its contents carefully. Dont want to spill a single drop. They have been waiting too long to waste it. They want to savor it. Take it in. Absorb it.
They will take the full glass in hand. It doesnt matter if it isnt bubbling all that much. It's from their botellita. The one stored in the refrigerator all these years. Back behind the milk and OJ. Waiting for today. This day. The day of days.
They will raise their glass, look up at the heavens, thank God and then, right before the glass's rim touches their waiting lips, from the most profound and hidden corner of their souls, they'll make their long awaited toast.
Viva Cuba Libre!
Champagne and tears.
Posted by Val Prieto at March 30, 2006 10:06 AM
Comments
That was great, man. I got chills. I'm ashamed that I don't have a botellita but you've inspired me to get one. I was thinking beer like a World Series locker room celebration. I like yours better. Thanks so much for your post.
Posted by: Louis ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 30, 2006 11:06 AM
Reminds me of that one poignant episode of Que Pasa USA where the father showed off that one bottle of champagne that he said would not be openeed until Cuba was free again.
Posted by: Cigar Mike Pancier at March 30, 2006 11:06 AM
And I do hope that when that asshole finally does die, you'll be the person breaking the news to me. Keep up the good work, Val.
Posted by: hunter at March 30, 2006 11:10 AM
That was really cool!!! I guess I should go and buy mine now, so it will be ultra chilled!!!!!
Posted by: La Ventanita at March 30, 2006 11:22 AM
Beautiful, Val. My grandparents had a bottle in their refrigerator; they never got to drink it.
Posted by: George L. Moneo at March 30, 2006 11:32 AM
Cono Val, se me aguaron los ojos. Yo tengo mi botellita, pero yo la reciclo...hay que mantenerla fresca. Aunque no pienso que aquí donde vivo habrán otros tocando el fototuto (I love that word) por la calle ,sólo yo.
Posted by: Orlando at March 30, 2006 12:04 PM
That will be a great day indeed!
Posted by: jsb at March 30, 2006 12:37 PM
That was truly beautiful Val. It is things like this that make Babalu blog so special to me. My prayers today, as every day, are for the hastening of that joyous moment. It would be wonderful if God put me in Miami when the happy news arrives. That will be a party not to be missed! On August 13th. My family and I will follow the new tradition you started last year again and open the yearly botellita to toast the memory of all those who died waiting and death to the foul barbudo on his birthday. Each year is a cause for celebration since it brings freedom that much closer. Esperanza my friends! La dia de alegria viene. VIVA CUBA LIBRE!
Posted by: dwimmerlaik at March 30, 2006 03:02 PM