Montecristodog's Corner

A quiet Sunday afternoon turns into a scramble when Uncle Jake and Aunt Elaine unexpectedly arrive at Freddie’s apartment. Freddie and his sister, Isabella, hope to keep their guest, Paloma, out of sight. But their plan falls apart when Paloma, happily listening to music through her headphones, belts out a Mexican ranchera loud enough to entertain the entire apartment! Freddie freezes, looking ready to confess everything. Isabella quickly steps in. “I must have left the radio on!” she announces before rushing off to quiet Paloma. Moments later, she returns with a smile, hoping her explanation has settled the matter. Elaine smiles back—but she isn’t fooled. She suddenly announces that she and Jake have things to do at home. A bewildered Jake nearly spoils their exit until a quick nudge from Elaine gets him cooperating. As they leave, Freddie’s worry deepens. He knows Aunt Elaine well enough to recognize when she’s putting the pieces together. Back home over coffee, Elaine shares her sus...

  Spotlight on Amparo. Our spotlight begins with Amparo, Elaine’s sister. Their relationship started as a close friendship, but when their widowed parents married, the two best friends officially became sisters. Amparo was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. When she was only two years old, her family moved to the United States and settled in the Bronx, New York. Life was not always easy for her, and at the age of seventeen, she found herself in trouble with the law. Concerned about her safety and future, her father encouraged her to join the United States Navy. Amparo went on to have a successful naval career. However, a heartbreaking experience left her emotionally devastated and eventually led her to leave the Navy after eight years of honorable service. But Amparo’s journey was far from over. There is much more to her remarkable story, so sit back, relax, and enjoy what happens next.