II. La Noche Antes (The Night Before)

“Este cabrón,” Kike says in frustration. “Why do I keep playing dominoes against you?”

“I don’t know. I’ll let you think about that while I beat Mariana,” says Alejandro. Alejandro is a local farmer who grows many of the root vegetables in La Parguera. Kike tends to trade his fish and oysters in exchange for Alejandro’s produce. Much like Kike, Alejandro manages to find ways to grow his food within the safety of his shelter.

“Watch it. One of these days you’re going to get too cocky for your own good,” Mariana says as she sits down to be Alejandro’s next challenger. Mariana is one of the other rare fishers left in La Parguera. Sometimes, Kike takes her out with him for deep water fishing, but she prefers to stay nearshore on her yolita. Mariana specializes in the fish that scarcely remain in the nearshore areas of La Parguera. Much like Kike, her fishing is limited to certain “sweet spots” as mangrove habitats in the nearshore have diminished drastically over her lifetime. Sea level had risen by about a foot over the last 40 years, causing many of the mangroves in La Parguera to disappear. Without any space for mangroves to move farther inland, sea level had caught up to them and drowned them out. The green coastal landscape of La Parguera had turned barren. The keys that used to host dozens of visitors each weekend during Kike's youth are now but shallow parts of the bay with the skeletons of the dead mangroves.

“You ever think you might play this game a bit too much?” asks Kike.

“Nope,” Alejandro says as he smiles and takes a sip of his beer. “Just be thankful we don't gamble, ‘cause I’d clean you out on a weekly basis. So, how was the fishing today, find anything you’re willing to trade for some fresh yautía?” Alejandro asks.

“Sorry buddy, only one Mahi out there and it took me long enough to find so it’s staying with me. And don’t you still have some of those oysters I gave you last week?” Kike asks.

“Please, he scarves those down as you as you give them to him,” Mariana says.

“Coño Ale, have some self-control, especially with a storm coming,” Kike says as he finishes his own beer.

“I know, I know, but they’re just so damn good. Either way, I have enough food to handle Marco, but I just had that antojo, you know? It’s been a while,” Alejandro says as he starts setting up a game against Mariana.

As Mariana begins a game with Alejandro, some other locals nearby start playing some old reggaeton from the 2020s.

“Diaaaaablo. I haven’t heard Bad Bunny since my thirties. Probably would’ve just finished up my PhD when this album dropped,” says Kike.

“Coño, you’re old, goddamn” Ale laughs. Mariana follows suit and laughs as well.
“Mira, I’m 67 which is only ten years older than you buddy. And, I’m still in better shape than you,” Kike smirks as he walks away.

“All right buddy. And where are you going? It’s still early,” Alejandro yells.
“I just want to make sure to get my rest for tomorrow plus I forgot to check if the rainwater system was secured enough. Stay safe and goodbye guys,” Kike yells back. Step three of the tradition complete.

“Will do,” Alejandro and Mariana say in unison. “Cuidate abuelo,” Alejandro adds. Kike lifts his middle finger in response.

Kike arrives back at his shelter and begins checking his rainwater system. After making sure it's secured, he changes into a comfortable set of clothes to go to bed. He sits down on his bed and begins to settle into bed when, suddenly, a loud noise crashes from his workbench area.

“What the hell?!” Kike yells.

Time for a surprise.