My Pal Juan

Despite being an immigrant myself [albeit, unfairly privileged, but legal], I have not been following this immigration bill. I can't vote in either my homeland or my country of residence; hence, politics bore me. But that's no excuse for ignorance. Over the weekend, my boyfriend wrote a relatively passionate bulletin about his views on the issue, so I thought it my duty to find out more. After my early evening gym class, I wandered down to an incredibly crowded, but peaceful demonstration on the Mall. A gym acquaintance's husband was manning the acoustics, so I stood in the sound booth near the stage and listened to eloquent and fiery spanish over the loudspeaker. I understood about 5% of the words, but about 95% of the message. It was moving, to say the least.

Which, inadvertently, got me thinking about my buddies in my office building. There are three people I see almost every day, who coincidentally make my day every time they say hello. The first is the man who works on B4 of the parking garage, washes and details my automotive beast for a bargain-basement (no pun intended) price, and saves me a prime parking space when I'm late (which is often). His accent is heavy, his words are few, but his kindness is overwhelming. He recently told me that his company might be transferring him. It nearly broke my heart.

The second is the woman who enters my office around 8pm each evening to empty my basura and recycling. She always asks politely if she can come in while I'm working. I always thank her, because her work is thankless, but she attacks it with pride and contentment.

The third is my pal Juan*. He is in charge of the appearance of the building's main entrances and hallways. When I leave in the evening, he is buffing the floors. His eyes light up when I turn the corner. He waves as I walk towards him (and the parking elevator). He says hello with a gusto that melts away my stress. He stops his work for the few moments of our verbal exchange, and his face beams as I say, "Hi! How are you?" and he replies "Yes!" As the doors close on the elevator, Juan has invariably made me giggle and blush.

"Si, se puede."

*Juan is the name I have given him...one day I will ask his real name.