Buendia and Ortega Ride Again

[Arcadio Buendia]

Arcadio was standing in the Arrivals area of the airport, by the baggage claim. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, hands jammed into his pockets, and impatient. He couldn't believe that after all these years, his cousin Oscar Ortega was going to be here. They hadn't seen each other since they were both in their 30s, but they had kept in touch. Oscar had bailed Arcadio out of some very bad financial situations in the past, and Arcadio had done his best to repay him. Now that he had a very steady income as a professor at Bellefonte Academy, he could finally pay the rest of his debt.

He kept bouncing, losing himself in the emotions of the people around him. Everyone mostly felt the same as he did: impatient, full of anticipation, full of longing. Arcadio thought back on some of the trouble he and Oscar had gotten into as kids. Running the streets in Macondo, stealing food from the market even though Arcadio's father would have been ashamed to see a Buendia stooping to that level. It had been a rush, although Arcadio could have afforded the sweets and fruit they had swiped as kids, even at that age he had known that Oscar couldn't. Rather than shame his cousin by offering to pay for everything, he had taken up whatever criminal impulses Oscar had as well. This bond and co-dependant behaviour continued as they grew older. Although going to La Delgadillo had been a good experience for Arcadio, he knew that it had been tough on Oscar. Structure and routine was good for Arcadio, whereas Oscar struggled with his 'delinquent' reputation and scary mutation. As a teenager at La Delgadillo, Arcadio had probably been too soft and sensitive to be there. But, he kept his head down and excelled in class and graduated as one of the top students in his year. Oscar had been kept in the academy longer, and the two of them eventually parted ways as Arcadio left for America.

He focused up as travellers began exiting through the security gate. He swept the crowd, looking for Oscar's dark hair and rugged features. He finally spotted his cousin. "Oscar!" he shouted, "you sonofabitch!" He rushed forward to the other man, and grabbed him in a tight hug. He heaved Oscar off the ground for a few seconds. "You're here," he gushed in Spanish as he let Oscar drop back to his feet. "I can't believe it!"

--
tag: Oscar Ortega

[Oscar Ortega]

Clop, clop, clop. Oscar walked with a small dufflebag in his hand, looking around the airport with curiosity. Nearly everyone around him was speaking English. That was going to be something he had to get use to. He was so use to speaking Spanish to everyone and listening to Spanish-spoken conversations and interactions. English wasn't something Oscar was bad at, per se... he just didn't like it as much as his mother tongue. In a way it was a blessing that the fourty-six year old man got into the trouble he did. Some of his "business partners" were purly English speaking individuals. That certainly helped the learning curve.

Once he exited the gate, Arcadio's shout told him which way to turn. Oscar got a big smile on his face as he strode over to his cousin. He let out a boisterous laugh as he was hugged, instantly returning it with both of his arms. He gave Arcadio's back a couple of strong pats as he spoke, "It's been too long, Arcadito. How are you? You look good for an old fart." 

Oscar pulled away to continue grinning at his beloved cousin, keeping one of his arms around Arcadio's shoulders.

[Arcadio Buendia]

"Old?" Arcadio yelped in fake offence. "You're the older one!" He couldn't keep a big grin off his face. "I can't believe they let you across the border." Spanish felt so good in his mouth. Real Spanish. Spanish that wasn't broken, that wasn't spat out by Anglophones who were disappointed in his class not being an easy credit. "Oscarcito," he said warmly. He hadn't bee called Arcadito since they were both young boys, and he was sure no one called Oscar, Oscarcito since then, too.

"I got a new apartment," Arcadio told him, as they started to make their way through the airport to the parking. "As soon as I got your call." He used to live on campus, but when he found out that Oscar was coming to the US, he immediately made arrangements. He knew what coming to a new country was like, and not having a familiar face or any resources made it very hard to adjust. 

As they approached Arcadio's car, he felt overwhelmed with emotion. "I have to say thank you for everything you did for me," he said, voice thick. "I would not have made it without your support." Arcadio wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, suddenly remembering every moment in his past where he didn't have enough to eat, or money for rent, and then his cousins Oscar Ortega and Jose Aureliano Buendia coming through when he needed it most by wiring him money.

[Oscar Ortega]

Oscar laughed. "What's two years? We're both old. You'd say I carry it well, wouldn't you?" Aging didn't mean much for Oscar. It was a reminder of all the time he wasted and life he lost with the habits he struggled with back home. But that was in the past, and the Ortega did not plan to go back to that life. America was the start of a new life. An honest life. And this time he will be beside his best friend.

Reaching Arcadio's car, Oscar furrowed his brows at Arcadio. His cousin had always been the emotional one out of the two. Intelligence came at a price, didn't it? But he shook his head at Arcadio, motioning with his hands for him to stop his fussing. "Of course. I'd do anything for you, buddy. Don't worry about it. Now you're saving my ass." He paused, getting a more serious look on his face as he moved close enough to claps his hand on Arcadio's shoulder. "We have each other, Arcadio. We don't have to worry about anything anymore."

[Arcadio Buendia]

'We don't have to worry about anything anymore.'

That was true. With Oscar at his side again, Arcadio already felt better. They had been inseparable as kids, and he figured that they would soon be once more. Back in Macondo, it wasn't unexpected to see Buendia kids running together, especially since the family was so large. But, Arcadio and Oscar bonded so quickly and closely. Often their neighbours would comment on how Arcadio often chose to spend more time with "The Ortega boy" than his other Buendia cousins.

Even at La Delgadillo, they had never been apart. La Delgadillo had a reputation of handling rough students. Oscar had been a rough one, but the gentler Arcadio, when given the option to transfer to a different academy, refused to leave his cousin behind.

And now he'd stick to his cousin once again.

"I'm just glad you're here,"[/b] Arcadio said. "Get in the car. Let's get you home. Then we can talk."[/b]

[Oscar Ortega]

"That's what I like to hear." Oscar's smile was large. It was a smile he only gave to those he loved the most. It was a rare sighting.

He opened the back door of the passenger side long enough to toss his duffel bag on the seat. Oscar proceeded to haul himself into the care and let out a sigh to show discontent to be sitting once more. "I hope you plan to feed me, cousin. It's been a long trip. I'll pay for it." 

The large man turned his head to appraise Arcadio, finding that a feeling of surrealism was passing through him. What sort of path had he taken to lead himself to this place? Oscar pondered on it for a bit, remaining quiet as he did so. If he never got into the trouble he had back home, would he have had the money to move to this country? To reunite with Arcadio? Surely not. Oscar's life had been ridden with nothing but poverty and family. If Oscar had stayed in Monsanto and worked on the very same banana farm that Juan now ran.... he was certain he would not be sitting beside his favourite Buendia.

[Arcadio Buendia]

"I'll feed you," Arcadio said, grinning. There was a little Mexican restaurant close to his place that was quite good. He figured Oscar would enjoy it. "It's not too far."

They chatted lightly as they drove to the restaurant. Arcadio told Oscar that he was now teaching, and had been for some time. They talked about school memories, and other insignificant details. It was a catching up period. They hadn't seen each other in ages. But, it felt like they had seen each other only yesterday. It was strange for Arcadio to see Oscar so grown up. He didn't look much different than the last time they had seen each other, but there was something different. He supposed that there was something different about both of them.

They arrived at the restaurant. Once inside, they were quickly seated by a server with a friendly smile. Arcadio immediately ordered a beer when the server came back with glasses of water.

[Oscar Ortega]

Oscar watched Arcadio closely as a beer was ordered. Oscar declined one for himself when the server asked. He decided not to comment on his cousin's decision, but he was certain he would bring it up in the future. "So, teaching. I knew you would be successful, cousin. You were always the smart one. What are the children like here opposed to our academy?"

He was looking over the menu as he spoke. It was hard not to salivate as he read the menu. It didn't take long to make up his mind and Oscar settled on a spicy tilapia dish. With that settled, he doled the menu and pushed it in front of him, giving Arcadio his full attention once more while he sipped on his water.

[Arcadio Buendia]

Arcadio noticed that Oscar declined a beer, and noted it in the back of his mind for later. That was an interesting development. He never knew Oscar to turn down a drink. He didn't want to bring it up now, however. 

"Kids here are different," He answered. "Nothing like we used to be. More calm." Even his 'problem' students were nothing compared to the trouble Oscar had gotten into while they had been in school. Arcadio had seen many a violent encounter, and you could flip a coin to bet on if Oscar had been the instigator or not. Arcadio wasn't sure if it was the type of students who were being accepted to Bellefonte, or if it was simply a difference in culture that produced a more manageable student body. He had a feeling it was the former instead of the latter, since Americans were crazy, but that was his opinion that he kept to himself.

"So, what's your plan now that you're here?" Arcadio asked.

[Oscar Ortega]

Oscar picked up his water and gulped some down as he imagined a classroom full of disciplined children who did what the teachers told them. If there was ever a time of peace at La Delgadillo Academia, Oscar and his fellow trouble makers would work to stir things up. "Calm kids? They must not know how to live."

Leaning back in his chair, Oscar tilted his head to the right, thinking of an answer to Arcadio's question. His plan before getting on the plane was to reunite with his cousin and be there for him. It had been too long since they had each other's backs, and Oscar needed it now more than ever. Arcadio had given Oscar a place to stay, something the older man appreciated greatly. Columbia had been Oscar's home, a place he felt spiritually connected to. But things had started to get too heated for Oscar over there, and he wanted to escape the life he had made for himself.

"Now there's the question of the year. I need to find a job. Maybe you could help me with the process here. I don't know what these Americans want. I have my work visa, but no information. I should probably work in labour. I'm not so good in the office."

[Arcadio Buendia]

Arcadio tilted the pint of beer back, drinking more. This was his first beer of the day, and he was savouring it. There was nothing so refreshing as the first beer. Especially when he was in such good company.

"A job," Arcadio repeated. Finding work could be hard. But, he'd certainly help Oscar look. He couldn't think of something off the top of his head, but he was sure they could find something. Two sets of eyes were often better than one.

"How's your English?" Arcadio asked. If Oscar was going to work in America, he was going to have to start operating in English.