“No, gracias. No me gusta . No hablo español.” As she and her mom got into a long line behind the other passengers to show their passports, she continued. “No qui- ero . No puedo . No me gusta . ” “Your Spanish sounds good, Paloma. You’re a quick learner, but I think it’s interesting that you’ve picked up all the negative expressions.” “I’m not negative.” Paloma scowled. “C’mon, Paloma. ‘ No me gusta. ’ ‘ No quiero. ’ You don’t like it. You don’t want it. Tell me that’s not all negativo .” Her mom put her arm around Paloma’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “I want you to have a positive experience here in Mexico. Try saying ‘ Me gusta ’ instead.” Paloma let out a long sigh. “Fine. I don’t know how to say ‘I will try’ in Spanish yet, but I will try to see this as one super-mega-positive experience that will forever change my life! I also want world peace, fluffy kittens, and unicorns!” Paloma forced a wide Miss America smile that showed all her teeth and lasted so long she felt like her cheeks would explode. “Much better.” “Mom, why didn’t you and Dad just raise me speaking Spanish? This whole trip would be so much easier, you know?” Paloma asked. “I mean, Dad was from Mexico, so he spoke Spanish like a pro, right? Did he ever try to teach me to speak it?” “He did have a couple of cute Spanish nicknames for you,” Paloma’s mom said. A soft smile curved her lips as they
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