The Brazilian Wax and the Unspoken Dignity Tax

Brazilian Wax. The distinctiveness of this practice only dawned on me after leaving my home country. In Brazil, wax is simply wax—just as there, I am a citizen, not a Latina, a South American, or an immigrant. Seeing the name of my homeland advertised on chalkboards outside gringo beauty salons Read more

Emotional Odyssey at the Department of Motor Vehicles

I always see at least one handsome man at the DMV. It’s never one of the workers (bitter civil servants who never give you adequate time to prepare for that little picture they take of you because it is the one joy they have left) but some other poor, unfortunate Read more

I Love You Daddy

“He has about six quality months left.” “And then?” “Hmm . . . would you like a glass of water?” “No. What then?” “He will lose his speech and, eventually, he will be paralyzed. Would you like a tissue?” Aby blinked very fast. “Are you saying he will,” she swallowed Read more