Jimmy’s Burger’s

2021-01-24 18:22:25.163.jpeg

My memory consists of every other Sunday afternoon at the laundromat down the street from Jimmy’s. My mom used to look all over the house for change, quarters in particular so we could do our laundry those Sunday’s. Unloading the car in a hurry as if someone else would beat us to the washing machines. No one ever did. On busy days, we would just wait for a washer to open up. And on the certain occasions we’d managed to get the clothes all on the same drying cycle, that’s when my mom, my little sister & I would rush down to Jimmys for a cheeseburger combo. 

1 cheeseburger, fries & a coke. We’d go back, set up on an open folding counter, my little sister & I. And we’d split the cheeseburger combo between us. My mom, keeping an eye out on the dryers. Inserting additional quarters for more drying time if need be. As a 9 year old, I didn’t care for onion & tomatoes on a burger but I’d devour my half of the fully loaded cheeseburger with no objections. Jimmys made a cheeseburger that was pure perfection. It was a satisfying combo.  And after taking that last slip of watered down coke out of the styrofoam cup full of melting ice, your heart & belly were content. Jimmy’s did that. Jimmy’s always came correct for the neighborhood. 

Your homegirl,

Violy

Compañia de Café

burro 2.jpg

To this day, I still think of you, I still miss you. I still reminisce of what could’ve been. We only had each other for a very short time.  Watching something new come in to the very same spot where you left your heart here for us. La tristesa es that la misma gente que no apoyaban, les dara exito al fulano de tal. Esta realización, como me choca. There’s a thin line between being a chingona & being a chillona. Balancing both, here I am, standing on Maclay Ave, looking at your beautiful old tile through the large glass windows that will soon look into something else. Sin corazón, sin el cariño, sin confianza….

Just know, your attempt alone was enough.

And to anyone who feels like they’re running on fumes,

like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel,

like giving up or not even starting:

Hecha le ganas, yo te apoyo.

 

I’m on your side, always.

Mi querida raza.

Mi querido Valle del San Fernando.

Jamás se rajen.

 

Your Homegirl

Violy