LuLu Agüero Artist/Writer

Her upcoming novel Lore of Ybor - shines a light on her briar patch, including all of its mysteries and twisted truths.

Excerpt:

A Quixotic Tale

31 year old Celestino Garcia was a proud Spaniard who contracted polio as a child. His ability to become a wellknown thriving barber was not affected by the disease for years. In 1914 his mother was so distraught with the loss of several of her 10 children due to wars and other catastrophes in Spain that she insisted the family migrate to America. At Ellis Island they all were admitted to the US except for Celestino. By that time he was in a wheelchair due to the progression of his polio. He was deemed incompetent to earn a living. As his family tearfully waved goodbye, he decided to go to Cuba. That way he was close enough to visit them later in St.Louis. He immediatedly set up shop as a tailor in Cuba and enjoyed quite the lucrative business. As a young man he was seen proudly riding a chestnut stallion, sporting a white panama hat and a huge handle bar mustache. Instead of brandishing a sword, he weilded a black barber strap. He was quite popular and partied frequently with friends. He caught the eye of a beautiful young teacher named Felicia who walked by his tailor shop daily. She had seen him on his horse and thought him quite dashing. Soon she and her colleague started picking up hand sewing from the tailor to make extra cash. Felicia became enamored with Celestino and the couple courted in the tailor shop. Her parents sat next to the counter, while she sat across from Celestino. It was only until her father granted permission for his daughter’s hand in marriage did Celestino reveal his paralysis and that he was confined to a wheel chair. The couple became engaged in 1916 and wed shortly thereafter. Celestino and Felicia immigrated to

the US through New Orleans. Celestino was now allowed into the U.S. simply because Felicia was deemed a professional. The couple traveled throughout the country having 3 children in 3 different states. They later visited Cuba and had another child there. Obviously parts of his body were working quite well! They returned to the U.S. so Celestino could continue working as a tailor.

Sadly Felicia contracted breast cancer. Celestino was devasted! How could he save her? He thought if he could find a community that approximated the culture, flora and fauna of Cuba it would hasten her recovery. He moved his family from Chicago to a thriving Latin mecca called Ybor City in Florida. Felicia soon gave birth to twin girls. By the time the twins were 3 years old, Felicia had passed.

Celestino was shocked but he had 6 children to raise. Through the purple and white octogon sidewalks of Ybor City, he proudly navigated his wheelchair as a trusty stead and weilded his barber strap as his whip. His flock of 6 children delightfully followed him as he stopped at different government kiosks which gave out sugar, fruit and milk to families in need. They survived the great depression and he lived to see his 6 children grow up and enjoy his 13 grandchildren. The old rattan wheelchair was retired and he lived bedridden at each of his children’s homes until he passed at a ripe old age. And sometimes during a hazy sunset, I swear I can see an old rickety wheelchair rolling through the clouds with a whitehaired Spaniard cracking his barberstrap! YewHaw! REST IN PEACE ABUELO!

LuLu Agüero Artist/Writer

HEAT, COLOR, PASSION, HUMOR

Lulu's artistic talents are truly remarkable, transcending language and capturing the essence of life's energy.

Born and raised in Ybor CityHer ability to infuse her Latin flair into her works, whether on canvas or in her writing, is a testament to her unique perspective.

Artistpsychic@gmail.com