Souvenirs from Santa Monica Pier

He turns to me and says, “No hablo inglés.” I regret losing touch with Spanish shortly after high school. I wonder what else I spent years remembering only to forget. It’s almost sunset but the pier is louder than ever. He looks to a group of kids nearby that are watching us and whispering. He motions them over and they scramble to his side, all smiles.

I ask this makeshift committee if I can take his photo and I hold my hands up to “snap” a picture. A girl translates for me and he stands in silence for a few. He lets the tiniest smile slip, and the group laughs. He gives me a gentle nod which is followed by more laughter. I have no idea what the kids are saying, but the overlapping chatter feels encouraging. I point towards the ocean and he looks out. The kids continue giggling and I can’t help but join in.

March 29, 2025