“Since I’m being a model father, I should probably make sure you’ve finished all your homework.” He backs up from the stove and starts playing air guitar to whatever song is on the radio. Such the model father.

“It’s all done. I even read ahead in English since I have to go to the Dorns’ tomorrow after school to babysit.”

Dad pauses his solo. “Really? How late are you going to be? Will you just be missing the pizza portion of pizza-and-bad-movie night or the whole thing?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll find out.” I get out the plates and silverware. “We can always watch the movie on Saturday before Lee’s birthday party.”

“Sounds like a perfect way to prepare yourself for the royal family. Let them eat cake!” Dad says with a flick of the spatula.

“That’s Marie Antoinette.”

“Well, then … Off with their heads!”

“That’s from Alice in Wonderland,” I say with a shake of my head.

Dad lifts his eyebrow. “Shakespeare did it first.”

“Of course he did.”

“See, your pops can still teach you a few things! Now, on to more pressing issues to discuss.” He takes the shells out of the microwave. “What’s your prediction: Is Josefina going to run off with the priest? Or is she going to save her family’s farm by marrying el jeffy?”

“It’s jefe,” I correct him. “You forgot that Josefina’s sister has blackmail material that might get them out of it.”

“But will she get there in time?” He grabs me by the shoulders. “Will she? I need to know!” He then sucks in his breath as he puts his hand to his heart. “Dios mío!”

My hand flies up dramatically to my forehead. “Mi corazón!”

Dad stops the overacting. “My head?”

“My heart. Head is cabeza.”

“Ah, see, I’m learning. Before you know it, I’ll be muy fluent.” He bobs his head to the new song playing.

“Aha! But who relentlessly teased me when I started watching telenovelas?”

“Now, now, I was just being the thoughtful and concerned parent that I am. Add selfless to that. And excellent browner of meat.” He takes the skillet off the stove and begins filling our taco shells.

“You truly are so selfless,” I tease, although I like that we started watching these shows together.

Last year for extra credit in Spanish class, we had to watch Spanish-language programs without subtitles. While scrolling through streaming options, I decided to watch a program called Mi Amor, Mi Vida (My Love, My Life), about a couple torn apart by a family rivalry. Dad would occasionally walk by and comment on the overacting, but then he’d start asking questions about what was going on. I’d tell him of the crazy plot twists and how everybody was connected. One week he sat down to watch with me.