Today is National Tortilla Chip Day (February 24th) https://gloriawriteshere.wordpress.com/

“Maisy, go down to the market and get me a bunch of bananas. Make sure they are not the green ones. I want to make banana bread to bring to Granny’s tomorrow.”

“Will you make one for us too?”

“You know I always make two! Now, get…I’d like to get started.”

Maisy slipped out the front door and was shocked at the scene in front of her brownstone apartment. There were people lined up as far as she could see to the left and the right. The rows of people were at least five if not six or seven deep. She could get lost just outside her house. How was she going to get through all those people and not spill something down her pants leg? Looking at the front stoop two doors down, Maisy finally had the opportunity to see what all the hype was about. Leaning slightly forward, so as to not fall over the rusting wrought iron handrails, she saw what everyone was looking at.

By now Maisy had forgotten all about the banana bread and was now fixated on…

The group that had congregated at the intersection. There were about 10 people and they were all dressed in Mexican clothing. The funny thing was they were just standing there. I couldn’t hear any music and I certainly didn’t see anyone dancing. I wondered if there was supposed to be some sort of parade or something with all these people lined up and down the street. I decided my best bet would be to go down the step and see if there was anyone who looked friendly enough to chat with.

As I made my way down the steps people near my building turned and looked at me. Their glares felt like I was disturbing something but as I had noticed when I walked out, there was no music, no festivities, or at least none that I could see yet. A man in a jeans coat turned to his side a bit to let me walk by but since he turned and his back was away from me I took that as not an invitation to chat! The peoople lined up didn’t seem to mind stepping out of my way but nobody made eye contact and noone greeted me in any way that seemed friendly. I was about halfway through the rows of people.

I continued making my way when a small, old woman looked up at me as I tried to pass.
“Here, dear, you can stand by me,” she said.
I took this as an opportunity to find out what exactly was going on.

“Good morning,” I said cheerfully. “I didn’t know there was anything special happening today! I only live a few buildings down and I was so surprised to see all these people lined up.”

“Well, I’m surprised you haven’t heard the news. There is a giant truck coming from the Mexican border. No one is certain what is on the truck but people have some ideas. I think it’s going to be bags and bags of Tortilla Chips. I heard they make them from fresh corn in Mexico.”

“Maybe,” I said, trying not to roll my eyes. A truck of tortilla chips? Where on earth did she get that idea? And why was everyone dressed up?