The Alphas Son

Manny's POV

My name is Manuel Antonio Rodriguez, I was born November 8th 1973 on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, to parents Gloria and Alfredo. I'm the youngest of 8 siblings, 5 sisters and 2 brothers. Growing up in the countryside of the island with my family was great. My parents worked in the city, and that's where we attended school.

We lived on my grandparent's homestead in a 4 bedroom home, one of the many houses out here on the land. My Papau and Memau had 9 kids, including my dad. We grew most of our own food, lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. We also raised chickens, cows, goats, sheep, turkeys, pigs and rabbits that we butchered for food.

My Papau also taught me how to hunt and fish. I enjoyed hunting the most, it just felt I don't know.. natural to me. He showed me how to use a wooden bow & arrow first, then various knives, axes, machetes and finally guns. I was excellent at all types of weaponry, it was second nature. 

We sold the land and moved to Chicago's Humboldt Park area in March of 1984. Living in the big city was really different from the countryside. I miss the country life, if ever I am able to, I want to live like that again.

We didn't have a lot of animals anymore, my grandma kept her some chickens though, she loved fresh eggs. We couldn't hunt anymore but could still fish in the Humboldt Park Lagoon or at Lake Michigan. Our school was closer, everything was a short walk away. We no longer grew a lot of our own food or had to butcher any animals. And the weather was much more different, colder. It.. took awhile to get used to. 

I graduated from Roberto Clemente high school in 1991. I decided to join the Marines that summer and after nearly 6 years now I'm back home. I'm eating at my Tios' (Spanish for Uncle) restaurant enjoying a jibarito meal (jibarito is a steak sandwich with grilled onions, cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato, between 2 flatten and fried plantains served with traditional rice and beans).

It was cozy in here some random telenovela was on the TV and soft Samba music playing in the background. I had been back for about a month now and enjoyed seeing my family and spending time catching up with everyone.

I was able to buy myself a nice 4 bedroom/ 3 and a half bath home and a '98 royal blue Cadillac Deville. My cousin Victor encouraged me to buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle, he said it'll help in getting the ladies to notice me. ME! Oh the ladies notice me, I'm a caramel colored, towering 6'7" tall, ripped 275 pound GOD of a man! Believe me, they notice me bro. 

It was April now, Easter Sunday and the weather was warming up a bit, but still windy as usual. It ain't called the Windy City for nothing. My face has some stubble and I was sporting a bald fade, I'm really looking forward to my hair growing back I had to keep it cut while in the Marines. I had on a blue muscle shirt and black slacks.

"So what are you planning on doing with yourself now that you're back, sobrino (nephew)?" My uncle asked.

"Honestly I just want to settle down unc, being single sucks. I want what you and aunt Marie got, a marriage and solid foundation. I want some little Mannys running around." I told him honestly.

Aunt Marie looked up from the register smiling, then came over and gave her hubby a kiss.