Chapter 10

Michael received a letter from the New York Regional Office of the Veterans Administration that just ten years before had guaranteed his mortgage loan for the dream house on Meredith Place. In terms of bearing bad news, some might think Alsinio’s letter from Havana would be hard to top. For Michael, the VA letter was equally disturbing and even more painful.

The store on the corner of Calle San Francisco and San Justo in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

El Imperio in San Juan grew and don Miguel was thrilled to greet famous customers like the bolero singer Olga Guillot and her dancer friend Floriana Alba.

“I regret that we can not be more helpful,” came response after response. The phrase would soon become a familiar, tired refrain.