"When your Uncle Ricky gets here, make sure he has some dinner. He will probably want to go to bed early after the long flight, but make sure he eats something," my mom said as she kissed the top of my head before opening the door.
Behind her, the street lights glowed and reflected off piles of snow left by the snowplows. Icicles dangled daintily from trees and pointed to the ground like frozen arrows. Our city had been hit by one snowstorm after another starting back in October. When my school finally went on winter break, I was relieved to not have to walk the six blocks to campus every day in freezing temperatures and frigid wind gusts. I was also really looking forward to my uncle's visit.
Uncle Ricky lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and held such a demanding position as a robotics engineer at a university, that he hardly ever came to visit. In the past when Uncle Ricky visited, Mom would take time off from work, but this year, she couldn't manage it. The terrible weather meant we were spending a lot of money on heating the apartment. Our electric bill was double what it was last year at this time.
An hour after my mom departed for her overnight shift at the department store, there was a hardy knock at the door. I unlatched the security chain and twisted the deadbolt.
"My girl!" Uncle Ricky encircled me with his arms and gathered me into a vast embrace.
"We have to close the door to keep all of the heat from escaping," I said, pulling away and trying to tug him into the living room before the apartment got too cold.
Uncle Ricky sat on the couch and entertained me with stories about his life on the lovely island while I reheated the extravagant dinner my mom had prepared. When I finally set the plate of spicy shredded beef, fried plantains, rice, and salad in front of him, Uncle Ricky looked upset.
"This meal is a traditional Cuban dinner, just like your grandmother used to make. Whenever family would come to visit, our mother would make a feast! This makes me miss your grandmother and wish that your mother were here with us right now," Uncle Ricky explained as he scooped huge forkfuls of the dinner into his mouth. "Ana, if there's one thing I have learned living so far away, it is how important family is. Whether we are near or far, we always need to stick together. Promise me you will always remember that."
Though she had to work every day while he was visiting, my mom was overjoyed to spend time with her beloved brother whenever she had a few spare hours. She laughed and smiled more in that week than she had in all of the months before, and when he left to go home, she cried.
A few weeks after Uncle Ricky returned to Puerto Rico, I found my mother sitting in the living room holding a card from the mail. She looked up and smiled, "Ricky sent a check to pay for the electric bill because he wants me to devote more time to you. This money means I do not have to work extra shifts."
She put on all of her winter accessories—coat, scarf, mittens, and hat—and held out her hand. "I know it is a wild idea, but I feel like going to get some ice cream to celebrate. Want to come with me?"
I laughed and nodded, deciding to stick with my mother whenever I could.
17
Which statement best describes a recurring theme in this passage?
A.
It is important to let go of false assumptions.
B.
Helping others in need is gratifying work.
C.
Treasure the time you have with family.
D.
Learning something new takes time and effort.