Que Pasa, Colleen? is a labor of love and a tribute to its author, my mother, Nancy Cook,published posthumously. It is a story of love and all of its various and powerful forms and how love shapes our lives. The work is a series of short stories, following the residents of Colleen, TX through life’s adventures, trials, and tribulations. The characters are quirky, likeable, and real. The context varies from the sublime and poetic, to horrifying and sorrowful, and jubilant and silly. The main character, Maria Hernandez, is a powerful woman forced to do whatever it takes to support her family after being abandoned by her “American Dream” seeking husband. Her guilt and shame ensuing, and her eventual salvation aided by a kindhearted priest. The story also highlights her 4 children as they experience their share of life’s challenges and rejoice in life’s wonders. The Hernandez family (an Hispanic working class immigrant family) is linked to the Brockway family (a middle class Caucasian family) by Maria’s years of loyal service as their “domestic,” thus intertwining their 2 worlds. Sprinkled in are other various colorful characters peppering the landscape of Colleen and creating rich body and colorful flair – and a few great recipes, too!
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