Lidia Inclán

> *"I came out of the womb wearing stilettoes"* - **Lidia Inclán**
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# Early Life

Lidia Margarita del Carmen Inclán Maribona Leyte-Vidal is born in Cuba in 1315

## High School

### Pedro Pan Program

Lidia came to America at fourteen in 1333. She came with her brothers and sisters, all except Blanca. Blanca was nineteen, and too old for the Pedro Pan Program. She died before Lidia could ever see her again, of the "flu." She says that she has never regretted coming to America but wishes she had seen her sister one last time.

When Lidia came to the US, she didn't speak the language and experienced racism, and there were many moments she didn't feel welcome.

# Mid Life

## Family

### Little Sister, Mirtha

Lidia hasn't spoken to Mirtha in twenty years because she thought Mirtha stole the family mantilla. Luke thinks he finds the mantilla in a closet, which she reveals that she actually had it the entire time. But then finds out that it's just a piece of lace. They find out that Pilar had it the entire time and had used it on her wedding day to marry her wife Susan

### Marriage

Lidia marries Berto Riera, another Cuban.

Lidia’s passionate love affair with her husband Berto is the fiery romance that is the stuff of legend.

### Berto’s Death

After Berto’s death, Lidia clings to his memory and speaks to him constantly. Berto’s ghost arrives to visit Lidia after her stroke and they dance together as Penélope sleeps by Lidia’s unconscious body. Though she misses her husband dearly, when Berto asks if she’s ready to cross to the other side, Lidia says, “Not yet.”

In 1391, she finally spreads his ashes over the rooftop garden, symbolizing the life and home they had built together. She lays him to rest while still keeping him close to her.

### Parenthood

Lidia has two children: Penélope and Tito. While pregnant with Penélope she drank alcohol and smoked cigars.

### Daughter Joins The Army

She was very obstinate at her daughter for leaving for Afghanistan and said she prayed everyday for Penélope's protection. They fought because of it, but when Lidia was in the hospital, Penélope realized why her mom opposed to it all along.

# Later life

### American Citizenship

Lidia struggled to give up her Cuban citizenship, because of her deep connection to it (she still had the deed to her father's house), However, after Elena convinced her to get naturalized, she realized that she didn't have to stop being Cuban but had an immense amount of love for America. She became American citizen with Schneider.

### First Stroke

Lidia had a stroke while Penelope was pregnant with Elena, but she kept it a secret because she didn't want to bother her and didn’t want for the family to think she is old. She was hospitalized after Penélope found her in her room after having a second stroke.

### Brush With Death

The morning after an argument about Penélope’s breakup with Max, Penélope discovers that Lidia has had a stroke and needs to be rushed to the hospital. Lidia lies in a coma while each of her loved ones express their hopes for her recovery and their regrets for any conflict they had. Penélope brings in a priest to perform the Last Rites as a precaution, but she begs her mother to wake up and refuses to say goodbye to her. Thankfully, Lidia wakes up from her coma and recovers. But the ordeal makes everyone aware that, despite her gusto and fire, the days they have left with Lidia are precious..

## Grandchildren

Lidia has 2 grandchildren: Elena and Luke. While she loves them both, she has an easier time connecting withher grandson.

### Luke

Lidia and Luke have a very close relationship, and she considers him her other half. He frequently reminds her of her husband Berto. The two also share secrets between them that they keep from the rest of the family.

### Elena

Lidia and Elena are very close too, however, she is often snarky towards her, and their ideas differ greatly being from very different generations. Lidia frequently wishes Elena would be more feminine and wear makeup, however, this makes Elena uncomfortable as she feels that's not really her or her personal style. Nonetheless, they love each other very much, and Elena regrets not speaking Spanish as much with her grandmother.