Lester Solinski

**Lester Casimir Solinski**, also known as **Les** or **Pops** (by his daughter Mari Ashley Solinski and her best friend Zandra Marie Niko) is the father of Mari Ashley Solinski, the Improbable Girl, and husband if Selinda Garcia Solisnki. He works as an automobile mechanic and owns a shop, Solinski Auto Repair, which is located across an alley from his home. Les is an understanding father and husband who has pride in his Polish-American and Texas heritage. Both Mari and Niko can take comfort in his counsel and advice.

## Background

Lester Solinski was born and raised near Panna Maria, an old Polish settlement in South Texas, and attended schools in Kenedy, Texas where he played football and basketball. His father had been a mechanic and he followed in that field. His only brother, Stanislav Solinski, attended Texas Tech and eventually acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology and a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Les and Stan are the best of brothers, however, Stan's service on ships means they seldom see one another.

### Marriage to Selinda Garcia

Sometime in 1982, Les...after graduating high school...came to work in Kenedy, Texas at a local hardware store. At that time, a young lady named Selinda Garcia from Kingsville, Texas came to visit her aunt and uncle and cousins for the summer. While there, she met and was initially extremely annoyed by Les who was not on the best terms with Selinda's cousins. Les and Selinda had many somewhat negative encounters throughout the summer of 1983 until the day before Selinda was to leave back to Kingsville. At that time Selinda had attracted the unwanted attention of a local bully who had taken a liking to her despite her objections. Les, overheard his this fellows unwanted advances and, after considering merely walking off, realized that Selinda was about to be assaulted. He intervened in the situation and was beaten senseless for his efforts. The bully then walked away after calling Selinda some foul and racist names. Selinda assisted him to his truck and realized she actually had admiration for Les. They began to write each other during Selinda's senior year.

Selinda returned to Kenedy, Texas in the Summer of 1984 where she began to see more and more of Les. Les brought her to a family gathering where his father did not approve of his son associating romantically with someone who was not of their ethnicity, however, Les' mother took an instant liking to Selinda despite some strife. Selinda brought Les to Kingsville to met her parents, Policarpio and Tomasita Garcia. Policarpio took a similar stance to Les with blatant disapproval and disparaging words. Policarpio threatened to beat Les to a pulp when Selinda announced that she loved Les and, if she had to leave he family and marry Les without her father's approval, then he would have to disown her. Les asked Selinda to marry him and they married in June of 1985.

The two made a home for themselves in Kingsville with Les finding a job in a local auto garage and Selinda going to work at The Pizza Parlor. There was struggling and hard times with bad news mounting throughout the Fall of 1985. Les' father died in October and they get news in November that Selinda could not have children. This news was extremely hurtful to Selinda who cried for weeks.

The couple continued to struggle through the holiday season and on into 1986. Les did get some encouraging news in March 1986 as he secured a job in the local Chrysler Dealership where his pay would increase and he would rise saving money to hopefully have enough money to open his own shop. Through all this, Selinda's father and brothers pummeled Les with insults and discouragement hoping to shatter their marriage. This was so until late February 1987 when Selinda was informed that she was pregnant. This news shocked everyone, including Les. In August of 1987 Mari Ashley Solinski was born, named for Les' grandmother, Maria Wallek Solinski.

The birth of the child, seen as a miracle baby, caused Policarpio to reconsider his ways as he came to love Mari very much. After all, she was the daughter of his favored child, Selinda. In time, Policarpio, now named Papo Garcia by Mari, came to admire and assist Les greatly even assisting him in setting up his own shop, Solisnki Auto.

Les' business thrived had he gained much renown as a sensible and helpful mechanic.

In May 2003, after finding out he had cancer, Policarpio Garcia, who initially resented and outright hated Les, called him to his death bed. With tearful eyes and a quivering voice the old man apologized and asked Les for forgiveness. He acknowledged that Les was like a son to him...one of his many...and that he was the best thing that could have happened to Selinda. He thanked him for giving them Mari, who saved his soul. Then the old man died.

## Appearances

Lester Solinski originally appeared in a Father's Day promotional piece for the Mari Solinski and the Wonder Kitty Facebook page. His first appearance was in Issue #2: The Prisoner Agenda where he offered Mari some personal advice. He was scene again next issue, Issue #3: The Heist, awaiting the results of the Court Martial Hearing where Mari and Niko had been cleared of any charges of wrong doing. He was briefly scene in Issue #4: The Druid's Secret where he was scene watching television at home with his wife Selinda Solinski when Mari sends a text message asking if she invited Percy to a "party" in an effort to set up Mari and Percy.

Issue #2: The Prisoner Agenda

Issue #3: The Heist

Issue #4: The Druid's Secret