Overview

"La Bodega: Junior's Story is the first offering in the La Bodega Trilogy and is a coming-of-age story of a Puerto Rican boy named Luis Cacique Rodriguez Jr. (aka Junior) who grows up against the backdrop of a rapidly changing and racially evolving 1950s Bronx, New York. After his father is killed serving in the Korean War with the 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed ""The Borinqueneers"", Junior is left to be raised by his overbearing mother Jovita Rodriguez, and a domineering abuela whom the neighborhood affectionately calls Mrs. Conchita. Nevertheless, Junior discovers a hidden talent and passion for music after being introduced to the bongos by his abuela's life partner, Mr. Domingo. As Jovita struggles to keep the family-owned bodega open in honor of her late husband's dying wish that the business be passed down to the son he never had the fortune of meeting, Junior instead dreams of becoming a famous musician and exploring a world far beyond the confines of his city block located at the cross-section of 190th and University Avenue. However, Junior's world becomes less bleak with the arrival of a new best friend, Rafael Hector Morales (aka Raffy), who moves into the apartment directly beneath him. Left unsupervised by his lady-of-the-night mother, Junior lives vicariously through the freedom that Rafael is afforded. As Junior cultivates his prodigious musical talent under the watchful eye of Mr. Domingo, Rafael becomes a neighborhood heroin dealer. Unfortunately, navigating the risks of living the ""street life"" in New York City occasionally bleeds into Junior's own sheltered existence. Upon graduating high school with honors and securing a music scholarship to Fordham University, Mr. Domingo scores Junior a ""gig"" with an old navy buddy who went on to become one of the world's most legendary and famous Puerto Rican band leaders. On the night of Junior's triumphant performance at the world-famous Palladium nightclub with his musical idol, a string of unforeseen events finds both ensnarled in the legal system with each forced to make a life altering decision; enlist in the U.S. Army or go to jail. Will they survive the consequences of their individual choices? Or will they be destroyed as they seek redemption?"

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