Across the Great River by Irene Beltrán Hernández

Author:Irene Beltrán Hernández
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arte Público Press
Published: 1989-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

My eyelids open slowly like a butterfly on its first early morning flight. Pablito is spread-eagle, laying on his stomach. My eyes float down to where Ramona sleeps. Her mild snores add music to the early twilight.

I need to go to the outhouse … a bathroom … as the white ones call it. I ease myself into a sitting position, then lower my feet to the floor. I stand watching the silent one for any signs of waking.

Step by step, like a slow moving turtle, I make my way over to the door. I push it open only enough for me to slip through, then I glance back. No one has moved, and the snores have not stopped their up and down rhythm.

I touch the tub which is even colder than the night before. I reach for the pouch, find it, untangle it, then tie it under the white cotton slip they have given me. I smooth down the slip, then study the white hole with its swirling water. I dread sitting on it because I know it is cold, but I must go, so I quickly use it, and then push the little handle down. Quickly I stand so that I can watch the water in the hole swirl faster, then disappear.

It’s magic, I think, watching the hole refill itself. On going back into the blue room, I notice the silent one has hardly moved. I crawl back into bed smiling to myself. With my treasure safe around my waist, I fall asleep again.

I awake with a start when I hear a man’s voice outside the door. I recognize it as the doctor’s. I glance over to Ramona’s bed, but it is made and she is gone. I sit up quickly and notice that Pablito is still sleeping.

Nell enters. “Well, it’s about time, young lady. Did you have a good night’s rest?”

I tighten the blanket around me and watch as she goes over to Pablito. “He’s still sleeping,” she says as she feels his forehead. Satisfied he is all right, she turns to me and says, “Doctor Mendez is waiting for you.” She hands me my dress from the chair and watches as I slip out of the blanket and pull the dress over my head. “I think it would be best if you speak with him before having breakfast, he is a very busy man.” She brushes my hair quickly. “We would not want to keep him from his work.

“Yes, he needs to get back to Anita and Mama.”

Nell chuckles, “Kata, there are other sick people besides your Mama and Anita.” She holds the door open for me.

“Yes, señorita Nell.”

She leads me to the small office where the doctor waits. He looks like he has not slept all night long. “Chiquita, little one, let’s talk.” He points to a chair. I wait while he clears his throat.

“Anita is doing much better now, even though she lost several teeth. Her face is swollen, but it will heal in a few days.

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