Beyond the Cobblestones by Luisa Ramondo

Author:Luisa Ramondo
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-63676-882-3
Publisher: New Degree Press
Published: 2021-08-05T00:00:00+00:00

I show up for my job early in the morning, and I do this several days a week. I need to get wood, too, but he says I can use the cart for that. Each week I gather wood and hay for the ovens, and he pays me.

On the days I get paid, he also gives me a small loaf of bread to bring home.

That loaf of bread makes my family happy, and I feel good bringing it to them.

Every week when I get home with my pay, I wrap the money in a handkerchief and hide it in a hole in the wall near my bed. It isn’t a lot, but it’s a start. I’ve already saved a good amount, and I’ve been trying to calculate how much I need for the trip. I need enough for the bus trip to Foggia. The school gives you a place to sleep, so I’ll probably just need money for books and maybe food. I can get a job there and work when I’m not in class. I write it all down in my little booklet.

The weeks go by quickly, and I feel proud that I’m making my own money.

Working at the ovens is heavy work, and I feel like I’m getting stronger. But this week I’m definitely feeling worn out. I’m very happy when the baker says I can go home early. He pays me my week’s wages and hands me another warm loaf of bread. It feels good in my hands as I hold it up to my face and take a long breath in. I close my eyes and savor every moment.

“Delizioso, vero?” he asks, and I answer quickly.

“Oh, yes sir, it is delicious Thank you for your kindness.” I say as I walk away. I want to get home and add my wages to my handkerchief. I need to lay it all out and see how much I have now. I feel peaceful as I walk home in the summer heat.

When I get home, I quickly go to my handkerchief to add my money to the rest.

Someone has touched it!

I open the handkerchief and half of my money is missing. I start screaming.

“We’ve been robbed!” I yell loudly for everyone to hear.

My brothers and sisters all look up in shock.

“Oh my God, really? Who could have robbed you?” Paola says in disbelief.

“Claudia, Elena’s shoes were falling apart, and your father hasn’t been getting any work lately. I’ll give it back to you after he gets paid,” my mother says, dismissing the whole thing as if it were no big deal.

I know what that means.

I’ll never get that money back.

“Mama, this is my money for school!” I say, screaming angrily and on the verge of tears. “Why would you take my money for her shoes?”

“Claudia, don’t be so selfish. Your sister is walking on stones, her shoes are so bad. I told you I’d pay you back. You’ll have enough money for school, anyway.” She dismisses me.

“You really are being selfish, Claudia; Mama didn’t take that much money,” Paola says, siding with our mother.

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