Jackson Heights Chronicles by Orlando Tobon

Author:Orlando Tobon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2008-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

The comment made Fernando’s heart ache, and he had to hold back his tears from the sudden wave of emotion. He could almost hear his own mother right then, admonishing him and his siblings for not eating everything on their plates when so many children in the world went hungry.

“Well, I want you to fill up, and good, but don’t go getting sick, because your teacher wouldn’t like you to miss out on school.”

“I promise, Don Fernando, I’ve got plenty of room for the food I ordered.”

Fernando gave him a couple of pats on the shoulder, and then asked:

“Do all the kids in Peru eat that well?”

“In my country we eat even more, the food in Peru is so good…. You know, you’d be even fatter if you lived there.” As soon as he said it, he realized he’d stuck his foot in his mouth. “Please, I didn’t mean that, it wasn’t right to say that …”

“Don’t give it another thought, Danielito. I’ve been overweight for years and I know it. We’re brothers, and brothers don’t need to go around worrying about things like that. But I’m afraid you’re not going to be able to finish what you started to eat; you’re going to look like one of those little chickens that they fatten up with corn.”

“Oh, wow, you know, I think I forgot to order the chicken.”

“Are you serious?”

The instant the food arrived, Danielito stopped talking—his his mouth was busy with other things. Without rushing, but at the same time totally focused on the task at hand, he concentrated exclusively on savoring each and every bite until finally, the plate was clean as a pin. He looked up and smiled.

“That was such a good meal, Don Fernando. Thank you so much.”

“Sure. If you don’t mind, I’m going to order a coffee.”

“Of course not, go right ahead, enjoy.”

• • •

After finishing the coffee, Fernando paid the bill and took Danielito on a visit to the public library. The little boy, thrilled, began to clap with delight. Once inside, they inquired about getting library cards, and after filling out the applications and receiving their cards, they went over to the children’s section. Daniel picked out a book to read that week: the first book in the world-famous saga by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

“Today we have initiated a brotherhood that I hope will unite us for the rest of our lives. But we also share a responsibility: this library card allows us to take out a book every time we see each other. But we have to return it in perfect shape. Deal?”

“Today has been such a great day, Don Fernando. Thank you so much for being my big brother.”

He gave Fernando a big hug and then put the book in his backpack.

Just as he had promised Mr. Triana, at six-thirty Fernando met Teresa, Danielito’s mother, at the entrance to the Roosevelt Avenue subway stop. They greeted each other warmly, and as he shook the woman’s hand she looked him in the eye and said:

“You are a guardian angel.

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