Leapfrog and Other Stories by Guillermo Rosales

Author:Guillermo Rosales
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Cuban Literature, Political, Fiction, Literary, Historical, Short Stories, Childhood
ISBN: 9780811219419
Publisher: New Directions Publishing
Published: 1994-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

At Thirteen, a Midget Can Be Seen

At noon, the guys from the Rotary club arrived. They came in a gray truck, with the words “Rotary Club International” inscribed on the door.

Papa Lorenzo went out to meet them in shorts and a T-shirt, and Mama Pepita ran to the bathroom to quickly get herself ready.

“One day they’ll take me for the maid,” she complained. “A rag is what I am, a rag!”

Agar watched the Rotarians get out of the vehicle with Carnival whistles and shakers.

“The terrible bunch!” Papa Lorenzo greeted them, trying on his best smile.

So they got out: old Mutt Martinez, shortstop for the Santa Fe Club softball team. The very fat Jeff de la Vega, pitcher. Ambrosio Choraliza, owner of the “La Principal” ball field and supplementary member of the club’s board of consultants. Mingo, the barber, “the man who, on the whole beach, knew the most about the Big Leagues,” in Papa Lorenzo’s words. Ciriaco Sardinas, the Club’s Honorary President, who was carrying the Rotarians’ bell and banging on it with a hammer, requesting: “Keep this party orderly.”

“So what says the old man?” Ambrosio Choraliza greeted him, giving Papa Lorenzo a big hug.

“We’ve come to take whatever we can get from you, you old joker,” Mingo confessed, rubbing his hands with a mischievous expression.

“Order!” Ciriaco Sardinas demanded, hitting the bell. “I won’t accept that bit about being a joker. As the club’s president, I forbid any such references.”

“Damn, people!” Papa Lorenzo said amid the group’s laughter. “It looks like you’re here to really come down on me.”

“Come on, Lorenzo, one day a year, old man . . . !”

Laughter.

Papa Lorenzo entered the house for a minute and went over to Agar.

“Go to Núñez’s house and get him to give you a dozen beers. Get them over here and bring them through the back.”

Mama Pepita came out of the bathroom. She had left her tragic air in the mirror and was now smiling broadly.

“Madame!” Mutt greeted her, bowing like a medieval knight.

“Man, it looks like time stands still around here!” Jeff de la Vega commented, looking at Mama Pepita mischievously.

“Oh!” She pretended to be embarrassed, going along with his joke. “You really are a joker, Jeff, such a flatterer . . .”

“Madame, Jeff de la Vega does not flatter, but rather recognizes virtue. That is my motto.”

Another flattering phrase.

“Don’t bend over too much, old man!” Choraliza warns. “Mind your hinges don’t break.”

Laughter.

“I’m in great shape!” Jeff shouted amid the guffaws.

“You think?” Mutt said. “The other day, playing softball, you almost ended up hunchbacked forever. We’re going to have to drag you along on roller skates, old man!”

Renewed laughter.

“What’s wrong, Jeff?” Papa Lorenzo asked, pretending to be serious. “Are you going to let them shoot you down like that?”

“Just ignore them, old man.” Jeff said, with an air of resignation. “Today’s Sunday.”

Agar arrived with the bottles. Papa Lorenzo saw him come in the back door out of the corner of his eye and told Mama Pepita, “Lady, put some music on for us.

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