Let It Rain Coffee by Angie Cruz

Author:Angie Cruz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2005-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Los Llanos

1963

Juan Bosch had lasted seven months in office. The heirs of the former Trujillo government took over and soon after, a number of the Invisible Ones started to disappear.

—What’s happening, Papá? Santo asked Don Chan.

—They want our land. Without Juan Bosch, the government will force us to sell it. They make more profit that way.

—Forget Juan Bosch! Miraluz was sick of the will of the politicians. —We can fight and protect Los Llanos ourselves, right, Santo?

—We would need to arm ourselves then, Santo said.

—Why do you think we found those guns buried under our feet? Don’t you think our ancestors are telling us something? Miraluz said. —My grandfather fought for Los Llanos.

—And then the U.S. air-bombed them and it was over, Don Chan said.

Don Chan walked over to the garden. Miraluz and Santo walked after him. He looked at the size of it and was proud to see how it was flourishing. The sections were delineated by the size of each family. The fruits that were not eaten were sold and the money distributed among them. For seven months, the people of Los Llanos had lived harmoniously. Slowly, they were learning to trust each other, planning to set up cooperative schools, medical facilities, and a recreation center.

—We’ll organize to bring Juan Bosch back into office. He can change the laws to protect us, Don Chan said.

—Nobody follows the law in this country, Santo said. —The law changes with the desires of the rich. The military acts as if the constitution doesn’t exist.

—I say let’s cage all of those people who make up the military, the politicians, and the rich—just like they did our ancestors—and then burn them alive. Maybe then they will let us live our lives in peace, Miraluz said.

—Are you serious? Santo was surprised by her aggression. But something had her worked up.

—Violence isn’t necessary. If we kill, we’re the same as the people we criticize. We can win by teaching the people and using the constitution, said Don Chan.

—And you think the military, Balaguer, and all the men who make money from the government, will allow for a fair reelection? Please, Don Chan, Miraluz said, rolling her eyes. —For someone so wise, it’s crazy to think any government will look after the best interests of the people over their wallets. When in history have we seen people like us win their freedom without some bloodshed?

—Papá, it’s true. They’re already coming after us. Two of the Invisible Ones have disappeared for three days. Their wives are worried.

—You want us to wait here defenseless while they capture and torture each and every one of us, chop off our heads, and put them on a twenty-foot pole as an example? Miraluz’s fists were clenched.

—Who would do that? Santo was disgusted.

—People don’t do that anymore, Don Chan said with a sigh.

—If you get in their way, they will. Miraluz’s face was lined with beads of sweat. —Explain to me why I don’t sleep at night and can think of nothing else but ripping the tongues out of men who lie and cheat and steal, and rape.

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