Mofongo by Samartin Cecilia

Author:Samartin, Cecilia [Samartin, Cecilia]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: therapist, ebook, Cecilia, family, Cuba, Tarnished Beauty, cooking, recipe, relationship, La Peregrina, Samartin, Cecilia Samartin, Mofongo, Puerto Rico, Vigil, marriage, Broken Paradise, cookbook, bestseller
Publisher: Peregrino Publishing
Published: 2012-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

It felt good to play footsie tether ball again, and Sebastian spun the ball off of his toes, enjoying the tingling sensation that traveled up his legs and throughout his torso. When he was good and ready, he gave the ball another kick and watched it swing around the pole above him. Beyond, he saw the blue sky, perhaps not the brightest blue he’d ever seen, but he was grateful that in this mild weather, he’d be able to play for several minutes without tiring. He kept his feet at the ready, and closed his eyes, listening to the humming vibration and rattle of the chain inside the pole. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know that the ball was slowing down, so he kicked it again, right on the sweet spot and it shot up toward the sky. If not for the chain, he imagined that it would’ve sailed way up over the tree tops and out of sight. It would be awhile before he’d need to kick it again, so he lowered his feet and waited, gathering his strength.

And in the melody of the whining chain, back and forth, to and fro, the enchanting hum embraced his senses, and he clearly heard the words, “Hold your ground.” Again, the eerie words that escaped from within the rattling pole repeated, “Hold your ground. Even if it shakes beneath you, hold your ground.”

Sebastian opened his eyes, and within the scratched surface and torn patches of leather, he saw the piercing eyes watching him. The black haired old lady, said “Hold…” and then she swept over his head, “…your…” and away again before returning in an arc, “ground.” He gazed up at her, his eyes watering in the sun light and he pressed the base of his palms against his eye sockets. He stared up at the face again, and she was challenging him, supporting him, willing him to be strong. She came toward him and away with each revolution, and he lowered his feet. He couldn’t bring himself to kick the ball, while she was in it.

“Who are you?” Sebastian asked, although he couldn’t be sure that he’d spoken the words out loud. “What is your name?”

The old lady didn’t answer. She just closed her eyes, and smiled. Sebastian could only imagine that swinging through the air as she was had to be an exhilarating feeling, and for a moment, he envied her.

As the ball slowed down, the cracked leather and broken patches lost their magic, and the groaning chain grew silent. Sebastian was preparing to kick the ball again, hoping that she would return, when someone took hold of it. Sean, Keith’s friend was standing over him, and he had a peculiar lopsided grin on his face.

Sebastian sat up and saw Keith standing next to him with several of his classmates. He scrambled to his feet, scanning the group for Kelly Taylor who could sometimes keep Keith in check, but then he remembered that she’d been out sick all week, and cold fear surged in his belly.

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