Redemption's Warrior by Jennifer Morse & William Mortimer

Author:Jennifer Morse & William Mortimer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-11-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A GIFT FROM EL JEFE

Word leaks out the putas are arriving for their bi-monthly visit. Dawn greets the men as they line the dock. Golden beams are just cresting the eastern horizon as the boat arrives. The Captain cuts the engine drifting to the dock.

Christopher’s heart has begun to hammer in anticipation. His eyes search the deck for Juanita’s slim figure. Women are shouting. They swing their skirts, pirouetting around the deck. Tossing hair, their lingering looks cause men to shout, whistle and stamp their feet. It’s a crescendo of noise and bravado.

A skinny boy jumps to the dock to secure the lines.

What! Wait! Shouldn’t Juanita secure the lines? Christopher’s breathe catches. His throat swells. No!

Shoving bodies aside he arrives at the front of the line. He shouts down to the skinny kid, “Donde esta Juanita?”

The boy pretends to cough and sneeze, pantomiming the flu.

Crushed Christopher pushes his way to the dirt trail leading up the cliff. Today there will be no new memories for Christopher and Juanita to share. In his misery he doesn’t notice the Captain. Juanita’s father studies him with a fierce scowl. He grips the boat railing until his knuckles turn white.

Cresting the cliff Christopher sits down hard. Holding his head in his hands despair threatens. How can Juanita love a prisoner? Where is the future? One tortured thought leads to another. Have her feelings changed? Has she met someone else? Exhausted he lays down watching the colors of the sea change.

• • •

Awakening to the rumble of diesel engines he’s surprised. The Captain’s boat sets out to sea. Twilight falling, the time of day the trees collectively sigh and breathe. Juanita explained this mystery. She said, “Trees breathe once a day. Together they exhale and inhale at twilight. Pay attention and you’ll be able to feel it.” Juanita think of me.

Walking on down to the beach, a full moon wondrously round, casts a luminous glow. Behind him in the quiet he hears “plop, plop.” A momma sea turtle lays her eggs. She is as big as a manhole cover. A grunt of satisfaction tells him she is finished with her chore. He watches her head to the water’s edge.

Instinctively compelled Christopher stops her. Looking into her soft eyes and gathering his intent into his belly he exhales his prayer. “Great Mama turtle please carry my prayer. I send my love and blessings for Juanita’s full recovery from the miseries of flu. Let her rest in a circle of love. As she reclaims her health, let beneficence guide and protect her. Amen.”

The turtle eases into the moon lit sea. She glances back as if to say, “okay” disappearing into the greatest mama of all. The welcoming sea washes over her. In better spirits Christopher heads to his bunk.

• • •

Lying on his cot Checo smokes a black market cigar. Ave Bonita hangs upside down rocking on her dowel perch. Her trills fill the air. Christopher sits down to listen, her song mesmerizing. Checo breaks Ave

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