River of Angels by Alejandro Morales

Author:Alejandro Morales [Morales, Alejandro]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arte Público Press
Published: 2014-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

The ultimate weakness of violence is

that it is a descending spiral,

begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,

adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

PART FOUR

Albert and Louise left Simons after Doña Luciana organized a farewell feast with the help of the women who had assisted in the birth of Keller Oakley Rivers. The Simons workers and their families were invited to eat, drink and say their good-byes with farewell abrazos that communicated their sincere hope that the young family would come back, at least to visit. The Simons residents understood that it was impossible for the young newlyweds and their baby to stay. The Simons company foreman had told Albert that there was no work or housing for his family and that they had to leave soon. Father Charles, the priest from Mount Carmel Church, came to bless Keller and his parents.

Five months after Keller’s birth, Albert and Louise drove out from the Simons company town in Albert’s pickup truck filled with blankets, quilts, baby clothes, freshly baked Mexican pastries, fresh fruits and vegetables and toys made by Simons artisans. Albert and Louise had mixed feelings about leaving Simons, where they had found a place and a people who had accepted them unconditionally.

Sol had informed the Rivers and the Keller families that Albert, Louise and Baby Keller were returning home. They wanted to know in which home they should be welcomed. Sol had talked to both families and suggested, considering Uncle Philip’s visits to his nephew’s home, the newlyweds and child go to the Rivers residence. In that way confrontation between Uncle Philip and Albert would be avoided. Both families were present when they walked into the Rivers’ living room. At first there was a silence, then applause and cooing at the newborn.

Albert with Louise holding their baby stepped to the center of the room, “Thank you, Mother, Father, Mr. and Mrs. Keller, Dame Marie, Gloria, Emily, Sol. We are so happy to be back with family. I want you to know that I am old enough, and Louise is also, to take on the responsibilities of marriage and family. We are very happy and we thank you for your help.”

Applause filled the Rivers’ living room. Ernest stood up to approach Albert, but Allison pulled him back down on the sofa.

At that moment, years of love and care for his eldest daughter rushed to Ernest’s heart as Louise stood before him. A noisy car sped by the house, birds chirped and dogs barked in a neighbor’s backyard. In the Rivers’ living room, Louise confidently gazed into her father’s eyes and sat down next to him, her body ever so close to his. She held her child out to him.

“Father, I want you to meet your grandson.” She placed the smiling infant in his arms. “Keller Oakley Rivers,” she proudly announced.

When the baby was in Ernest’s arms, Allison pulled the blanket down and the baby kicked and looked at her.

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