A Time To Look Back by Anthony Timiraos

Author:Anthony Timiraos [Timiraos, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Cultural; Ethnic & Regional, Hispanic & Latino, Personal Memoirs, History, Latin America, Central America
ISBN: 9780578980010
Google: X5mfzgEACAAJ
Publisher: Anthony Timiraos Photography
Published: 2021-09-15T04:25:33+00:00

CHAPTER 20

A New Home

1962

I heard someone whispering in the other room. I opened my eyes and looked up and found myself in an unfamiliar location. I suddenly became aware of my surroundings while the entire previous day flashed through my mind in seconds. Segundito woke up and asked if I slept OK. My pillow was damp, and I wondered if the cause was my tears or nervous sweat while I slept.

Within a few minutes, I saw other kids waking up and sitting on their beds waiting for the next set of instructions. It was an awkward moment, trying not make eye contact with each other to hide our emotions. The administrator who welcomed us last night walked in the room and announced for everyone to rise and shine, line up for the bathroom to clean up, brush our teeth, make our beds, get dressed, and prepare for breakfast inside the tent. Since today was Sunday, we had to attend church services later in the morning after breakfast, which would be in the tent as well.

While waiting for my turn to use the bathroom, I walked over to the window to look outside. There was a slight chill inside the house, but it was a beautiful winter day outside in Florida City. The house was surrounded by overgrown tropical foliage covering most of my view, but I could see an empty street, a sidewalk, and other homes also surrounded by similar foliage. I was now eager to go outside and investigate my new neighborhood.

Next in line for the bathroom, I found my toothbrush inside my luggage and the small Dopp kit the supervisor handed each of us the night before, including a tube of toothpaste, a small bar of soap, a toothbrush, and a comb.

Beds were made, teeth brushed, faces washed, hair combed, and dirty laundry set aside. I had on a fresh outfit, and I was ready for breakfast. Usually at this point, my mother would stand by the door and inspect our appearance, using her veto power to make revisions or give her approval. Now, I realized that would not happen. Instead, I turned to Segundito to get his approval. To make sure I knew who was in charge, he grabbed his comb, added a little water, and re-combed my hair. I looked in the mirror and did not notice any difference. So be it.

We waited outside for everyone in our group, and we all walked together to the tent for breakfast. On our way there, we introduced ourselves. I kept looking around the campus to get acclimated to my new surroundings. I saw kids coming out of every house heading over to the tent for breakfast. We entered the tent where the staff had set up picnic-style tables in one corner where we could all sit and enjoy our meals. Breakfast for today included an individual box of cereal, a small container of milk, and a small container of orange juice. I looked for a bowl for my

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