Taking Hold by Francisco Jiménez

Author:Francisco Jiménez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

So Far yet So Close

By the middle of spring, campus life returned to normal. Classes resumed after being canceled for a week during the riots, which resulted in the suspension of twenty student protesters, including Mark Rudd, and the cancellation of the plans to construct the gym. Political demonstrations were now confined to the Sundial area. In a few days, after finals, I would be going home for the summer. I could hardly contain my excitement to see Laura and my family again and to get married.

What kept me going during those long and lonely months were the letters I received from my mother, Roberto and Darlene, and Laura; the expected visit from Laura during the Christmas holidays; and occasional phone calls.

Unfortunately, my hope for spending time with her that Christmas, which I had anticipated like a child, vanished when she canceled her trip a few days before she was to come to New York. I had arranged with Columbia’s housing office for her to stay in a guest room in a women’s residence hall. Laura wrote a letter telling me that her maternal grandparents, who took care of her and her sister after Laura’s mother died, had told her that it was not proper for her to visit me, as we were not yet married. They were concerned about what people might think: How could Laura and Francisco spend the holidays together without supervision? I was crushed, but I understood her grandparents’ reasoning. My parents would have done the same thing. They were very protective of my sister and did not allow her to date, even though she was a teenager. My father was less strict with us boys. He allowed my older brother and me to go out once a week when we were in our late teens, as long as we abided by his midnight curfew. I called Laura that evening after reading her letter. She was upset and painfully apologetic.

“I am so sorry,” she said. Her voice cracked.

“No need to apologize. I understand perfectly,” I said. “Of course I am as disappointed as you are, but we have to obey them even if we disagree with them, out of respect.”

“I knew you’d understand,” Laura said. “I feel the same way; that’s why I didn’t argue with them. My grandparents said you’d be terribly angry with them . . . that you would try to convince me to come visit you anyway. They’ll be surprised when I tell them your reaction, but they’ll be pleased.”

After our call, I wrote Laura a brief note: Our hearts are one; they pain us in their suffering to come together.

Just as it was last year, the dorm was like a tomb on Christmas Day, but I felt less lonely this time. I went to Mass and to the movies to see In the Heat of the Night. I spent the rest of the Christmas break working on my thesis and preparing for finals.

Laura and I wrote to each other at least once a week, and every time I received a letter from her it was like getting a Christmas present.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.