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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 17

of a boy and so I impatiently lived from day to day. Finally, I met you and because of you and the children, my hours took on new meaning. But the hours went by too quickly and the children grew up too fast. I have found that something special in you, Jesusa. Not Don Luis Terrazas You understand? He was just a dream... a symbol.

These last four years in the service, I was thinking like that little boy again. I would wake up way before anyone else. In a hurry.. impatient. The only way I was going to be able to return home was to get my days started and finished. Unlike before, this feeling was twice as difficult because I knew the reality of that something special. Now, I find myself wanting to slow down. Not so much so that I can enjoy our home as before but because Jesusa I am tired and I really do not have the time to be tired."

At this time, Zeferino pushes himself away from the wagon wheel and motions for Jesusa to come closer to his side. When she is within reach, he tenderly puts his arm around her shoulder as they stand facing the house. A few feet in front of them, a lizard skampers in pursuit of a beetle and it quickly disappears into the lizard's mouth. Looking from side to side, it then darts underneath a nearby pile of stones. 

"See how that lizard went after that beetle Jesusa? We can learn a lot from god's creatures. I doubt very much that he put a feeling into them that allows them to give up no matter how difficult life becomes. Instead, he put into them a need to survive. They have to survive. They have no other choice. 

And we have that gift too Jesusa. Listen to my plan. On occasion some of the soldiers have deserted to the North to escape the fighting. They hoped to find work and to start a new way of life. There is no reason that I cannot do the same. Of course, I will want to follow the legal steps as I want to return to my own country. However, it means that I will have to leave you alone again with the burden of the children."

"Your children are no burden, querido." Jesusa softly replied as she reached across her chest to squeeze Zeferino's hand that was resting on her shoulder. 

"Of course, you will be missed. As you point out, that lizard did not wait for his dinner to come to him and we are not fools to believe that someone will bring ours to the table. There is enough here to keep me busy. maria has had little schooling while you were gone. We must get the children back into school. Well, let us go inside and get things back in order. 

Oh, Zeferino, look, there is my comadre moving back into her home and it seems Ramon is not with her. She is the one who found me in the kitchen after the soldiers took you. The last time I saw her, I was in the Capital at one of the camps where we slept. It was the night before I decided to return home. 

I guess her husband did not fare as well as mine. We have a lot for which to be thankful, Zeferino. Go on and see what the children are up to inside. I will go and ask her to join us for supper."

17.

Saving...

of a boy and so I impatiently lived from day to day. Finally, I met you and because of you and the children, my hours took on new meaning. But the hours went by too quickly and the children grew up too fast. I have found that something special in you, Jesusa. Not Don Luis Terrazas You understand? He was just a dream... a symbol. These last four years in the service, I was thinking like that little boy again. I would wake up way before anyone else. In a hurry.. impatient. The only way I was going to be able to return home was to get my days started and finished. Unlike before, this feeling was twice as difficult because I knew the reality of that something special. Now, I find myself wanting to slow down. Not so much so that I can enjoy our home as before but because Jesusa I am tired and I really do not have the time to be tired." At this time, Zeferino pushes himself away from the wagon wheel and motions for Jesusa to come closer to his side. When she is within reach, he tenderly puts his arm around her shoulder as they stand facing the house. A few feet in front of them, a lizard skampers in pursuit of a beetle and it quickly disappears into the lizard's mouth. Looking from side to side, it then darts underneath a nearby pile of stones. "See how that lizard went after that beetle Jesusa? We can learn a lot from god's creatures. I doubt very much that he put a feeling into them that allows them to give up no matter how difficult life becomes. Instead, he put into them a need to survive. They have to survive. They have no other choice. And we have that gift too Jesusa. Listen to my plan. On occasion some of the soldiers have deserted to the North to escape the fighting. They hoped to find work and to start a new way of life. There is no reason that I cannot do the same. Of course, I will want to follow the legal steps as I want to return to my own country. However, it means that I will have to leave you alone again with the burden of the children." "Your children are no burden, querido." Jesusa softly replied as she reached across her chest to squeeze Zeferino's hand that was resting on her shoulder. "Of course, you will be missed. As you point out, that lizard did not wait for his dinner to come to him and we are not fools to believe that someone will bring ours to the table. There is enough here to keep me busy. maria has had little schooling while you were gone. We must get the children back into school. Well, let us go inside and get things back in order. Oh, Zeferino, look, there is my comadre moving back into her home and it seems Ramon is not with her. She is the one who found me in the kitchen after the soldiers took you. The last time I saw her, I was in the Capital at one of the camps where we slept. It was the night before I decided to return home. I guess her husband did not fare as well as mine. We have a lot for which to be thankful, Zeferino. Go on and see what the children are up to inside. I will go and ask her to join us for supper." 17.