Return To Sender Part 6

Your granddaughter, niece, cousin, and special amiga, amiga,Mari

INTERROBANG FARM.

April is definitely turning into a month of surprises. It's like every day is April Fool's Day. Any moment, Tyler is ex-pecting someone to jump out and say, SURPRISE! APRIL FOOL!

Take all the surprises that have come with his new job.

First of all, who would have thought he'd end up working for Mr. Rossetti? And then, who would have thought that Mr. Rossetti wouldn't be so cranky after all? Or that after losing Gramps, Tyler would find a grandfatherly friend again?

Not that Mr. Rossetti will ever replace Gramps. What Tyler feels toward the old man is probably similar to what the three Marias feel toward his grandmother. They already have a real grandmother back in Mexico, whose picture Alyssa brought back from her spring break. And yet, all three girls still call Tyler's grandmother Grandma, and they love visiting her. A lot of times, when Grandma picks up Tyler from work, she brings the girls along. Grandpa, they've started calling Mr. Rossetti.

Talk about surprises: Mr. Rossetti with Mexican granddaughters!

"They aren't Mexican. They were born here, fair and square!" Mr. Rossetti will correct anyone who gets it wrong. No one has corrected him on this point. Ofie and Luby are under strict instructions not to let on that Mari was born in Mexico. For that matter, they're not supposed to admit that their father and uncle don't have the permission papers they need to be here legally. "The least said the better," Mom has instructed Grandma and the girls.

"Nonsense," Grandma says under her breath.

According to Grandma, friendship-and that's what she has with Mr. Rossetti-means you help your friend become a better person. "How else are we supposed to improve our-selves?" she explains to Tyler and the girls. Slowly but surely, Grandma has been working on Mr. Rossetti's improvement, and that involves a lot of baking, visiting, and taking him to church on Sundays.

"It won't kill you, Joseph," she tells him when he grum-bles. Mostly, Mr. Rossetti loves any excuse to get to see more of Grandma, whose sad spells seem much improved.

At school, Tyler learns about a new punctuation mark, which Mr. Bicknell calls the interrobang.

"The what?!" Kyle calls out.

"You just used it in your voice." Mr. Bicknell laughs. Now there's someone who loves surprising his students. "An interrobang is a double punctuation mark: a question mark followed by an exclamation point. When you're surprised but you're not sure it's an April Fool's joke. 'The what?!' as Kyle just said. Any other examples?"

Tyler can come up with plenty of them. In fact, April is turning into a whole month of interrobangs.

Mr. Rossetti attending church?! Grandma going to the beauty parlor again?! Tyler headed for the nation's capital after being told by his parents that there was no way they could afford it?!

The girls' mother, lost for over a year, finding her way back to the family again?!

This last surprise begins one spring evening when Mr. Cruz and Mari come to the Paquettes' back door. Can her father have a word with the patrones? patrones?

Tyler tags along as they all head for the den. But before he goes in, Mr. Cruz says something to Mari, nodding in Tyler's direction. Mari looks suddenly uncomfortable.

"My father says this is private." Mari shrugs as if to say this is not her idea.

Tyler is not surprised. Recently, he has noticed how Mr.

Cruz-it's not exactly that he's unfriendly, but he seems to be watching Tyler closely as if he thinks Tyler is going to sur-prise him in a way he doesn't want to be surprised. It makes Tyler feel bad that Mari's father doesn't fully trust him for some reason Tyler is not even aware of.

As soon as he hears the back door bang shut, Tyler heads toward the den, where his parents are having a serious discussion. "This is one time when I do think we should call Homeland Security!" his mom is saying.

"What?! So they can track the husband back to our farm?!"

"Well, what do you propose to do?"

"I don't know." His dad sighs. "I sure can't spare him even if it's just for a week. And how's he going to get there and back? I mean, it's not like he can hop on a plane. And as I told him, I don't have that kind of money lying around to loan him."

"Tyler Maxwell Paquette!" His mother's voice startles Tyler. But she can't very well accuse him of eavesdropping. After all, Tyler is standing in the doorway with his mouth wide open.

"I only came back when I heard them leave," Tyler de-fends himself. But both his parents are too upset to have the energy to scold him.

Tyler must look worried because his father says, "It's okay, son. Just your mother and I have a private matter we need to settle."

"Up to your room, Tiger," his mom adds.

Tyler interprets the order liberally as his mother just wanting him to go away and heads over to Grandma's house. It turns out that Mr. Cruz has already been by to ask if the girls can stay in Grandma's care while he travels to Texas. Their uncle will be staying on, but Tio Armando will have his hands full with what used to be a three- man job.

"But why's Mr. Cruz going to Texas?" Tyler wants to know.

Grandma closes her eyes as if she's hoping that it's all a nightmare that will disappear when she opens them again. "You might as well know because Maria will tell you any-how. Mr. Cruz has to go buy his wife back from some sleazy guys who are holding her hostage."

"Buy her back?!" Tyler can't believe it. This is the kind of surprise that happens in the violent movies that his par-ents won't let him watch.

Grandma nods gravely. "I wouldn't go telling your par-ents, as I don't think Mr. Cruz gave them all the details. He's afraid of losing his job, poor man." Ever since the Cruzes took her in when she ran away from home, Grandma has felt a special closeness to them.

"The little ones don't know, either," Grandma adds. "Except for Maria, who has to translate for her father. Poor Maria." Grandma sighs. "What a burden on that sensitive girl."

"How much will it cost to buy her mom?" Tyler asks.

"Three thousand. Dollars, that is." Grandma shakes her head as if she can't believe it.

Tyler can't either. Three thousand dollars is more than the $500 he has put together for his D.C. trip. More than the $860-plus he found in the boys' bathroom. Now he can see what his parents mean about "that kind of money." But then, his grandmother doesn't have that kind of money, either.

"Maybe we can raise it?" Tyler wonders aloud.

"That's more bake sales than I've got left in me." Grandma smiles for the first time this evening.

The next day, Mari and her sisters are not at school. As he sits in cla.s.s, Tyler worries that he'll get home and find them gone. The heaviness in his heart surprises him. It's the same feeling as when Gramps died, compounded by the fact that this is a whole family, and it's not heaven they're going to if they get deported.

After school, as he gets off the bus at Mr. Rossetti's, Tyler's surprised to see his grandmother's car in the driveway. Just inside the back door, Tyler finds Mr. Rossetti and Grandma sitting at the kitchen table. His grandmother has her checkbook open like when she's home paying bills.

Mr. Rossetti is as agitated as he was on town meeting night. There's a kink in his eyebrow and a frown on his forehead. "I disapprove wholeheartedly, Elsie, and I'm not going to be a part of it!"

"Who asked you to agree to anything, Joseph? You're just lending me the money, okay? Let's see ... I'll need-"

"But I know what you're aiming to do with it." Mr. Rossetti's voice sounds trembly and truly torn apart. "Sit down, son," he says to Tyler. "Your grandmother here's being un-reasonable."

"Unreasonable?!" Grandma puts a hand on her hip. "Wouldn't you move heaven and earth to get back someone you love?"

"Elsie, you haven't changed a bit since you were young! Always a dreamer." Mr. Rossetti is shaking his head at her. "And I'm still trying to move heaven and earth to get you to notice me!"

Grandma's face softens with surprise. She sets her pen down and tucks a stray gray curl behind her ear. "Joseph Rossetti. I had no idea."

"Precisely," he says gruffly.

Tyler feels suddenly uncomfortable, like when he hap-pens into the den and Sara is "entertaining" her new boyfriend, Hawkeye. Arms wrapped around each other, they look like they are wrestling.

His grandma sighs, breaking the spell. "So what are we going to do to help out those poor girls and their father?"

Mr. Rossetti agrees with Mom. These smugglers are in Texas. That's American soil under the rule of law. Homeland Security can stand by, and just as Mr. Cruz goes in with the money, boom, they descend on the place. Maybe seeing how he has helped them round up criminals, Homeland Security will reward Mr. Cruz with a visa.

"And you call me me a dreamer?!" Now it's Grandma shaking her head at Mr. Rossetti. a dreamer?!" Now it's Grandma shaking her head at Mr. Rossetti.

Tyler and Grandma swing by the trailer on their way home. Tyler has told her that the girls were not at school today "I haven't seen hide nor hair of them all day long, either," Grandma remarks. "I don't know what we'd do without them," she adds, mirroring Tyler's thoughts. "I know I've become so attached to the whole family."

The men are still milking, but the girls are in the trailer, sitting in front of the TV. Instead of their silly Dora Dora cartoons, they're watching a news special about all the protest marches going on in support of immigrant rights. "Papa wants us to tell him in case something is announced," Ofie explains. cartoons, they're watching a news special about all the protest marches going on in support of immigrant rights. "Papa wants us to tell him in case something is announced," Ofie explains.

Mari accompanies Tyler and Grandma to the door, then slips out after them. "I don't want my sisters to hear," she whispers. There are some new developments. Mr. Cruz phoned back the coyotes, coyotes, which is what he calls the smugglers. He pleaded that he hasn't been able to come up with that kind of money. According to Mari, the which is what he calls the smugglers. He pleaded that he hasn't been able to come up with that kind of money. According to Mari, the coyotes coyotes lowered the amount to half! Her father and Tio Armando have come up with most of the money. Mari's uncles in California will put in the rest. lowered the amount to half! Her father and Tio Armando have come up with most of the money. Mari's uncles in California will put in the rest.

"My father thinks that maybe with all the demonstrations, the coyotes coyotes are all getting nervous to unload their cargo," Mari adds. are all getting nervous to unload their cargo," Mari adds.

Cargo?! Tyler can't believe a human being would think of another human being that way! But he knows what Mari means about the demonstrations. It's all over the news. In cities around the country, there have been big marches by people in favor of changing the laws to help immigrants. Just in Los Angeles, thousands upon thousands of people took to the streets. Then, a week before Tyler's 4-H club is supposed to go on its trip, there's a national strike. People who sup-port immigrants are asked to stay home from work. In D.C. there's a huge protest march. The camera sweeps over the crowd waving American and Mexican flags and chanting "Si, se puede!" "Si, se puede!" which Tyler proudly translates for his family. Yes, we can! Yes, we can! which Tyler proudly translates for his family. Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

And this makes a whole bunch of people nervous, in-cluding the parents of several 4-Hers, who pull their kids out of the trip. What if a riot breaks out? What if there is a para-lyzing strike and they can't get back to Vermont? When five kids drop out, the trip is postponed until things quiet down.

Tyler is surprised that he's not more disappointed about not getting to go to Washington. Maybe the freedom-fighting energy of the marchers on TV is catching. Like Mr. Bicknell said the other day in cla.s.s, the function of freedom is to free someone else.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cruz has allowed his daughters to go back to school. Mari is on cloud nine. "We talked to her last night," she tells Tyler one morning as they wait for the bus. Before sending any money to the coyotes, coyotes, her father insisted on speaking to his wife. After all, it could be one big horrible trick. "She said she loved us. She said she'd see us soon. She said to keep praying hard." Mari is in such a state that even during cla.s.s, Tyler can see that her thoughts are far away. her father insisted on speaking to his wife. After all, it could be one big horrible trick. "She said she loved us. She said she'd see us soon. She said to keep praying hard." Mari is in such a state that even during cla.s.s, Tyler can see that her thoughts are far away.

But then, one more surprise, and not the good kind. By evening, Mari is sobbing on her back steps. It turns out that fifteen hundred dollars just buys her mother's freedom to be dumped out on the street in an undisclosed town in Texas where they are holding her. If Mr. Cruz wants a "custom de-livery," to North Carolina, say, where the coyotes coyotes are already sending a whole vanload, that's another five hundred dollars he has to come up with. are already sending a whole vanload, that's another five hundred dollars he has to come up with.

Tyler doesn't have to think twice. He has saved that much for his postponed 4-H trip. "Tell your dad I can loan it to him," he tells Mari. That afternoon at the milking parlor, Mr. Cruz comes over to where Tyler is helping feed the cows that are waiting to go in. He reaches for Tyler's hand. "Gracias," "Gracias," he says with emotion in his voice. he says with emotion in his voice. "usted es un hombrecito bueno." "usted es un hombrecito bueno."

Tyler doesn't need Mari to translate her father's words. It's like the compliment Mr. Bicknell gave him on town meeting night. At least this time, he might not be a good young man, but he is getting better.

When Tyler comes back inside that evening, Mom is beaming from ear to ear. "Now what?!" he asks. Even he can hear the interrobang in his voice.

"Your aunt Roxie just called. She feels terrible about for-getting your birthday. They were doing a big Mardi Gras party in New Orleans, and then they flew to Brazil to buy this year's used Carnaval costumes for their online store.

Anyhow, we got to talking about your not getting to go to D.C., and they want you to call them, okay?"

Tyler's heart sinks. He can see what is coming. His aunt and uncle are going to offer to take him to D.C. But the money for his trip has already been loaned. He thought he wouldn't even have to tell his parents until Mr. Cruz paid it back.

"It's nothing bad," his mom tells him, but Tyler must still look worried because she goes ahead and tells him the sur-prise. "Okay, on Friday night, Ben's driving you down to Boston-and then Sat.u.r.day, you and Uncle Tony and Aunt Roxie and whoever you want to bring along are all going to D.C! Then they'll drive you back to Vermont before school starts. Isn't that terrific?"

"How much will it cost?" Tyler wants to know.

"They're paying for the whole thing. It's their birthday gift to you." His mom suddenly stops and studies him. "I thought you'd be excited."

Tyler nods eagerly, but his mother doesn't look con-vinced. "I don't know what's going on, Tyler Maxwell Pa-quette. One minute you'll do anything to get to D.C. Next minute it's take it or leave it." She shakes her head the way she does over Sara's moodiness. "Anyhow, whatever you de-cide, just please call Aunt Roxie and Uncle Tony, because I told them you'd be in soon. And please, act surprised, okay? And do thank them, because it was awfully generous of them. Not just the money, but the time-you know how busy they are."

Relief and uncertainty are fighting for ground inside Tyler's head as he dials his aunt and uncle's number.

"Hey, hey, hey, birthday boy!" his uncle calls out. Soon Aunt Roxie is on the other extension singing "Happy Birthday." Uncle Tony joins in. They sing two whole stanzas.

"Will you ever forgive us?" Aunt Roxie sounds like she has committed a major crime, not just forgotten a nephew's birthday.

"He shouldn't," Uncle Tony b.u.t.ts in. "Here we throw parties for the whole world and we forget our own nephew!"

"How shall we make it up to him?" Aunt Roxie wants to know.

Back and forth they talk, like on some sitcom on TV. All Tyler has to do is watch from the wings. When they tell him about the gift they have in store for him, that's his cue. He acts surprised. "Thank you so much," he says gratefully.

"So we'll see you in a few days, buddy," Uncle Tony con-firms. He's about to hang up, but Aunt Roxie reminds him, "Wait, we forgot to ask him.

"Tyler, maybe you'd like to invite someone? I thought of your sister," Aunt Roxie suggests. "I mean, there's room. But this is your birthday gift, so maybe you'd rather bring a friend?"

"Yeah." Tyler jumps at the offer. He'd much rather bring a friend. Sara'll want to go shopping. She'll want to go to fancy restaurants where they don't serve hamburgers and c.o.kes. "Is it okay if it's a girl?"

There is a slight hesitation-an interrobang at both ex-tensions. Then his uncle and aunt chime in, "Why not?"

One more thing. Tyler takes a deep breath. It's been a month of surprises sprung on him, so it's his turn to surprise someone else. "Do you mind if we go to North Carolina instead?"

"North Carolina?!" Uncle Tony makes no attempt to hide the bafflement in his voice.

"What's in North Carolina?" His aunt sounds equally baffled.

"Durham," Tyler tells them. His aunt and uncle burst out laughing, thinking it's a joke.

Back at the barn, Mr. Cruz is finishing up in the milking par-lor. Tyler tries explaining his plan with his few words of Spanish. His tio tio and and tia tia have offered him a trip for spring break. Tyler pretends to drive a car. He has asked to go to Carolina del Norte, where they can pick up Senora Cruz and bring her back to Vermont. have offered him a trip for spring break. Tyler pretends to drive a car. He has asked to go to Carolina del Norte, where they can pick up Senora Cruz and bring her back to Vermont.

Carolina del Norte, Senora Cruz, Vermont: Mr. Cruz connects enough dots to understand. His face lights up with such joy that Tyler can't help smiling. Mr. Cruz grabs Tyler's arm and gestures toward the trailer. They need Mari's trans-lation help to work out the details of this wonderful surprise. Mr. Cruz connects enough dots to understand. His face lights up with such joy that Tyler can't help smiling. Mr. Cruz grabs Tyler's arm and gestures toward the trailer. They need Mari's trans-lation help to work out the details of this wonderful surprise.

As soon as he's in the door, Mr. Cruz nods for Tyler to repeat what he said in the barn. Remembering the looks Mr.

Cruz has been giving him, Tyler doubts Mari will be allowed to go on his birthday trip. So he repeats his invitation without specifying which of the Cruzes is to be his special guest.

"My father says thank you." Mari is suddenly talking in English to Tyler. "He says he would like to go, but he needs to keep working to begin paying back his loan. He says it is difficult for my uncle to do all the milking by himself. My fa-ther says it's better-if your uncle and aunt would permit it-if I go."

His aunt and uncle driving to North Carolina to pick up Mari's mom?! Her father letting Mari go?!

April is definitely turning out to be a month of inter-robangs. Any moment, Tyler is expecting someone to jump out and say, SURPRISE!

But no one has so far.

22 abril 2006 Queridos Papa, Tio Armando, Ofie, y Luby, We are already in Boston, and tomorrow we are coming home! I know I will be seeing you before you even get this letter. But my heart is bursting with all the things that have happened since I left you.Papa, as you are the one reading this letter, you will know what to leave out that my little sisters should not hear. When we've spoken to you from the road on the aunt's cell phone and now from her home, I haven't wanted to say much. I didn't want the calls to cost a lot of money, and also I didn't want to upset Mama, who was always close by.Please don't be alarmed when you see her. She is so skinny that I think we could fit into the same clothes. There are marks on her arms and face, but if you ask her what happened, she just cries. That is the worst part, how upset and nervous she is. Any little noise, she jumps. Any little thing, she cries. I don't know what to do except tell her over and over again that she is safe, that everything is going to be all right, that we will soon be together as a family again.The aunt, Mrs. Mahoney, takes me aside. (She says to call her Roxie, but I just can't get used to it.) She says, "Maria, bear with her. Your mother has been through so much." It's only now that she and Mr. Mahoney know the whole story.When we first got to Boston, Mrs. Mahoney said she'd already had three phone calls from Tyler's mom. Mrs. Paquette had started worrying about us picking up Mama in Carolina del Norte. What if we were stopped on the way back to Vermont?Sara groaned. "All I can say is I'm eternally grateful to you, little bro, for not leaving me behind to deal with Mom's nerves." At the last minute, Tyler had consented to invite his sister along. But Sara had promised not to bring up shopping or eating at any restaurant with tablecloths."Your mother, I love her to death"-Mrs. Mahoney gave her niece and nephew a sympathetic look-"but boy oh boy, is she ever a worrywart. I'm surprised you kids turned out as adventurous as you have!""You're telling me." Sara let out a long sigh."She wants you to call her." Mrs. Mahoney handed Tyler the phone. "Tell her we'll be fine. We're just picking up Mari's mother and then taking in the sights.""The sights of Durham," Mr. Mahoney said in the voice of a radio announcer, winking at Mrs. Mahoney.Tyler gave me a panicked look, then dialed Vermont. "Mom, it's no big deal," he kept saying. "We're just giving Mrs. Cruz a ride home." Afterward, he told me she made him promise, no funny business, which I thought was a strange request as there was nothing funny about what we were about to do.What Tyler didn't tell her was that I had the envelope with the rest of the money for the coyotes. coyotes. What I didn't tell Tyler was that I was just as worried as his mom! But I couldn't let on. I was afraid that his uncle and aunt would change their minds about picking up Mama if they knew she was being held hostage. What I didn't tell Tyler was that I was just as worried as his mom! But I couldn't let on. I was afraid that his uncle and aunt would change their minds about picking up Mama if they knew she was being held hostage.Tyler a.s.sured me that his uncle and aunt would probably love knowing that we were actually rescuing my mother. "They used to have really dangerous jobs," he told me. "My uncle was like a bodyguard in a bar and my aunt had to wear skates to race away from bad guys!"We drove down from Boston and arrived in Durham late Monday night. Right away, we got a motel with two side-by-side rooms. Don't worry, Papa. One bedroom was for Tyler and his uncle, and the other for us. Papa, I know the custom in Mexico is to be very strict when a girl and boy are together. But as I told you, Papa, it's not like that with me and Tyler. We are just special friends.Our room had two beds, so Sara and I took one, and Mrs. Mahoney the other. Once the lights were out, they talked and talked. About clothes and makeup and shopping and huge parties that the aunt and uncle arrange. (Can you imagine throwing parties as your job job?) Sara told all about her newest boyfriend, who wishes he were an American Indian. The aunt listened and gave her good advice. They even asked me what I thought. Me, who's just turning twelve and won't be permitted to have a boyfriend until I'm at least twenty-five!-right, Papa?Finally, Sara and her aunt fell asleep. I was tired, too, but I couldn't sleep at all with the antic.i.p.ation of seeing Mama the next day.We woke up to a warm, sunny morning-as it was already spring in Carolina del Norte. After breakfast, we piled into the car. I had stuffed the money in my backpack to hand over to the coyotes coyotes when we picked Mama up. But first, we had to find the bus station where they had told us they would meet us when we sent the other half. when we picked Mama up. But first, we had to find the bus station where they had told us they would meet us when we sent the other half.The Mahoneys drove slowly up and down the streets. It was a run- down neighborhood, near where our old apartment used to be. I sat in the backseat, between Tyler and Sara, trying hard to act like nothing was wrong. But I was so nervous, I felt short of breath. I was sure I was going to faint. Or worse, throw up.We finally found the bus station. Before we got out, Mrs. Mahoney pulled out some balloons and noisemakers and packets of confetti from a little shopping bag she'd brought along with the name Party Animals on it. "To welcome your mother," she explained. She looked so pleased with herself, I didn't know what to say. One thing I knew: those coyotes coyotes would not appreciate a big welcome scene. would not appreciate a big welcome scene."I think it's better if we just let Mari be by herself with her mom," Tyler spoke up. I felt so grateful to him! "She hasn't seen her for a whole year."A whole year, four months, and four days, to be exact."Oh, okay," Mrs. Mahoney said. She sounded disappointed like a kid told to put her toys away. "You want to go in and check if your mother's already here?" she asked, turning to me in the backseat."First I have to call," I explained. It was the politest way I could think of asking Mrs. Mahoney if I could borrow her cell phone."Call who?" Mrs. Mahoney asked.I didn't want to lie to her, Papa. But I also wasn't going to tell her that the coyotes coyotes had instructed us to call once we were at the station. So I just said, "The people who are bringing her." had instructed us to call once we were at the station. So I just said, "The people who are bringing her."Thank goodness that was enough of an explanation. She handed over her pink phone with such teensy keys I kept hitting the wrong ones with my trembly fingers.You had told the coyotes coyotes that it would be your daughter who would be picking up Mama. Still, the gruff voice on the other end sounded surprised to hear a girl calling. One good thing was that our conversation was in Spanish, so I could talk without alarming anybody else in the car. that it would be your daughter who would be picking up Mama. Still, the gruff voice on the other end sounded surprised to hear a girl calling. One good thing was that our conversation was in Spanish, so I could talk without alarming anybody else in the car.He gave me the last of the instructions. I was to wait inside the station, keeping a lookout at the gla.s.s door. When a gray Chevy van pulled up, I was to come out by myself with the money and hand it to the driver, who would then deliver mi paquete. mi paquete. My package! What a way to talk about Mama! My package! What a way to talk about Mama!"Our friend says to wait for my mother inside," I said."Are they going to be a while or something?" Mr. Mahoney wanted to know. "We could just take a quick spin and see the sights of Durham." Again, he winked at Mrs. Mahoney, but this time she didn't laugh. She looked preoccupied, like she was starting to suspect something was wrong.Ay, Papa, I didn't know what to do or say. But for a second time, I was so grateful to Tyler. He opened his door and scooted out, saying over his shoulder, "Come on, I'm getting carsick just sitting in here!" Papa, I didn't know what to do or say. But for a second time, I was so grateful to Tyler. He opened his door and scooted out, saying over his shoulder, "Come on, I'm getting carsick just sitting in here!"I followed the others inside the bus station. It was almost deserted at ten on a Tuesday morning. The Mahoneys wandered around, reading signs posted on different boards. Tyler and Sara got a bunch of pamphlets from a rack about what to do that was fun in the area. They sat down in some plastic seats and started to look them over. Meanwhile, I stayed posted by the door.The wait seemed endless. But once the van pulled into the parking lot, it had come too soon! How was I supposed to walk out the door and across the parking lot when my feet felt glued to the floor?"Is she here?" Tyler had come up behind me. Sara and the Mahoneys joined us."I better go by myself," I explained, pushing the door open. "I'll be right back," I said in the most casual voice I could manage. I don't know what I would have done if they had tried to follow me.The bright sunlight blinded me after the dinginess inside the station. The van was idling at the other end of the parking lot, ready to pull out of the driveway. I walked slowly, the money envelope inside my backpack I was holding in my arms. I was hugging it so tight, it was the only thing keeping my pounding heart from bursting out.When the driver lowered the window, I was half expecting to see a horrible monster. But it was just a Mexican man wearing sungla.s.ses that reflected my scared face. His hair was yanked back roughly into a ponytail like he hadn't bothered to comb it first. His upper lip and chin were covered with black stubble like maybe he was going to grow a beard and mustache but don't count on it."Y el dinero?" was his h.e.l.lo. Where was his money? He needed better manners, a haircut, a shave, a different life. was his h.e.l.lo. Where was his money? He needed better manners, a haircut, a shave, a different life.I pulled out the envelope, and he grabbed it and flung it to an older man sitting next to him. "We count it first," he said, starting to raise the window.But my eyes had already been drawn to the backseat. There she was, Mama! Suddenly, I forgot my fears, and cried out, "Mama! Mama!" "Mama! Mama!""Mi'ja!" she cried back. she cried back."Silencio!" The driver had turned around, his hand lifted as if he were about to strike Mama if she didn't shut up. The driver had turned around, his hand lifted as if he were about to strike Mama if she didn't shut up.My mother's eyes were wide with terror, like when a cow is being loaded into the trailer to take to the slaughterhouse. But beyond the fear, I could see something else. She was taking me in, every inch of my face, with loving amazement, before the window closed, parting us once again.After the longest minute, I could hear a voice inside call out, "It's all here." The window rolled down again, this time only halfway. "Come around the other side and pick up your package," the driver ordered.That's when I got really afraid. Up until now, the Mahoneys and Sara and Tyler could see me from the door of the station. But once I went around to the other side of the van, it would be like the astronauts going behind the moon. No one could communicate with them, Tyler had told me. These criminals might grab me and take me hostage as well.Somehow my feet obeyed. As I was coming around the front of the van, the side door slid open and Mama was shoved out. She stumbled, and if I hadn't rushed over to catch her, she would have fallen down on the ground. "Mi bolsa," "Mi bolsa," she called out. But the door had already banged shut, and the van was squealing away. she called out. But the door had already banged shut, and the van was squealing away.Mama looked undecided whether to run after it, begging for her bag. But I grabbed her hand and said, "Vamonos, Mama." "Vamonos, Mama." Soon we were both running across the parking lot just as Tyler and Sara and the Mahoneys were coming out of the station. Soon we were both running across the parking lot just as Tyler and Sara and the Mahoneys were coming out of the station."Is everything all right?" Mrs. Mahoney wanted to know."Let's just go, please," I begged. I think I was still afraid those horrible men would come back and shoot us or haul me and Mama away.I didn't have to ask twice. It turns out that in the few short minutes that I was in the parking lot, Tyler had confessed to the Mahoneys that these weren't exactly friends who were delivering Mama. We scrambled into the car and drove off. "All I ask," Mrs. Mahoney finally said once we had pulled out of the station, "is that you not breathe a word to your mother or she'll never let you stay with me again.""Don't worry," Sara promised.Meanwhile, Mama was trembling and crying and looking so confused. She didn't know where she was or why she and I were in a car full of strangers. "Son amigos," "Son amigos," I kept telling her. "They are our friends." But she kept looking at me with those terrified eyes like she didn't believe it. I kept telling her. "They are our friends." But she kept looking at me with those terrified eyes like she didn't believe it.None of us knew what to do to calm her down."Maybe we should take her shopping," Sara offered. "Buy her something really nice." Even I laughed, nervous as I was.Tyler glared at his sister. She had forgotten her promise. "I think we should take her to the emergency room and get her some medicine," he countered.The aunt shook her head. "Last thing we need is for the authorities to be called and for her to be apprehended. Can you imagine?" This last question was addressed to her husband, who looked in the rearview mirror to see if we were imagining it. I sure was. It would kill Mama if they stuck her in prison after all she had been through!Suddenly, I remembered all the pictures Alyssa had taken that I had stuffed in my backpack at the last minute. I pulled them out, and one by one I went through them. Mama s.n.a.t.c.hed them and was eating them up with her eyes: Papa and Luby and Ofie and me standing outside the trailer in our winter jackets. Ofie and Luby and me with Tyler and the grandmother. The grandmother and Mr. Rossetti with Luby between them holding up her two little stuffed dogs. Mama kept stroking each picture, saying the names she knew over and over.When she got to the one of Tio Felipe and Abuelota and Abuelote sitting on a bench in the town square, Mama was surprised. Of course, she had no way of knowing Tio Felipe was back in Las Margaritas. "Oh yes," I told her. "He went for a visit." Time enough later to fill her in on all the upsetting details.Then, partly for her sake so she'd feel safe, but also for mine, I asked Mr. Mahoney if we could drive by our old apartment building. As the streets became familiar, Mama started looking out the windows, pointing to the small grocery store where she always shopped for our Mexican food, the Catholic church with the statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe where we used to go to Ma.s.s. There were Mexican people on the street. I admit I felt homesick thinking of all we had left behind."Why did your father move you?" Mama asked as if reading my thoughts.So I explained about the new job, the steady work, how we got to live right on the farm with wonderful patrones patrones who treated us like family. I introduced everyone in the car and explained who they were. For the first time, Mama's face relaxed, and she gave Sara and Tyler the biggest smile. That's when I noticed that several of her teeth were missing. I didn't even want to think how she had lost them. who treated us like family. I introduced everyone in the car and explained who they were. For the first time, Mama's face relaxed, and she gave Sara and Tyler the biggest smile. That's when I noticed that several of her teeth were missing. I didn't even want to think how she had lost them."We left the new patron's patron's phone number behind at the apartment for you," I went on explaining. I was worried that she might feel that we had run off without leaving a message for her. phone number behind at the apartment for you," I went on explaining. I was worried that she might feel that we had run off without leaving a message for her."I know, mi'ja," mi'ja," Mama said, nodding. She started crying again, but not agitated and terrified like before. It was a sad, gentle crying as she told about all the things that had happened to her. As if those tears were allowing her story to be flushed out of her. Papa, I am sure Mama will tell you in more detail. I say this because sometimes she looks at me as if trying to decide how much or what to tell me. But like she says, I have become a young lady in her absence, so she can entrust me with grown- up information. Mama said, nodding. She started crying again, but not agitated and terrified like before. It was a sad, gentle crying as she told about all the things that had happened to her. As if those tears were allowing her story to be flushed out of her. Papa, I am sure Mama will tell you in more detail. I say this because sometimes she looks at me as if trying to decide how much or what to tell me. But like she says, I have become a young lady in her absence, so she can entrust me with grown- up information.It turns out that after Mama left my uncles, she met up with her coyote coyote who was taking her through a reservation. But on the way, they got held up by another gang. Mama now became the property of these new who was taking her through a reservation. But on the way, they got held up by another gang. Mama now became the property of these new coyotes. coyotes. They brought her to their leader, and-this is where Mama hesitated and looked unsure what to tell me. "He forced me to be his ... servant," she said, choosing each word carefully. "I had to cook for him and take care of his clothes and do whatever he told me. He threatened that if I tried to run away, not only would he find me and kill me, but he would track down my family and do the same to them." They brought her to their leader, and-this is where Mama hesitated and looked unsure what to tell me. "He forced me to be his ... servant," she said, choosing each word carefully. "I had to cook for him and take care of his clothes and do whatever he told me. He threatened that if I tried to run away, not only would he find me and kill me, but he would track down my family and do the same to them."She bowed her head a moment, as if just the thought was sending stabs of fear through her. I, too, felt afraid."Is she okay?" Sara whispered beside me.I nodded. I didn't want to interrupt the flow of Mama's account with a translation. It was important for her to tell her story, not to have to carry it alone inside her."About eight months ago," Mama continued, "this head coyote coyote had to go back to his home base in Mexico. He left a brother in charge who was not as vigilant." That's when Mama started sneaking phone calls. When she called our apartment in Carolina del Norte, she found out that we had moved to Vermont and left a number. had to go back to his home base in Mexico. He left a brother in charge who was not as vigilant." That's when Mama started sneaking phone calls. When she called our apartment in Carolina del Norte, she found out that we had moved to Vermont and left a number.But every time Mama called the number, a stranger would answer in English. One time, it was a girl, who said something in Spanish, and Mama was so excited.... But by that time, the chief coyote coyote had come back, and he caught her on the phone and gave her the beating of her life. "He knocked out two of my teeth," Mama said, opening her mouth to show me what I'd already seen. had come back, and he caught her on the phone and gave her the beating of her life. "He knocked out two of my teeth," Mama said, opening her mouth to show me what I'd already seen."I began to lose hope," Mama admitted. "I stopped thinking about escaping. I just wanted to avoid getting hurt or bringing danger to any of you." She stopped and gazed at me with the saddest eyes in the world. Ay, Ay, Papa, it just made my own eyes fill, and we held each other for a moment and cried together. Papa, it just made my own eyes fill, and we held each other for a moment and cried together.Everyone in the car was real quiet and respectful. Like they could tell Mama was reliving terrible moments. That is also a reason why I am writing this letter, Papa. So Mama won't have to repeat this part of the story until she is stronger.One day, the coyote coyote chief's wife showed up all the way from Mexico. For some reason, that woman was furious to find Mama in the house. It was the only time Mama saw that chief's wife showed up all the way from Mexico. For some reason, that woman was furious to find Mama in the house. It was the only time Mama saw that coyote coyote gangster afraid. The wife made her husband move Mama to one of his other houses with instructions to contact relatives and collect payment for her delivery. "Get rid of her one way or another," the wife said. Mama was sure that this was her death sentence. Especially when she heard from her new jailers that you, Papa, and my uncles were having trouble coming up with that much money. gangster afraid. The wife made her husband move Mama to one of his other houses with instructions to contact relatives and collect payment for her delivery. "Get rid of her one way or another," the wife said. Mama was sure that this was her death sentence. Especially when she heard from her new jailers that you, Papa, and my uncles were having trouble coming up with that much money.Then, from one day to the next, it was like the Virgen de Guadalupe had been sent to the rescue. (All those prayers I said and candles I lit!) Mama and some other Mexicans in the house were told to get ready, as they were leaving in an hour for Carolina del Norte. They all had to lie down in the back of the van, covered with a false floor for three days while the coyotes coyotes drove and drove. From the commentary among the others, Mama learned why there had been this urgency in moving them. One of the gang's houses had been raided, and the orders from on high were to deliver the cargo as soon as possible. drove and drove. From the commentary among the others, Mama learned why there had been this urgency in moving them. One of the gang's houses had been raided, and the orders from on high were to deliver the cargo as soon as possible.When the Mahoneys' car stopped at the motel parking lot, both Mama and I looked up, confused. We had both been so involved in her story, as if we were in that van together, trying to breathe enough air. But here we were, safe and together, surrounded by friends! I felt such a surge of relief and happiness. "Thank you," I said with all my heart to everyone in the car."Gracias, muchas gracias," Mama agreed. "Tell them," she told me in Spanish, Mama agreed. "Tell them," she told me in Spanish, "que les debo a ellos mi vida." "que les debo a ellos mi vida.""My mother says she owes her life to you," I translated."Were they really going to kill her?" Tyler asked in an awed voice.I turned to face him. "I better tell you later," I said quietly.Tyler's blue eyes looked directly into mine and I could see he was getting it: I could not talk in front of Mama, even if it was in another language.The aunt turned around in the front seat. "I think we should call your father," she reminded me. "I know he must be waiting to hear from you."We reached you just as you were all sitting down to lunch together. I don't have to tell you how joyful that call was! Very thoughtfully, the aunt and uncle and Tyler and Sara slipped out of the car, leaving us to our private reunion. All of us cried and laughed and talked, taking turns. It was you, Papa, who had to remind us that we must not abuse the generosity of our friends in lending us their cell phone.Their generosity has not stopped there. That very afternoon, the aunt and Sara and Mama and me got dropped off at a mall, which made Sara very happy. Tyler was okay because he got to go to the Museum of Life and Science with his uncle. The aunt bought Mama some underclothes and a toothbrush and little things she had to leave behind in her bag. Mama kept saying that she didn't have any money, but the aunt shook her head not to worry. Later, the aunt and uncle took us all out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner so that Mama could have food she might really like. She needs to eat and get strong.Over the last few days, I've seen her slowly calming down like one of those wild barn cats that you stroke and stroke until it lies in your lap purring. And remember those letters, Papa, that you asked me not to mail to Carolina del Norte? I had brought them along. Mama has read them half a dozen times already, and each time, she smiles softly, so proud of my stories.It's only at night that we lose her again. Mama keeps crying out with a nightmare. We shake her awake, and it takes her a minute or so to realize where she is and who we are. And then she cries again. I feel bad because I know that neither the aunt nor Sara has gotten a good night's sleep the whole way home.On the drive back, the aunt and uncle had arranged a wonderful surprise for Tyler. They had planned for us to spend a day and a half in this nation's capital after all. I was so glad, because I knew that Tyler had given up his birthday wish to help us bring Mama home. Now he could get a little bit of what he had wished for.Papa and Ofie and Luby and Tio, I hope someday all of us can visit this beautiful capital city together! There are so many grand buildings and beautiful gardens and fountains and museums filled with everything you can imagine. Tyler's first choice for a visit was the National Air and s.p.a.ce Museum. We saw the most incredible show in this theater called a planetarium that felt like we were zooming toward the stars. Mama kept gasping and making the sign of the cross. Afterward, she was full of questions."Es verdad?" she kept asking after each fact I translated. Was it true that the universe began with a big explosion? That those stars were millions upon millions of years away from us? It makes me sad that Mama and you, Papa, were not able to stay in school past sixth grade, because you are both so eager to learn. You would have been A-plus students! she kept asking after each fact I translated. Was it true that the universe began with a big explosion? That those stars were millions upon millions of years away from us? It makes me sad that Mama and you, Papa, were not able to stay in school past sixth grade, because you are both so eager to learn. You would have been A-plus students!We even went on a tour of the big white house where the president lives. Mama could not believe she was inside a president's house, not to clean it, but as a guest! It was hard to pay attention to what the guide was saying, because at every turn I was expecting to b.u.mp into Mr. President. I kept wondering if he had received my letter-not that I would dare ask. But we never saw him or his wife or their pretty twin daughters. Later, the aunt and uncle explained that the tours just take you to the rooms open to the public. You never go near the living quarters of the president and his family.We spent the rest of the time walking around the city. Even Sara didn't complain or ask to go shopping. But we didn't see any demonstrators like we had seen on television. The streets were calm and full of people enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Everywhere there were so many flowers, like Nature was celebrating its quinceanera. quinceanera.At first, Mama clung to my hand, afraid she'd be picked up. But soon, she, too, relaxed as if she realized this was not just the capital of one country, but the home of everyone who loves freedom.One of the places we visited was this stone wall engraved with the names of thousands upon thousands of soldiers who fought and died in a war not long ago. The stone was black and shiny, so you could see your reflection as well as the blooming trees and the clouds in the sky. We walked quietly down a winding path beside the wall, as if into the earth itself, to thank the soldiers who had died for us. Every once in a while, a visitor would stop, head bowed, touching a name, whispering a prayer. It was beautiful in a sad, solemn kind of way. The same feelings as when we sing "La Golondrina" "La Golondrina" and think of a home we might never see again. and think of a home we might never see again.Mama seemed to understand this place even before it was explained. "Each of those names left behind a grieving family." She sighed and stopped to stroke the wall herself. Maybe she was thinking of all those she had left behind. I know I was thinking of how we grieved for her during her absence. But unlike the names on that wall, she has come back to us.We drove north the next day, and as Mama and Sara dozed in the backseat, I gazed out the car window. The leaves were retreating back inside their stems, the green meadows were becoming brown, the windy sky steel- gray and cloudy. Spring was turning back into winter.I kept thinking about Mama and all she had been through. How we have to be patient with her. How we have her now in our hands but her spirit is not yet with us. How she is like the golondrina, golondrina, still lost in the blowing wind, looking for a safe harbor. still lost in the blowing wind, looking for a safe harbor.But unlike the swallow of the song, Mama will come back to us. Please, por favor, por favor, believe me, Papa, Tio, and my believe me, Papa, Tio, and my hermanitas. hermanitas. All we have to do is wait. Like the spring that has not yet arrived in Vermont. But I have seen it and it is coming. All we have to do is wait. Like the spring that has not yet arrived in Vermont. But I have seen it and it is coming.And so are we!

Mama sends her besitos besitos and kisses and kissesalong with mine,Mari