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Show DECEMBER 1995 her. “I will come and find you this afternoon after we get some work.” Snow began to blow on the wind, but it was warm inside the big police car. Only if we could keep driving forever in this warm car, she thought as she pressed into the back seat. If we could just drive right back to Mexico. Maria thought of Oaxaca, the region where she was from. In her little village, Mitla, everyone knows each other and the days leading up to Christma’s are always joyous. She remembered riding the bus to , Ciudad de Oaxaca — the beautiful and old city center — for the celebration of the Immaculate Conception on December the 8th. She and Rodrigo had fallen in love. Maria wore a beautiful white blouse, her mother had given her and a red and blue skirt woven by her Grandma Rosa. Rodrigo told her that she was the most beautiful girl in all of Oaxaca. He was very handsome with his newly-grown mustache and big smile. They danced on the zocalo all evening as fire works No Home For the Holidays j embers blew from the fire and _ skittered across the dirt. The wind was bitter and Maria didn’t think it could possibly get any colder under the viaduct. Maria was worried. Her husband's brother, Jesus, had gotten in a fight and had several deep knife cuts on his fingers and palms, now hidden by rags tied around his hands. He gingerly lifted another board onto the fire, sat back against the concrete abutment and took a swig from a vodka bottle. They were waiting for Rodrigo, Maria’s husband, to return with some food or some money or some good news. Several days before, Rodrigo and Jesus had carefully constructed a shanty of freight pallets and cardboard to keep the north wind off her and baby Javiar. But they had taken the pallets from a nearby warehouse and the owner apparently had complained to the police. WILD BIRD Fiction By K.C. Trams went Three men and a woman arrived in black and white cars. They wore heavy blue coats and gray pants with stripes down the sides. Maria could hear them speaking in English to Rodrigo and Jesus, but she did not understand the words. Rodrigo put his head inside the enclosure and told Maria she and the baby would have to come out of their warm nest. Then the police tore down the little shanty as Maria cuddled baby Javiar inside her coat, turning her back to the biting wind. The police were saying something stern to Rodrigo and pointing to the warehouse. businessmen there The don’t want people stealing from them, not even old, wooden pallets. Rodrigo tried to explain to them about his wife and baby and the bitter cold, but it was no use. Jesus got angry with the police and began telling them language and violent off. It seemed like they knew everyone on the city square. There was plenty of laughter and life seemed so delicious. She and Rodrigo strolled up off with harsh gestures. But they were only more stern in return the lively boulevard and jail. he old cathedral, Cathedral de Cristobal, to celebrate a special mass for the Blessed Virgin. Later, under the stars of that wonderful Mexican night, Rodrigo kissed her. Maria came back to consciousness as the police car stopped at the shelter. Oh why did we come here, she asked herself. Why did we leave Mexico? How did we end up here, in this cold place, where the police tear down your little house? How did we get to this miserable place called Salt Lake warned him that could go to Oh, little Javiar, Maria thought to herself, turning her face away, this is a very difficult way for you to start your life. We have to do better for you. One of the police, a large man spoke broken with red cheeks, Spanish to her in a matter-of-fact way. They would take her to the shelter, he said. There, she could keep the baby warm. Maria looked to Rodrigo for the pained and answer. He seemed exhausted. to the beautiful City? Rodrigo wore only a thin She forced herself to thank the policemen and stepped from the car, holding Javiar carefully. Maria brushed quickly by a scraggly-looking crowd jacket but had found some red, ski gloves that kept his hands warm, at least. “You had better go, Maria,” he told Continued on page STATION ¢ ORNAMENTS for Birds and ¢ WREATHS e BIRD © Bird Lovers FEEDERS d e BOOKS e BIRD AND CDs A m Ethiopia, a ’ ‘ XS Sidamo August 19 HOUSES Coffee OPEN DAILY 875 lronhorse Dr. Park City, Utah 320 801-647-5990 E. ON SALT PAGE 10 ae Gav wathout 400 LAKE Compromise S. ROASTING Co. 11 |
