Pedro pulled the wagon up to the Galvez home as Wilmar and Mario struggled with a blanket-covered body as they exited through the front door. He picked up a shovel from the wagon and jumped down to help.
“Good. Come help me, boy,” Mario said.
Pedro quickly dropped his shovel and took one edge of the front of the blanket, his knees almost buckling under the weight.
Mario laughed. “Yes, she is a heavy one. I will not miss this large mouth at the table.”
Wilmar and Pedro exchanged glances at Mario’s strange comment.
“What took you so long? We expected you an hour ago.”
Pedro looked at his father. “I had to go to the Arroyo ranch to fetch Senora Arroyo. Oscar’s head needed stiches and Senora Arroyo is the best at mending wounds. At least that is what mother says.”
“So he will survive?” Mario asked.
Pedro looked at his father, not sure how to answer the question.
“I think so.”
They trio lumbered up to the small garden next to the house, where four other fresh mounds were lined up next to a rectangular hole. Hector was standing in the grave up to his armpits, shovel in hand. Pedro could tell from the gray hair that poked out of the blanket that it was Mario’s mother-in-law, Senora Alaron, they were carrying. He remembered the old woman’s ever-present smile and the fact that she was always baking something sweet and delicious in their kitchen. He always made sure to come along with his mother when she came to visit her friend. Besides, Oscar looked up to Pedro, being five years older than the small boy. He was glad Oscar had survived and was happy that his mother had agree to take care of him, as least until he was back on his feet again.
They set the woman down next to the gravesite, and all took a moment to catch their breaths.
Hector pulled himself out of the hole and took Pedro’s place next to Mario.
“Ready, gentleman,” Hector said as he grabbed hold of the top edge of the blanket. “One, two, three, lift.”
They lifted the senora off the ground just enough to maneuver her over the grave. Then they got down on their knees as they lowered her into the ground.
Mario stayed on the ground and pulled at the blanket that covered the old woman.
“What are you doing?” Hector asked, incredulous.
Mario looked up at him. “She no longer has any use for this blanket, but I do.” He strained as he pulled at the cloth but couldn’t get the blanket free.
“Wilmar, grab hold. This fat one won’t let go.”
Wilmar looked at Hector, then Pedro before he too got on his belly and helped pull the blanket free.
Pedro had never seen a dead body before, and he didn’t want to see this one, so he stayed clear of the hole as the men stood back up, Mario rolling the blanket in arms.
Wilmar picked up the shovel and started throwing the dirt in the hole. Mario got down on his knees and started shoving the dirt in by hand.
“I’ll go get my shovel,” Pedro said, glad to leave the grizzly scene, even if it was for only a few minutes.
After Pedro helped the men finish filling in the grave, they dug one more, taking turns with the two shovels they had. When they were done, Mario got up, filled a bucket at the water pump and brought it back to the men. They stood in silence as they dipped, drank, and passed a tin cup around. The sun was setting, turning the horizon a reddish-orange. Hector handed the cup back to Mario.
“It is time, Mario,” Hector said.
Mario hung his head and his large frame began to shake. “My wife,” he muttered through his tears. Then he picked up the blanket he had taken from Senora Alaron, turned, and headed toward the back door of his home.
No comments:
Post a Comment