Across the Great River (9 page)

I stand in the hospital room looking down at Mama. Lying under the sheet so still, she's never seemed so tall to me. I reach out and take her hand. “Mama, it's me, Kata.”

I peer into her eyes, but they remain closed. “Mama, wake up please.” I touch her chin and turn her head towards me. “Mama, speak to me. Tell me what to do with the pouch.”

I stroke her hand gently, remembering that she was never this hard to wake, not even in the middle of the night. “Mama, the police want to talk to me. Shall I tell them about Papa?” I touch her shoulder and shake her gently. “Mama, please wake up!” I crawl onto the edge of the bed. “What am I to do?” I sob.

After several moments of getting no answer, I turn towards the door. I can see Nell waiting down the hall. I kiss Mama's cheek, then join Nell who says, “She isn't well, is she?”

“No, I hope Anita is better.” We walk down the hall to Anita's room. I take a deep breath before I push open the door.

“Would you like me to go inside with you?” asks Nell.

I hesitate then glance up. “No, I'd better go myself.”

Anita turns my way as I enter the room “Kata!”

I rush to her and bury my head in her arm. “Anita!” I sob.

Her voice is soft. “Don't worry, Kata. God will take care of us. You will see.”

“But you are both so sick. What am I to do? Mama cannot speak or see.” I seize her hand. “Anita,”
I whisper, “the police are going to ask me questions. What shall I tell them?”

“I have already spoken with them. Just tell them you are my adopted grandchild.”

“But, what if they ask about Papa?”

“I do not think they will ask about him. All they want to know is what you saw happen the night your Mama and I got hurt.”

“I am still scared. What if they decide to take Pablito from us.”

“They can't do that. Don't worry, all will be well. Have faith, little one.” She strokes my hair, then seems to fall into a light sleep. I stay with her a while, then go out to the hall.

“How did it go?” asks Nell.

“She fell asleep.”

“She needs rest. Come, I'll go with you to see the sergeant.”

“You will!'

“Of course. Didn't Doctor Mendez tell you I would?”

“No, but he was in a big hurry.”

“Doctors are always in a hurry, Kata.”

“Anita is like a doctor. I mean, she can fix people up, but she's never in a hurry.”

“Oh, is that how Anita works? I don't see how you can compare the old woman to a doctor,” adds Nell, as if she has just broken a rotten egg.

As Nell circles the station looking for a parking space, I wonder if I will see Officer Gonzalez again. There are so many men dressed in the same uniform
that I know I will never be able to recognize him.

After we park, Nell takes my hand and rushes me past one office after another. Finally, we enter one and Nell goes right up to the desk. Sergeant Estrada, this is Katarina Campos. We understand that you want to see her,” declares Nell in a business-like voice.

“Yes, I've been waiting.” He rises from his chair.

I feel myself freeze up, but I say nothing. I watch Nell take a seat in front of his desk and motion for me to sit next to her.

The sergeant continues, “Tell me about this man that hurt your Mama and Anita Morales.”

“I can't remember much except that tattoo on his arm.”

“Where did you meet him?”

“I didn't. I saw him in a dream and then at the apartment house.”

He stops writing to look up at me, then at Nell. “A dream, you say.”

I nod. “In the dream I woke up before I saw Anita and Mama got hurt.”

“Did he live at the apartment house?” He taps his pencil against the desk.

“I don't know.”

I watch as he bites his lips, “He's dead, you know.”

I nod. “Yes, I heard them shout that he broke his neck when he fell down the stairs.” I wiggle in my chair. “Who was he?” I ask.

“That's my question!” he snaps. “Are you sure that your Mama didn't know him?”

I shrug. “We just came from Anita's ranchito.”

“Yes, I know. Doña Anita explained all that.” He writes something on his pad. “Are you her grandchild?”

He waits for my answer, but I give none. Instead, I cough a long time, then Nell slaps my back.

The sergeant stares at me a long while, then says, “That man probably crossed the border illegally. Perhaps he's a wetback who doesn't have papers or identification. We get men like that here all the time.”

“Well, he deserved to die because he hurt Mama and Anita,” I snap back at him, then begin to tremble. I grip the chair tightly, glancing back at Nell. My heart races at the sound of the word “papers.”

“Okay, that will be all for now,” he says.

Nell rises. “Thank you, sergeant. If you need us we will be at the center.”

“I know where I can find you, Miss Nell. Keep her around so that if I need her, I can get hold of her quickly.”

Nell nods and takes my hand. “Until her mother is well and able, the girl will be housed at the center.”

Once out in the hall I ask, “Is it true that we'll be staying at the center until Mama gets well?”

Nell smiles. “It's the best I can do for right now.”

“That's great!” I cry.

“Why, Kata?”

“Because I like you and I even like Ramona, whom I have named the silent one.”

“Why do you call her that?” Nell holds open the car door.

“Because she hardly speaks.”

“You are a silly girl, Kata. Ramona is a silent one and you've made Anita a doctor. What shall you think of next?”

I shrug, “But that's how I see them!”

Pablito acts like a happy puppy when we arrive from the Police Station. He quickly crawls over and hands me a toy. Nell leaves to speak with Ramona,
who is in the kitchen. I feel it is safe to pull out the pouch and examine it again.

The stone, which is as heavy and as big as my large toe, falls out into my palm. I turn it around in my fingers and go over to the window and hold it up to the sunlight. Where did it come from, I wonder?

The gold sparkle has caught Pablito's eye and he tries to pull my arm down so that he can play with it. “No, Pablito, this is special! I know it is or else Mama would not have saved it for so long.” I replace the stone into the pouch and retie it around my waist. Pablito watches me with wonder, then touches his own waist.

Nell enters the room. “Well, children, Ramona will have dinner ready in a few minutes. Why don't we go wash our hands.”

Pablito crawls beside me and pokes his little hand up my skirt. Unable to reach my waist, he tugs at my dress and slip, almost pulling them off. “No! Pablito!” I command.

“What is it? What does he want?” asks Nell.

“Oh, he just wants me to carry him.” I bend down and pick him up, then take him to the bathroom. After we scrub our hands and seat ourselves at the table, Ramona bursts into the room pushing a cart.

“Oh!” I gasp standing up quickly. “What is it?”

“We call it a cake, Kata.”

“It's fantastico!”

“I believe it is,” answers Nell.

Pablito has both hands outstretched reaching for the cake, but the highchair holds him firmly planted in his seat. He wiggles and squirms, trying to get out so that he can get a handful of cake.

“Look, Pablito!” I poke his fingers into the frosting. “Cake,” I say repeating Nell's word. I laugh as he licks his fingers and smiles.

“But children, we must eat all our supper before we get to eat the cake,” demands Nell in a gentle voice.

“Okay, señorita Nell, if you say we must.”

Nell helps Ramona serve our plates. She laughs as Pablito opens his mouth wide for bite after bite, never once taking his eyes off the cake. I believe he understands every word Nell said. Occasionally he reaches for the cake and cries out, but Nell puts another spoonful of potatoes into his mouth.

I am anxious myself, for I have never tasted an American cake, which seems very different from our Mexican pastries. This cake seems to melt before my eyes, and I know it has to be delicious.

After Nell is satisfied that we have eaten all the food she can manage to get into our stomachs, she starts cutting the cake into very large pieces. She purposely cuts it slow and then licks her fingers before our eyes. As soon as she hands Pablito his slice, he jams his fingers into it and pushes piece after piece into his mouth, chewing like a happy calf and smearing chocolate from his nose to his belly.

After my first bite, I put the spoon down and use my fingers. The cake is creamy, messy and the best thing I have ever tasted in my life. Would Mama like this cake, I wonder? I know she would.

My two slices disappear quickly, and I ask for a third, but Nell refuses. Upon seeing my disappointment she says, “You'll get some more tomorrow. You wouldn't want to get a sick tummy, would you?”

“I would not mind a sick stomach!” I argue, but she remains firm.

“No, Kata. Tomorrow is another day.”

What could I tell her? Tomorrow is far away and that delicious cake sits before me. Tomorrow brings
who knows what, and I might never get to taste the cake again, but Nell stands between me and that cake, like the hospital separates me from Mama.

“Please, Nell,” I beg.

“Sorry, Kata, but I'm the boss here.” With her hand she motions for Ramona to take the cake away.

I have learned much in this land called Texas, but nothing as wonderful as that chocolate cake that Ramona baked.

Three days later Nell bursts into my room. “Kata, the doctor is here, and he waits to speak with you in my office. So, hurry, child.”

I put down the toys and turn to follow her to the room she calls “office.” She enters first and pulls a chair out for me to sit upon. I sit and watch the doctor speaking quietly into a black horn that Nell calls her telephone. He has his back turned to us, but pivots when he hears Nell close the door as she leaves.

He slowly puts the horn into its box, then smiles at me. “Good morning, Kata. I have a surprise for you.” He points to another door.

“Anita!” I shout as I throw myself into her fat arms. “You are well and here!”

She laughs, “Yes, I am well and stand before you. It does not take old Anita long to recover from an illness.” She peers over at the doctor with her snapping good eye. “I would have recovered sooner had I had some of my own medicine.”

The doctor stiffens and says, “We study two distinct arts that accomplish the same healing goal, Doña Anita.”

Anita refuses to answer, but glares at him as if he has just slugged her with a hammer. She grunts as she swings into the nearest chair.

Doctor Mendez turns to me and says, “Your mother is better, but still refuses to speak. She will have to remain in the hospital another week or so.”

“Humph,” grunts Anita. “If she had my herbal tea she would already be walking around!”

The doctor bites his lips and says, “Please, Doña Anita. May I remind you that this is my consultation with Kata.” He continues, “Your mother has broken ribs which will have to heal before we move her.” He glances over at Anita, expecting her to say more, but she remains silent. “Therefore, we have a little problem that we must attempt to solve.” He looks directly at me. “Anita would like to go home to her ranchito.”

“And,” adds Anita quickly, “I would like you and Pablito to come with me.” She takes my hand in hers.

“Or,” interrupts the doctor, “you may stay with Nell here at this center until your mother is well. But, I must warn you that it may not be for some time to come, or it could be only a day or so.”

“Well, Kata. The decision is yours,” says Anita.

Both of them say nothing more, and the silence that follows is frightening. It is expected of me to make a decision between going home with Anita to the ranchito and not seeing Mama, or staying here and not seeing Anita.

I turn to Anita. “Mama needs me more, but I need you, too. What shall I do, Anita?”

“Ah, it's hard to make up your mind, but you must do it yourself. I cannot do it for you,” she answers.

I chew on my fingers and glance from face to face, seeking the answer. Doctor Mendez smiles and Anita
pats my hand, but they both wait.

After seeing that I cannot decide, Doctor Mendez rises and speaks, “I have a suggestion. You might not care for it, but on the other hand, you might.”

“Well, speak your mind man!” orders Anita in a huff.

“Si, señora. What if Pablito goes home with Anita, so that she may look after him. After all, he's still a baby, and Kata stays here with Nell so that she may visit her Mama each day, in that way speeding her recovery?”

I will miss Pablito, but if he is safe with Anita, I will have less to worry about and I can see Mama every day. Yes, I like the idea, but I still turn to Anita for a clue as to how she feels about it. “Anita, what do you think?”

“Well, it sounds good, but only if you like it. Your Mama has to come back to the ranchito to recover fully, then we will all be together.”

“It is settled,” I say. “I shall stay with Nell and Pablito will go with you.” I lean over and whisper to her, “Anyway, Papa might be there.”

“Perhaps so,” answers Anita. She turns to the doctor. “Sir, do you feel the child will be safe here for so much time? I understand that Miss Nell has another charge now.”

“She will be safe, Doña Anita. Let me assure you. If you want, I will personally see to it that she is entertained as much as possible.”

Anita stomps her foot. “Her care is what I am concerned about, doctor, not her entertainment! I have heard many stories about this place.”

Irritated, Doctor Mendez rises and walks to the front of the desk. “Anita, I assure you that she is safe here.”