A hundred miles to the south in Mesidda lived the Chagas family. Elsa the daughter was a dyed redhead Mestizo(Spanish White/Indian mix,) sixteen years old, studying in her bedroom when the phone rang. Her best friend, Alma Custodio, called to talk about school, boys, music, the Carnaval de Blanco y Negros(where everyone painted their faces white or black,) and to ask Elsa to go to the cinema with her. Alma was a distant cousin of mine.

     One wall of Elsa’s bedroom was covered with movie posters. A bookcase contained almost a complete set of Nancy Drew mysteries. On a table near a window was an indoor flower garden and ant farm. On another wall was a four foot long aquarium. Silver, gold, and rainbow fish swam between green plants and a ceramic castle. A large golden-red dog laid on a rug in front of a forty inch television. The computer was running on her desk.

     “Alma, I want you to see my new yellow boots and hat. The boots were 425,000 pesos($175.00 U.S.) I’ll wear them when I sing in the talent show. Yes, I’m a little nervous. No, I won’t do that! Look, I have to hang up now; I’ll meet you at eight. Love you!”

     Downstairs in the kitchen Elsa’s mother Irene Chagas was talking to the black cook, Adriano Lopez.

“You will have enough pollo asado for two days,” Adriano told her. The smell of the food cooking was savory. “Cook the aborajados longer this time. Cesar likes it crisp,” Mrs. Chagas instructed. Then Adriano asked, “ If I make a larger pan, can I pay you for the extra and take some home for my supper?” Yes, of course you can, and this time there won’t be any charge.” “Thank you very much Senora Chagas.” There was the sound of the clicking of a cricket. “Senora Chagas, that cricket in the pantry is good luck for this house.”

     The telephone rang again. Cesar Chagas was calling his wife from right outside his own store Chagas Clothing. “Was Elsa on the phone? I have been trying to call you for ten minutes.” He looked around at the homeless and deserted children begging down at the corner of the street and realized how fortunate he was that his daughter was not one of them. “Dear, I’m waiting for the taxi and will be home in a few minutes. Two North Americans came into the store today and wanted me to buy women’s.......” The phone went dead. “Adriano, Cesar’s cell phone went dead again. Serve supper at six and leave the dishes for Elsa tonight. Come back tomorrow at three.”