Memories of a Life That Never Happened

Chapter 96 - Hobson's Choice

After the moon disappeared and the sun began climbing up the sky, Mica woke up to the sound of children laughing. She pushed herself up to seat and, even in that small movement, her body felt heavy and disobliging.  

She was alone in the room, but someone had left her a tray on the floor. Hungry, Mica walked up to it and studied her breakfast. After rubbing her eyes, a mug of cold milk and some buttered bread came into focus. In under ten minutes, the cup was empty and the plate had nothing but crumbs. 

Wondering what time it was, Mica changed into clean clothes and stepped out of the room. She had trouble finding her way back to last night's entrance.  

The thought of the crucial meeting with Carolina hovered over her head along with the angels and saints painted on the ceiling's plaster.  

Mica found Escobar in a small patio that connected the cloister to the church. It took her a few minutes to understand what she saw. Apparently, the entire village was there and each person had brought something along. There was a pile about Julian's size of packs overflown with assorted nonperishable food. Clothes and basic household items were being sorted and stored into carton boxes. Her eyes recognized every single face around. Some of those people were among the poorest of the village and yet, somehow, they too had found one or two less useful things to give away.  

"Good morning, Mica," said a squeaky voice beside her. 

She swiveled her head to discover Gil staring up at her.  

Years ago, Mica used to bring Julian to his house so she could babysit them both. This allowed his mother, Nina, to go out and do odd jobs from which she cashed in a little extra money.  

One morning, Mica was in their living room, watching Gil while Nina dipped batch after batch of fritters in hot oil for someone else's party. The buzz of a street market just outside their window caught Julian's interest. Within seconds, his fingers pulled the curtains apart so that he could peek at the seductive commotion with Gil right up next to him.  

Mica never witnessed such a distressed reaction to something as simple as looking out the window. Nina stormed out of the kitchen and jerked the curtains shut.  

"No, no, no, no, no!" Heaving and pale, Nina nudged her son away from the window. "Please don't let him look outside," she mouthed to Mica, who spent the rest of the afternoon quite puzzled and worrying she might do something else wrong. Only when Mica was heading off, Nina stopped her at the door and explained herself.  

"There's so much food we cannot afford," she had told Mica. "It kills me to deny something as simple as a mango to Gil, but we have to make do with the leftovers of what I cook for others."  

As a leaky boat, the magnitude of her own family's poverty finally sank when Mica saw Gil's mom handing a couple of toys over to Julian.  

"Hi Gil," Mica replied in a brittle voice.  

Nina caught Mica's emotional glance and walked up to her. 

"Hey there, Mica. We've heard about what happened and we wanted you to know we're here to help anyway we can." 

The tears that Mica willed back almost choke her. 

"You know, I remember the day I told you we could not afford to pick food at the market. I also remember how for months after your mom would show up at our house once a week. She'd bring enough rice and beans to feed an army, often beefed up with some fish too." 

"I was so sorry for what you said to me that I told my mom what'd happened. I didn't know about the rice and beans though."  

Nina let out a short chuckle.  

"She used to say they had overcooked at the restaurant and apologized that it was not fresh." Her head shook. "I've eaten enough leftovers to know how it tastes. The food Jacira brought us was always fresh." 

A fleeting smile left Mica's lips. "That sounds like my mom." 

Nina took Mica's hand with both of hers. 

"I won't say I'm glad I'm able to pay you back a bit. I'd much prefer you still had a home. But I want you to know we're here for you. Whatever you need-." Nina's voice strangled and she finished the thought patting Mica's hand.  

How remarkable, Mica pondered, that the poorest were always the first to stretch out a helping hand. Maybe because misery threaded its way into one's soul, smearing it with famine's such bitter a taste that not even ample amounts of alcohol could wash it off.  

Then, Nina's face blurred into the background as Mica drifted once more to New Year's Eve. She was so enchanted with Carolina's beauty, her glittering dress and her poised manners. That need pulling in Mica's gut. A painful desire that she had been born from Carolina's womb.  

Mica blinked out of that memory with a different feeling springing within her: disgust. She was ashamed of her own thoughts. Having more money than all citizens of Buriti put together, the Chusters had refused to help. How dishonorable for a man who invited her family to his party in appreciation for Escobar's loyalty to have such attitude. 

Nina let go of Mica and lifted Gil into her arms when Escobar arrived. They clearly had met earlier because they nodded at each other and Nina left.  

"How did you sleep?" Escobar asked Mica.  

"Like a rock." She flicked her head to the growing piles. "Is all that for us?" 

"Some are given, others lent. Anyway, it is amazing, right?"  

"It's overwhelming. Where will we keep it?" 

"Sandra offered to store it at the restaurant until we find another place." 

"Is that where we'll sleep tonight? At the restaurant?" 

Escobar pinched her chin. "I do not know yet. I have a few things to do first. I will be back in one hour." His eyes grew serious as he added, "Today we need to go to the police station." 

He tried to make it sound as just another monthly chore, but the casualness of his tone did not make Mica any less anxious.  

"You'll give a deposition about what happened in the forest," Escobar elaborated and goose bumps spiked her arms.  

"Before that, we'll figure out together what you are going to say, ok?" 

"Ok," Mica gulped as Escobar pulled her into an embrace.  

"Now you should get going. Agnes is waiting for you inside the church." 

This was the first chance that the community of Buriti as a whole had to lay their eyes on Mica after she had been out of the hospital. It was also their opportunity to pose inexhaustible questions and placate their curiosity.  

Every few steps toward the church, she had to stop and let them probe and touch. As much as she could, Mica evaded their interrogation. She had to be careful not to contradict herself later to the detective. Whenever pressed for relevant information, she concocted the vaguest possible answer and delivered it with such a desolate face that it earned her at least a couple more steps.  

The church's heavy wooden door kept out the light, the noise and the nosy.  

Sitting patiently on the last pew of the navel, Agnes rose up when she spotted Mica. "Good morning, child. How are you feeling today?"  

"As a run over dog." 

Agnes crossed her arms and shot Mica a reproachful look. 

"Well, from what I see outside, this underdog has more supporters than she thinks. Besides, haven't you heard a word of what I said yesterday? It's not about picking a fight. It's a matter of exchanging favors." 

"Right. Well, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be." 

"Good!" Agnes squeezed Mica's shoulders. "Then off we go."  

As in a western movie, the streets were premonitorily quiet. Hoping that her words proved to be as keen as her love for her family, Mica followed Agnes outside, straight to that impending Russian roulette.  

And if diplomacy did not succeed, Mica decided, she was ready to boot that favor out of Carolina.