Firewood

Chapter 7

The cook crew; it was morning already. Armando lifted his head resting on the table. He looked around him; Alfred was outside, preparing the fire woods.

And he heard someone calling his name. It was Fabian, his brother.

“Come, Fabian. Come”

“Armando, Kapitan Salcedo said that we should bury Elena no later than this afternoon. I tried to talk with him but he refused”, said Fabian while still catching his breath. “Sorry if this was so sudden but that was what the Mayor ordered”.

“I know that already, Alfred told me last night”, answered Armando while looking at his son who was busy chopping woods for their fire woods.

“Where shall we get money for a coffin?” inquired Fabian. “The coffin maker refused to make one for a partial payment. He was demanding for a full payment”.

“Then I will make a coffin by myself for Elena anyway”.

“Just this morning, I talked with the officials of the cemetery, they also refused to offer parts of the land for Elena’s burial”.

“That is a public cemetery, they should provide parts of it to us”, said Armando angrily.

“Some said that it was the order of Mayor Salcedo…”, Fabian spoke slowly, fearing how Armando might react for that.

“I will go to that Mayor and talk with him”, demanded Armando.

“Armando, I feel afraid with that”, says Fabian nervously.

“Then I will go by myself. After all that happened to my family, do you think I still feel those fear?”, said Armando as he stood up.

“Alfred… Alfred”.

“Yes Papa?”, answered Alfred who was still holding the fire woods with him.

“Watch the house, I will go to the municipal hall. I will talk with the Mayor”.

“Yes Papa. Are you coming for lunch later?”, asked his son, who was still innocent to where his father would go and why was he going there.

Wearing his bolo and tying it to his waist, he said “Just watch the house”

Armando went and Fabian followed him, walking next to him.