Page 31 of Vaquero
A new energy flared to life in the cavern. The fire of patriotism. The fiercest national pride.
“Who’s with me?” Julio asked again, still patiently hoping he could get everyone out of this cave, up the trails, and to safety alive. It seemed an impossible feat, yet he’d done the impossible before. Once or twice.
“I am with theNorte-Americano!” the willowy woman bellowed. “Give me a shovel or a gun. Give me a rock! They are the same. I have courage, and I will kill Orlando with my bare hands. He killed my baby!”
The crowd changed from meek and beaten down, to angry and proud.
Julio called out, “Then we fight now!”
“And this time we win!” Pepe’s father shouted, one hand clenched in a fist high over his head, with his son sitting high on his shoulder.
Julio locked eyes with Pepe as a wave of all he’d lost crushed him once again. Tomas’ eyes would’ve been as bright as Pepe’s, if he’d been here.
Pepe winked then, the same as Tomas had barely learned to do before Domingo took him. With both cheeks scrunched. While he grinned. Same bright brown eyes. Same love of life. Same glowing adoration for his father.
Made Julio stop and think. Had Tomas led him here? Was the glow he’d followed down this dark tunnel called life simply the spirit of his son? Was that what Julio’d been searching for, the missing connection with the son he’d loved and would always love with his whole heart?
It felt true. Perfect and true. And somehow, the image of Tomas’ smiling face overlaying Pepe’s bright, shining countenance, helped. Julio bowed his head, acknowledging the miracle that he’d also needed. At last he knew. Tomas would always be with him in spirit. Still proud of him. Still very much a part of his life. Still walking beside him. And that was enough.
He lifted his head and stared Mauricio down. “Will you honor me by fighting for these people? At my side?”
Mauricio nodded, finally in step. Drawing in a belly full of freedom, he tilted his face to the ceiling and bellowed,“Revolução!”
