DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | ""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 2

"No, mother. I was not asleep. I was reviewing for a final exam that i have today. Is it time already? Give me a few minutes to get the car started. We have plenty of time so get yourself a cup of coffee. I made a fresh pot." As she turned and walked into the other room I buttoned up my only button on my coat and quickly opened and closed the front door behind me.

   The cold winter wind slapped me across the face and stung my lungs as i took my first breath on the porch. The corner street light gave me a small hint of the snow path I had made earlier that led from the porch to the street where my 1956 Chevy waited to be tested. "You better start after what I've been through." I threatened as i started down the porch steps toward the car. The sound of crunching frozen snow under my shoes was familiar. Fearful that the car would not start because of unseasonably cold weather and the possibility of mother having to walk to and wait at the corner for a bus. I had walked this path before a few times before during the night. I hoped that by starting the car and charging the battery every so often, it would guarantee a sure start. The previous dry runs had been successful but as i slowly guided the key into the ignition, I feared that my efforts might have been in vain.
   "Come on now," I coaxed. "I kept you warmed up all night, haven't I? Now it is your turn to return the favor. Fantastic...turned right over. You warm up for a few minutes and I'll be right back." As i got out of the car and turned to begin my walk back to the house, I was startles by a small figure standing on the curb.

   "Mother...why are you waiting out here in the cold? I would not leave without my favorite passanger. Leg's get in the car. You sure must be in a hurry to get to work today."

TIME: 4:30 A.M.    1875 HACIENDA DE PANTOJA, GUANAJUATO.

  Juan Rodriguez pushed himself up from the straw filled mat that provided his only comfort for the night. Darkness had not yet given way to the morning light so he had to feel his way to the kitchen table to light the kerosene lantern. As he adjusted the wick, he pointed the weak light it cast in the direction of a faint groan coming from a corner of the one room casita. A small boy tosses about in his corner of the room mumbling a name that Juan had heard many times before during his waking hours. "Must he take this obsession to bed with him as well?" Juan whispered as he slowly walked his son to release him from his restless sleep.

   " Zeferino, es tiempo, hijo, it is time. if we are not out in the fields before the sun is, the majordomo will make us pay. Get up, get up. You can sleep in your coffin. What is the matter, my son?" The small framed boy quickly sat up staring blankly into the darkness of the corner. His father gently took his small face into his calloused hands and carefully turned it toward the light. "What is the matter, my son?"

Saving...

"No, mother. I was not asleep. I was reviewing for a final exam that i have today. Is it time already? Give me a few minutes to get the car started. We have plenty of time so get yourself a cup of coffee. I made a fresh pot." As she turned and walked into the other room I buttoned up my only button on my coat and quickly opened and closed the front door behind me. The cold winter wind slapped me across the face and stung my lungs as i took my first breath on the porch. The corner street light gave me a small hint of the snow path I had made earlier that led from the porch to the street where my 1956 Chevy waited to be tested. "You better start after what I've been through." I threatened as i started down the porch steps toward the car. The sound of crunching frozen snow under my shoes was familiar. Fearful that the car would not start because of unseasonably cold weather and the possibility of mother having to walk to and wait at the corner for a bus. I had walked this path before a few times before during the night. I hoped that by starting the car and charging the battery every so often, it would guarantee a sure start. The previous dry runs had been successful but as i slowly guided the key into the ignition, I feared that my efforts might have been in vain. "Come on now," I coaxed. "I kept you warmed up all night, haven't I? Now it is your turn to return the favor. Fantastic...turned right over. You warm up for a few minutes and I'll be right back." As i got out of the car and turned to begin my walk back to the house, I was startles by a small figure standing on the curb. "Mother...why are you waiting out here in the cold? I would not leave without my favorite passanger. Leg's get in the car. You sure must be in a hurry to get to work today." TIME: 4:30 A.M. 1875 HACIENDA DE PANTOJA, GUANAJUATO. Juan Rodriguez pushed himself up from the straw filled mat that provided his only comfort for the night. Darkness had not yet given way to the morning light so he had to feel his way to the kitchen table to light the kerosene lantern. As he adjusted the wick, he pointed the weak light it cast in the direction of a faint groan coming from a corner of the one room casita. A small boy tosses about in his corner of the room mumbling a name that Juan had heard many times before during his waking hours. "Must he take this obsession to bed with him as well?" Juan whispered as he slowly walked his son to release him from his restless sleep. " Zeferino, es tiempo, hijo, it is time. if we are not out in the fields before the sun is, the majordomo will make us pay. Get up, get up. You can sleep in your coffin. What is the matter, my son?" The small framed boy quickly sat up staring blankly into the darkness of the corner. His father gently took his small face into his calloused hands and carefully turned it toward the light. "What is the matter, my son?"