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

Page 10

CHAPTER FOUR
LENO AND MARIA

Jesusa accompanied her customer to the front door of her small store and thanked her as she walked off with the small sack of beans she had purchased. Returning to the kitchen, she carefully reached for an object hidden away in a small niche above and to the right of the hearth. Her fingers found and grasped onto a small cylindrical container and as she lowered it to herself, her serious expression reflected the importance of its contents. Unsnapping the lid, she dropped the few coins she had received from her first customer of the day and quickly snapped the lid shut and returned it to the niche. As she started to clear off the kitchen table, she wondered how nice it would be if she could just as easily snap a lid on her worries. Hoped the children had arrived safely at school, waiting for their return for lunch, and trying not to think of the countless dangers her husband might have to face on the road. 

Such worries raced through her mind as she finished the dishes and as she picked up the broom to begin her sweeping, the sound of an approaching wagon caught her attention. The thought of another customer lifted her spirits as she leaned her broom against the wall and stepped out into the back yard. When she saw who was driving the wagon slowly toward her, she clenched her apron into her fist as the driver finally stopped and looked down at her. 

"Zeferino, why are you home so early?" she asked excitedly. You look as if you have been up all night. You have not been robbed have you? I just felt something was going to happen. Come... get down and let me cook you something to eat."

"No, Jesusa, nothing like that has happened. Worse than that!" He slowly locked the brake against the wagon's wheel and dropped to the ground landing directly in front of Jesusa. Together, they walked back into the kitchen where Zeferino eased his tired and dusty body into the nearest chair. 

"Yesterday, Diaz took Raul and his wife away to serve in his army. Things are getting worse. I did not feel safe being on the road and feared for the safety of you and the children. Ay my back is killing me from so much bouncing around on the road. Are the children in school Jesusa?"

Before Jesusa was able to answer his question. Zeferino jumped to his feet in response to a loud knock at the front door. He motioned to her to be still. Stepping over to the kitchen window, he carefully parted the curtain with one hand. As the curtain slowly moved to one side, his eyes widened in alarm and beads of perspiration began to form on his forehead. His fingers trembled as they allowed the curtain to fall back into place. He slowly turned, leaned against the wall, and blankly stared into space. 

"What is the matter, Zeferino? Who is out there?" Sensing her husband's alarm, Jesusa grabbed her broom and began to walk in the direction of the front door. "I will get to the bottom of this." The sound of her heels on the wooden floor brought Zeferino to his senses in time for him to grab her arm. 

10.

Saving...

CHAPTER FOUR LENO AND MARIA Jesusa accompanied her customer to the front door of her small store and thanked her as she walked off with the small sack of beans she had purchased. Returning to the kitchen, she carefully reached for an object hidden away in a small niche above and to the right of the hearth. Her fingers found and grasped onto a small cylindrical container and as she lowered it to herself, her serious expression reflected the importance of its contents. Unsnapping the lid, she dropped the few coins she had received from her first customer of the day and quickly snapped the lid shut and returned it to the niche. As she started to clear off the kitchen table, she wondered how nice it would be if she could just as easily snap a lid on her worries. Hoped the children had arrived safely at school, waiting for their return for lunch, and trying not to think of the countless dangers her husband might have to face on the road. Such worries raced through her mind as she finished the dishes and as she picked up the broom to begin her sweeping, the sound of an approaching wagon caught her attention. The thought of another customer lifted her spirits as she leaned her broom against the wall and stepped out into the back yard. When she saw who was driving the wagon slowly toward her, she clenched her apron into her fist as the driver finally stopped and looked down at her. "Zeferino, why are you home so early?" she asked excitedly. You look as if you have been up all night. You have not been robbed have you? I just felt something was going to happen. Come... get down and let me cook you something to eat." "No, Jesusa, nothing like that has happened. Worse than that!" He slowly locked the brake against the wagon's wheel and dropped to the ground landing directly in front of Jesusa. Together, they walked back into the kitchen where Zeferino eased his tired and dusty body into the nearest chair. "Yesterday, Diaz took Raul and his wife away to serve in his army. Things are getting worse. I did not feel safe being on the road and feared for the safety of you and the children. Ay my back is killing me from so much bouncing around on the road. Are the children in school Jesusa?" Before Jesusa was able to answer his question. Zeferino jumped to his feet in response to a loud knock at the front door. He motioned to her to be still. Stepping over to the kitchen window, he carefully parted the curtain with one hand. As the curtain slowly moved to one side, his eyes widened in alarm and beads of perspiration began to form on his forehead. His fingers trembled as they allowed the curtain to fall back into place. He slowly turned, leaned against the wall, and blankly stared into space. "What is the matter, Zeferino? Who is out there?" Sensing her husband's alarm, Jesusa grabbed her broom and began to walk in the direction of the front door. "I will get to the bottom of this." The sound of her heels on the wooden floor brought Zeferino to his senses in time for him to grab her arm. 10.