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

Page 25

CHAPTER EIGHT 
LENO AND MARIA

"Senor Rodriguez, when you went North, how did it come about?" Leno asked as they settled down on the front steps of his father-in-law's house. "There is still much unrest here in our country and work is becoming harder and harder to find. I want to have a home of our own. I am gratefull that my father has allowed us to stay under their roof but we cannot stay there forever."

"Leno, what you suggest is truly ambitious." Senor Rodriguez said as he poured his son-in-law another cup of pulque. He measured carefully in his mind what he was about to advise Leno."I trust it is not the pulque that controls your ambition. It is not the securing of the money that is the worst of your worries. 

It is the traveling through a new and strange land that tests you. First, you do not know their language. Second, they will not always welcome you with open arms. If it means deciding between you and their pockets, which do you suppose they will choose? You will have to be twice as strong as they are, Leno. A strength that comes from inside; from the soul. You will be expected to do things that you would never have imagined and hear insults that you do not deserve. If you can cope with this, then, by all means go to the United States. If not, be content to stay here under your parent's roof and protection. If Prudenciano wishes it Maria is welcomed to come back home until you return. Did you know that Antonio is planning such a trip in three weeks? You could do with him."

At this point, Leno took his last swallow of pulque and lifted himself to his feet. The sound of mother daughter chatter from within the house filled in the silence left between the two men. Maria and Jesusa seemed to enter another world during these visits as their ideas, opinions, and laughter echoed from within the brick home. Suddenly, a piercing cry from a child being awakened from an afternoon nap awakened Leno's sense of paternal responsibilities. "Elena, my child, I must try to see if I am at least able to give you better than what I had or will ever have."

Leno thought as he took a few steps away from the porch. He turned around to face Senor Rodriguez who reached toward his empty cup to refill it from his half emptied jug of pulque

"Salud, Senor Rodriguez." Leno said as he took a small swallow of his freshly filled cup. "You are not perhaps attempting to give my ambitions a little help with your pulque are you? About what you have said. 

Yes, I am doubtful. Doubtful, because I do not know the language and have thought of the things that you said. But I want to try. Yes, I would like Maria and Elena to stay here with you and Jesusa. But, as you know, it is

25.

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CHAPTER EIGHT LENO AND MARIA "Senor Rodriguez, when you went North, how did it come about?" Leno asked as they settled down on the front steps of his father-in-law's house. "There is still much unrest here in our country and work is becoming harder and harder to find. I want to have a home of our own. I am gratefull that my father has allowed us to stay under their roof but we cannot stay there forever." "Leno, what you suggest is truly ambitious." Senor Rodriguez said as he poured his son-in-law another cup of pulque. He measured carefully in his mind what he was about to advise Leno."I trust it is not the pulque that controls your ambition. It is not the securing of the money that is the worst of your worries. It is the traveling through a new and strange land that tests you. First, you do not know their language. Second, they will not always welcome you with open arms. If it means deciding between you and their pockets, which do you suppose they will choose? You will have to be twice as strong as they are, Leno. A strength that comes from inside; from the soul. You will be expected to do things that you would never have imagined and hear insults that you do not deserve. If you can cope with this, then, by all means go to the United States. If not, be content to stay here under your parent's roof and protection. If Prudenciano wishes it Maria is welcomed to come back home until you return. Did you know that Antonio is planning such a trip in three weeks? You could do with him." At this point, Leno took his last swallow of pulque and lifted himself to his feet. The sound of mother daughter chatter from within the house filled in the silence left between the two men. Maria and Jesusa seemed to enter another world during these visits as their ideas, opinions, and laughter echoed from within the brick home. Suddenly, a piercing cry from a child being awakened from an afternoon nap awakened Leno's sense of paternal responsibilities. "Elena, my child, I must try to see if I am at least able to give you better than what I had or will ever have." Leno thought as he took a few steps away from the porch. He turned around to face Senor Rodriguez who reached toward his empty cup to refill it from his half emptied jug of pulque "Salud, Senor Rodriguez." Leno said as he took a small swallow of his freshly filled cup. "You are not perhaps attempting to give my ambitions a little help with your pulque are you? About what you have said. Yes, I am doubtful. Doubtful, because I do not know the language and have thought of the things that you said. But I want to try. Yes, I would like Maria and Elena to stay here with you and Jesusa. But, as you know, it is 25.