Ramon

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The sun rose quietly over La Bendita, the clouds whipped up in scoops of fluffy white, shrouding the sun’s glare. On the beaches, the quirky gulls made their usual search for food in the surf. La Bendita was a small village, nestled away next to a sandy cove with sprawling fields, and little individual cays scattered about in the ocean distance. Remotely untouched and left to the people who had inhabited it for centuries, it operated peacefully as though modern time had barely left a fingerprint here. The village was not too far from the town of Pedernales either, where guards kept their daily watch over the Haitian border, but for La Bendita, tranquility remained a constant aspect of village life. The villagers here, as they’ve always done, rose gently and gracefully for the new day but not for little Ramon who lived in a small quaint home with his family. Hopping out of bed, he quickly dressed himself in tattered blue soccer shorts and a dirty tight shirt that read ‘Republica Dominicana’, adorned with the flag’s colors, a mix of blue, red, and white. It was his favorite shirt. He scampered into the kitchen where his mother was already awake and cooking his breakfast. She was dressed in a loose red blouse and skirt that draped her thighs and knees. Her dark skin tanned by the Caribbean sun, and her stomach round with child within. Age had not tempered her natural beauty, but in fact gave her a youthful appearance and vigor, perhaps she needed that if she wanted to keep up with little Ramon’s antics.

“Ay Ramon, look at you. So noisy at the most quiet hours of the morning. You’ll wake the baby.’

“Mama, the baby is still in your tummy!” Ramon walked over and happily placed his hand on her stomach. “I think I can feel the baby kicking. The baby is probably hungry Mama. Or a great soccer player!”

“I think you’re right Ramon.” She placed a plate of toast and papaya on the table for him. “Here, if you plan to play soccer with Miguel today, you’ll need to eat too.”

“Gracias Mama.” He said as he hurried to shove as much food into his mouth as possible. The papaya fruit was slipping through his fingers and juice dripped onto his shirt.

“When will you ever let me wash that shirt for you Ramon? I’m going to the cay later today to do some washing, you should let me wash it for you.”

“But Mama! It is my lucky shirt! I need it if me and Miguel are going to beat Julio and Raul! This is gonna be the day we win, once and for all!” Ramon touted triumphantly, cramming the last bit of toast into his mouth while his mother reluctantly sipped some coffee. She smiled, twirled the intricate pink garment with a ‘G’ stitched on it around her wrist, and agreed.

“Alright, but be home soon for dinner. The weather may not be so good later. If you’re near the market, tell your father to come home early too.”

“Okay Mama.” Ramon wiped the messy crumbs and traces of fruit from his face and strapped his shoes on. She walked over and kissed him on the forehead as He forced a cheery little grin and managed to quickly spout “Love you too Mama.” before he bolted out the door. The flimsy wire screen door nearly shattered as it latched back onto the threshold as he leapt outside.

Miguel was walking up the path to Ramon’s house, kicking a soccer ball in front of him and rustling up the dust in the process. The sun cast its gaze down on the two boys as the old ancient palms around Ramon’s house stretched out their shadows to greet them.

“Hola Ramon, you ready?” said Miguel. Miguel was a little taller than Ramon, dressed in a red shirt and white soccer shorts, he was a little stocky but he could easily handle a soccer ball. He was Ramon’s oldest and best friend in La Bendita.

“More than ever! Come on, I bet those rats are already at the fields!” And so Ramon and Miguel took off into the interior of the island. Bouncing and jostling each other while walking to the fields, kicking the ball off the sides of craggy cliff walls and across white sands. Although, Ramon seemed preoccupied with something else on his mind.

“What’s the matter Ramon? Is something bothering you?” asked Miguel.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready to be a brother yet Miguel. I’ve seen all the other kids in town with little brothers or sisters, and I don’t know. It seems like a big responsibility.”

“Don’t worry Ramon, you’ll make a fine big brother.” Miguel contemplated his next kick back to Ramon. The wind began to pick up a little and the clouds shifted overhead.

The boys reached the soccer fields which overlooked the ocean and all the distant cays. Two large sun burnt rocks represented each team’s goal line, and Ramon happily surveyed his end of the field with Miguel. The clear Caribbean blues and teals of the sea provided a fine audience for the game. The old palm leaves drifted in unison with the blades of grass on the field as Ramon approached their goal line, still keeping a fairly competitive passing game with Miguel. However, at the other end of the field stood Julio and Raul, dressed in contrasting shades of purple and attempting to bounce their soccer ball off each other head’s. They were far taller and somewhat older than Miguel and Ramon.

“Look, the babies have showed up to play again. This is just good exercise now. Not even a challenge.” cackled Julio, his slick and greasy black hair dancing in the new wind.

“Not today Julio! We’re going to win here.” shouted Ramon, clenching his little fists. Miguel gulped, somewhat nervous and afraid of getting pummeled again by Julio.

“We’ll see about that!” barked Julio by responding with bouncing the ball off his head and instantly launching the ball at Ramon, casting it down the field at high speed. Ramon leapt into the air and responded, driving his right foot into the ball and sending it back to Julio. “That’s the best you got short stuff?” laughed Julio as he danced with the ball again, gleefully passing it between himself and Raul who kept up with him. “Cover Raul for me Miguel. I’ll get Julio.” commanded a hasty Ramon who darted towards Julio who seemed more intent on cracking jokes than soccer. Still, Julio easily bypassed Ramon and made his way to the goal but suddenly, Miguel snatched the ball. “You idiot Raul! Pay attention!” screamed Julio. Miguel boomed up the field, putting all his might into his final kick before Julio could intercept it. The ball zipped by the two rocks and into the tall overgrown grass where it perched. “Goal Miguel!” yelled Ramon from center field. The game continued, and each team fought ferociously to win. Knees were scuffed, shoes were caked with a mix of dirt, grass, and pebbles. Miguel breathed heavily, sweat pouring from his pores and again, another goal. He seemed unstoppable and Ramon kept up the defensive against Julio, twisting in and out of Julio’s cocky passing, greatly annoying him. Raul was growing tired and couldn’t keep up with Julio’s manic running as much as he wanted to, much to Julio’s disadvantage. Ramon forced Julio to keep up the insane sprint and turning of the ball. The kicks of both boys lifting more dirt and grass skyward as the ball flew back and forth.

“Not so easy today Julio! It’s my lucky shirt doing the work.” Grinned Ramon as he worked his way to the opposing goal.

“Stupid kid.” murmured Julio, trying to catch his breath as the ancient sun beamed down on the field. The winds continued to quicken their gusts and Ramon enjoyed the breeze, dashing the sweat from his brow, trotting up field to secure another goal.

“And you said this was just exercise.” Ramon smiled as he circled around a tired Julio, panting and coughing, but that was enough to review Julio’s incentive to defeat Ramon. Raul was struggling to make his way up to defend their goal with Miguel chasing him but the disturbed glare sparked in Julio’s eyes set him off on a warpath. His dash propelled dirt into the air and his lungs burned, sucking as much oxygen as possible so he could plow ahead. Ramon, glanced over his shoulder and saw the crazed boy racing towards him. He picked up his step and gave one last final jolt that his body could muster. Feeling the muscles in his legs tense up, letting loose all his energy out for the kick. The ball went into the heavens, and glided past the goal rocks.

The sky cracked, a whiplash string of light shot down and a nearby palm was set ablaze. The sparks ignited the adjacent plants with flames engulfing everything that was once green, now a charring mixture of red and oranges. The skies had turned gray and dark, the clouds becoming a monstrous overhead valley of rough upside down hills. Ramon was on his back, his eyes closed. He could feel slight pellets of water on his skin, the cool release of excess heat leaving his body, but the awful smell of smoke and singed palm leaves entered his nose. His eyelids opened and he looked into the unhappy sky, the rain and winds were beginning to drastically change. “Come on Ramon! We gotta get out of here!” Miguel grabbed Ramon and helped him to his feet. Julio and Raul were already gone.

“What happened? Why is the tree burning?” Ramon was puzzled, how could such a pleasant little palm burst into random flame and destruction? The fire licked at the grass and everything was a smoldering wreckage of foliage.

“Lightening Ramon! This has got to be a hurricane. We have to get down to the cliffside!” Miguel prodded Ramon to ignore the fire and to escape before another spark of light could crash down again. The rains became harder, strengthening as the clouds bellowed another round of thunder in the distance. The crystal seas roared and splashed against the rocks and sands, the cays stood defenseless in the torrent of winds, their palms nearly overturned and water drowning them back into the sea.

“This way Ramon! Faster!” as Miguel navigated a tricky pathway of rocks that lead into a small caved area. The rain made the cliffside wet and Ramon tripped. Miguel grabbed his hand and moved him forward. Soon enough, they crawled into a cramped and dark hole in the cliffside that barely could fit them.

“Why can’t we go back to town! We can make it!” Ramon was scared, he didn’t feel entirely safe in this dinky cave. His knees were bloodied and scratched from the game, Miguel too had a few bruises on his legs. Another shot of lightening smashed into the distance, possibly striking one of the many cays. Ramon reconsidered and knew that it was far too dangerous to make it back to La Bendita but he didn’t want to admit it.

“Where did Raul and that idiot go?” Ramon asked, inspecting a cut on his kneecap. “They ran off the second they heard the thunder. You fell on your head after that kick. You were flying.”

“Yeah, I guess I was… I hope my family is okay Miguel. I wish this storm was over.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they are.” said Miguel, who seemed somewhat unsure of his own family’s safety. The rains outside the little cave opening created a thick cloudy screen, peppered by a frenzy of light and thunderous sounds. Everything in the distance was covered by the rain and wind, with a barely visible palm leaf or branch flying off in the gusts. Ramon closed his eyes and leaned against the curved rock wall as best he could, trying to find some semblance of peace and solace. Sleep overtook his thoughts.

“Wake up Ramon! The hurricane is over! It’s morning!” yelled Miguel from outside the cave. Ramon opened his dreary brown eyes, and looked around. The sun illuminated the sky with light, and Ramon took to his feet and exited the little cave. Noticing Miguel was already further by the beach, he rubbed his eyes and peered out into the distance. The world was at peace again. “Hurry up! Let’s get back to town!” boomed an eager Miguel. Ramon dashed back, climbing away from the cliffs and onto the main path.

The two ran back to town as fast as their little feet could take them, but Ramon stopped.

“I hear something.” He said.

“Come on Ramon, we’re so close to town! Don’t you want to see your family!”

“I’ll catch up in a bit.” Ramon proceeded away from the path and out onto the beach. Miguel didn’t wait and kept up his run back to La Bendita. As Ramon trudged in the sand now, the sound became nearer. It was a small sound, a faint voice. A whimpering cry. A large tropical tree with its roots planted firmly in the sand towered over Ramon, the leaves all vibrant and green, a fitting crown for such a majestic tree. It was nigh untouched from the storm. The sound was emitting from it though, but this did not make sense to Ramon. How could a tree weep? He cautiously approached the underbelly of the large trunk, and outside one of the massive roots that dug into the earth, he saw something. Covered in a pink garment, he saw it move slightly. The cries increased and he walked into the great chamber of the old tree, a natural ballroom it was with vines and flowers that reached its ceiling, and nestled in the center was a baby girl.

Ramon quickly hurried and carefully picked up the child. “Hush baby, its okay.” Suddenly but surely, the child quieted and gazed back at Ramon with wide brown eyes that mirrored his. He wrapped the old pink garment around her. “Who could have left you here?” The baby giggled and hiccupped, waving her hand at Ramon. “We have to find your parents little baby. Let’s get you back to town.”

The sun was at its peak in the sky, the glittering reflections sined onto the turquoise sea. Old Dominican sailors paddled by in fishing boats and a few people were walking across the beach to survey the storm damage. Ramon approached a young couple glancing at the distant cays which had been hit the worst. “Excuse me, but is this your baby?” The two looked bewildered at the small child. “No, that isn’t ours. You should head back into La Bendita and ask around there boy.” said the man.

Discouraged, he firmly held onto the baby and marched back up the beach and into town. Ramon truly did not know what to think of the little child in his arms. He thought about his own family and how a new baby would be born. He feared he would lose the attention of his mother and father. But as his thoughts engulfed him, the little baby grasped his thumb and smiled. “Little baby girl.” Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have a sibling, reassuring himself and possibly considering the thought of it being fun. As Ramon entered the main street of town, he noticed the significant storm damage in La Bendita. Although a few houses had been spared, many of the older ones had incurred a stray palm tree landing on them. Cement had been cut and ripped open, metal beams torn down, and wooden homes dressed in a myriad of leaves and broken windows. Nonetheless, La Bendita was still functioning and the townsfolk were managing to clean up. Ramon figured he should just ask whoever he came across first, and apparently, that was the local shop owner, Senor Kanig. Ramon noticed he was addressing the broken door to his home but realized his wife was pregnant. It could be his child or so he thought.

“Senor Kanig, I found this baby down by the beach. Is she yours?”

“Ay Ramon, a beautiful child she is, but alas. She is not mine. You should go find your father. He looked quite upset when I last saw him.”

“Yes sir.” Ramon didn’t want to bring a baby back to his father and mother just yet, he could imagine the bizarre look his father might give him for bringing in a lost child. He kept walking up the street, asking more people and getting similar responses. Ramon passed his house, it looked relatively unharmed and figured he could spare a few more minutes before revealing that he had picked up a lost baby to his parents.

“Your parents have to be somewhere little baby.”

The baby continued to grab Ramon’s thumb, laughing, and playfully squirming within the little pink fabric she was wrapped in. Ramon enjoyed her little laughs, but his body ached. He had eaten nothing for several hours and his poor sleep had left him groggy. Thankfully, he spotted Miguel sitting near his home munching away on a sandwich.

“Miguel! Chico!” Ramon ran as fast as he could with the little baby, nearly tripping over storm debris. Miguel waved back to him. He lifted up a small slice of bread with some ham in it for Ramon.

“Its all I have to offer Ramon, along with some fruit. Most of our food was destroyed in the storm.”

“Gracias Miguel.” and Ramon somehow managed to maneuver the baby and his left arm to eat the sandwich. He carefully sat down, and attempted to not get any crumbs on the little child.

“Ramon, you might want to head back home. Your dad was very sad when I saw him walk by here. I tried to tell him where you were but he did not want to listen.” Ramon gazed back down at the baby, quirky and cute. She smiled again. “Who’s the kid Ramon? Was that what you heard back at the beach. This baby?”

“Yes, she was left alone in that big old tree. All alone. I couldn’t just leave her there. She’s just a baby.” Ramon swallowed the rest of his food and stood up.

“I guess I gotta get home then. I’ll see you around Miguel And thank you.”

“Your’e welcome, and good luck Ramon.” as Miguel went back inside his house.

Ramon trotted back to his house, gloomy and unsuccessful, he had ended up with a baby that he did not know what to do with, and felt even worse for the parents who lost it. Finding them seemed a far greater problem, could they have been sailors who’s boat was washed away in the storm? Could they have just abandoned her? He didn’t want to think about it. The baby girl’s eyes became teary, she was poised to weep but Ramon gently pressed the little baby closer to his chest. His heartbeat providing a rhythmic song for her, and the baby relaxed. He carefully wiped the tears away with the pink garment.

“I’ll take care of you little baby. Don’t cry.”

Ramon opened the screen door as quietly as he could. He heard his father weeping from outside and saw him inside mopping the floor up from all the rainwater. Ramon braced himself.

“Papa.. I” but before Ramon could finish, his father cast the mop down and darted to him the second he heard his voice.

“Ramon! Thank God! You’re alive!” he sobbed. He embraced Ramon, throwing his arms around him and almost hurting the little baby. Ramon clutched firmly, trying to protect her but he obscured the view with the garment she was covered in. “Papa calm down!”

“Ramon, I can’t believe it. I thought you had died too in the storm!”

“Died? What? Who died?”

His father looked down at the yellowed floor rolling with puddles of water.

“Your mother died last night in the storm Ramon. And your sister…” Those words sparked a cry from the baby but Ramon stood silent.

“Ramon, what do you have there?” his father, distraught but now newly alive with hope unfolded the pink garment and saw the baby girl. Ramon’s eyes filled, he could not hold back his tears.

“Ramon, you saved your sister!”

“But how, who?” Ramon couldn’t utter any words. His tongue was dry and his voice hesitant. His father knelt beside him and looked up.

“Your mother and I went down to the beach, to the cay near that old tree yesterday after you went to go play soccer to wash our clothing. She… “ His voice began to stifle. “She went into labor and your sister was born! Right there but the storm came… and the rest. I can’t remember. The waves rushed over me. The rains became so sudden and fast. All I could do was wrap the baby in a small piece of clothing, a pink garment your mother had. But after that, couldn’t see anything, I lost grasp of her and your mother, and before I could make it back to where your mother was, she was gone and the baby too.”

“I found the baby by the old tree. The waves must have carried her there. But how could this be her?” His father pointed to the pink fabric the baby was wrapped in. “Look Ramon, there is the ‘G’ stitched onto it. This was your mother’s. Remember! You found your sister Ramon! I cannot thank you enough for this blessing.” He stood up and hugged Ramon again.

Ramon looked at the pink garment, seeing the elaborate ‘G’ imprinted on it and the baby glanced back up and smiled.

“It was Giselle’s. Your mother. Her final blessing for us.”

“I want to name her Giselle, for Mama.”

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