Return To Sender Part 3

"Shhhh! Listen!" Mari whispers. From the trailer comes the sound of someone playing the guitar and singing, the saddest tune Tyler has ever heard. It makes him feel home-sick even though he is already home.

"It's 'La Golondrina,' 'La Golondrina,' " Mari explains. "That song I told you about," she reminds Tyler. "You sing it when you are far away from your homeland and the people you love." And then she begins to sing and her sisters join in. Tyler doesn't understand all the Spanish words, something about a swal-low looking for something. But for once, not knowing the words doesn't matter. Just listening to the lonesome tune captures Tyler's feelings when he is missing Gramps or Ben. " Mari explains. "That song I told you about," she reminds Tyler. "You sing it when you are far away from your homeland and the people you love." And then she begins to sing and her sisters join in. Tyler doesn't understand all the Spanish words, something about a swal-low looking for something. But for once, not knowing the words doesn't matter. Just listening to the lonesome tune captures Tyler's feelings when he is missing Gramps or Ben.

So this is what the three Marias feel, so far from home! And to think that Tyler has made them feel even more lone-some with his unfriendliness and spying. He wishes he had words that would let them know he is sorry, that they do belong here. Thankfully, his grandmother speaks up. "I know it's not your homeland, but you're here with people who love you."

This is far too sappy for Tyler to ever say himself. Like Gramps, he finds it easier to talk through the stars. And what a night for stellar conversation! Up above, a star shoots across the sky, then another, and another. "Look!" Tyler shouts, pointing up. A meteor shower. Mari sees it right away, but the two little sisters have to be aimed in the right direction.

"I see it! I see it!" little Luby screams with delight.

"Me too!" Ofie adds.

They stand for a while in the clear, cold night, watching the absent ones rain down their welcome light.

14 noviembre 2005 Querida Abuelita, The letter I started for you in Senora Ramirez's cla.s.s I had to hand in, so I am writing you another one that can be as private as I want.First of all, thank you, Abuelita, with all my heart for sending down so many kisses of light on Day of the Dead night!Some nights when Tio Felipe plays his guitar, Wilmita, and sings such beautiful songs that make my heart soar, I have felt you close. But after the shower of light I am certain you will never abandon us even though we have wandered far to a strange land like the swallow in the song.Tyler, the patron's patron's son who is now our friend again, says that what we saw was the Taurid meteor shower, which comes in early November. I don't know if this is true. But every clear night, I continue to go out, and though the shooting stars have diminished, you always send down one or two to let me know you are still watching over us. son who is now our friend again, says that what we saw was the Taurid meteor shower, which comes in early November. I don't know if this is true. But every clear night, I continue to go out, and though the shooting stars have diminished, you always send down one or two to let me know you are still watching over us.We have taken down the altar we made for you in the trailer, pouring your Coca- Cola on the ground. (Luby and Ofie ate your chocolate bars. "You always tell us not to waste," they defended themselves.) When I am done with this letter, I will put it behind your picture inside its frame.Someday I hope to bury it at your graveside the way Senora Ramirez said her family in Mexico used to do with their letters.We took your picture to the supper in your honor at our American grandmother's house. She lost her husband, Gramps, only five months ago, so the supper was also in his honor. At the table and later in the garden, the grandmother told us so many stories about him that I felt as if I knew him. "He would have been tickled by you girls!" she repeated several times.I did not want to correct her, but we would never disrespect an old person by tickling them! Often when I do correct something she says, she laughs and explains what she means. Then say what you mean, I feel like telling her. But I do not want to upset her as she is so nice and has made us feel that we do have family in this country. Grandma, she has asked us to call her, which is abuela abuela in English. in English.So now we have three grandmothers, but only you are in heaven to watch over us. Abuelita, please ask G.o.d to keep it that way. Papa's mother, Abuelota, has not been well, which worries him and my tios tios and me. Her blood pressure is up and the doctors have prescribed medicine that costs a lot of money. My uncles and Papa are now each sending sixty dollars a week, but even that does not cover the added expense. and me. Her blood pressure is up and the doctors have prescribed medicine that costs a lot of money. My uncles and Papa are now each sending sixty dollars a week, but even that does not cover the added expense.I sincerely hope her health improves ... because if anything should happen, my tios tios and Papa will all want to travel back as Mama did to be with you during your last days. This time, Papa would have to take us back with him, and, Abuelita, I don't think my two sisters could get used to life in Las Margaritas. They are like American girls, preferring to speak in English and not thinking about the cost of things, as if we were rich people like the Paquettes. and Papa will all want to travel back as Mama did to be with you during your last days. This time, Papa would have to take us back with him, and, Abuelita, I don't think my two sisters could get used to life in Las Margaritas. They are like American girls, preferring to speak in English and not thinking about the cost of things, as if we were rich people like the Paquettes.Morning, noon, and night, they will drink Coca- Colas and think nothing of leaving some in the gla.s.s! "I'm full," they say if I tell them not to waste. I put the leftover in the refrigerator for later, and when I serve it to them at the next meal, they complain, "It's not bubbly." I know that now with the help of Papa and the tios, tios, our family has built a concrete house with indoor water and electricity back in Las Margaritas. But that would not be special enough for my sisters. They would want their own television, and so many games and toys that they have to choose which one to play with. They would expect to ride a bus to school instead of having to walk the five kilometers there and back. And if any of their elders were to tell them what to do, my sisters would reply that they don't have to if they don't want to. our family has built a concrete house with indoor water and electricity back in Las Margaritas. But that would not be special enough for my sisters. They would want their own television, and so many games and toys that they have to choose which one to play with. They would expect to ride a bus to school instead of having to walk the five kilometers there and back. And if any of their elders were to tell them what to do, my sisters would reply that they don't have to if they don't want to.Ofie, especially, loves to argue. She is getting so she won't obey me even though Papa has told her that she must mind me without Mama around. "You're not my mother!" she answers back, her hands on her hips. Once she makes up her mind, there is no reasoning with her.Like what happened as we were preparing for this Day of the Dead. Papa had come back from the evening milking, and we were all four setting up the altar to you. Suddenly, Ofie disappeared to the bedroom we sisters share and brought Mama's picture from when we were in Carolina del Norte that we keep on the dresser. Just like that, she placed it on the altar along with yours. I couldn't believe that Papa said nothing. I s.n.a.t.c.hed it right off. "She's not dead," I told her. "You can't put her here!""I can too put her there!" Ofie shoved me away and placed the picture back on the altar. Usually, I just let her have her way to avoid fighting as I know how tired Papa is when he comes in from milking. But this time, I had to prevent her. It wasn't just about getting my way, Abuelita, it was the fear that if Mama's picture was on that altar for the dead, she would surely die. Wherever she was right at that moment, trying to find her way back to us, she would have a horrible accident, or get hit by a car, or bitten by a serpent, or die of thirst in the desert.And so I s.n.a.t.c.hed that picture off the altar, and before I knew it, Ofie had grabbed one end, and we were yanking it back and forth. Each one was screaming at the other to let go. Finally, Papa swooped in and took the picture away from us both."Papa! Give it back, it's mine!" Ofie was partly right. It was her frame she had bought for a dollar at a sale our American grandmother took us to at her church. Very pretty with little seash.e.l.ls all around the border. But the picture itself belonged to all of us. Not only that, it had been my suggestion to use the frame for Mama's photograph. Ofie had wanted to put a picture of the new American Girl doll from the catalog we found in the patrones' patrones' trash. trash."I am going to keep the picture for now," Papa explained, raising a hand to his lips to quiet Ofie's protest. "We will sit down like civilized people and decide whether or not it belongs on the altar with your abuelita." abuelita."I know that this must be the influence of democracy on our father, just like the Paquette family deciding things by discussion and voting. But I found it incredible that Papa would even allow there to be a vote about this life-and-death matter.We sat around our supper table, actually just the four of us, as Tio Armando and Tio Felipe, being in- laws, would not have a say in this matter. But very respectfully, they had turned down the television, where a b.l.o.o.d.y lucha libre lucha libre was going on, just like the fight Ofie and I were having. Papa started off by saying that it had now been a year. was going on, just like the fight Ofie and I were having. Papa started off by saying that it had now been a year."No it hasn't!" I protested. "It's only been ten months, two weeks, and two days."Papa winced as if it pained him that I knew the exact count. "It has not been a year, but it has been a long time." He went on to explain that the crossing was very dangerous. That the desert had many dangers."Did something happen to Mama?" I gasped. Maybe this was Papa's gentle way of delivering horrible news."No, I'm not saying that." He stroked my hair for comfort. But I felt none as he went on. "I am only suggesting that after this much time"-he pulled Luby over to his side as if to protect his baby girl from what he was about to say-"after so many months, your mother is probably watching us from the other side of life."Ofie narrowed her eyes at me as if to say, See, I was right! How could she be so coldhearted? Actually, I don't think she or Luby really understood that Mama being on the other side of life meant she had died. "So we can put her picture on the altar, right, Papa?""Well, mi hijita," mi hijita," Papa said, glancing over at me as if afraid he had already said too much. "I think we should wait until next year." I could tell he was saying this more for my benefit than because he was convinced that Mama was alive. And by now, it didn't matter if Mama's picture was on the altar for the dead. Her whole family had deserted her, except for me. It was as if she had really died. Papa said, glancing over at me as if afraid he had already said too much. "I think we should wait until next year." I could tell he was saying this more for my benefit than because he was convinced that Mama was alive. And by now, it didn't matter if Mama's picture was on the altar for the dead. Her whole family had deserted her, except for me. It was as if she had really died.I began to sob. I could not stop myself. Papa looked confused, as he had ruled in my favor. As for Ofie, willful as she is, she has a tender heart. When she saw me so upset, she came to my side and threw her arms around me as if she were my little mother."Don't cry, Mari. We won't put Mama on the altar. Not even next year," she promised. But her sudden kindness just made me cry harder. She looked over at Papa helplessly, then reached for the picture of Mama and gave it to me to hold."You can keep the frame, too," she added. And then, she, too, began to cry, and that made Luby cry, and Papa, and soon, Abuelita, we were all sobbing democratically around that table.

(Later the same day)

Abuelita, there is something else I wanted to tell you about that has been preoccupying me. You know that when we left Carolina del Norte, some new arrivals from Las Margaritas took over our apartment. The arrangement was that we would let them know if we were coming back. The Monday before the Day of the Dead, Papa had some minutes left on his phone card after calling Abuelote and Abuelota in Las Margaritas, so he decided to call our acquaintances in the apartment in Carolina del Norte and let them know that we were happily settled in our new home in Vermont, the work was good, the patrones patrones nice. nice.Imagine his surprise when he got a recording that the telephone had been disconnected. He dialed again and put me on to listen to the taped voice to be sure he understood the English. He had heard correctly. The number had been disconnected and there was no further information."Esa viejita!" Tio Felipe exclaimed. He was sure the old lady with the two dogs had sent the police to the apartment and they had rounded up our acquaintances from Las Margaritas. "I should have warned them!" Tio Felipe exclaimed. He was sure the old lady with the two dogs had sent the police to the apartment and they had rounded up our acquaintances from Las Margaritas. "I should have warned them!""That patrona patrona didn't know where you lived," Papa reminded him. didn't know where you lived," Papa reminded him."But maybe she gave the other little dog something Tio Felipe had touched and the dog followed the smell," Ofie offered. We had all seen a program on television where the police had tracked down a missing girl by giving a dog some of her clothes to smell.At first, I was just worried about our acquaintances in the apartment, but then I started thinking about Mama. We had left them instructions as well as the Paquettes' phone number. But if our acquaintances had been rounded up by la migra, la migra, how would Mama know where to find us in this huge country? how would Mama know where to find us in this huge country?Maybe he had the same worry because Papa called a friend from Las Margaritas who was also working in Carolina del Norte. This time the friend answered. And yes, he told Papa, our acquaintances had recently been picked up at work and deported. The apartment had been taken over by other Mexicans, but not from our village. No one we knew.We were all gathered around Papa, trying to reconstruct the news from the expressions on his face. "I see. I see," he kept saying. I was desperate to know what it was he was seeing. Finally, as Papa was saying adios, adios, I reached for the phone. My father looked startled but he handed it over. "Please, I reached for the phone. My father looked startled but he handed it over. "Please, por favor," por favor," I asked Papa's friend, "if you would do us a favor." And then I begged him to go by our old apartment and leave our new phone number here in Vermont for my mother, Maria Antonia Santos, if she should come back looking for us. I asked Papa's friend, "if you would do us a favor." And then I begged him to go by our old apartment and leave our new phone number here in Vermont for my mother, Maria Antonia Santos, if she should come back looking for us.Papa's friend sounded unsure, but I must have been as insistent as Ofie because he finally agreed. He repeated our new number before the time was up on the card and we were cut off.After that call, we were all very nervous as we always are when we hear news of someone being nabbed by la migra. la migra. It is as if a cloud hangs over our family and darkens our world. The very opposite, Abuelita, of your shower of light. So when the doorbell rang, we all jumped. For one thing, in the four months we had been living here, that doorbell had never rung. Everyone uses the back door. At first, none of us even knew what it was. One ring, and then another, another. It reminded me of the priest ringing the independence bell in Mexico to wake up the people to freedom. But since we feared it was It is as if a cloud hangs over our family and darkens our world. The very opposite, Abuelita, of your shower of light. So when the doorbell rang, we all jumped. For one thing, in the four months we had been living here, that doorbell had never rung. Everyone uses the back door. At first, none of us even knew what it was. One ring, and then another, another. It reminded me of the priest ringing the independence bell in Mexico to wake up the people to freedom. But since we feared it was la migra, la migra, this ringing was more the sound of the end of our family's freedom. this ringing was more the sound of the end of our family's freedom.On and on! Each time it was like a needle going through my heart. Papa lifted his hand and put a finger at his lips, just as he had the night before when Ofie and I had been fighting about Mama's picture on the altar. Very, very slowly as if a fast movement would make noise, he stole over to the light switch and flicked it off. I heard a terrified gasp that I thought came from Luby. But a moment later an ice- cold hand clutched my own, too big to be Luby's, belonging to my brave and bold sister, Ofie!Luby herself had begun to cry. "Shhhh, tranquilita, tranquilita," "Shhhh, tranquilita, tranquilita," Papa shushed her in a whisper that almost had no sound. Our visitors had now given up ringing and were banging and shouting at the door. Perhaps because we had already been spooked by the bad news about Papa shushed her in a whisper that almost had no sound. Our visitors had now given up ringing and were banging and shouting at the door. Perhaps because we had already been spooked by the bad news about la migra la migra and our friends, none of us remembered that this was Halloween. We knew from Carolina del Norte that children would dress up and come to our apartment door for candy. Papa and Mama always locked the door and refused to open it for anyone. "You never know if it could be and our friends, none of us remembered that this was Halloween. We knew from Carolina del Norte that children would dress up and come to our apartment door for candy. Papa and Mama always locked the door and refused to open it for anyone. "You never know if it could be la migra la migra in disguise," Mama warned. As for us, no matter how much we explained the American tradition, my sisters and I were not permitted to go around begging for treats. "That is a lack of respect," Mama explained. "With so many beggars who really need alms!" Sometimes, even if I had been born in Mexico, I felt a huge desert stretching between my parents and who I was becoming. in disguise," Mama warned. As for us, no matter how much we explained the American tradition, my sisters and I were not permitted to go around begging for treats. "That is a lack of respect," Mama explained. "With so many beggars who really need alms!" Sometimes, even if I had been born in Mexico, I felt a huge desert stretching between my parents and who I was becoming.Finally, the ringing and banging and shouting stopped. By now, Luby was sobbing hysterically, so Tio Felipe carried her to our back bedroom, where she would not be heard. After a moment's pause, we heard soft thuds as if something squishy were being thrown at our windows. Then silence, and the sound of laughter and hooting and shouting. Finally, doors banging and cars driving away.We stayed in darkness for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. "Can we turn on the lights?" Ofie kept asking. But Papa was unsure if we were still being watched. At last, Papa turned on the switch, and just as he did, the telephone began to ring as if one thing were connected to the other. "It's them," Papa whispered desperately, flipping off the lights again. He had every reason to be suspicious, as hardly anyone ever calls us, except sometimes the Paquettes or some of my uncles in California or a wrong number. And that phone kept ringing and ringing, even longer than the intruders at the door had rung our doorbell. Finally it, too, stopped, and we could breathe, though Papa still would not allow us to turn the lights on.A little while later, there was a knock, this time at the back door. "h.e.l.lo! Hola!" Hola!" a voice called. "It's just me, Connie." We were so relieved to hear the voice of the a voice called. "It's just me, Connie." We were so relieved to hear the voice of the patron's patron's wife. Papa hurried to the door and opened it. wife. Papa hurried to the door and opened it.Mrs. Paquette was dressed in jeans and a sweats.h.i.+rt with the initials uvm, which stand for her older son's school. She was carrying a flashlight and a bucket of candy. She explained that she had heard the car doors and seen the kids banging at our door and then throwing eggs and rotten fruit at our windows, and she guessed what had happened. Halloween trick-or-treaters had not gotten their treats and so were playing tricks. But then, she also realized we might not understand. She would have hurried right over, but she wanted to be home in case the kids came to her door. Sara and Tyler were both out trick-or-treating with their friends, and it was too much for Mr. Paquette to be up and down to answer the door with his injuries. So she had tried calling us to explain and gotten worried when no one answered the phone."We knew it was Halloween." Ofie was showing off. Oh yes? I probably had several broken bones in my left hand to prove otherwise."Of course!" Mrs. Paquette laughed at herself. "What was I thinking? You would have known about it from North Carolina." Anyhow, she had brought over some extra candy for us to have and hand out. Even Ofie did not dare tell her we were not permitted to give alms to pretend beggars."Very kind of you to come and explain," Papa thanked her. He wanted to walk the patrona patrona back home, but Mrs. Paquette wouldn't hear of it. back home, but Mrs. Paquette wouldn't hear of it.By this time Tio Felipe had joined us at the back door with Luby still sniffling in his arms. Somewhere in their dark walk to the back bedroom Luby had dropped her stuffed dog. So on top of being scared, she didn't have her faithful puppy to protect her.Abuelita, even after all of us realized that we had not been in danger, there was an uneasy feeling in our family. In those ten minutes of terror, we had been reminded that we were living on borrowed kindness and luck. Most of all I thought about our mother, perhaps this very night, ringing the doorbell of our old apartment in Carolina del Norte. Perhaps just as we had never opened to strangers, the new inhabitants would not open the door to her. All I could hope was that as she went back out on the street, la migra la migra could not be sure if the woman with the long braids and dark skin was a real Mexican or someone pretending to be one. Just as the children begging for treats were not real beggars. could not be sure if the woman with the long braids and dark skin was a real Mexican or someone pretending to be one. Just as the children begging for treats were not real beggars.Abuelita, before I close and put my letter behind your picture in its frame, I want to ask you a favor. Just as you sent down your shower of light to let us know you are watching us, please look out for Mama. Guide her steps to the apartment after Papa's friend from Las Margaritas has delivered the new phone number. Put some dollars in her hands so she can buy a phone card. Let her call when one of us is home to answer. Because if she does not come by next year, I will be the one going to our bedroom and taking my new frame down from the dresser and placing Mama alongside you on the altar for the Day of the Dead even if Ofie begs me please, por favor, por favor, not to. not to.

Your blessing, Abuelita, la bendicion, la bendicion,Mari

FARM OF MANY PLOTS.

"And thank you, dear Lord, for all the many blessings you have bestowed upon us," Grandma prays before the Thanks-giving meal. Then she asks everyone to say one thing they are especially grateful for before they all begin to eat.

Tyler sees several glances going around the table. Every-one is no doubt thinking that the meal is not going to stay warm through that much thanksgiving.

Grandma begins by saying how she has so much to be thankful for. All her children and grandchildren are gathered together: Uncle Larry and Aunt Vicky and their three sons, Larry Jr., Vic, and Josh; Aunt Jeanne and her husband, Uncle Byron, who teaches at the nearby college, and their twin daughters, Emma and Eloise; as well as Tyler's whole family. And-Grandma insisted-the three Marias and their father and two uncles.

"I don't know," Uncle Larry said confidentially to Tyler's dad when he heard who all was at the back door. He hadn't invited his Mexicans. But no one wanted to raise a fuss with Grandma. This is going to be the first Thanksgiving without Gramps, so they're all poised for a lot of tears.

But everyone is pleasantly surprised by how upbeat Grandma is. Even though she mentions Gramps often, Grandma has not cried once. Mom's theory is that the three Mexican girls have filled her mother-in-law's life with com-pany and someone to care for. "She's never happy other-wise," Mom has said, countering Aunt Jeanne's theory that Grandma is "losing touch with reality."

A few weeks ago Aunt Jeanne dropped in and found Grandma alone in the garden, having a full- fledged conversation with Gramps! When Aunt Jeanne confronted her, Grandma made some lame excuse about how she was just praying out loud. Aunt Jeanne pretended to go along, but the seed of suspicion had been planted in her. Then the car accidents. Minor fender benders, but still. Grandma should not be driving. She should not be living alone.

The week preceding Thanksgiving, there has been a round of phone- calling. Plots and plans tossed back and forth. According to Aunt Jeanne, the family should intervene and insist that Grandma either come live with one of them or go into an a.s.sisted- living facility. Uncle Larry thinks their mother is just fine. It's Aunt Jeanne who's the challenge. Ever since she majored in psychology in college, Aunt Jeanne's always finding problems to solve. Dad is un-sure, worried about his mother but inclined to agree with his brother that if something ain't broke, you don't fix it. "Or even worse," Uncle Larry clinches it, "break it so you can fix it!"

All week Tyler has been overhearing his parents discussing "the Grandma problem." What if Aunt Jeanne is right and something happens to Grandma? Maybe she should be persuaded to move in with one of her kids?

Tyler finally speaks up. "Grandma says she's only leaving home feetfirst." Both his parents are startled to find him standing in the doorway. Mom goes from surprise to annoyance at Tyler's "bad habit of eavesdropping." But it's not as if his house is posted with no listening signs! One thing Tyler knows for sure: if giving up the family farm would've killed his dad, moving Grandma out of her beloved home-stead will kill her even quicker, sad and old as she is.

But now that they're seated together at the big table, "the Grandma problem" seems forgotten. Everyone has con-tributed a dish or two, including the thirty- pound turkey Tyler's mom cooked in their oven and drove over, since she was so worried about a spill. Grandma has baked all the pies, and the Mexicans have brought over some refried beans and tortillas. Of course, Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Byron made an entrance with some fancy cheeses that are so smelly Tyler wouldn't get close to them, much less put them in his mouth.

They go around the table saying their thanks, the slowpokes being urged with coughs to move along. By the time it's Tyler's turn, everyone is too hungry to listen to one more thank- you. Tyler doesn't have to say much-something else to be thankful for. "Thank you for my dad getting cured." Next to him, his mom squeezes his hand gratefully.

The Marias and their father and uncles are all too shy to say anything. But after Mari translates what's being asked of the guests, her father says thank you to the Paquettes for making them feel like family. His two brothers chime in, "Gracias." "Gracias."

"We call it Dia de Accion de Gracias," Ofie tells the table.

"The Day of Saying Thank You," Luby translates.

"Well, thank you and gracias gracias to each and every one of you," Grandma finally ends the round. to each and every one of you," Grandma finally ends the round.

Before anybody can add anything else, Uncle Larry is carving up the turkey and telling everyone to hand over their plates before it's Christmas.

It's late by the time the meal is done and the Mexican workers head off for the evening milking. Mom convinces their father to let the three Marias stay a little longer. The two youngest have especially hit it off with the nine-year-old twins, who treat Luby and Ofie like real-life dolls, dressing them up in their hand-me-downs they brought in a bag. Meanwhile, Mari is busy helping Grandma with the dishes. "What a doll!" Aunt Vicky whispers to Tyler's mom, who agrees, "They all are."

Tyler heads for the front room, where Ben and his dad and uncle and boy cousins are all watching the football game. During a lull, Uncle Larry starts telling Dad how a pal in the sheriff's department dropped by to let him know that things are heating up for Mexicans in the area. Three were picked up just last week walking down the road to a milking barn. Two more were taken away after a trooper stopped them for speeding and the driver didn't have a license or a current registration for the used car he'd bought off another worker who'd left to go back to Mexico.

Tyler had stopped worrying about the Mexicans working on the farm, but, hearing Uncle Larry, he starts worrying again. Except that now he doesn't really want Mari and her family to go away. He wants the law to be changed so they can stay, helping his family as well as themselves.

"I tell Vicky, don't get too attached," Uncle Larry is saying. "It's just a matter of time."

"Did I hear my name being used in vain?" Aunt Vicky has come from the kitchen, where the cleaning up is winding down.

"Nothing, dear." Uncle Larry motions toward the TV, where some tricky play is in progress. His team messes up, and he turns his attention back to his wife. "Just talking about our friend's visit from the sheriff's department."

Aunt Vicky sinks into the arm of her husband's chair with a sigh. "I just don't see how we're expected to survive."

Tyler's mom has joined them in the front room. "Where's Jeanne?" she asks. They all know Uncle Byron is in the small front parlor reading the New York Times, New York Times, which he reads every day to keep up with the state of the world. which he reads every day to keep up with the state of the world.

"You and Larry, two peas in a pod," Aunt Vicky likes to say. Turns out Uncle Larry reads his weekly Valley Voice Valley Voice down to the cla.s.sifieds. Every time Aunt Vicky says so, Uncle Byron's distinguished- professor eyebrows arch ever so slightly at the comparison. down to the cla.s.sifieds. Every time Aunt Vicky says so, Uncle Byron's distinguished- professor eyebrows arch ever so slightly at the comparison.

"I think she went upstairs to check on the girls," Aunt Vicky answers Mom. "They're in the attic playing dress- up. Did you see their little faces when they saw that bag of clothes?"

Mom nods, laughing. "I know. They think we're rich because we have stuff to throw away. And we are are rich, compared. I tell you, having these Mexicans has put a whole new spin on our lives, hasn't it, sweetheart?" Mom beams at Dad, who looks uncomfortable but nods in agreement. rich, compared. I tell you, having these Mexicans has put a whole new spin on our lives, hasn't it, sweetheart?" Mom beams at Dad, who looks uncomfortable but nods in agreement.

"Enjoy it while it lasts, ladies," Uncle Larry says grimly. "Any day now, Homeland Security is going to pay us all a visit. I don't put it beyond them to just come on our property and haul them off."

Tyler is shocked that his uncle, a reasonable adult, would think this is possible. But if he's shocked, it's nothing compared to Mari, who has just appeared at the door, the cleanup over.

"Folks," Tyler's mother warns. But it's too late. Mari's face has tensed up with worry and fear, the way it gets when Mr. Bicknell starts talking about the future of the planet. "Honey, Uncle Larry was exaggerating," his mom explains. "Weren't you, Uncle Larry?"

Tyler's uncle looks unsure, but then gazes toward the door, where Grandma has joined Mari, her old, spotted hands on the young girl's shoulders. "Of course I was," he says. "You know me," he adds unconvincingly, "I'm one of those caught-a-big-fish kind of guys."

"I'll say," Aunt Vicky pipes up, and Uncle Larry pretends he thinks it's funny, too, when everyone-except Mari- bursts out laughing.

When Grandma goes up to check on the little girls, Aunt Jeanne, who has joined the group, closes the door.

"Larry, turn that thing off, will you."

"For crying out loud!" Uncle Larry grumbles under his breath. He is the youngest of the three siblings. "I know just how you feel," he has told Tyler. "We're the low men on the totem pole." But Tyler can't say he has noticed. In fact, Uncle Larry is the bossiest of all his relatives. Well, sometimes Aunt Jeanne is a close second.

"We need to decide about Mother," Aunt Jeanne begins.

"What now?" Uncle Larry says like he doesn't think there's a problem.

Aunt Jeanne crosses her arms. "Maybe you need to take a little trip upstairs."

"Maybe the kids need to leave?" Tyler's mom puts in. But Uncle Larry's boys protest. They want to watch the game, and no, they can't go to the other TV, since Grandma gave it away to the Mexicans.

Aunt Jeanne nods all around, as if this is further proof of what she has been saying. "In the kitchen, then," she directs. The adults rouse themselves from their chairs and file out for their summit meeting. The TV blares on.

Tyler tries to watch the game, but he feels distracted. For one thing, he can sense Mari's discomfort as she sits on her hands in a chair, feeling she has to be polite, but not under-standing at all how football works. When Sara announces she's leaving, Mari decides it's time to go home, too. She heads upstairs to round up her sisters.

Tyler joins Sara in the hallway. He does not want to be around if there's going to be a big scene with Grandma. From the kitchen, they can hear Aunt Jeanne's voice, just some words here and there: "Like a voodoo altar ... Three car accidents ... Shouldn't be living alone ..." Tyler wishes he could go defend Grandma, but then he'd be accused of eavesdropping again.

Soon Ofie and Luby are stomping down the stairs, upset that they have to go home. Mari follows, trailed by Grandma and the twins. The party is breaking up. "Bye, Grandma, thanks!" Tyler says in a loud voice to alert the closed- door kitchen meeting. He's hoping that if there has been a vote, two sons and daughters-in-law can prevail against Aunt Jeanne. As for Uncle Byron, he's still in the front parlor, reading his New York Times, New York Times, keeping up with the world while a minor revolution is erupting right here in his mother-in-law's house. keeping up with the world while a minor revolution is erupting right here in his mother-in-law's house.

Tyler invites the three Marias to come over and look at the stars through his telescope. Their father and uncles won't be done with the milking and feeding and cleanup for an-other couple of hours. And three girls all together must make it okay to be in a boy's bedroom even if it is nighttime.

"Do you think it's true what your uncle was saying about la migra la migra?" Mari asks as they all walk over to Tyler's house. She has to explain that la migra la migra is what the Mexicans call the agents from Homeland Security who try to catch them. is what the Mexicans call the agents from Homeland Security who try to catch them.

Tyler can't honestly say whether or not Homeland Secu-rity will raid the family's farms. But as with the possible planetary dangers in the offing, they should at least have a plan.

"What kind of a plan?" Luby wants to know.

"You know," Tyler offers, "like a fire drill at school."

"We all run out of the house?" Luby asks.

"We shouldn't run." Ofie is good at remembering rules. "We file out and ... Then what?" She looks over at Tyler.

"We hide, right?" Luby thinks this might be a fun game after all.

"There's all kinds of hiding spots," Tyler agrees. He can't believe he is the same boy who several months ago wanted this family deported. Now he's plotting how they can escape capture. But maybe it's like the Underground Railroad: helping slaves find freedom. Besides, two of these girls are American citizens.

"Grandpa showed me where there's a cave," Tyler ex-plains. "We can go exploring tomorrow when it's light."

By now they're at the back door and Sara's getting ready to call her new boyfriend, Hal, when the phone rings. She lets it ring three times before she picks it up. "h.e.l.lo," she says casually. "h.e.l.lo? h.e.l.lLOOOOO?! Will you stop it, Jake? I'm going to report you to the police!"

She slams the phone into its cradle. The three Marias are surprised at this outburst. So Tyler explains about the an-noying caller who keeps hanging up when they answer.

Mari looks like she has seen her second ghost of the evening. "I think that maybe it's our mother," she says haltingly. She just recently gave their new phone number to their father's friend to take over to their former apartment. But it could be that their mother went by before the old tenants were deported and got the Paquettes' number instead.

Tyler doesn't get it. If the girls' mother went to Mexico for a visit, wouldn't the family call her so she'd know where they'd be when she got ready to return? "You mean she doesn't know where you are?"

Before Mari can reply, Ofie speaks up. "We don't know where she is." Then, in a rare moment of self- doubt, she turns to her big sister. "Right, Mari?"

"Papa said she went to the other side of life," Luby recalls. She is holding on so tight to her stuffed puppy, it'd be a dead dog if it were alive. "Right, Mari?"

Now Tyler is completely confused. The other side of life The other side of life is the way people talk about Gramps's death. But how can the girls' mother be dead and be on her way back from a trip to Mexico? "But she's alive-right, Mari?" is the way people talk about Gramps's death. But how can the girls' mother be dead and be on her way back from a trip to Mexico? "But she's alive-right, Mari?"

Everyone has turned to Mari as the authority. Tyler notices just the teensiest hesitation-unlike her instant vehement a.s.sertion in the loft a few months back-before she replies, "Yes, our mother is alive."

As if to prove her right, the phone rings again.

Mari rushes to answer it. Tyler and her sisters and Sara gather around her. "Mama?" "Mama?" she begins. she begins.

"Mama! Mama!" The two little Marias are jumping up and down ecstatically. The two little Marias are jumping up and down ecstatically.

Mari hushes them. "I can't hear a thing!" Then she turns back to the caller. "Mama, eres tu?" "Mama, eres tu?" But it must not be her mother because her face drains of excitement. "I'm sorry. Yes, she's here." But it must not be her mother because her face drains of excitement. "I'm sorry. Yes, she's here."

Mari tries handing the phone to Sara. "It's Jake," she explains. Sara shakes her head and mouths, "I'm not home."

"She says she is not home," Mari tells Jake.

Sara and Tyler burst out laughing. But Mari doesn't understand what's so funny, even after Tyler explains. In fact, all three Marias have the same stricken look on their faces, as if they have just heard that their mother has vanished without a trace.

"Let's go up and look through the telescope, you want to?" he offers, hoping to change the subject to something that might make them happier. Instead of cries of "Yes!" the two little Marias again look over at their big sister. "I think we better go home now," Mari says, taking Luby's hand. Without prompting, Ofie reaches for Mari's other hand.

Tyler turns on the outdoor light, and he and Sara watch the three girls walk across the yard toward their trailer. "I want my mommy," Luby begins to wail halfway there. Ofie joins in. Mari must say something rea.s.suring, because her sisters quiet down. Arms around their shoulders, Mari leads them home.

"That is totally weird," Sara says as the trailer door closes behind them.

Tyler is not usually in agreement with anything that comes out of his sister's mouth, but this time, he has to agree. It's clear the girls have no idea where their mom is. But how can you misplace your own mother, for heaven's sake?

It's a mystery Tyler could ponder all night, but trouble soon arrives in his own family. His parents return, long-faced from the confrontation at Grandma's house. Grandma has told her children that if they try to move her out of her house, she'll run away, which is kind of funny, Grandma running away from home to protest being forced to leave her home.

Except that it's not funny, Tyler thinks, wis.h.i.+ng he could travel to another galaxy. He'd pick a planet with lots of farms and no borders or bullies bossing you around. His grandmother has told him that's what heaven is like. But Tyler doesn't want to have to die to go there, although it might be nice to be able to join his grandfather and get to eavesdrop on the rest of the family plotting and planning on the earth below-without getting in trouble with his mother.

12 diciembre 2005 Adorada Virgen de Guadalupe, Today, your feast day, I write you with an urgent pet.i.tion.Please help Tio Felipe! He was picked up by la migra la migra over a week ago, but there is still no word about where he may be and whether he will be released or sent back home to Mexico. over a week ago, but there is still no word about where he may be and whether he will be released or sent back home to Mexico.Mr. and Mrs. Paquette have been calling the sheriff's office, where a friend of Mr. Paquette's brother works. But once Homeland Security is involved, the matter is out of the sheriff's hands, and so neither the sheriff nor anyone at his office has further information about my uncle."But people can't just disappear!" Mrs. Paquette says with temper into the phone. She is very upset with her son Ben for being so careless. "You get sent home with a warning. This young man is in prison and his life is ruined!"Ben just bows his head. "I feel bad enough as it is, Mom.""He is not culpable," my father tells Mrs. Paquette. Who can blame a young man for wanting a little fun? Sure, Tio Felipe should not have accepted the invitation of the farmer's older son, but what kind of life does he have, never going out, working almost every day? For what?Unlike Tio Armando, who has his wife and children back in Mexico, Tio Felipe has no one but his parents, whom he has been helping since he was just a few years older than me.Ben and Tio Felipe were returning from a university party that Ben was kind enough to invite Tio Felipe to attend. They were stopped for speeding, and when the police officer shone his flashlight inside the car, he got curious about the Mexican fellow riding in the pa.s.senger seat. We heard the whole story from Mrs. Paquette, who heard it from the sheriff's deputy, who said he might just have slapped her son with a ticket for going sixty in a forty- mile zone, but then Tio Felipe made a big mistake. He panicked and opened his door and took off into the night. Before you knew it, the officer had notified Homeland Security, and by dawn, there were roadblocks everywhere and a helicopter combing the countryside on account of now Tio Felipe had become a fugitive.Meanwhile, Ben had been escorted home by the sheriff, and Mrs. Paquette had come over to let us know what was going on."Will they come for us?" Papa asked her."I really don't think so," Mrs. Paquette rea.s.sured him. "But you all best lay low. We'll take care of the milking today."But Papa was sure it was just a matter of time before la migra la migra came for him and Tio Armando. He stuffed his Mexican pa.s.sport and some phone cards and cash in his pockets and packed a small bag with a few clothes. Tio Armando did the same. Then Papa told us to pack our most important things into the big suitcase we bought for coming to Vermont. came for him and Tio Armando. He stuffed his Mexican pa.s.sport and some phone cards and cash in his pockets and packed a small bag with a few clothes. Tio Armando did the same. Then Papa told us to pack our most important things into the big suitcase we bought for coming to Vermont.This did not go over well with my sisters, especially so soon after the disappointing phone call that we thought might be our mother. Then Tio Felipe's capture. Ever since his arrest, Luby has had to sleep with me, which means her little dog has to come, too. After she crawls in, the covers lift again. This time it's Ofie, but not Ofie alone. Wilmita is lonely for Tio Felipe! Three girls, one guitar, and one stuffed dog on a twin bed fighting for the blanket and pillow. I would laugh if it weren't that we're all so afraid and sad."But why do we have to pack our stuff?" Ofie protested to Papa. "Where are we going, anyway?"I could tell Papa didn't know what to say. He was torn between telling my little sisters the truth and not alarming them. Only with me does he unburden himself. Because I am the oldest. Because, he has said, taking my face in his hands, "you are just like your mother.""We all have to be ready," he explained to my sisters. To distract them, he tried to make it into a game. "Let's see how many things you can fit in this suitcase. Wilmita won't fit," he added, because Ofie was reaching for Tio Felipe's lonely guitar."Where are we to go?" I asked Papa in a low voice. For the moment, my sisters were entertained with their packing."You will ask the patrona patrona to send you back to Mexico, to Abuelota and Abuelote. You wait for us there." to send you back to Mexico, to Abuelota and Abuelote. You wait for us there.""I don't want to go to Mexico," Ofie declared. She had overheard us talking.My father's face got a strange, hurt look on it. I think it was the first time he realized what it really means that two of his daughters are American. It isn't just that they are legal in this country. They belong here. This is their home."Tyler told us about a place," I whispered. "It's a cave where we can go and hide."My father actually looked tempted. But then he shook his head. "Your uncle ran and now he is in worse trouble. We will just lay down low like the patrona patrona said and wait." And then he took our blankets off the bed and we lay down on them on the floor in case said and wait." And then he took our blankets off the bed and we lay down on them on the floor in case la migra la migra looked in the windows. looked in the windows."Why are we lying down, Papa?" Luby wanted to know."Because we're going to tell stories," Tio Armando said in a calm voice like this was the most normal thing in the world: to throw blankets on the floor in the middle of the day and have a story hour. He is the most quiet of all of us. "He misses his family so much," Papa once explained to me. But ever since Tio Felipe's capture, Tio Armando has been trying to keep me and my sisters from worrying too much. "Who wants to start?" He looked over at me, I guess because I am the one who is always writing."Tell the story of crossing the desert." Ofie loves that story. Especially if I throw in a few extra serpents and make the coyotes coyotes real coyotes. real coyotes."Not now," Papa said sternly, casting a glance at his brother. Instead, he reached over and turned on the television, very low, so you could hardly hear it. But thank goodness it was Dora heading for a fiesta with her friend Boots, an episode we had all seen several times. Still, my sisters lay on their stomachs in front of the screen, soaking up that happy world.A little while later, there was a tap-tap-tap at the back door. Tap-tap-tap. Like someone who didn't want to be heard. We were all sure it was Tio Felipe, who had snuck back home through the fields. Of course, we wanted him to be safe, but by coming to the trailer he was leading la migra la migra straight to our doorstep, and we would all be rounded up. Still, we couldn't just leave him locked out in the cold. straight to our doorstep, and we would all be rounded up. Still, we couldn't just leave him locked out in the cold.But when we peeked out the little window in the door, imagine our surprise: it was the grandmother and she was carrying a little suitcase!"I'm going to ask you a big favor," she began. And then she looked over our shoulders and saw the blankets strewn all around the living room floor. "What's going on? Are you having a slumber party?""No, Grandma," Ofie blurted out. "The police are looking for our uncle Felipe and we're supposed to lay low so they don't catch us.""Oh my goodness." Grandma put down her little suitcase. "And I thought I had troubles."It turned out she had not been told about Ben being stopped by the police and Tio Felipe running off and getting caught. "I'm the last one to know anything in this family," she said crossly. "They treat me like a total invalid!""They do not want to worry you, senora, senora, " my father said kindly after I had translated. "That is why they did not tell you." He had pulled up a chair for her to sit down. But Grandma waved it off, looking even more annoyed that anyone would think she needed to sit down. She was glancing all around the room now. " my father said kindly after I had translated. "That is why they did not tell you." He had pulled up a chair for her to sit down. But Grandma waved it off, looking even more annoyed that anyone would think she needed to sit down. She was glancing all around the room now."I need a place to hide," she said straight out. None of us were sure we had heard her right. An old woman hiding from her family! "But why?" Luby asked finally, clutching her little dog as if it might also decide to hide from her. "Is the police looking for you, too?""I wish," Grandma said, and then her eyes were full of tears, and she began to cry. This time when my father took her by the arm and escorted her to a chair, she accepted and sat down with her little suitcase at her feet."What is wrong, senora senora?" Papa asked her. And that is when the grandmother told us the most unbelievable story. How Mr. and Mrs. Paquette and her other children were going to put her in a nursing home if she didn't agree to give up her home and go live with one of them. How they had taken away the keys to her car so she couldn't drive over to her friend's house.Poor Papa was so shocked. He had been totally fooled by the patrones patrones seeming kindness. If they did this to their own mother, what wouldn't they do to us? "We don't believe in treating our old people that way," Papa told Grandma. "You can stay here for as long as you wish." seeming kindness. If they did this to their own mother, what wouldn't they do to us? "We don't believe in treating our old people that way," Papa told Grandma. "You can stay here for as long as you wish."Grandma was shaking her head, like she didn't believe it herself. As for staying with us, she had called her friend Martha from church, who offered to come over that night to pick her up. "Under the cover of darkness," Grandma explained. "That'll show them. Martha's son tried to do the same to her last year." Just the thought of her friend's evil son made her start crying all over again.So that is how the grandmother came to spend the whole day locked up in the trailer with us. Late that afternoon when Mrs. Paquette came to the door with the news that Tio Felipe had been caught in a whole other county-"To lead la migra la migra away from us," Tio Armando guessed- Papa did not invite her in but spoke to her right at the door. She lingered awhile like she was worried about us. away from us," Tio Armando guessed- Papa did not invite her in but spoke to her right at the door. She lingered awhile like she was worried about us."Everything all right?" she kept asking. "I mean, I know you must be worried to death about your brother." The sheriff's office had told her that usually an undoc.u.mented person would just have a hearing, then get deported. But because Tio Felipe had broken the law-defying a police officer-he would have to stand trial."Ridiculous, I know." Mrs. Paquette sighed. "But anyhow, you can rest easy as they won't be coming around to search for him here now that they've found him. So you can start back with the evening milking." She went on to mention a couple of cows that she thought might be in heat, and another whose milk shouldn't be sent to the tank because one teat looked infected.As she talked, Papa stood at the door, not inviting her in out of the cold and risking the grandmother being discovered. Finally, Mrs.Paquette turned to go. "Anything you need," she said so nicely that it really was difficult to believe that she would force an old woman out of her home and lock her up with strangers."Thank you," my father said, the door already half closed. Then he lifted the curtain to check and see that Mrs. Paquette was really gone."I think she is on her way to visit you," he said over his shoulder to Grandma. We all rushed to the window, and there was Mrs. Paquette headed up the hill to her mother-in-law's house. We watched as she knocked and knocked, then tried the k.n.o.b and let herself inside the house. A little while later, out she came, her steps hurried, her arms swinging like a person on a mission. When I looked up at Grandma, there was a small triumphant smile on her face.By evening there had been several trips up to the grandmother's house, Mr. Paquette with his limp, and Ben and Sara. I don't know where Tyler was, but he hadn't joined them, which was odd, as I knew he was home. I had seen him go into the barn to join my uncle and Papa for the evening milking.Meanwhile, Grandma was worried that her friend might show up at the trailer and give away her hiding place. "I didn't think of that when I told her to pick me up here!" She tried calling but there was no answer. "Martha's probably on her way already. She drives like she's training for a funeral home. I like a little speed myself."For the first time that day, Grandma laughed. Not a revenge smile, not a nervous hiccup of a giggle. She laughed. And for some reason, it was such a relief to hear laughter in that room that although I didn't really know what I was laughing at and my sisters didn't either, we just laughed along with her, until it was impossible to stop. But finally we did."I'm going to miss you girls so much!" Grandma said fervently."Can't we visit you anymore?" Luby wanted to know, her bottom lip quivering. She looked like she was going to cry."I don't see how," Grandma said. And just as suddenly as she had been laughing, Grandma began to cry. Again, we were infected by her mood, and soon we were all blubbering. I admit I was also crying about Mama, how she might have been calling us next door, but now that Sara had mentioned the police, Mama would never try that number again. Most of all, I was crying for Tio Felipe, imagining him locked up and looking out, his hands clutching the bars like prisoners do on television. We couldn't go visit him or we would be caught. Would they hurt him or torture him? What would happen to him?"Maybe I should move to Mexico," Grandma was saying. "Only problem is I don't know any Spanish."Soon we had all dreamed up a wonderful plan. Virgen de Guadalupe, may it someday come true! We would all move to Mexico, and Grandma would build a house with a swimming pool and many, many bedrooms and we would all live together. "They want me to move out, I'll move out! Sell the house, use the money to suit myself."At the front door, the bell was ringing. Grandma's friend Martha had finally come for her.The next day, Papa did not want us to go to school. He was still worried that la migra la migra would raid the farm and we would come home to an empty trailer. That morning-something that never happens as Tyler is usually running out at the last minute with his toast in his hand-he swung by so we could all walk together down the driveway to wait for the bus. Papa and Tio Armando were already at the barn, milking. "We're not going to school today," I explained to Tyler. would raid the farm and we would come home to an empty trailer. That morning-something that never happens as Tyler is usually running out at the last minute with his toast in his hand-he swung by so we could all walk together down the driveway to wait for the bus. Papa and Tio Armando were already at the barn, milking. "We're not going to school today," I explained to Tyler."On account of your uncle?" he wanted to know.I nodded. The less said the better. All I could think as he stood there was this was a boy who would turn against his own grandmother.As if he could overhear my thoughts, he brought her up himself. He lowered his voice. "Grandma's gone. We're afraid maybe she just walked off and drowned herself in the creek." Tyler could be so dramatic. I almost blurted out: She'd do no such thing. Then he said something that made me realize he was against his parents' evil plan. "That's what they get for trying to force her to move. I just wish she'd told me," he added. "I'd have run off with her. It's awful at my house," he went on. "Ben's grounded for the whole Christmas break, and now Sara isn't allowed to ride around with her new boyfriend, Hal, 'cause he might do what Ben did. Everybody's in a really bad mood. And on top of it all, Grandma could be dead!"The bus had come and Mr. Rawson was leaning on his horn. "I better go." Tyler heaved the hugest sigh, like he was off to a firing squad to be shot to death for a crime he never committed. "Come back after school!" I called to him. When he twisted around, he looked like I had just granted him a pardon.During the day we watched through the windows as different members of the Paquette family came and went. They walked all around, calling and calling "Ma! Ma!" just like the baby calves do when they are weaned from their mothers. It made me sad because I understood what it felt like to be missing your mother. Midday as we were eating lunch, the patron's patron's sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Byron, came to our door. It turned out that this husband knew some fancy Spanish like in a textbook. First they said they were very sorry about Tio Felipe. Then they mentioned about the grandmother and how worried they were. Had we maybe spotted her walking in a certain direction? sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Byron, came to our door. It turned out that this husband knew some fancy Spanish like in a textbook. First they said they were very sorry about Tio Felipe. Then they mentioned about the grandmother and how worried they were. Had we maybe spotted her walking in a certain direction?Virgencita, we all looked down at our shoes like they were suddenly the most interesting things in the world. And though a second later Papa shook his head, the lady knew we knew something. Her eyes were all wet and worried. "It's all my fault," she explained. "You see, I've been worried to death about her, and I'm afraid I pushed the envelope."The husband translated everything the lady said for Papa and Tio Armando into his fancy Spanish, which made it hard to understand. But then I hadn't understood this lady's English, either. Why would pus.h.i.+ng an envelope make her mother run off?"I just want to know Ma's safe," Jeanne explained, dabbing at her eyes.Tio Armando spoke up."He says your mother is fine," Mr. Byron told his wife. "I told you so.""Oh thank you, thank you!" Jeanne sobbed. "I've been so worried. Please tell us where she is, please. We're not going to hurt her.""You must promise not to send her from her home," my uncle went on once the husband had translated. "We know what that is like," he added to soften the fact that here he was telling the patron's patron's family what to do. family what to do.Virgencita, to bring this letter to a close, by the time Tyler came back from school, heading straight for our trailer without even stopping at his own house first, we had seen Grandma unloaded up at her house from her daughter's car. The brother Larry's car was up there, too, and the Paquettes had walked on over. As soon as we gave Tyler the news, he flew out the door, calling for us to come, too. But Papa and Tio Armando were in the barn milking and we had the strictest orders to stay indoors. All I could think as Tyler raced up the hill was how sweet it is when a family is reunited and the lost ones brought back into the fold.Which brings me back to my pet.i.tion, Virgencita de Guadalupe, that you help deliver Tio Felipe out of prison, even if he has to go back to Mexico. Perhaps because we helped them find their grandmother, the Paquettes have promised us they will do everything they can to help our uncle.I do have one more pet.i.tion. In two days it will be a whole year since Mama left us. It's not that I've stopped believing she will come back. But that moment in the patrones' patrones' kitchen when the phone call was not from Mama, I began to feel a tiny bit of doubt. I have to keep believing or that little candle at the window will go out! So, kitchen when the phone call was not from Mama, I began to feel a tiny bit of doubt. I have to keep believing or that little candle at the window will go out! So, por favor, por favor, Virgencita, return Mama and our uncle so that we can be a united family in the United States or in Mexico, it does not matter anymore, as long as we are all together. Virgencita, return Mama and our uncle so that we can be a united family in the United States or in Mexico, it does not matter anymore, as long as we are all together.Now that I am getting ready to close, I have begun wondering how I will deliver this letter to you, Virgencita. In Mexico, and even in Carolina del Norte at the church Mama always took us to, there was a statue in your honor. People always left you pet.i.tions and letters and photographs of their sons or daughters who were sick or sad or in the military. But here, we do not have such a church. The grandmother has wanted to take us to her church but Papa has refused. "They are Protestants," he explained. "They do not wors.h.i.+p our Guadalupe." I was surprised to hear Papa say so, as unlike Mama, he has never been a churchgoer.But then, right after Thanksgiving, on our way to school on the bus, I noticed a big Nativity scene set up outdoors in front of a big church that might be Catholic. I am going to ask Mr. Rawson if I can run up and say a real quick prayer while the town kids are getting off and crossing the street. I will bury this letter under Mary's robe, as Mama always said you were one and the same Virgin.Meanwhile today for the first time since she came back, we visited the grandmother. She embraced us and told us that her children have promised her that she will be carried out of her house feet first. I'm not sure why she would want to be carried out that way, but, Virgencita, when the grandmother wondered out loud how her family found out where she was hiding, I told her we had made her daughter promise that she would not force her mother to move."So I owe it all to you!" she said, smiling and hugging us.No, I told her. She owed it all to the Virgin of Guadalupe, who has a special place in her heart for mothers and grandmothers-and, we hope, for our uncle, too.

Please, por favor, por favor, Virgencita, Virgencita,grant both my pet.i.tions,Maria (named after you!)

CHRISTMAS TEARS FARM.

It's going to be the worst Christmas ever! Tyler is dreading what lies ahead in the two weeks that school will be out.

One eighteen-year-old brother grounded and the keys to his car that he paid for himself taken away. One fifteen-year-old sister not allowed t