A Harlem Story

A Country Not Her Own--- This is a Harlem Story, but set in the Bronx, about 3 miles north of Harlem, NY---

“Why did you have to take me to this stinking country?” Maritza sobbed, as Fernando held her tightly in his strong arms.
“OK, you make some money here, el dinero but it’s so goddam expensive!” she said.
“Look it’s gonna be alright. Why do you have to freak out all thetime?”
“Three children. The two girls and now this baby boy.”
“Look why do you hate Pedro so much, you hardly even say his name” Fernando answered.
“You tricked me. I didn’t want to have him.”
“Let’s go to sleep. I’m tired.” Pedro sighed. He took Maritza’s hand and pulled her to the bed.
“Don’t you try anything. I’m exhausted. The baby will get up in an hour.”
“All right, all right.” Pedro murmured.

The sun filtered in to Pedro and Martiza bedroom. The baby begins to cry, first softly, then louder.

Story theme- suffering and then death.

Maritza is married to Fernando. Only Fernando has recently succeeded in getting a green card. And baby Pedro is a US Citizen because he was born in the Bronx.

The two girls Esmeralda and Jacky also are not citizens. They are aged 5 and 7. Fernando was sponsored by his rich brother, Hekmat, who now owns two candy stores on the lower east side. Still Maritza hates it in the Bronx.

They have a lot of expenses, the two bedroom apartment is $1,400 a month. Even though it is rather big, it is crowded. Maritza’s brother just came up from Matamoros. He is 20-years old and sleeping on the living room couch. The two girls Esmie and Jacky sleep in the little room, and the baby, Pedro, who is 5 months old, sleeps with her parents.

Of course, the kicker of the story, we can put Rosa C. in as the crazy baby sitter, who sees the evil forces attacking the child. She protects the child with her spiritual “crazy” powers, but one week she doesn’t come... to be continued.