~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Carlos and Francisco walked together side by side down the darkened streets of their village.
“Have you and your wife talked yet about Rick’s offer of freedom,” Carlos asked his brother.
“We spoke of it the same day the offer was made.” Francisco informed him.
“You are going to take the offer, yes?” Carlos asked looking at his brother in the dark.
Francisco sighed. “It looks like we are going to stay in Cuba. I don’t want to but what can I do?”
“But why, there is nothing here for us. After this we will be hunted men Francisco,” Carlos declared.
“It is my wife’s mother. My wife will not go and leave her behind. She is getting old and my wife has to help her out daily.”
“Bring your mother in law along with you. I’m sure Rick would agree to it.”
“My mother in law is a stubborn woman. She says that she was born in Cuba and she will die in Cuba.”
“Does she not want a better life for her children and grandchildren than she has had herself?”
“She says that she has not had such a bad life. She has never tasted freedom. She doesn’t miss what she has never had.”
“I need you to understand something Francisco,” Carlos said stopping in the road and facing his brother. “With you not going I will ask Rick to make sure that Juan has a home in the United States when this is over.”
“Where will you be Carlos? You can bring Juan out of here yourself and start your new life out together.”
“I will not be making it out of here I’m afraid. I am not going to live thru this. My poor little Juan is going to be an orphan.”
“That’s foolish talk,” Francisco said grabbing Carlos by his upper arms. “You and Juan will live thru this.”
“I have had the same dream night after night. It always ends the same way Francisco. Have you ever had a dream and witnessed your own death? I don’t mean waking up just before it happens but actually see it happen?”
“I have never heard of such a thing. I don’t think it’s possible for that to happen,” Francisco stated.
“I have heard of people having premonitions about their deaths on the battle field and then having it come true. I have also heard the only time you see your own death in your dreams is when it’s going to happen.”
“I don’t know what to say to that. Maybe you better take Juan and go to Rick’s ship now before anything can happen to you.”
“You cannot cheat the Angel of Death Francisco. Soon I will be with my Maria. My thoughts must now be for Juan and his future.”
They’d arrived at the gate to Francisco’s home and passed thru it. “You haven’t told Juan of this have you? Poor Juan has just lost his mother, he’s only eleven.”
“I cannot tell him my thoughts on this. Often I have thought of talking to him about it. But each time I’ve remained silent.”
Francisco grabbed Carlos in a bear hug. “I hope you are wrong about this my brother. I am not ready to have you out of my life.”
Carlos nodded silently in the dark. “I better get Juan home and into bed. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”