The homecooked food his mother made for him and the rest of the family hit the spot in Manny’s stomach, not to mention his tongue. He hadn’t had authentic food like this since he went to America. Even in Tent City, the other Mexican families were not able to cook like his Mama.
“Tell us your story, mi chico,” Ricardo said, gesturing with one hand. “You can eat and talk at the same time, no?”
There was laughter around the table. Manny knew that was not allowed. He was privileged to have been given permission this one time.
He grinned.
“I have met a woman.”
There was dead silence for a moment before cheers went up, and the sound made was deafening. He laughed heartily and held up both hands. “Calma, calma,” he said through his chuckling.
When the noise died down, and he was surrounded by admiring, anxious faces, he knew he was at home. The feeling was wonderful.
“I have met a woman named Imogen Brown. She is a picture of beauty and grace. I am very much in love with her.”
“How did you meet her?” a cousin asked.
“I will tell you if you wait a moment and let me speak,” Manny reprimanded the young man while maintaining his large smile. “I fell in the river several months ago–”
Another burst of energy from his family members as they all expressed remorse at his accident. He went on.
“Broke my ankle. I was unable to work for a month.”
He paused and accepted the good wishes of his vocal family members.
“During that time,” he continued when they finally went quiet again, “my boss, a man named Jimmy, gave me a special assignment. Me and Tito. We were to take surveys around the camp and get opinions on how the employees liked the job.”
He saw many confused faces, even those who understood some English. He explained in Spanish to the delighted looks of those who couldn’t speak English at all.
“When I was healed, I was told I would go back in the mine. During that month, when I was unable to do for myself, a woman came with a group of churchgoers to the place where I live called Tent City.”
“Would we be living in a tent, too?” the cousin who had spoken before asked. Manny was amused to see a look of excitement on his face.
Manny shook his head. “No, we would have a house. We will have a house. I must get it built. The man who owns the mine, McClintock, is going to finance all of this for me.”
“We want to hear about Imogen,” his mother said, waving one hand dramatically in the air and rolling her eyes. “Tell us more about this young woman. You say she is pretty? Is she Mexican?”
Manny laughed. “No, Mama, she is not Mexican. She was born in America.”
The older woman nodded. “Go on,” she prompted him. “Tell us more about her.”
“She’s young, probably twenty-one or two, but I’m not sure. I think that’s how old she said she was. She has no family other than her father. They live in a very large house in the middle of Bryantsville, California. She has long blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a wonderful smile. Every time I see it, I just …” He sighed, and everyone around the table laughed uproariously.
He ate a few bites as his family did the same.
“She is very smart. I don’t think she has a job, but she would get one if she had to. Very resilient, she is. I am always impressed with her.”
“Then I am sure we will be, too,” Rosa said, grinning at him so warmly, it made his heart melt. He loved his mother. And his father and the rest of his family. He hadn’t realized how terribly he’d missed them. It had to have been at least two years since the last time he saw them.
“You will be. I am anxious for you to meet her.” He hesitated, not really wanting to bring up her father but knowing he needed to. “There is just one problem.”
“Oh Lord, have mercy,” Rosa said, glancing up and crossing herself. “What is it?”
“Her father … he is a bigot and a racist. He does not like Mexicans or people of any other race but American.”
Ricardo lifted his eyebrows. “This is her father? Then how is this to happen? There can be no relationship if her father does not approve.”
Manny didn’t like hearing those words, even if he ultimately felt like his father was right. He’d spent the last six weeks pining for a woman he couldn’t have, and it felt like he hadn’t seen her in years. He longed for her day and night, just to hear her voice, her laughter.
“I have thought about that. She has, too. We are going to fight for our love.”
“Aaahhhh!” The room filled with the loud praise. Many of his family members lifted their hands in the air.
“How do you plan to do this, hijo?” Ricardo asked, his voice very serious. “She will not be happy without the love and support of her father. You say she has no other family?”
Manny nodded. “Do not worry, Papa. It is not the same in America as it is here. They are independent and do not need the approval of their parents as much as we seek it here.”
“But this is not right. I should talk to this man and get him to change his mind.”
Manny almost burst out laughing. His father sounded so determined as if he was confident he would be able to do such a thing. He pictured Jacob Brown in his mind. “You would have a good fight on your hands,” he replied. “But that does sound like you are going to consider coming back to America with me.”
Ricardo grinned wide. “I see no reason why we shouldn’t. We do not own this land or this house. We are free to pick up and leave if we want to.”
“Manny, you are saying we are all invited to come with you back to America?” his sister, Sophia, asked.
“Sí,” Manny responded with a nod.
“But we cannot afford the fee,” she said sadly. She looked around her at the rest of the family at the table. “There are too many of us. How will we choose who will go?”
“Mr. McClintock will pay the fee and write a reference for anyone who wants to come with me,” Manny said confidently. “You only need to bring the things that belong to you. He will take care of the rest.”
Mumbles rose around the table as his family turned to each other to discuss what they’d been told.
Rosa had sat on the other side of the table, so she and Manny were flanking his father. His parents looked at him with such kindness and love. Manny felt a tug on his heart strings.
“This is a good thing you are doing for our family,” Ricardo said, reaching out and patting Manny’s hand, which was on the table in front of him. Manny placed his other hand over his father’s so he was sandwiching it.
“I am very surprised to be given the opportunity. It is a blessing from the Most High.”
“Sí, mi chico, it is a blessing.” His mother looked up and crossed herself again.
“This man whom you have had disputes with,” Ricardo said. “Has he threatened you?”
“Sí, Papa, he did threaten me.”
Ricardo nodded. “This is why you had to come back to Mexico?”
Manny returned his father’s nod. “The man who will finance our return is his friend and even he can see the wrongness of Jacob’s ways.”
“Jacob. Jacob Brown.” His father repeated the name. Manny was surprised.
“Do you know of this man?” he asked.
Ricardo looked amused. “No. You have said her name is Imogen Brown and her father’s name is Jacob. Therefore, Jacob Brown.”
Manny laughed. “I am sorry, Papa.”
“Do not be sorry. I am glad you are home. I have missed you dearly over the last few years.”
Manny got up from his chair and leaned down to give his father a hug. “I have missed you, too, Papa. I am glad to be home but am also anxious to get everyone ready to take back to California, anyone who wants to go.”
He looked around at his family as they chattered away excitedly. He was willing to bet they were all going to travel with him. There were only two chairs not occupied at the table and they were left behind for his other two brothers, who had gone off on their own. He missed them, too, but they were living their lives as they saw fit.
He certainly wouldn’t hold that against them.
“I am proud of you, hijo,” Rosa said, reaching across and putting one hand on his cheek. He smiled at her pressing against her hand and closing his eyes.
He was home.