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Show 85 Ahote picked up a handful of squash seeds and pulp and threw them in Chua's face. "Here's some food to keep you going." He hobbled out of the room. Chua could hear his laugh as he climbed out of the village onto the mesa. CHAPTER 19 A tear trickled from Apa's eye. Chua pulled himself to his knees and shuffled over to his mother's side. His back ached from being thrown against the wall. He shook the squash seeds out of his hair. "Ahote gets worse and worse," Apa said. "I wish I could travel so we could get away." His mother's legs looked puffy and bloated. Even though they were tied up, it was a relief to have Ahote gone. Chua felt free. He knew it didn't make any sense to be tied up and feel free, but it was how he felt. He breathed deeply over and over to release the shame and fear he felt from Ahote's words. "I am not worthless," he said to himself, "and this was a good family." Chua edged himself around until his back was facing his mother's back. "Let me see if I can undo your strap with my fingers." He could feel his mother's tied wrists, and the knots. He felt for the outer knot. He pulled the leather strap again and again between his thumb and finger. At first the strap didn't give, but soon it loosened a little. "I don't think he tied the knots very well," Apa said. "They're coming loose." |