First, let me just say that I am thoroughly enjoying this book. Julia Alvarez is a great story-teller. She deserves the accolades she has received.
I was touched by the conversation Patria Mercedes had with her husband after he yelled at her for the first time in their 18-year marriage. “You crazy, mujer, to invite them into the house! You want your sons to lose their partrimony, is that what you want?” He had never spoken to his wife like this before and, although she was taken aback by his tirade, it did not sway her feelings about the people of the revolution. She kept seeing that young boy look at her as he took his last breath. She needed to make her husband understand.
“If you had seen what I saw on that mountain. Ay, Pedrito, how can we be true Christians and turn our back on our brothers and sisters – “ He interrupted her and once again raised his voice at her, “Your first responsibility is to your children, your husband, and your home!” He was so angry with her. She knew and understood his anger but her own anger was growing. He believed in what the revolutionaries were doing. His fear was obvious to her but she couldn’t stop. She was angry, too. She was angry at what was going on around them; she was angry at the senseless deaths around them; she was angry at the senseless death of the young boy on the mountain. She couldn’t just turn away and she knew he couldn’t either.
She lashed out at him. She blurted out in a way she didn’t want to tell him and explain to him but only to hurt him that their first born son had already joined the underground with his uncles. “It’s him you’ll be throwing to the SIM!” That did it for Pedrito. He was broken. She had hurt him very deeply and she knew it. At that very moment he knew he had no choice but to risk everything generations before him had worked for and help the revolution. He knew she was right and he respected her convictions, even admired her strength, determination and bravery.
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