Mission Libertad Read Online Free Page A

from rowing, and all he could think about was cold water running down his dry throat. Suddenly, he couldn’t take it any longer. He cupped his hands and reached out to drink the salty ocean water.
    â€œNo, Luisito!” Elena said.
    â€œIt will make you sick, son,” Miguel said as he reached out to stop him.
    â€œLeave me alone. I need water!” Luisito said wildly. His parents exchanged worried looks. Luisito was beginning to demonstrate the symptoms of heatstroke.
    Miguel held his son back to prevent him from drinking more ocean water. He knew that his son was suffering from dehydration. He had to keep him cool without letting him drink the salty ocean water. He turned around to get his t-shirt wet and put it on Luisito’s head when he heard a splash and Elena’s loud gasp.
    â€œ
Ay
, Luisito!” Elena yelled, covering her face with her hands. Luisito had fallen overboard.
    â€œElena, help me!” Miguel shouted as he reached for his son’s hands, flailing in the water.
    Luisito’s body was so hot from the burning sun that the warm water actually felt freezing. His feet felt too heavy to move.
    â€œOh, no!” he heard his mother scream repeatedly.
    â€œPapi!” Luisito cried out as waves splashed into his mouth.
    â€œLuisito, grab my hand!” Miguel said.
    Luisito could see his father’s hand like a blurry image between the waves, but each time he tried to grab it, the raft bumped into him and pushed him back.
    Miguel reached for one of the oars and thrust it into the water. Luisito grabbed it and Miguel pulled him close to the raft. Then he extended his hand. Luisito felt the current push him toward the raft. He grabbed his father’s fingertips.
    Miguel took hold of his son by the waist and Elena helped him haul the boy into the raft. His weight almost caused it to tip over.
    Both parents embraced Luisito and cried. Luisito wanted to cry, too, but for some reason tears didn’t come. He kept coughing as his mother massaged his back.
    â€œMami . . . ,” Luisito whispered.
    â€œDon’t worry,
hijo
, everything will be fine,” Elena said, not believing her own words anymore.
    Luisito laid his head down on the wooden surface and pressed his mother’s hand. They drifted for a few more hours. They all felt emotionally drained.
    â€œAre you feeling better?” Miguel asked Luisito later.
    â€œI don’t feel very well,” Luisito replied with a helpless expression.
    Then, out of nowhere, they heard a noise. It came closer and closer through the waves.
    â€œIt’s a boat heading right to us!” he shouted.
    â€œNo, I can’t believe it!” Elena said, weeping—this time out of joy.
    Miguel frantically waved his hands, rocking the raft. Luisito weakly waved one hand, smiling at last.
    â€œIt’s the U.S. Coast Guard!” said Miguel joyfully.
    Luisito was too weak to get up, but his parents hugged and cried over him. The Coast Guard cutter approached them and its crew helped each one get on board. They gave the family water and warm blankets.
    â€œSip slowly. It might make you throw up,” Elena said to Luisito when he tried to gulp down the water.
    â€œWhere are you from?” asked an officer in a white uniform who was wearing rubber gloves. “The captain of a passing cruise ship spotted your raft and called us.”
    â€œCuba. Coming for liberty,” Miguel said in broken English. Now he realized why the ship hadn’t picked them up. Several other men asked them questions.
    â€œHe is not feeling very well,” Elena said in Spanish, interrupting the conversation and pointing to Luisito.
    â€œ
No
se
preocupe
,” replied one of the officers, who proceeded to take Luisito’s vital signs.
    â€œHe is dehydrated. We need to get him on an IV,” he said to the others.
    â€œ
¿Que dijo del niño?”
Elena said, inquiring about her son.
    â€œHe will be fine,