Nilda Read Online Free

aren’t they? I hope no one here is a baby and has to be treated like one.” Both women were now standing over the girl. Nilda watched as the older larger woman took the small glass out of the younger nun’s hand and shoved it right up to the girl’s face. The girl grabbed the glass and put it to her lips. “Hurry up now, quick, all at once! Let’s go … the whole thing! No, no! Drink it all. There! That’s it,” said the large nun. “Now, let’s not have anymore fuss or I’ll call Brother Sean. He has a very convincing friend, a good whacking stick that will help anyone here drink their laxative.” With that she turned and left, walking over to the other section of the dormitory.
    Sister Barbara continued going to several cots and finally Nilda took a deep breath as she saw the smile on the nun’s face directed at her. “You will take this, please. Time for our laxative.”
    â€œI already went to the bathroom,” said Nilda.
    â€œThis is for tomorrow. This way you will be clean and pure when you greet God. Waking up, you will be ready to releaseeverything in your bowels, getting a fresh start before Mass.” Nilda looked and saw that Sister Barbara’s smile never left her face. Like it was stuck on or something, she thought. Nilda reached out and took the small glass, holding it up to her lips. A wave of nausea hit her and she closed her eyes. As if anticipating what would happen, the young woman said, “None of that, now. I don’t want to call Brother Sean. Nobody here has started this business so don’t you be silly. Just drink it down.”
    Closing her eyes, Nilda began to drink the chalky sticky substance. “All of it, that’s a good girl. Go on! Drink it all down. Good. A little bit more. Good. Ah!” Nilda made a heaving sound. “Uh, uh, just swallow and keep it down. Don’t let it come up. In a couple of days when you get used to it, you won’t even taste it.” Smiling, she marched on to the next cot.
    Nilda could feel the tears rushing out all at once. Pulling the covers over her head, she began to cry quietly. She licked the tears and welcomed the saltiness as it helped reduce the chalky taste in her mouth. She went on crying quietly until she fell asleep. During the night the sounds of sobbing and whimpering coming from the other cots woke her, but each time she closed her eyes, going back into a deep sleep.
    The same large room that was used as the dining room and meeting hall was also used as a classroom. Nilda sat at one of the tables and daydreamed that she was back home. She missed her familiar world of noise, heat and crowds, and she missed her family most of all. All the nuns, priests and brothers were very white and had blue or light brown eyes. Only among the children were there dark faces. She wondered if Puerto Ricans were ever allowed to be nuns, fathers or brothers.
    â€œI hope we can work real hard, children,” said the short nun, “so that when you return home you will be able to receive HolyCommunion and make your families happy and proud.” She walked around stiffly, stopping to ask the children if they had understood what she had said. She got very little response from anyone.
    Papá wouldn’t be proud. He would have a fit, thought Nilda, with a feeling of affection and warmth for her stepfather.
    That night she looked around at the enormous dormitory with the many rows of army cots set side by side. The chalky taste of the milk of magnesia was still fresh in her mouth, making her feel nauseous.
    The lights had been turned out already. She could hear a lot of quiet crying and whimpering. She started to think of home. Why am I here? Did Mamá know about this place? She remembered her mother with her portable altars for the Virgin Mary and all the different saints. Nilda’s mother set these altars all over the apartment. Always lighting candles, saying