The Memories of Ana Calderón Read Online Free Page A

clothing and an extra pair of shoes. In a pouch sewn out of an old blanket, Ana carried César on her back, along with her belongings.
    They walked in silence, and as the sun rose, its golden light elongated the shadows cast by the Calderón family. Not far behind came Octavio, who tip-toed and crouched, takingsmall, hesitant steps because he feared being seen by Rodolfo. The boy would not stay behind despite the older man having forbidden him to follow them. Octavio felt that they were his family, the only ones he had really known, and he loved them, especially Ana and Alejandra. So he darted from behind trees and bushes, hoping that a miracle would happen at the last minute.
    When the family arrived at the edge of town, Rodolfo pointed in the direction where the buses were stationed. They were battered, scratched vehicles; the hand-printed signs on their sides were so faded that most were unreadable. The children giggled and stared wide-eyed at the disheveled bus drivers. Only Alejandra was withdrawn; she seemed to be somewhere else. Ana had taken César out of his pouch and put him on the ground. She held his hand, but he began to cry, motioning to her that he wanted her to pick him up in her arms again.
    Rodolfo turned to Ana. “Wait here. I’m going in to buy our tickets. Make sure no one strays away.”
    When Octavio saw this, he rushed from behind the squat building that served as the station office. “Chsst! Ana…Alejandra…I’m here!”
    Everyone was caught off guard. They had already said goodbye to him and no one imagined that he had been behind them all the time. Alejandra, her eyes inflamed and blurry, let out a yelp of joy. Ana, still holding her brother in her arms, didn’t seem surprised, however. “I told all of you he’d come.” Turning to Octavio, she said, “What are you going to do now, Tavo? We don’t have money to buy you a ticket.”
    â€œI don’t know, but I can’t stay. I want to be with you.”
    Alejandra, whose face had drained of color, was biting her lip, trying to hold back the tears that were again assaulting her. “Ana, please think of something. Please!”
    The other girl was looking around her as if searching for the answer. Then, smiling broadly, she pointed to the bus she supposed they would be taking. “Well, just wait until the bus gets going, and then you can hang on to that ladder that’s stuck on the back of it. I’ve seen lots of kids like you doing that. No one will know until we get to the next town, and then ’Apá will have to let you come along with us.”
    The girls all gawked at the built-in ladder meant to be used for loading baggage on the roof of the vehicle, and theireyes grew rounder with each moment as they grasped the height that Octavio would have to manage. His eyes, too, were riveted on the highest rung. He ran his tongue over his lips before he spoke.
    â€œI…I…yes…I’ve seen boys do that…but just around here, on these short streets.”
    â€œOh, well, if you’re scared to do it…”
    â€œI’m not scared, Ana.” Octavio hesitated, trying to decide what to do. He finally blurted out, “Yes! I’ll do it that way!”
    â€œTavo, what if you fall?”
    â€œI won’t fall, Alejandra. I promise.”
    When Rodolfo reappeared, Octavio dove for cover behind the bus. The boy began to stretch and flex his short fingers in preparation. He had nothing to carry; he was wearing everything he owned. But he regretted that he was wearing shoes because they were beginning to hurt his feet, and because he was unused to wearing shoes he felt as if he would lose his balance. He plopped down on the dirt and removed them. Then, tying them by their laces, Octavio wrapped his shoes around his neck. He felt secure now, knowing that he could use his feet and toes to help his hands stick to the ladder. No matter what