Mofongo

by Cecilia Samartin

  After several hours, Rubina came along on foot, and when Otto saw her peering down at him he thought that he’d died and was looking up at the face of an angel. The angel, a beautiful woman with almond shaped eyes and caramel skin, was actually another man’s slave on her way home from an errand. Otto was far too large for Rubina to carry, so she made him as comfortable as she could, gave him some water, and sat with him to wait.

  “Perhaps it would be best for you to go and summon help,” Otto said, although he didn’t want her to leave him. Her presence made him feel a vibrant yearning in his heart that was strong enough to overcome the agony of his broken bones.

  “But what if the Lord steals your spirit away while I’m gone?” she asked. “You will be alone, and there is nothing worse than dying alone.”

  “Do you think I’m near death?” Otto asked.

  “I can’t be sure, but if you were, would you want to live your last moments on earth with me or without me?”

  “With you, definitely with you,” Otto replied, never having felt more certain of anything in his life.

  As they waited together for death or a horse and cart, whichever came first, Otto and Rubina talked about their lives and everything they could think of to pass the time. Each one found the other’s conversation delightful, and they hardly noticed the passing hours. When they grew hungry, Rubina opened her nap sack and shared what food she had with her new friend. On this day she’d packed Mofongo which he thought to be the most delicious food he’d ever tasted, but this didn’t surprise him. He didn’t doubt that everything about Rubina was extraordinary, and he was actually disappointed when he saw the dust from a carriage approaching down the road. Knowing that he might not have another opportunity, he told her that he wanted to buy her freedom and marry her as soon he could. Of course, everyone in town including Rubina knew that Otto was already engaged to a German woman called Helga who would soon join him on the island.

  “What about Helga?” Rubina asked. “Won’t she be terribly upset when she arrives to find that the man she’s been waiting for all this time is already married?”

  During the magical hours Otto had spent with Rubina, he’d forgotten all about Helga, but somehow he convinced Rubina that he would fix this problem, and Rubina agreed to marry him.

  On the island it was not uncommon for white and black people to marry, but the situation was complicated because Rubina was a slave. The man who owned her was known for his greediness, and when he learned that Otto had fallen for his beautiful slave, he charged a hefty price for her. Fortunately, Otto was able to use the money he’d been saving for his wedding to buy her freedom.

  Only days after Otto and Rubina were married, Helga arrived to the island. The journey had been difficult and she was quite ill. When she learned that Otto already had a wife, it nearly killed her. But being a good God fearing woman, Rubina couldn’t close her heart to the suffering of others, and she insisted that Helga stay with them. During the weeks and months that followed, Rubina nursed her back to health. Even when Rubina became pregnant, she was attentive to Helga and the two women became like sisters. In the end, Helga couldn’t fault Otto for falling in love with such a virtuous woman. Of course, it helped that Helga eventually found love too. She married Rubina’s brother almost a year to the day after she arrived. And the two couples had more than twenty beautiful criollo children between them.

  Gloria and Jennifer had polished off the last of their Mofongo with camarones about mid way through Sebastian’s story. Their lips were still shiny with olive oil, and it seemed that they would’ve happily consumed much more if they could.

  “I don’t remember the story exactly that way,” Jennifer said. “I think Abuela changes what Rubina carries in her knapsack. I could’ve sworn it was something else last time she told it.”

  “It’s definitely changed,” Gloria added. “But I liked it, especially the part about Rubina appearing like an angel. That was a very nice touch.”

  “How did you like the mofongo?” Sebastian asked.

  “It was great, but I wish you’d brought more,” Jennifer said.

  “How about you Mom, did you like it?”

  “What’s not to like?” Gloria answered with a glib smile, but her eyes remained pensive, and there was a tinge of regret in her expression. Hearing this story brought up old feelings, a blend of homesickness and longing for a time when life was simpler and she still believed in the innocence of true love.

  Sebastian leaned across the table towards her. “Dad says that mofongo is his favorite, and that it will always be his favorite. After dinner, he stared at the pictures on Abuela Lola’s wall for a long time, especially the ones of you and him together. “

  Gloria immediately waved her napkin in Sebastian’s face as though to break whatever silly spell they’d fallen under. “Will you please stop talking about those pictures, Sebastian. They were taken a long time ago, and they have nothing to do with what’s going on now.” She sighed, threw the mofongo wrappings in the trash, and marched out of the kitchen without another word.

  Jennifer and Sebastian listened to their mother’s plodding footsteps as she made her way upstairs, and down the hallway to her room. When they heard her bedroom door close, Jennifer said, “You might as well face it, Mom and Dad are never getting back together again.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I know,” she returned, and when she saw the tears gathering in her brother’s eyes she said, “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up, that’s all.”

  Sebastian nodded, but the goodness he’d experienced that day was gone, and in its place he felt a hollowness boring its way to the core of his being. He wanted to tell his sister that she was more wrong than she’d ever been in her life, but he didn’t have the energy or the words to contradict her.

  “It’s not the end of the world,” Jennifer said. “People get divorced all the time.”

  Sebastian nodded, and wiped his eyes. He wished he could be as stoic and matter of fact about things like his sister was, but for him that’s precisely how it felt - like the end of the world.

  “They aren’t just people,” he muttered. “They’re Mom and Dad.”

  “That’s true, so let me correct myself,” she said. “Mom and Dad are getting divorced and there’s nothing you or I can do about it.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  It felt good to play footsie tether ball again, and Sebastian spun the ball off of his toes, enjoying the tingling sensation that traveled up his legs and throughout his torso. When he was good and ready, he gave the ball another kick and watched it swing around the pole above him. Beyond, he saw the blue sky, perhaps not the brightest blue he’d ever seen, but he was grateful that in this mild weather, he’d be able to play for several minutes without tiring. He kept his feet at the ready, and closed his eyes, listening to the humming vibration and rattle of the chain inside the pole. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know that the ball was slowing down, so he kicked it again, right on the sweet spot and it shot up toward the sky. If not for the chain, he imagined that it would’ve sailed way up over the tree tops and out of sight. It would be awhile before he’d need to kick it again, so he lowered his feet and waited, gathering his strength.

  And in the melody of the whining chain, back and forth, to and fro, the enchanting hum embraced his senses, and he clearly heard the words, “Hold your ground.” Again, the eerie words that escaped from within the rattling pole repeated, “Hold your ground. Even if it shakes beneath you, hold your ground.”

  Sebastian opened his eyes, and within the scratched surface and torn patches of leather, he saw the piercing eyes watching him. The black haired old lady, said “Hold…” and then she swept over his head, “…your…” and away again before returning in an arc, “ground.” He gazed up at her, his eyes watering in the sun light and he pressed the base of his palms against his eye sockets. He stared up at the face again, and she was challenging him, supporting him, willing him to be
strong. She came toward him and away with each revolution, and he lowered his feet. He couldn’t bring himself to kick the ball, while she was in it.

  “Who are you?” Sebastian asked, although he couldn’t be sure that he’d spoken the words out loud. “What is your name?”

  The old lady didn’t answer. She just closed her eyes, and smiled. Sebastian could only imagine that swinging through the air as she was had to be an exhilarating feeling, and for a moment, he envied her.

  As the ball slowed down, the cracked leather and broken patches lost their magic, and the groaning chain grew silent. Sebastian was preparing to kick the ball again, hoping that she would return, when someone took hold of it. Sean, Keith’s friend was standing over him, and he had a peculiar lopsided grin on his face.

  Sebastian sat up and saw Keith standing next to him with several of his classmates. He scrambled to his feet, scanning the group for Kelly Taylor who could sometimes keep Keith in check, but then he remembered that she’d been out sick all week, and cold fear surged in his belly.

  “Hey Monkey Boy,” Keith said, crossing his arms. “Why are you out here all by yourself?”

  Sebastian didn’t reply. He looked around the playground to see if any teachers were nearby, but they were more likely to monitor the soccer field and jungle gym areas during recess. The group stepped in closer.

  “Is it because of your exploding heart?” Keith asked, and several of the kids sniggered.

  “Don’t you have anything to say?” Keith asked, looking the smaller boy up and down.

  Sebastian shook his head, and his insides began to quiver violently. He took hold of the pole to steady himself.

  “I’m tired of all this monkey business. Today I’d like to hear you bark like a dog, but here’s the thing,” he said, trying to appear businesslike about it. “This time I want you to get down on your hands and knees and piss on the pole while you bark.” Keith was so delighted with this idea, that he was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “Go on doggy boy,” he said, “Do what your master says.”

  “Doggy boy, doggy boy!” the children chanted, and they wrapped their arms around each other creating an impenetrable circle, while swaying to and fro.

  Sebastian tightened his grip on the pole, and made no move to follow orders. Sean who still had hold of the tether ball, threw it from behind, and it bounced hard off of Sebastian’s shoulder, but still he didn’t move.

  “What’s wrong doggy boy?” Keith asked. “Did you already piss your pants?”

  “Doggy boy pissed his pants,” Sean said, and he threw the ball at Sebastian’s head, but this time Sebastian saw it coming, and caught it before it slammed into him.

  “You heard me,” Keith said, and his yellow eyes glowed with a menacing light. “Get down like a good little dog.”

  “No,” Sebastian said. “I’m not a dog.”

  Keith curled his fists. “Oh yes you are,” he replied. “You’re a doggy boy.”

  “I’m not,” he replied.

  Keith took several steps toward Sebastian, and the other students quieted down. He’d never laid a hand on Sebastian before, but Sebastian sensed that today would be different. And then, he remembered the old lady’s words. “Hold your ground,” but it felt like the ground beneath his feet was shifting at an alarming rate, and if it should split apart into an enormous chasm, and swallow him whole, he wouldn’t have minded.

  Now only a few inches away, Keith said, “Give me the ball.”

  Sebastian hesitated, and then handed it over. The chain clanked once before he grabbed it.

  “Do it,” Keith commanded.

  “I won’t,” Sebastian replied softly.

  “Get down you fucking doggy boy!” Keith yelled at the top of his lungs.

  Sebastian nearly jumped out of his shoes, but then he found his center and calmly replied, “No, I won’t do it.”

  Keith dropped the tether ball, and it swung in slow arcs around the pole. He stepped in closer to Sebastian, his eyes mere slits. The circle was now two or three kids deep, and some of them were standing on tip toe to get a better look at what was going on. But from a distance, it would appear as though they were all engrossed in a particularly exciting game of tether ball, and nothing more.

  When the ball swung near Sebastian, he took hold of it again, and held it up so that everyone could see it, and in a bright clear voice that could be heard above the clamor, he said, “Play me a game of footsie tether ball, and whoever loses will have to get down on all fours and bark like a dog.” A murmur spread through the group, and then a hush followed as they waited to hear how Keith would respond, but he remained silent and glaring.

  Sebastian swallowed hard and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

  Giggles erupted, and Keith straightened his shoulders, shooting stiff glances all around to silence them. “I’m not scared,” he replied.

  “It’s just like regular tether ball except you use your feet instead of your hands,” Sebastian explained.

  “Show me,” Keith commanded, and he stepped back to observe.

  Sebastian lowered himself to the ground and demonstrated how to position one’s body while kicking the tether ball. And as Keith watched, his smile returned. He was very good with his feet, and his legs were significantly longer than Sebastian’s. He dropped down to the ground and assumed the same position Sebastian had shown him, elbows on the ground and hips supported by his hands. “I’m ready Doggy boy,” Keith said, practically snarling.

  Sebastian immediately kicked the ball into play, and Keith managed to kick it back, but he had difficulty balancing on his elbows and when Sebastian returned the ball, Keith was teetering to one side, and missed it entirely. Sebastian held his position, and kicked the ball steadily and reliably, not as high or as forcefully as Keith, but he never missed, and his feet were remarkably nimble and he was able to pivot on his elbows without taking his eye off the ball as it orbited around the pole. The black haired old lady appeared again, but she remained silent, and the only thing he saw was her grinning face as she went round and round the pole, maneuvering herself up and over Keith’s feet, until the tether grew shorter and shorter and finally, with one small tap, Sebastian put the ball around the pole and won.

  A cheer went up, and Sebastian sprung to his feet, his heart pounding, not from exertion, but elation. He’d beat Keith fair and square, and now he was standing over him, gazing down at his twisted body that looked rather worm like. In a daze, Keith stood up and brushed off the seat of his trousers.

  Immediately everyone started yelling, “Bark doggy boy, Bark!” But this time their eyes were on Keith. Some of the kids let their wrists go limp like paws, and they hung their tongues and panted as they cried, “Bark doggy boy, Bark!”

  With fists curled into knots, Keith turned around slowly, his eyes watering with rage. Then he let out a blood curdling scream and lunged toward the circle, shoving and punching his way through until he broke out. He ran across the playground at break neck speed, legs and arms pumping furiously. Even then, Sebastian couldn’t help but admire how fast Keith could run, and he had no doubt that tears were streaming down his face just as swiftly.

  Once he was out of sight, the kids started to drift away, but Sebastian remained near the tether ball court, keeping an eye out for Keith all the while. If he returned, Sebastian knew that this time he wouldn’t waste time with animal noises, and tether ball games. But Keith never returned, and when the bell rang and the students reassembled themselves outside the classroom, every one noticed that he wasn’t among them. Sebastian knew the bitter taste of shame better than anyone, and was certain that Keith couldn’t stomach it. No doubt he was hiding out in the boy’s bathroom or in the nurse’s office so he could lick his wounds in private.

  When he entered the classroom Sebastian took his usual seat, and opened his spelling workbook as he always did after lunch to prepare for the lesson, but he felt like he was looking out at the world through fresh new eyes. As if fo
r the first time, he saw the brightly colored bulletin boards, the large picture windows, and the cheerful artwork displayed all around the room. In fact, the world map he’d so carefully colored a few days ago was prominently displayed next to Ms. Ashworth’s desk. It had probably been there for days, but he only just noticed it.

  Eventually, his eyes drifted toward the whiteboard. Other students had been enjoying the privilege of this special assignment lately, but it hadn’t been properly cleaned in days, and there were several sections in the upper corners that looked grimy.

  “Sebastian,” Ms. Ashworth said, noticing his interest. “Would you like to clean the whiteboard for me after you finish your spelling?”

  “Yes please,” he replied without hesitation, and he immediately got started on his assignment.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I’ve been soaking the beans all morning,” Lola said. “This way, after we add the seasoning they’ll take much less time to cook.”

  Sebastian had just about finished chopping the onions and garlic, and was planning to start on the peppers next.

  Lola continued, “Some people throw the vegetables straight into the pot while the beans are cooking, but I like to sauté them in olive oil first, and add the dry seasonings directly to the hot oil to release the flavors. It’s a simple thing, but it makes all the difference.”

  Lola directed Sebastian to add the sofrito to the pan where the olive oil was heating. As he did so a burst of fragrant steam rose from the pot, filling his nostrils. If any smell could define his grandmother it was this: onion, garlic and peppers cooking in olive oil, and he loved it above all others. Lola then added salt, pepper, vinegar and just a pinch of sugar. As she stirred, the mixture began to thicken and the aromas became more complex. She touched the spoon to her palm and tasted, pleased with the results.

  “Now we can add the beans,” she said, pointing her wooden spoon toward the large pot in which the beans had been soaking. It was quite heavy, but Sebastian managed to slide it closer to her. She then ladled a spoonful of beans and liquid into the hot pan and stirred vigorously, explaining that this way she would capture every bit of flavor from the pan. Sebastian noted that already the soaking liquid was almost as black as the beans. When Lola was finished she transferred the entire contents of the pan into the pot of beans. The cauldron she used was large enough for fifty people, but she had no trouble moving it to the largest burner.