- Chapter 26 - end - Page 228

     “The mother of Vangie has not much English,” the woman said. “She ask me to tell you that Vangie is okay, she is well, but Vangie cannot leave with you to the States. Vangie's message to you is that you must go home now.”

     “Why?”

     “It is impossible.” Translating.

     “Vangie wanted to go with me.”

     Directly, the woman said: “Yes of course she want.”

     “Where is she now? I should be hearing this from her.”

     “It is better you do not disturb Vangie.” Translating again. “The situation of Vangie is the same now since before you come here.”

     “Correon?” I said. “She's with him?”

     “Vangie belong to Correon,” the woman said.

     “Nobody belongs to anybody else.”

     “Vangie belong to Correon.”

     In the silence outside, in the direction of the courtyard, a automobile engine turned over and revved. I listened to the sound. The revs picked up. The Nobles' car was moving. I went out on the top step. The car was moving fast along the spur. In the space between two huts I saw its headlights rake the papaya trees.

     I hadn't paid them. I wondered what would make them drive away from a hundred fifty dollars. Death, was all I could think of.

     Somewhere in the barrio a woman began to shout, a frightened jabbering.

     I heard a rustle, a pounding of feet.

     A young man stepped around the corner of the hut. He looked as if he belonged to the barrio. Gym shorts, rubber sandals, a T-shirt. He was in front of me before I could react. When he saw me, he raised a pistol and pointed it at my face.

     I raised my hands. He wasn't army.