‘Searching’ Archives
SEARCHING ”“ a Serial Novelle CHAPTER 18: Truth, in all its profound beauty and terror.
By Patrick Cabello Hansel Coffee, pancakes, the smiles and shouts of people who love you””who cares if you”'re celebrating the Feast Day of the Virgen de Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico and all the Americas””sitting in a sticky booth at Denny”'s at 11:22 pm. This is the crowd that greeted Angel & his dad, Augusto: the Luz, the light of his life, her grandmother Dolores, Mr. Bussey, his old teacher from Roosevelt, Mother Light the healer, and her helper Ana. They were seated under two signs that had yellowed with age. One read: Between 10pm and 5pm, minimum order $3.00, maximum stay 2 hours. The other: No Card Playing in This Restaurant. Angel was going to ask if card playing was allowed in other Denny”'s, but as he began to form the words, Mr. Bussey and Mother Light each pulled out a deck and began shuffling. “What shall we play?” Mr. Bussey asked. “Bid Whist? Buck Euchre? Pinochle?” “Clabber? Skat? [...]
Searching ”“ A Serial Novelle Chapter 17: Family History [“Paper” proof of birth]
By Patrick Cabello Hansel As the party wound down, Angel danced one more dance with Luz. As the song melted away and they began to release their embrace, he noticed who was left in the room: Mr. Bussey, talking with Mother Light and Ana; Luz”' grandmother Dolores, and Angel”'s father, Augusto. It was nearly 11, and though tomorrow meant heavy work, Angel could tell no one felt like ending this party. There was still an hour left in December 12, one hour to celebrate la Virgen de Guadalupe. He called to Mr. Bussey: “Hey, where can we go to keep celebrating Guadalupe on such a beautiful cold night?” Mr. Bussey scratched his head and said, “The only place I know that”'s open is Denny”'s.” “Denny”'s!” Angel shouted. “Do you think they celebrate Guadalupe there?” Luz laughed. “I think it”'s the perfect place for Guadalupe Night!” So they put on their jackets and walked outside. [...]
Searching ”“ A Serial Novelle Chapter 16: El Corrido De Don Jaime
By Patrick Cabello Hansel When Angel and Luz arrived at her abuela”'s house, the whole neighborhood was gathered. Children running everywhere, elderly women dancing to scratchy phonograph records from Mexico. Even though it was freezing outside, Luz”'s cousin Rodrigo was in the backyard, turning steaks and sausages on a large grill cut from an oil drum. People who had run in terror from the raid just a few hours before were partying as if Mexico had just won the World Cup. Luz finally found her grandmother Dolores in the kitchen. Over the noise, she asked her what happened. “Your Uncle Jaime is free!” she shouted as she gave her a big hug. “What?” Luz cried. “Immigration let him go?” “No, mi amor””he escaped””he flew the coop””¡voló como un paloma!” It took a few moments for this to sink in. “Where? How? Abuela, they”'re going to come looking for him! They”'ll bust the door [...]
