Drive and Determination

by Louise, Kara

  She smiled. “Does your driver know the way to Casa de Esperanza preschool?”

  He looked over to his driver, Manuel, who was standing within earshot. Giving him a questioning glance, Manuel nodded his head. “She is correct, Sir. If that is where we are going, we best take another car.”

  “See if you can get one from the Walkers, Manuel.”

  Manuel sprinted off to the Walkers, and in a few moments he returned with a set of keys jingling in his fingers. “The Walkers said we could take their extra car, Mr. Denton. They’ll use their van to get around if they need it.”

  “If it has to be, let’s get started.”

  “Their car is over here, Mr. Denton.”

  Manuel spoke with a Guatemalan accent and Elyssa smiled at him. So this was how the great Mr. Denton got around when he was here; a man to drive him and interpret for him, all in one. They both followed Manuel and Elyssa caught up to him, introducing herself.

  “Hello, Manuel. I’m Elyssa Barnett.”

  “Nice to meet you, Miss Barnett. I am told you are Janet’s sister. We all liked her very much. We were sorry to have lost her and Chad.”

  “I appreciate that, Manuel.”

  “Manuel, we’re going back to the hotel first so I can change.” Will increased his pace and his stride and easily caught up with them.

  “Sure thing, Sir!”

  Manuel unlocked the car doors and opened the door to the back seat for Elyssa. She slid in and thanked him, looking curiously over to Will as Manuel then came around and opened the back door on the other side for him.

  She placed the piñata conveniently between the two of them and looked out the window away from him so he would not see her roll her eyes. He obviously had this mentality that Manuel was the chauffeur so he had to ride in the back seat, even if this wasn’t their limo!

  They hadn’t been in the car more than a few minutes when Will pulled out his mobile phone. He made a call and informed the person at the other end that he would like to be informed of the results of the sales report as soon as it was completed. As he talked, Elyssa entertained herself by watching the scenery pass by and trying to imagine how she would fare living down here and having to drive these chaotic streets. It gave her a greater respect for her sister accomplishing such a feat!

  By the time they arrived at the hotel, Will had made three phone calls. With each call he made, Elyssa’s ire rose as her assessment of him was being completely confirmed. He was a man whose sole objective in life, whose only source of satisfaction, was in his work. Forget that Guatemala was a beautiful country with flowers one would never see in the States. Forget that the hillsides were so green because of all the rain. Forget that the volcano was sending out secret messages in its plume of steam. He seemed completely oblivious to it all.

  Stopping at the front of the hotel, Manuel came around to open the door and Will hopped out. He inquired of Elyssa if she’d prefer to wait in the car or come up to the room. As much as her curiosity tempted her to see what his opulent room must look like, she opted to remain with Manuel in the car.

  Once he was out of sight, Elyssa opened her door. Manuel quickly ran around to help her out.

  “There is no need for that, Manuel. I let myself in and out of cars all the time.”

  “It is my job, ma’am.”

  “I know, and I appreciate that.” A sly smile crossed her face. “Would you mind, Manuel, if I rode up in the front with you?”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “Up front?”

  “I should like to get to know you better and as Mr. Denton seems inclined to only carry on conversations with his phone, I would enjoy it so much more.”

  Manuel smiled. “I am not sure if my boss would approve.”

  Elyssa propped her hands onto her hips. “Would he not wish for you to do all that I ask?”

  “I think so, yes.”

  “Good! It’s settled, then,” Elyssa said as she opened the passenger side of the front door. “This is what will make me happy!”

  Manuel laughed under his breath as he rushed over to assist her in getting in, wondering just what his boss would say when he returned.

  Elyssa was amazed at how quickly Will reappeared. His long legs carried him swiftly to the car, and Elyssa watched him through the side mirror as he came to a halt when he realized she was seated in the front. She could not prevent the smile that came across her lips.

  Manuel opened the door for him and he slid in. “So, Elyssa, do you have a problem with motion sickness that requires you to sit in the front?”

  She turned to look at him with a furrowed brow. “No, Mr. Denton. I just wanted some conversation and I think Manuel is just the one to provide me with it!”

  Will began a retort, but was halted by the ringing of his phone. The look Elyssa gave him with her sharply raised eyebrow said more to him than any words she could have spoken.

  As they drove to the preschool, two conversations were being carried on. The one in the front seat between Elyssa and Manuel dealt with their families and interests. Elyssa enjoyed getting to better know this man who was a husband and father of four children. The conversation in the back seat of the car dealt with sales figures, profits and losses, and a sundry of other business particulars.

  When they arrived at the preschool, Elyssa directed a sly grin at Will when he inadvertently gave it away that he had not been paying any attention to where they were going. He had just finished his call and put his phone away when he looked out the window.

  The street was filled with buildings -- if you could call them that -- propped up and supported with any piece of metal or sheeting that could be found. Many were vacated and boarded up, and it made you wonder whether people lived in them. Small children dressed in ragged, dirty clothes, observed them curiously with their dark, wide eyes as they pulled over to park. There was a stench in the air that permeated everything.

  Will’s eyes flashed as he looked out. “Would someone please tell me just exactly where we are and what in blazes are we doing here?”

  Chapter 6

  Manuel looked back at his boss, attempting to remain dignified and not give in to the smile that was threatening to escape. “La Casita de Esperanza.”

  “This is the preschool? What is that dreadful stench?”

  “The dump, Sir. It is just a few blocks away. Most of the people who live around here survive by sifting through the dump and using whatever they can find in whatever way possible. They keep some of their treasures or try to sell it or recycle it. Depends on how vigilant you are in retrieving the stuff after the trucks dump it.”

  Elyssa looked in awe at Manuel. “And the children?”

  “They’ve learned that’s their survival, too.”

  Elyssa had no idea. The tightness within her belly rivaled the pain she felt in hearing of Janet’s death.

  Manuel was quickly out of the car, but both Elyssa and Will had opened their doors. Elyssa gave a sly glance at Manuel who only shrugged his shoulders at observing Will letting himself out of the car.

  “Let’s get inside,” Will ordered. “I don’t want to dawdle out here any longer than I have to.”

  Elyssa could see that he was uncomfortable, but she had to admit that she was, too. She had hoped that his coming with her today would make him ill at ease and she had succeeded. She had to admit, though, that anyone would feel that way coming down here and seeing the way the people lived. It wasn’t so much being afraid for herself, but the wrenching pain deep inside knowing that people had to live this way.

  Manuel retrieved the large piñata from the car and hopped up the steps, ringing the bell outside a heavy wooden door. As they waited for the door to be opened, Will glanced up and down the street. Elyssa wondered if he felt he might be some sort of target for thieves. She had to stifle a laugh as she considered how he would have felt if he had worn his expensive designer suit and they had come in the limo.

  The door was opened and a small woman peered out. Manuel addressed her
in Spanish and she opened the door, letting them enter.

  Bowing slightly as they came into a reception area, she uttered an, “Un momento, por favor,” and stepped out through a door. Elyssa looked around her and saw a small table with crafts that the children made in the corner of the room. Elyssa walked over to it and picked up one at a time, looking closely at each one and then setting it back down in another place.

  Will watched her curiously, as she did not seem to be setting them back down randomly. Instead, she seemed to be purposely rearranging the whole table display. He was about to say something to her but was prevented in doing so when another woman returned to the room.

  “Good morning and welcome to Casita de Esperanza,” she said with a slight Hispanic accent as she came toward them. She took Elyssa’s hands in hers. “You must be Janet’s sister.”

  Elyssa nodded. “Yes, I am Elyssa Barnett.”

  “It is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I am Rosa Martinez.” She turned to Will. “And you are Mr. Barnett?”

  Will quickly shook his head and stammered, “No, no, my name is William Denton, an… an acquaintance.”

  “I’m glad you have come. Shelley Walker called to let us know you would be coming this morning. The children are looking forward to it as well. We’ll take you through each of the classrooms and let the children sing a song for you and then once you’ve done that, the children will come out to the courtyard and have a great deal of fun with that piñata you brought.”

  Looking at Will, she said, “That was so thoughtful of you. The children will love it!”

  Elyssa looked derisively at him. George was the one who deserved the thanks for the idea of the piñata and he knew it!

  As they walked out, Elyssa asked Mrs. Martinez about the children that came to the preschool.

  “They all live within a few blocks of here. Two years ago several local people felt that something needed to be done for the children that lived around here. This preschool was built to give the children an opportunity to learn and play in a more positive environment.”

  “The parents must be most grateful!” she exclaimed.

  Mrs. Martinez drew a pensive look about her. “You would think so. But unfortunately, some don’t even allow their children to attend because that takes precious time away from their only source of family income.”

  “Sifting through the dump?” Elyssa was horrified.

  Mrs. Martinez nodded.

  “I cannot imagine!”

  “It is difficult to comprehend, and yet these children know nothing else, so to them it is normal.” She smiled. “The children are as precious as any you will find. I am sure you will discover that for yourselves.

  As they walked through the hall, Elyssa was amazed at how colorful and bright everything was -- and clean, too! They came to the first classroom and the children all wore brightly colored smocks over their tattered and worn clothes. The teacher said something to the children in Spanish and they all looked at Elyssa with wide eyes and sad looks upon their faces.

  Manuel, who had joined them, informed Elyssa the children had been told that she was Janet’s sister.

  It was apparent the teacher did not speak any English, so her attention remained on the children. She had them stand and they sang a song. As they did, Elyssa was amazed at how well behaved they were. They had a joy in their faces that belied their living conditions. She snuck a glance up to Will to see how he was faring. He stood rigid and expressionless, almost as if his thoughts were elsewhere. Elyssa swallowed hard as she made a vain attempt to keep the tears from pooling up in her eyes and she knew their time here was only just beginning.

  There were four classrooms and each was the same. They each had a song prepared. One class had made a large card that read, “To Janet’s sister, We are sorry. We loved Janet very much!” and was signed by each one of them in large, scribbled letters. It was obvious that the teacher had written out the words in English. Elyssa was touched to think that Janet had made some sort of difference in these children’s lives; children who lived in conditions that she would never be able to fathom and yet they seemed surprisingly content.

  When they went out to the courtyard, Manuel had hung the piñata and the children squealed when they saw it. The children sat down on the benches that lined the courtyard from youngest to oldest and Mrs. Martinez brought out a large stick. The children wiggled and squirmed in eager expectation and Elyssa openly admired each one.

  One by one, the children were blindfolded and given the opportunity to give a few swings at the large, papier-mâché bird. Manuel, who must have done this dozens of time before, pulled the string to which the piñata was attached to make it swing wildly and rise up high off the ground.

  Will stood off to one side. It seemed to Elyssa that he was busy looking at everything but the children. She watched as he pulled out his phone and stepped around the corner of the building. She shook her head in disgust as she realized he allowed his work to interfere with every moment of his waking hours. Most likely he was asking for a car to be sent to pick him up as quickly as possible!

  Elyssa sat down and once the children had taken their turn swinging at the piñata, they came over to her; some more tentative than others. A few climbed right into her lap, others touched her long, pretty hair, and a few simply stood back timidly and watched.

  After a while, Will finally returned and Elyssa watched him walk over to a bench across the courtyard from her, sitting down next to the last child in the line. Elyssa had to laugh when he unexpectedly found himself the object of unwanted attention as children began to climb up into his lap, much like they had hers. She waited for him to shoo them away and remove himself from their midst, but instead, he leaned down to talk to them, tickled them, or simply held their hand.

  Elyssa continued to watch in amazement as he pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and put them on a little boy. The children around him began to giggle and laugh, and soon they all wanted to try them on. He passed them around from one to the other, getting the same gleeful response from each child. Elyssa wondered if they were an expensive pair, as his actions totally surprised her.

  Her attention was drawn back to the piñata, which was becoming more and more tattered, but still holding tight to its treasures. As the older children were now the ones taking swings at it, Manuel maneuvered the ropes to a greater extent to make it more difficult for them to hit it. The piñata swung high and low and from side to side. Elyssa hoped that all the children would get a chance to take a swing. She was certain each child wanted a turn, but she was amazed at how they cheered each one on and waited patiently for their own opportunity to break it open.

  One of the last, older boys gave the stick a hefty swing, striking the piñata full force and it broke open, spilling candy and little toys all over. Suddenly all attention was drawn to the center of the courtyard where the children scrambled for whatever their little hands could gather. Elyssa walked over to make sure each child was able to get some treasure of their own. When she looked up over the crowd of children, she saw a little girl off to the side standing by Will.

  The little girl seemed hesitant to throw herself into the melee. Elyssa was about to go see to her when Will suddenly picked her up and said something to her. The little girl nodded her head shyly and he walked into the crowd of children with her, reaching down and picking up a handful of candy and toys that had not yet been claimed.

  Holding tightly to the priceless treasures, he walked back over to the bench with her and sat down. When he opened his hand, the little girl reached for something immediately. It was a pink plastic toy ring. She slipped it on one of her fingers and looked up at Will and smiled. She held out her hand as if it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

  After admiring it for some time, she tentatively reached into his hand for one of the pieces of candy, tore off the wrapper and ate it, remaining perfectly content in his lap.

  Elyssa observed this all with conflicting messag
es assaulting her. He could not behave like this! He was not that type of man! She had expected him to come here and be appalled by what he saw and withdraw, wanting nothing to do with these children. She had half expected him to wait out in the reception area of the school. The last thing she anticipated was for him to take to the children as he seemed to have done.

  Once every little toy and piece of candy had been claimed and snatched up, the children all returned to the benches to assess and enjoy their bounty. Elyssa’s attention was drawn back to some of the other children coming up to her to show her their treasures. The joy the children had was contagious and she found herself enjoying herself more than she had in a long time. Even though she spoke very little of their language, she easily conveyed to them how special each one was with her engaging smile.

  When it was time for the children to return to their classes, even though they had been with the children for barely an hour, Elyssa found herself reluctant to part with them. There were several children who had easily wound their way into her heart and she realized she really didn’t want to leave. As she leaned over to give hugs to the children or clasp their little hands in hers, she looked across the courtyard to see how Will was faring. She saw that the little girl was still happily seated upon his lap, but his attention was not on his new friend. It was riveted back upon her.

  As the children proceeded to line up and bid farewell, Will placed the little girl on the ground in front of him. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Elyssa watched as the little girl’s eyes lit up, giving him an enthusiastic nod, and then she ran to find her place with the other children.

  Even more difficult than leaving the children was stepping back outside the walls of this haven and realizing these little ones only spent a few mornings of the week here for only a few years of their life. Elyssa, Will, and Manuel all walked out in mutual silence; unable to formulate the words to describe what each was feeling.