30 - small but significant

Even before Mary and Jaki had arrived in Baluntay, Arvind and company were putting the final touches on things in the village. People had scoured the scrap piles and rescued what they could. Most had even begun to settle into their new homes.

“Mr. G? What about me?”

It was Joy.

“What about you?”

“Where do I stay?”

“We thought you might want to stay with the Velascos.”

Joy’s face wrinkled.

“Why can’t I stay with you and Rosie?”

“You know that wouldn’t be fair to everyone else.”

“But they all have a home.”

“Not all of them,” Rosie reminded her.

“Could I stay with Mr. and Mrs. Rana?”

“You cannot stay with the Rana family. They’re Muslim and you’re Catholic. You will stay with Mrs. Velasco.”

“I don’t think Mrs. Velasco likes me.”

“What on earth makes you think that?”

“I don’t know. I just do.”

 “I doubt she’d offer to take care of you if she didn’t like you. Just stay with her until we sort things out.”

Joy stood quietly and pondered over the idea of staying with the Velascos.

“She’s a very good cook. Plus, you and Juvie could become the best of friends.”

“I guess so.”

“Good,” said Rosie, “I’ll help you get moved in right away.”

Rosie took Joy to the new Velasco house, where Juvie and her mother were busily decorating the interior.

“Welcome, welcome, Miss Joy. Welcome to your new home. Juvie and I made up the house just for you.”

“You’ll be sleeping on this mattress with me,” said Juvie.

 Their shared bed consisted of a simple futon pad sitting directly on a thin layer of straw and cloth mats. Joy looked at the small pink backpack that sat at the end of the bed.

“That backpack is yours,” said Mrs. Velasco.

“I know it’s not as nice as the Hello Kitty pack you used to own,” said Juvie, “but we found it down in the debris and I cleaned it up just for you.”

Joy opened the zipper and looked inside.

“You can put your books and pencils and papers in there,” said Mrs. Velasco.

“I don’t have any of those things.”

“I know that, but when we get those things – you can store them all in there.”

Joy sighed.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, I like it very much. It just makes me think.”

Mrs. Velasco nodded, “it’ll all work out for the best. I also prepared some pork and rice noodles for dinner. Would you like some?”

Joy nodded.

“There is nothing worse than an empty tummy. We’ll eat and then we can figure things out.”

“I hope we figure things out soon,” said Joy.

Rosie bent down and planted a kiss firmly upon Joy’s forehead.

“Well, doodlebug,” she said, “I think you’re in good hands, so I’ll say my good-byes to all of you and I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, Rosie,” said Joy, “I’ll say my good-byes, too.”

After Rosie left, Joy enjoyed a small dinner with the Velascos by flickering candlelight. Afterwards, Mrs. Velasco told the girls a bible story and tucked them into bed. She fastened the mosquito net above their futon and sealed it tight. With a few quick puffs, Mrs. Velasco extinguished all the candles. It was about two hours earlier than the girls’ usual bedtime, but with no electricity or light, there was little else they could do. They lay quietly in their beds and listened to the conversations from the surrounding houses.

“Mrs. Velasco?” whispered Joy.

“Yes, Joy?”

“Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome, dear.”

The two girls laid on the futon across the room from Mrs. Velasco. They remained silent as they got used to their new surroundings. They also listened to the Serencio family, who had carried on conversations since sunset. Rosie was staying with them. Joy wanted to be there, too.

“Do you like your new home?” Rosie said to Herve.

“Yeah, but it’s too empty.”

“I agree,” said Rosie, “maybe it needs something to cover the walls.”

“I could make paintings in class,” said Herve, “but we need a dining room table, too.”

“I don’t think I could possibly afford a table, but I’d like it if you made some paintings for the walls.”

“I could do that.”

“That would be so much nicer than these dirty brown walls and floors.”

“Then I will make us four paintings, one for each wall.”

“And I will see if I can find something to place on the floor,” added Maria.

“That would be very good, too.” replied Mrs. Serencio, “what will you do tomorrow, Miss Sasfy?”

Rosie, who had been daydreaming ever since she asked Herve how he liked his new home, stopped staring at the roof and propped her head on one arm as she turned her attention to Mrs. Serencio.

“I’m not sure, but I guess it’ll be cleaning the Academy and getting things in order.”

“When will the children go back to class?”

“I’m not sure of that, either. Mr. G. hasn’t told us what to do next. I guess he has more important things to worry about. I wonder about Joy, too. What will we do about her?”

Mrs. Serencio heaved a sigh, “I don’t know.”

“I don’t think any of us really do.”

As Rosie and Mrs. Serencio chattered long into the night, Juvie and Joy both listened intently. Joy wondered what would happen to her. She was not comfortable here. She wasn’t comfortable anywhere, for that matter.

Even though she’d been the last awake, Mrs. Serencio was the first to get out of bed the following morning She packed her purse with kitchen tools and lifted a large bag of rice onto her shoulder as she headed up Academy Road. Daybreak had not yet arrived and it was still dim and gray as she arrived at the Academy, Mr. G. was there, too.

“What are you doing up so early?” he asked.

“There will be plenty of hungry mouths to feed and somebody needs to fix breakfast.”

“That’s very noble of you.”

“I’m not being noble – it’s just the right thing to do.”

Jonny nodded, “I suppose you’re right. We’re still a community that needs each another.”

“It’s the only way to go. What did you have in mind for today?”

“I plan to finish cleaning the Academy and then I’ll take inventory to see what we need. I don’t know how I’ll replace all those books ruined by the tsunami.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way.”

Mrs. Serencio dumped the bag of rice on the ground and went outside. Mr. G. followed along, helping as she gathered firewood. Afterwards, they built two piles of kindling and started a pair of cooking fires.

“I wish I had your positive outlook,” said Jonny, “I don’t even know what all I’ve lost.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. It’s just a bunch of material things anyway.”

“I know, but there’s so much to do.”

“What about the children? What are we going to do about them?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like Joy. She doesn’t have a family. What will you do about that?”

“I am working on a solution for that, too.”

Mrs. Serencio already had it in her mind she should be the one to adopt Joy if her parents were never found. After all, the Serencio and Jaramillo families had always been extremely close.

“Do you mind if I search the metal cabinet for food stuffs?”

Jonny shook his head, ‘as long as you don’t mind sifting through mud and slime.”

Mrs. Serencio picked through the clutter in the tall metal cabinet and returned with an armload of goods: condensed milk, powdered eggs, and cans of SPAM. She mixed water with the eggs and began frying batches of scrambled eggs. The first batch was slow to cook, but as the skillet came to temperature, the second batch came much more quickly.

“I hope someone arrives soon. I don’t want it getting cold.”

“I think you’re in luck.” Mr. G pointed his walking cane down Academy Road. Rosie had rounded up the troops and everyone was headed their way.

“Rosie!” called Mrs. Serencio, “can you do me a favor?”

“Whatever you need, I’m your gal!”

“Take these sauce pots down to the village and fill them with water.”

“Can I go, too?” asked Joy.

“Of course,” said Rosie, “you can be my little helper.”

Rosie took two pots and Joy carried the third. In no time, they arrived at the village and filled the pots with water. The return trip, however, was anything but quick as Joy had to stop to rest every thirty to forty feet. When they arrived, everyone was finished with breakfast. Very few wanted to wait for cooked rice. Instead, they were eager to return to their new homes.

“Alright,” said Mrs. Serencio, “I’ll be happy to cook for the two of you. You did me the favor of fetching water.”

Jonny popped his head out of the classroom and Mrs. Serencio cooked for two more: Mr. G. and herself. Then, they sat down and ate as a foursome.

“Rosie, I need you to watch the kids while I run a couple of errands.”

“I’d be happy to watch the kids, Mr. G.”

“Where are you going?” asked Joy.”

“I have to update the census with the Red Cross and I want to visit with Arvind Lee.”

“Can I go with you?” pleaded Joy.

“You’d better stay here and help Mrs. Velasco fix up your house.”

“That’s not my house. My family isn’t there.”

“Joy,” warned Mr. G., “you know what I said about this.”

“Yes, Mr. Gutierrez.”

Joy’s head hung low and she remained silent throughout the rest of the meal. Then, after Mr. G. left for town, Mrs. Serencio and Rosie led Joy back to the village.

“Mrs. Serencio, can I live with you and Rosie?”

“I don’t think so, dear.”

Joy continued to pout, even when she tidied the house with Mrs. Velasco and Juvie. When they were finished, Mrs. Velasco was busy copying recipes into her new recipe book. Meanwhile, Juvie was styling her hair and blotting her face with a layer of bright pink makeup and glittery blue eye shadow.

“Joy, would you like it if I did your face and styled your hair?”

“No, not really.”

“You could use a little bit of makeup to freshen your face.”

“Juvie,” interrupted her mother,“ Joy is much too young for makeup. She’s just a little girl.”

Joy frowned at Mrs. Velasco. Then, she turned to Juvie and nodded.

“I would like it very much if you made my face.”

“Joy!” scolded Mrs. Velasco, “I said ‘no’!”

Joy folded her arms.

“You’re under my roof now. You will obey my rules.”

Joy flopped down on the futon and buried her face in the heavy folds of the mattress. Her muffled sobs were clearly audible from the Serencio house. Rosie and Mrs. Serencio promptly arrived outside the front door.

“What’s the matter?” asked Rosie.

“Joy is acting up. All drama, you know.”

“Joy,” interrupted Mrs. Serencio, “would you like to come over to our house for a little while?”

Joy promptly turned about to face Mrs. Serencio. A smile filled her face.

“No,” said Rosie, “Mrs. Velasco is her guardian and what she says goes.”

Joy glared at Rosie so hard it seemed as if she wanted to set her on fire.

“Rules are rules.”

Joy turned around and flailed her arms and legs wildly. Rosie quickly strode across the living room and snatched Joy by an arm. Everyone grew quiet as Rosie spanked Joy sharply on the rear.

“I told you that rules are rules! Now you apologize to Mrs. Velasco for disobeying her.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Velasco.”

“It’s okay, dear.”

There seemed to be an invisible line Rosie had crossed as everyone quietly went about their business.

Rosie nodded to Mrs. Velasco and returned to the Serencio house.

“I don’t think that was necessary,” said Mrs. Serencio. She’s a little girl without a clue where her family is.”

“I understand, but she has to be responsible for her actions.”

“I suppose you’re right, but that was a little harsh,” said Mrs. Serencio.

As Rosie tried keeping order in the village, Jonny was busy trying to tie up loose ends of his own. He began by heading into Gensan to file new census papers with the Red Cross. When he arrived, the medical tents had been stowed and the IRC moved their headquarters to the local high school.

“Wheree did everyone go?” Jonny asked the nurse.

“Everyone’s been relocated. Some have already been reunited with their families and some are in hospitals.”

“What about the parentless children?”

“They’re in orphanages until their families claim them.”

 “Alright,” nodded Jonny as he went through the list of lost parents. After a pause, he also filed the names of the single children, like Joy.

“What happens to the single children?”

“Then they go into the foster care process.”

Jonny finished the paperwork, leaving contact info with the nurse. Then, he stopped by the Construction offices for a visit with Arvind.

“Hello, Mr. Gutierrez!” greeted Jaki.

“Hello, Miss Gomez. Where is your boss?”

“He’s doing his work from home today.”

“I think I’ll drop by and pay him a visit.”

“Maybe I could help you,” offered Jaki.

“I’m not sure. I was asking about progress on the court filings for the Villas.”

“I think he’s decided to go another way with that, since everyone now has a home.”

“Oh?” said Mr. G.

“Mary said he probably can’t override the building codes without a little support from people inside the city offices, so he decided to build a sea wall around Baluntay.”

“We know people at City Hall…there’s Anne-Marie Kwok for starters.”

“She’s not going to allow new building permits for the Highlands.”

“I’m sure we could strike a deal that would benefit everyone.”

Mr. G. promptly headed into the Highlands and thumbed the buzzer at the entrance.

“Eiselle,” Arvind called from his desk, “could you get the door?”

“I think you’re closer!” she called down the staircase.

“Why do I even try?” he grumbled to himself as he pushed away from his work and wheeled his chair over to the monitor.

“Come on in!” he stated as he unlocked the gate. It rolled aside and Jonny pulled into the circular drive and parked behind Eiselle’s car. Arvind was waiting in the doorway as Jonny approached.

“Good morning, Jonny. What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to ask you about the building permit for the villas.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Maybe you’re right, but what if we return to that idea of a multi-use resort? I talked to Jaki and she mentioned a sea wall.”

“We’ve decided it’s probably best just to build a sea wall and leave it at that.”

“Why aren’t you going to build condos in the resort?”

“I don’t think we’ll be able to get residential building permits for that land, either.”

“What’s changed?”

“Anne-Marie sent an email detailing what Arvind Construction could do throughout the province, and she said she’ll enforce any code violations to the fullest extent if I don’t comply.”

“That’s blackmail.”

“That’s how things work in the province.”

Jonny’s shoulders slumped.

“Don’t worry, Mary and I are going to find a way, I promise you that.”

Jonny nodded, “if you need anything at all.”

“I know where to find you, dear friend.”

As Arvind escorted Jonny to the door, Eiselle reappeared at the top of the staircase.

“Ta-ta!” she said dismissively. As Jonny did his best to ignore her, Arvind simply shook his head.

“I said, ‘ta-ta!’” she repeated herself.

“Goodbye, Mrs. Lee.”

Eiselle clicked her tongue along the roof of her mouth and it echoed through the open foyer. Arvind gently eased Jonny to the door and saw him out.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, “we’ll find a way.”

Jonny returned to the empty shell of Our Lady Lupita Academy. He stood in front of the small gray-white statue of Maria Magdalena and asked for help. The lifeless statue simply stood across from him, two hands outstretched, both palms skyward. It was as if she was asking for help as well.

“Oh, my dear Maria, I think we need you more than ever.”

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