Afterlife - Julia Alvarez Page 0,51

idea to speak of the coming raid with Estela in the room. The girl might not understand the content but she’ll pick up on the tension. She has already been through more than enough. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Why hasn’t anyone made that into a magnet? Another demographic’s chestnut. Maybe it’s time to reinstate it in her circles?

Out in the mudroom, Roger stamps his foot when Antonia alerts him about the immigration enforcement plans. Goddamn damn it all! Interfering government people. What’s he supposed to do? He glares at Antonia as if it’s her doing, this Scylla-Charybdis predicament he is in. Another modern equivalent she might have mentioned to her students, citing her neighbor’s no-win situation, either break the law or lose his farm.

I asked my source the same thing, Antonia explains. I was told the best thing is to keep the workers on the farm. No driving them into town for groceries or other errands.

Roger jerks his head toward the kitchen, where they can hear the sounds of Estela finishing up her cleaning. What about her? I can’t be responsible for driving her to the hospital when her time comes.

As soon as Izzy is in their custody, Antonia will have to leave town again. Who knows what the next few months will entail, connecting Izzy with the treatment she needs. Tilly will head back to Ill-y-noise, and Mona to North Carolina. As the close-by sister, Antonia will have her hands full. More than enough good excuses to pass on Estela’s care. Antonia has got to stand firm. But still, it feels wrong to be playing hot potato with a human being.

I can take her for a couple of nights until I have to leave again, Antonia offers. Maybe she can ask Lulu, who knows everyone in the migrant community, for any suggestions. Maybe Lulu can house the forlorn girl and her baby. Estela could even help out with the cooking, earn a little money herself. Of course, Lulu will soon be scrambling to close up her kitchen, sounding the alarm among the migrant workers in the county. The migra is coming, the migra is coming. Antonia can feel the agitation in her own heart. It’s going to be a job keeping everyone from panicking.

Antonia recalls how patients would often call Sam in the middle of the night full of dread over some pain or problem. He always managed to calm them. What is it he would do that she can do now? Once she had asked him how he navigated his way past the Scylla and Charybdis moments in his life? (She had already explained the allusion, years back.) He thought it over, then shook his head. All he could think of was what his mother would always say when she found herself in a tough situation, drying her hands on her apron, Well, let’s see what love can do.

Another fridge magnet: this one with Sam’s mom’s words. But Sam would scoff at needing to highlight what was only common sense and basic decency. Be like reminding yourself to breathe—which Antonia reminded him has been a reminder given to her by any number of yoga and meditation teachers over the years. Let’s see what love can do, Antonia counsels herself now. The answers won’t come easy or quick or maybe at all. Maybe just asking the question will calm her enough to continue through the confusion of the present moment to whatever small certitude awaits.

While Estela collects her things in a satchel at the trailer, Antonia delivers the news to José and Mario. They are grim and silent. What will el patrón do now? The two men look to her, as if she were their puppeteer. ?Nos vamos? Do they run before they are thrown out—of the farm and the country?

Right now, the best move is to stay calm, not leave the farm for any reason. She’s taking Estela with her por si acaso. In case the girl goes into labor tonight. Antonia will drive her to the hospital. It’s all I’ve told her, Antonia says, lowering her voice. Best not to worry her with this troubling information for now.

But what if you are stopped? Mario wants to know. What will they do with Estela? Will she be deported? A good sign, Antonia thinks, his showing some curiosity if not yet full-blown concern about the girl he has discarded.

We will be fine, she assures him. It’s unlikely the sheriff would stop her to inquire about