hardly reconcile the elegant lady before us with the role the warden described you playing in such an affair.”
Musgrave nods in agreement with his friend’s words.
“I doubt someone as angelic and young as you could be involved in such perfidy,” Bryson adds. “We would like to hear your story.”
Their manners are impeccable, the solicitous way in which they speak to me a welcome change from the guards here. But at the same time, I have quickly learned that drawing attention to myself only hurts my case. That Berriz is the nephew of the Spanish minister of war and a close personal friend of General Weyler has certainly brought a great deal of attention to my alleged crimes, and Weyler himself has taken a keen interest in my future. After all, it wouldn’t do for my story to inspire others to rise up against the Spanish and their cruelties.
“I cannot give you an official statement,” I caution, even as hope blooms.
What if this is the answer to all I have prayed for?
“You must understand that the charges before me are quite delicate,” I add. “The Spanish are quick to anger, and I cannot take the chance that they will retaliate against me for speaking with you.”
“That is understood,” Bryson replies. “We are here because we are genuinely concerned about the travesty that has been done to you. We promise you discretion. We will do everything in our power to see you liberated from this hellish place.”
Tears well in my eyes, falling down my cheeks. I’ve never cried so much as I have in Recogidas, not even over the loss of my mother, and their simple kindness undoes me.
Or maybe it’s the fact that in the face of all I stand to lose, this chance to fight for my freedom feels like one of the most important moments of my life.
I can do this. I can be strong. I have to be.
I square my shoulders and meet their gaze. “What would you like to know?”
* * *
—
My throat is sore after my meeting with George Bryson and George Musgrave. I think I spoke more to them in one sitting than I have since I came to Recogidas. I’m not sure what it is about the two men that has made me trust them so much, but at this point, I have little to lose. I can die in Recogidas, or in a penal colony at Ceuta, or I can cautiously take my chances with the Americans.
Soon enough, they prove their loyalty to me.
The warden corners me one day, the stench of his putrid breath inches from my face making me gag. “You’re being moved, Evangelina.”
My heart pounds. It isn’t the first time they’ve told me such a thing; they regularly taunt me with all sorts of possibilities dangled before me.
“To Ceuta?” I ask, referring to their penal colony in Africa.
“No, not Ceuta. Yet. Apparently, the American consul general Fitzhugh Lee has taken an interest in your case. You clearly have some fine benefactors. Consul General Lee personally came by to look at your accommodations and that of the other political prisoners. He protested over the fact that you and your friends are forced to share quarters with common criminals.
“You’ll sleep elsewhere from now on. Hopefully, it’s up to your elevated standards,” he says mockingly. “If you have any complaints about the care you receive during your stay here, please let us know.”
There’s enough innuendo injected in his voice, coupled with the earlier comments he’s made about me, to leave me with no doubt as to where his thoughts lie and what he thinks I should do in order to secure better accommodations myself.
I can barely suppress a shudder.
He grips my arm, his fingers digging into my skin, leading me toward my new home, and despite the horrible feel of his body against mine, the stench of his odor, the moisture of the sweat wetting his palm, my heart is light.
Perhaps there will be a different future for me.
* * *
—
They move me from the mass hall with the other prisoners to a smaller cell of my own. I am allowed to read books and to cook my own food, and even though I’m alone, it’s almost like it used to be when we lived on the Isle of Pines when I was able to make a home for myself and my family, even in a difficult situation.
I still miss my family and friends, but I cling to the hope that I will