Eduardo

When I got done with the marathon on Sunday, I checked my email and had a message from Leda. She told me that winter had begun on Ometepe, and there had been much rain. This is exactly how it was when I was there last year. Soon the red, black, and yellow spiders will return.

I had asked her how Eduardo was, and in her message told me that she knew nothing of him anymore. He had gone to live with his grandmother in Altagracia.

Hearing this news definitely sent me into a state. It had never seriously occurred to me that Eduardo might not be there when I go back. I thought the worst that could happen would be that he became an insolent teenager or that he might not remember me. But it never crossed my mind that he would be gone.

Altagracia is not at the end of the world though. Its about an hour away (either by bus or bike) from where we lived in Mérida. If I just stay calm and ask around, I could probably find him there. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. But Rob said to me, if I did find him, what would I do then?

I don’t know. I guess I wouldn’t do anything. Its not like I could really bring him home with me. I just want to see him and make sure he’s okay. I’d say hi and bring him some clothes that might not even fit (how can I be sure how much he’s grown since I’ve been away?) and then go back home again. It does seem kind of empty though, doesn’t it?

I just can’t stop imagining all the horrendous scenarios that might have occurred which would explain why he no longer lives with his mother. She had two other kids—was it just too much to take care of all three of them, with no money, all by herself? Was it because of the school? Maybe the school in Altagracia is better because its a bigger city? Maybe after Joël left, there was no one to teach English, so Eduardo went to Altagracia to keep learning. Or maybe he got a job there. A lot of tourists pass through Altagracia; probably there are a lot more ways to make money. Even when you’re only 12.

This poor kid has been shuffled around his whole life. For his first 5 years he was raised by an auntie who took him to Costa Rica. I still can’t imagine how he got there, but I’m afraid it might have involved crawling on his belly through the brush and having to be very quiet. And now he’s been sent to live with his grandmother. If his mother loves him as much as she ought to, all of this must be very, very hard for her.

At any rate, I guess this explains why I haven’t heard from him since January. Everything just seems really gloomy right now. Whenever I eat something, I keep hoping he’s not hungry.

Please send your best wishes to dear little Eduardo. Thanks for reading.