Read Online A So-Called Vacation by Genaro González - Free Book Online

plans.”
    Gus seemed on the verge of saying something, then thought twice and turned to Gabriel as a sounding board. “Look, I’m not the one telling the entire camp about my aches and pains.”
    Gus waited until the rest of the family received its money before counting his. If he had expected it to take his mind off unpleasant matters, it had the opposite effect. “This is it? I irrigated that field with my sweat, and this is it?”
    Their father, who had just finished collecting the rest of their wages, returned the look. “What did you expect? You only worked one day. And not that hard, I might add.”
    Gus glanced at the other envelopes his father held. “So let’s see how much you made, Dad.”
    â€œWell, when I was your age, I made a lot more than that.”
    Paula pretended to take his side. “And that was before adjusting for inflation. Right, Dad?” She massaged his neck where it merged with his shoulder, the way she always did, but this time he pulled away with a grimace.
    As he turned away, their father noticed the hefty envelopes Don Pilo held fanned out, as if ready to reveal a full house. “Well, neighbor, you collected quite a wad there.”
    Don Pilo shrugged. “My boys did most of the work.”
    â€œThat may be true, but we fathers do the work of raising them right.”
    â€œDon’t forget their mothers.”
    â€œI’m not. But in your case you’re both mother and father to those kids.”
    The flattery had its effect, even though Don Pilo did not acknowledge it. “I know some people don’t put much stock in what I’m about to say, but I’m saying it in all sincerity. Each and every night I ask my wife’s soul to help me guide our boys down the right path.”
    â€œOh, I don’t doubt that, not a bit.”
    Don Pilo squirmed in silence, as if wondering whether his homily had lacked the proper humility. Or perhaps he detected a touch of disbelief in the reply. But before hecould replace it with something more convincing, their father added, loud enough for the benefit of people close by, “Still, you earned a small fortune. Me, I didn’t make much, but I know how I’ll spend it. I’m buying parts for our van.”
    The remark took root at once, as someone added, “I just wish they made spare parts for people.”
    Don Pilo nodded. “That trip up here puts a lot of wear and tear on an engine.”
    Their father masked his smile, knowing he could not have asked for a better straight man. “True, especially from where we both came from. It’s a good thing I know my way around cars. Mechanics like myself can cost an arm and a leg.”
    Don Pilo gripped his pay envelopes, as though he might lose them to a con man.
    â€œBut not me, Don Pilo. I’m the working man’s friend. And people here aren’t exactly rolling in clover.”
    Gabriel sensed Don Pilo’s suspicion, so before his father could exacerbate things he interrupted. “Let’s get going, Dad.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œWhere else? To get those parts for the van.”
    When his face failed to register a connection, Gus added, “Remember your plan, Dad.”
    For a moment he remained in the dark, then all at once his beaming smile told them his mental lightbulb had clicked. He waited until Don Pilo was out of earshot.
    â€œWhen you’re right, you’re right. Once they see me in action they’ll line up with their money. Who needs Don Rafa’s crumbs when I’ve got these babies?” He held out his hands proudly as if he were a surgeon.
    â€œOf course,” said Gus, “it would be better if it were on someone else’s car.”
    On the road to town both brothers sprawled in the rearmost seats while their father memorized landmarks for a return mental map. Gus recounted his money several times as if it might have multiplied in the interim.