Read Online A Thunderous Whisper by Christina Diaz Gonzalez - Free Book Online Page B

mentioned we were the last ones.”
    I knew that the church would stretch the sardines to feed a lot of people, and we’d already been paid enough for my Mamá to be satisfied.
    “No, you’re right. They’re all for the church. Some were donated,” I said.
    “Oh, how wonderful!” Lupe reached over to give both Mathias and me a hug—Carmita and her rag doll also getting sandwiched in.
    “We need to get going,” Mathias said, backing out of the group hug.
    “Well, we’ll definitely look forward to your visits on Mondays.” Lupe smiled and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
    I walked out of that kitchen feeling warmer and lighter than I had … well, than I had in a long time.
    “She was really nice,” Mathias said as we strolled toward my apartment, which was only a few blocks from the church.
    “Yeah, I’m glad we gave her all the sardines.” I tossed around the empty basket, which Mathias had agreed I could carry again.
    “What do you want to do now?” he asked as we approached the point in the street where the cobblestones ended and the dirt road that led out of town began.
    I shrugged.
    Mathias lifted his shirt up to his nose. “We’re kind of smelly, and it’s not that late.” He looked up at the cloud-filled sky. It wouldn’t be getting dark for at least another hour. “You want to air out? Go to the field?” He pointed down the road with his makila .
    My nose couldn’t register the odor of sardines on my clothes anymore, but I accepted the fact that we probably did smell. “By my tree?” I asked.
    Mathias rolled his eyes. “It’s not your tree, but yes … let’s go there.”
    We started down the road, and I fell two steps behind Mathias just to mutter, “It is mine.”
    For most of our walk to the field, Mathias whistled a tune that sounded vaguely familiar. I kept trying to place the song, but, so far, all I knew was that it wasn’t a church hymn or anything traditionally Basque. It was catchy, though, and the tap-tap-tap of his makila kept the beat.
    It made for a nice accompaniment to what was turning out to be one of the best days of my life. I stared at the passing gray clouds overhead. Even without the sun shining, I feltwarm inside. A part of me wanted to run as fast as I could, then dance and twirl around my oak tree. But I knew Mathias wouldn’t be able to do it, and leaving him behind felt wrong.
    The sound of trotting horse hooves made me turn around. An old farmer with white hair and a short beard was approaching us in his wagon.
    “ Kaixo , Mathias!” the old man called out, pulling on his horse’s reins, slowing down right next to us.
    “ Hola , Garza.” Mathias gave him a slight nod. “How’s Julián? Is he feeling any better?”
    “Little bit. Got him some more medicine here.” He patted a small brown bag next to him. “You going up there now? Seems a bit late, but he does enjoy your visits.” The old man’s gaze went from Mathias to me. “Or do you have other plans?”
    “We’re just going out to the tree.” Mathias looked over at me. “This is my friend Ani.”
    “Ah, nice to meet you, Ani. I’ve seen you out in the field by the tree many times with your father.” He pointed to a small house, midway up the mountain. “My wife and I live up there.”
    Mathias leaned closer to me and whispered, “He owns this land … including your tree.”
    I glanced down at my shoes. “Nice to meet you too, Señor Garza. I’m sorry if we weren’t supposed to be on your land.”
    The old man threw his head back and laughed. “ Ay, mija . Your visits to that old tree are like a blue jay landing … always a welcome guest. And you can just call me Garza, everyone else does.”
    I smiled. How had I never met this man?
    “I’ll let you two young folks enjoy your free time.” He snapped the reins and looked over at Mathias. “Will you be visiting Julián tomorrow?”
    Mathias nodded and waved as the wagon wheels picked up the dust of the road and the old