Read Online The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez - Free Book Online Page B

some anti-revolutionaries on the way. Break up one of their plots. Show Fidel and Che that we’re true soldiers!” Manuel said.
    I thought of Doc Machado wanting to form a peaceful protest. How he’d been killed for that.
    “I thought the brigades were only about teaching the peasants how to read. Part of the literacy campaign,” I said.
    “Sure, but we all have a duty to the revolution. Getting rid of
gusanos
is part of it. Look at Che. Fidelput him in charge of the prisons, and he got rid of everyone who’s against the revolution. He is one tough
hombre
… just like me,” Manuel answered.
    “You don’t really mean that anyone who doesn’t support Fidel should be killed, right?” The image of Doc Machado, hanging, flashed before my eyes.
    Manuel looked at me and then back at Raúl. “Well, no, I mean only if they deserve it.”
    Somehow, Manuel didn’t look like a movie star anymore. He started looking more and more like all the other
brigadistas
.
    He leaned over and whispered into my ear,
“Tranquila
, you’ve just got to say what they want to hear.”
    I pulled back and looked into his eyes. Maybe it was the same thing my family was now doing. Playing the game.
    I smiled and nodded, understanding what he meant.
    “So, you ready for Monday, Ivette?” Manuel asked.
    Ivette almost spit up the punch she was drinking. She started to cough.
    I looked back at Manuel. “What else is happening on Monday?”
    “Didn’t she tell you?” Raúl patted his sister on the back. “She joined our brigade troop. We’re all shipping out together. First we go to Varadero for some extra training, then we get our assignments.”
    I stared at Ivette, who had started to regain her composure. “
¿Qué?
You joined the brigades?”
    “I—I,” Ivette stammered.
    “And you didn’t tell me? You’re leaving in two days and you didn’t even tell me!”
    “I didn’t even know until a couple of days ago. I wasn’t planning on leaving so soon, but Mother thought it was best if I went with Raúl.” Ivette rolled her eyes. “She says it’s my duty. I was going to tell you yesterday, but I didn’t know how. Then my mother told me what you’d seen in the park and that you were upset. I thought I’d just tell you after the dance. I didn’t want to make you feel worse.” She reached for my arm.
    I yanked it away. “I can’t believe you. Keeping something this big from me. I thought you were my best friend.”
    “I am.”
    I looked around. “I need to get some air.”
    Manuel took my hand. “C’mon. We’ll go outside.”
    I followed him out a side door, happy to leave Ivette and her lies behind me. The crisp night air felt good as it filled my lungs. Slowly it doused my anger.
    “Don’t blame Ivette. It’s hard to say good-bye, even if it’s only for a few months.” Manuel led me to a bench near the golf course.
    We sat down.
    “She never seemed to be into the revolution. I feel like I don’t even know her. And when did she join? She could’ve told me then, right?”
    Manuel smiled. “You know you really look verybeautiful tonight, Lucía.” He pushed a strand of hair away from my face.
    Suddenly I realized that I was outside, on a beautiful clear night, with a million stars twinkling above me, sitting on a bench next to Manuel.
The
Manuel. My heart started pounding so hard that I was afraid Manuel might be able to hear it.
    Slowly he leaned over and put his lips on mine. I felt the electricity run up and down my spine.
    Who cared about Ivette? I had just had my first kiss … and it was perfect!
    After a moment, I pulled back and smiled.
    “We should go back in. People will wonder where we are,” I whispered.
    Manuel inched closer to me. “Why? Your mother isn’t even here yet.” He kissed me again, but harder this time.
    I turned my head. “Manuel, I don’t—”
    “Shhh.” He pushed me against the edge of the bench’s arm. “Don’t you want me to remember you while I’m gone?”
    “Yes,