Boy Who Said No : An Escape to Freedom (9781608090815) Page 17

  “I understand the political situation very well.”

  Cuni scrutinized me. “Make no mistake about it. The coast guard has orders to shoot people on sight—no questions asked. Deaths at sea are never reported in the press—or anywhere else. That way no one knows how many people are trying to escape. You just disappear. ¿Comprendes?”

  “Comprendo.”

  “Questions?”

  “Do you have any idea when this might happen?”

  “It depends on many things, including the weather. I have something coming up in twenty days, but I have to make sure there’s room for you.”

  Sergio and I looked at each in alarm. This was much sooner than either of us had anticipated. The family’s visa applications had already been made, but the Hernándezes were still awaiting the CDRs to inventory their possessions. If I left in twenty days, I would leave before the Hernándezes. What would I do when I got to America? Where would I stay if Magda and her family did not arrive before me? Still, it was a way out.

  “One other thing,” said Cuni. “I am your only connection. You are to talk to me—and only me. You are not to ask questions. Not where. Not how. Not who the fisherman is. Don’t ask. Leave that up to me. That’s my job—it’s none of your concern.”

  “All right.”

  Cuni looked back and forth at the two of us. “I don’t want you to give me your answer now. I want you to think it over carefully. I won’t be responsible for hasty decisions.”

  “That’s fair,” I said.

  “Then it’s settled.” Cuni smiled slightly. “We’ll get together next Sunday. Same time, same place—to talk. Now I must go back inside. This is my only day off.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Sergio and I left the restaurant in silence. The enormity of what we were about to do was suddenly hitting us. My stomach was letting me know it existed, and I was so nervous it felt like a swarm of hornets had embedded themselves under my skin. We walked to the car deep in thought. When we settled ourselves in our seats, Sergio turned to me and asked in a voice laced with concern, “What do you think of Cuni?”

  “He seems okay. He’s exactly what Ralph said he would be.”

  Sergio considered my response for a minute. “Do you think you can trust him?”

  “My instincts tell me yes. Besides, we have no other options.”

  “That’s not the point. The point is whether he’s someone we can rely on.”

  “Who knows? We don’t have much information to go on. But if I had to go with Cuni or someone else I didn’t know, I’d take him.”

  “Fair enough.” Sergio thought for a moment. “What will you do if you don’t get picked up by the Americans?”

  I heaved a sigh. “I’ll just have to take my chances with that as well as with everything else.”

  “But how will you get to us?”

  “I’ve memorized the address of the place you gave me in Miami. I’ll make my way there from wherever I land—come hell or high water.”

  “Even if you’re taken to Canada? Panama?”

  I shrugged, pretending to be less afraid than I was. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll find a way to Magda—no matter what.”

  Sergio stared out the windshield before turning his gaze to me. “Look, Frank, it’s not my life on the line here. I understand the magnitude of what you’re facing. This is a very difficult choice. Everyone in the family would understand if you decided to back out. There would be no hard feelings.”

  I regarded Sergio for a moment, knowing he was in a bind. This was almost as unpleasant for him as it was for me. “Thanks. But I’ve given this a lot of thought and I’ve made up my mind. I’m not going to back out.”

  “The odds are against you.”

  “I know. But I’ll chance it to spend the rest of my life with Magda.” I hesitated to make sure my voice would not betray my emotions. “She truly means more than life to me.”

  “She means the world to me, too,” said Sergio. “But I’m her father.”

  We both smiled.

  “My options are clear. Try to escape and spend the rest of my life with Magda. Or spend my life in communist Cuba. It’s not a difficult choice.”

  “I just want you to be sure.”

  I looked at my hands and thought of the scars that marked my grandfather’s skin, knowing full well that he would fight for the woman he loved. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m sure.”

  Sergio patted me briefly on the back.

  When we got home to the Hernándezes’ house, everyone was anxiously waiting to hear what had happened. Estel was concerned about whether we could trust Cuni not to betray us, and Sophia was worried that he would just take the money and not deliver on his promise.

  As the discussion progressed, blotches broke out on Magda’s throat and chest. It happened whenever she got nervous. I watched her as we talked. She was becoming more upset by the minute. I took her by the hand and led her into the living room where we could talk in private. I sat down on a hassock. She sat facing me on the couch.

  “Talk to me,” I said.

  Magda sighed, lowered her chin, and looked at her hands, twisting the ring I had given her around on her finger. She took a sharp intake of breath and said, “I’m beginning to think this wasn’t such a good idea. I feel so selfish for even asking you to do this.”

  I took Magda’s hands in mine, and we both looked down at the ring. “Is it selfish of you to want to marry me?”

  “It is when it could cost you your life.” The look on Magda’s face pierced me to the core. I reached up and smoothed the lines on her forehead, wanting to relieve her fears.

  “This is my decision, and I don’t want you to feel guilty about it, no matter what.”

  “I’m just so afraid,” said Magda. “I don’t know what I would do if anything ever happened to you.”

  “Listen to me. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve been trained in survival tactics, and I’m a damn good swimmer. I’ve got as good a chance as anybody of making it. Lots of people get to America. Why shouldn’t I?”

  “But it’s so dangerous. Everyone says so. There’s got to be another way.”

  I folded Magda into my arms and brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “Well, there isn’t. We’ve been over this again and again. And I’m more than willing to chance it if we can have a future together.”

  “It just seems unfair that you have to be the one to risk your life. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.”

  I sighed. “It’s just the way it is. And I’d rather it be me risking my life than you risking yours.”

  Magda fell silent for a moment. “Do you have faith in this man, Cuni?”

  “He seems competent and careful. This isn’t the first time he’s done this, so he must be on the up-and-up. Besides, Ralph has vouched for him, and Ralph is a friend of Abuelo’s.”

  I pulled Magda to me and could feel her head nod in agreement against my chest. But hard knots riddled her back. Tension permeated every cell of her body.

  Suddenly, she pulled away and looked up at me as if she were thinking about something. She jumped up so quickly she startled me.

  “Wait right here.” She ran up the stairs and was gone for several minutes. When she returned, her hair was pulled back and fastened with a black satin ribbon.

  “Are you going somewhere?” I was bewildered at her behavior.

  “No,” she said. “But just in case—”

  “In case of what?”

  “In case you get caught and killed.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I wanted you to know how I would look at your funeral.”

  I sucked in my breath, trying to steady my emotions. I didn’t want Magda to know how hard her statement had hit me.

  “If I get caught, there won’t be any funeral.” I brushed the back of my hand against her cheek. “I’ll just disappear.”

  “There will be a funeral with you or without you,” said Magda. “
If you don’t make it back, I’ll hold my own funeral for you—even if it’s only in my heart.”

  I blinked back my tears.

  “Oh, Magda.”

  She stood up and turned around. “I wanted you to know how pretty I’ll look for you. I wanted you to know that I would wear my hair the way you like it.” Her voice was strained as if she were trying to ward off desperation. Her eyes caught mine. “Do I look pretty?”

  “You always look pretty—more than pretty. I think you are the most beautiful girl in the world.”

  “Pretty enough to stay alive for?” A single tear slid slowly down Magda’s cheek. Then another and another, until she was totally overwhelmed with grief.

  “You know you are,” I said. “But being pretty isn’t what matters to me. You are what matters to me—just you.” I took Magda in my arms, expecting her to continue crying, but she shook loose of me.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I don’t know what came over me. That was such a stupid thing to do.”

  “It wasn’t stupid, it was just—”

  She waved my remarks away and set her jaw. “You are going to make it—you have to. I’m sorry about the hairdo thing. I—”

  “It’s okay. You are trying to cope with a very difficult situation.”

  “No, it’s not okay. We need to focus on your survival.”

  I took Magda into my arms. “The next time I see you it will be in the States. Let’s focus on that.”

  “Okay,” she said with just the hint of a smile.

  We stood and I pulled Magda to me, kissing her softly on the lips and exploring her mouth with my tongue. I ran my hand down her back, yearning to touch her buttocks. But I knew it might be more than I could handle, so I resisted the urge.

  We drove back to base that night in a somber mood. The possibility of death hung over us like a shroud. I feared that if something went wrong, I’d never see my sweet Magda again. Magda sobbed quietly against my shoulder and held my hand so hard it hurt. I comforted her as best I could.

  When we got back to base, we stepped out of the car and gave each other a long hug. I was surprised to see tears glisten in Sergio’s eyes. He patted me on the back, reminding me of my father. “We will pray for you.”

  “Thanks, I’ll need it.” I was happy for all the prayers I could get.

  I lifted Magda’s chin with my finger and gave her a long kiss in front of her father. He looked on and smiled slightly. He didn’t seem to mind. I waved goodbye as they got back into the car. Magda stuck her head out the window, her hand outstretched to me as her father started the engine.

  “See you in America,” she mouthed silently. I nodded and opened the door to the base.

  Manny and Lazo were all over me when I saw them, wanting to know all about the meeting with Cuni.

  “Tell us what happened,” said Lazo.

  “It went well. I can’t give you any details, but I’m going to leave.”

  “I think you’re crazy,” said Manny. “What if you get caught? A military tribunal is not like a civilian court. You could get life in prison as a traitor. Torture. Death. They could brand you. Nothing is worth it.”

  “Magda is worth it.”

  Lazo looked dismayed. “Can’t Magda wait until you get out of the army? Doesn’t she know the danger she’s putting you in?”

  “It’s not Magda’s fault. Other factors are involved. Don’t ask.” Lazo and Manny looked at each other, their faces telegraphing alarm.

  “Is Magda pregnant?” asked Manny.

  I shook my head. “No. We haven’t had sex.”

  Lazo looked perplexed. “Then give me one good reason why you have to leave.”

  I straightened my back. “Trust me. I have to do this. And I’m going to need you to cover my back. Are you game?”

  Manny shrugged. “I’m game.” He thought for a moment. “I take it you’re bringing your machine gun with you.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  Manny looked horrified. “Are you out of your mind? You are going out there without your gun? You know they’ll go after you. What if you get cornered and you don’t have a weapon?”

  “If I take my gun and something goes wrong, I’ll be hunted down as an armed fugitive.”

  “What difference does it make? If you don’t take it, you may be dead.”

  “And if I do take it, I could kill someone. Think about it, Manny.”

  “I have thought about it. And if I ever leave, I’m bringing a 57-millimeter cannon with me—the hell with the machine gun.”

  “That doesn’t sound like you, Manny.”

  “Well, I guess Brown is turning me into a real soldier.”

  We all laughed in spite of ourselves.

  With my escape only twenty days away, Estel set out to sell the family’s possessions before the CDRs came to take inventory. She earmarked money from the sale to pay for my escape. I felt at once grateful and guilty for the family’s generosity, knowing I would have never been able to pay Cuni without them.

  The Hernándezes’ house contained a wealth of paintings, antiques, silver, china, porcelains, and rugs. Quietly and discreetly, Estel informed her network of friends and associates to come to the house to buy what they wanted at a fraction of its worth. She even offered her jewelry for sale—pearls, diamond broaches, gold earrings. I tried to convince her to keep those items for herself, but she would not hear of it.

  A steady procession of people stopped by the house to purchase precious objects. Some were happy to get the bargains. Others came because they loved the family and wanted to help. Estel told people to come alone or with just one friend so as not to attract attention.

  People left with single items, sometimes stuffed in their pockets, sometimes hidden under their clothing, sometimes wrapped in brown paper and twine. Larger items were disposed of at night until only the rugs, bedding, and heavy furniture remained. Estel sold the family’s treasures with the organization and discipline of a general. She did it quickly and efficiently, without obvious regret or complaint.

  • • •

  The next Sunday I could not get away from the unit, so Sergio met with Cuni to finalize the escape plans. When I called Magda from the phone booth in Santa Maria, Sergio told me that I was to take the bus from Guanabacoa to Cojimar and meet Cuni at La Terraza at eight p.m. Sergio would make payment in full to Cuni two days before the planned escape.

  Lazo switched guard duty with one of the men from the 57-millimeter cannon units to provide me with cover on the night in question. He unlocked the gate for me. I thanked him before bidding him a hasty goodbye.

  I was going to miss Lazo, Manny, and Lieutenant Brown, and my heart felt heavy with loss. I walked to Santa Maria where Sergio picked me up and took me to the bus stop in Guanabacoa.

  I boarded the bus in my army uniform and settled myself in a window seat. The springs creaked as I sat down. I felt nervous and jittery, having spent a lot of time over the past two weeks considering what could go wrong. I rehearsed in my mind how to handle various scenarios. My stomach churned and a light perspiration slicked my face. I couldn’t imagine that things would go smoothly.

  The bus was old and cantankerous, emitting gray puffs of smoke and stalling occasionally at red lights. It lumbered along with its dusty windows and worn tires, stopping intermittently for people to get on and off. I thought about what I should do and where I would stay once I got to Florida. I had been too focused on my escape to think about it before.

  Not coming up with any concrete ideas, I decided to wait until I got there to figure it out. Besides, the problem at hand was big enough to fully occupy my mind.

  When the bus pulled up to La Terraza, there was a big commotion near the marina. I sat up in my seat and peered out my window to see a large crowd milling about. It was very noisy with much pushing and screaming. People’s eyes reflected fear. For a few minutes it was unclear to me what was happening. The military police and army personnel were out in full force. Several people were b
eing led away in handcuffs.

  I scanned the crowd for Cuni. He was standing on the curb of the sidewalk with a look of alarm on his face. He locked his eyes on mine and shook his head ever so slightly, indicating that I was not to get off the bus.

  I knew something had gone terribly wrong and it was incumbent upon me to stay put. A few people disembarked, and I leaned back in my seat, feeling grateful to have avoided disaster. The bus driver turned to me and asked, “Are you getting off?”

  “No. I forgot something in Guanabacoa. I need to go back home.”

  “Suit yourself,” said the driver. He put the bus in gear. A cloud of exhaust smoke filled the air. We waited a few minutes for the traffic to clear before moving on.

  When I got off the bus in Guanabacoa, I went immediately to Magda’s house. I was emotionally exhausted and full of angst. I banged on the door repeatedly, but no one answered. I realized the family had probably gone to Sophia and Rigo’s house for the evening, so I waited for them in the park. I checked every fifteen minutes to see whether they had returned.

  Magda and her parents arrived home around ten thirty p.m., totally amazed to see me.

  “Dios mio! What happened?” asked Sergio.

  “There was a problem in Cojimar. It looked like people were caught trying to escape. There was a big ruckus. The police and soldiers were there. They were leading people away in handcuffs.”

  Magda covered her mouth with her hand and emitted a noise from deep in her throat. I had never heard her make such an awful sound before. She ran to me and threw her arms around my neck. Her eyes were red and puffy as if she’d been crying.

  “Thank God, you’re all right.”

  Sergio regarded me with paternal concern. He was full of misgivings. “Did you see Cuni?”

  “Yes, but just out the bus window. He shook his head at me. It was obvious that he wanted me to stay on.”

  “Thank God!” said Sergio. “Are you okay with this?”