The South Page #4

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Well me neither, but you get to dress in white

just like a bride.

Well when I grow up

I'm never getting married.

And why not?

Because all brides have that stupid look on their faces.

Look at the wedding photos in the stores, you'll see.

Alright, enough chitchat!

Wait, don't turn it off!

What do you want?

Milagros, do you think my dad will come to church tomorrow?

Of course he will

Its just - he never goes.

I know, but don't you worry,

I'll get him in there if I have to push him myself!

Now go on, go to sleep.

Good night, Estrellita.

Good night, Milagros.

(rooster crows)

Mom, these shoes are too tight!

I told you so in the store and you didn't listen.

That always happens at first, you know later

they get more comfortable

Julia, put a little talcum powder.

And now... the veil!

(shots fired)

What was that?

Agustin, out shooting.

Now who would think to do that?

My son's never happy

if he's not calling attention to himself!

Theres no excuse for firing shots

on a day like today

He does things like that when you least expect it.

But I'm getting used to it.

(more shots)

Will he be back soon?

Mom, will he be back soon?

I don't know, Estrella, I don't know.

Just like a bride!

Milagros!

The things you say!

Am I right, or am I right, Estrellita?

(many shots fired)

(choir singing)

(... corpus dominus de jesus cristo...)

Amen.

(... corpus dominus de jesus cristo...)

Amen.

Now, girls,

having received Our Lord

go and greet your parents.

He's here.

Where?

In the back.

If you get tired, you can step outside

but don't go, okay?

Okay.

He did it for me. He did it for me.

(accordian playing)

(cheering)

They left after the party was over.

late in the afternoon.

From that day on,

whenever I thought about the south,

those two women came to mind.

I don't remember clearly now

but I think it was around that same time

I discovered that,

in my father's imagination

another woman existed.

(Irene Rios)

Who could Irene Rios be?

Did she really exist?

Or was she just an imaginary figure?

Why did Dad write her name so many times?

Mom, do you know Irene Rios?

No.

Who is she?

No one - a new girl

who just arrived in my class.

I lied the first time

I spoke of Irene Rios

My mother's ignorance made me suspect that

behind this woman's name

my father was hiding something

unknown to me.

Thus without hardly realizing it,

I became his secret accomplice.

A few months later

when I least expected it

something extraordinary happened.

I discovered that Irene Rios existed for real.

It was on a winter afternoon,

just as school was getting out.

(knocks on glass)

Do you have a program?

You know its not permitted?

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