Saturday, July 13, 2013

Escape

She pulled her kids closer to her, though they were already nestled tightly in her arms. Five year old Carlos and four year old Meli had nodded off to sleep shortly after the train started moving, and for that she was grateful, but many things still scraped through her heart.

One was the safety of her husband. His parting words to her at the train station seemed to repeat so often that they became her pulse. "Liza, get to the coast- get the kids to safety, and keep yourself safe. We'll find each other again, I promise you." A hurried kiss, and he was gone into the darkness, gone to hide in mountain caves with other men targeted for execution by the warring rebels.

Although Liza's husband had been born in Texas, he and she both were Mexican citizens, proud of the gleaming little hotel they built themselves in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. However, their peace was shattered by the Mexican Revolution, which pitted rebel generals like Pancho Villa against pro-government forces. Because of her husband's foreign birth, he was assumed to be a government supporter and summarily marked for death by the roaming bands of rebels.

It became a cat and mouse game when rebel forces were near. The wanted men like her husband fled to the shadowy mountains to the west,  burrowing into caves they'd already stocked with provisions until rebel forces withdrew. Months before, Pancho Villa himself had even churned up to their hotel on his horse with other bandidos, leveling a rifle at Carlos and Meli. She'd stepped in front of her children and stared him down until he laughed and pulled away. (The Day Pancho Villa Came to Town)

This time, however, was different. A new, murderous spree by the rebels caught even women and babies in its net, and the little family had to escape under cover of night; him to the dark underground of the mountain tunnels and caves, and she and the children on a flatbed rail car, the only space left on the train, eastward to coastal city of Tampico, where the revolution was still only a distant rumble.

Liza didn't know what awaited them in Tampico, but she stoically set her mind to endure what she had to, whatever it took, to keep the children safe.

"We'll find each other again, I promise you," gave her strength. Her tears dried by the time the first rays of the sun warmed her skin and stirred the children. Other women and children on the flatbed car also began awakening, and the burgeoning young voices brought a level of comfort, even on a speeding train.

Carlos stretched and yawned. "Mama, will there be anything for breakfast?" Liza checked her bag, unsure how long she was going to have to make the hurriedly assembled tortillas and jerky last.

Meli was fully awake, too, but said nothing. Her luminous eyes scanned the rapidly passing terrain, broken only by the regularly placed telegraph poles.

"Yes, son, we will have some in just a bit. Don't stand, just stretch your legs here," she cautioned as Carlos tried to arise. "I don't want you to fall off the train!"

He giggled, but rubbed his cramped legs. He put a protective arm around Meli.

Liza kept her eyes on what she could see in front of them. She knew these trains could be attacked quickly by the rifle wielding bandidos.

Seeing nothing but trees, she relaxed just a little and pulled two corn tortillas out of her bag and a piece of jerky for both kids. She smoothed the blanket under them.

It startled her when Carlos yelled, "Look, Mama, look!"

Liza followed the direction of his pointing arm and what she saw made her drop the food, cover the children's eyes, and pull them close to her.

The passing telegraph poles now held bodies; bodies of men, women, old people, children. Some were hanging, some were nailed on, crucifixion style.

(To be continued...)


My grandfather, Carlos, is the little boy kneeling in the front, hands on his knee. His sister, Meli, is next to him, beside the dog. My amazing great grandmother is the second woman from the right. This picture is about the time of this story.

And to read the conclusion to this story, go here: Escape, The Conclusion




77 comments:

  1. Oh, Shelly, you are leaving me with my heart racing...

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    1. vanilla: It was too long to fit into one post, so I will post the second half soon. :)

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  2. Very interesting..and crossing my fingers for a happy ending.
    war stinks!

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  3. Oh, Shelly! Your stories are typically filled with drama and pathos and I always get emotionally involved. This one centers around your actual ancestors and includes a vintage photograph to make it all the more poignant. Not only that, but you left us with a cliffhanger. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a happy ending.

    F.Y.I. - I publish a new post tomorrow morning and then, next Saturday, July 20, I have a special Saturday post in which I will be celebrating my five year blog anniversary. You are one of my oldest, dearest and most loyal friends, Shelly, and I invite you to mark your calendar and join me for that special Saturday post one week from today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend Shelly!

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    1. Shady: What a wonderful anniversary for you! I will be out of town that weekend, but as long as I have wifi, I will be sure to log in. If I don't, I will check in Sun. night with your blog. How exciting!

      And thank you for your always kind words, my friend!

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  4. What a cliffhanger! You are one exceptional writer. Do you have a plan to publish these wonderful stories? I hope so.

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    1. Stephen: I do hope I can do justice to the rest of the story because it is a lot to try to reign in for one post. I appreciate your very kind words!

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  5. Shelly, what a heart stopping ending to Part 1 ... Am looking forward with not a little trepidation to the conclusion. I hope so much this family had a happy ending ...

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    1. jenny_o: What they went through during that time is something I am thankful I've never had to witness-

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  6. I hope for a hood ending too Shelly! sandie

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    1. Sandie: There is much to tell in the second half, so I hope I can do it justice!

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  7. You tell the story well Shelly. Its with a saddened heart that we all read your words. The photo is beautiful, and a great memory. What a sweet beautiful child your grandfather was, and what hard times to live through. We who benefit from the sufferings of others have no idea what it was like. We can only imagine.

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    1. Crystal Mary: Oh, those times were so different. I just don't know what I would have done had it been me having to cope with all that, but what strong, courageous people were forged in that fiery time.

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  8. What an amazing story so far. You've got me hanging on the edge right now. I mean, bodies on telegraph poles, husband hiding in the mountains, wife on her way with kids to Tampico not knowing what she will find there.Can't wait for part 2.
    I also liked the lovely photo too. It must be nice to see your own grandfather as a little boy too.

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    1. Rum Punch Drunk: It is terrific to see my grandfather when he was little, and I'm always struck by how much my mom looks like him. I hope to have part 2 up in a few days~

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  9. Like everyone else, I am eagerly anticipating the rest of this story! You hooked me from the first sentence, and I love that you included a photo. Well done, friend.

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    1. Amy: Thank you, friend! I hope I can do it justice~

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  10. You tell such compelling stories of your family history, Shelly! I can hardly wait to see the next installment!

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    1. Dr. Kathy: I hope to get it written tomorrow, and will have it up soon!

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  11. And I'm hoping to read the next installment soon ... Like tomorrow?? ;-) what a story. You have so many exciting tales about your family. It is wonderful that you are writing them down to pass on to the next generation. Maybe you should make this a 3-part story and fill us in on more details.

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    1. Nonnie: Thank you, friend! I hope I can do the next half justice- there are so many twists and turns in it I hope I can put it in a coherent form!

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  12. Very interesting! I want to read the rest of your story!

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    1. Lorna: Thank you! I hope to have it up in the next couple of days~

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  13. Oh my God ! This is something that I can remember and save for the times when my grand kids will be old enough to hear stories that will keep them curious and hoping for the best. There is happiness in the end I hope.

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    1. Munir: Thank you, my friend! I hope to get the second half up in the next few days~

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  14. What a gruesome sight and a horrible thing for those children to witness!

    I love the way you write, and look forward to reading part two!

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    1. Sherry: I can't imagine having to witness the things they did. Just horrible. Thank you for your kind words!

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  15. Wow! What an amazing family history! So good that you write this all down to keep your history alive for generations to come!! Can hardly wait to read the rest. :)

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    1. Rita: My great grandmother was a fine writer herself, as was my great grandfather, and I'm thankful to have letters and other written memories from them. I hope to have the second part done in a few days~

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  16. What a bloody great story and so gripping I can't wait to read the next installment it is even more amazing that this is your families history.

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    1. Jo-Anne: I hope to have it up in a few days- thank you!

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  17. That's so frightening, and you tell it so well.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie: I can't imagine being in their place and having to see all that~ horrible!

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  18. Incredible, you have such a magnificent way with words. A fantastic way to share your amazing family history. I am glued in place for the next installment!

    xx Jazzy

    PS: My silent sunday is a badly taken picture of my son heading off with his scout troupe for a whole week... longest time away from home for him!

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    1. jazzygal: It will be an adventure for him, to be sure, and I'm sure he will have a wonderful time!

      Thank you for your kind words- I hope I can pull everything together neatly for the second half~

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  19. wow... lovely... eloquent... eerie...great story! I must remember to come back to read the next part!

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    1. Michelle: Thank you! I hope to have it up in the next few days~

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  20. Oh how awful. What a family history you have! And thank you for sharing its rich history with us!

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    1. Lydia: It makes me ever thankful for the life I live today. People went through so much back then~

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  21. That was an amazing read. Well done.

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  22. This was great. I'll be watching for the next installment! It's so wonderful that you have these family stories. I'm sure every family has stories, but not all families pass them down. Think about her climbing onto that rail car wearing that long dress.

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    1. Carol: I can't even imagine navigating anything in those constricting styles of that era. Gosh- I couldn't have done it. And I wish more people would write down their family stories- it's a shame when they die with the oldest generation~

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  23. How frightening to have to live through that! Thank you for sharing. I know this is real-life, but it reads like a novel. I can't wait for the next installment.

    You have a gift, my friend...you're a natural story-teller. :-)

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    1. Janette Dolores: I can't imagine seeing the things they saw, going through what they went through...and I'm ever thankful to live in this day and time! Thank you so much for your always kind words- they always, always encourage me!

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  24. WOW--what a story. And even more--the way you told it! I can NOT wait to read more. ;)

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    1. Elisa: Although I knew my great grandmother well, she never spoke of the details of this story. My grandfather and his sister were the ones who shared it. I think my great grandma just wanted to keep the horror of it buried. And thank you!

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    2. I've been stalking your blog, so curious to read the conclusion. You've really hooked me with this story! :)

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    3. Elisa: Ha! Thank you- I hope to have it up tonight or tomorrow~

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  25. Dearest Shelly,
    I was SO surprised from the last paragraph! The impact of the terrible scene must be really huge especially when you are kids.. People sometimes have to go through hard time, which we can never imagine! Even makes it so as this is from your ancestor's true story, my friend. My father never told us his war experiences.
    So sorry for my usual besides the point comment p;) I thought 'tortilla' must be very important food like our 'onigiri , rice ball' kind of counterpart.
    I hope your week will be wonderful one.

    Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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    1. Orchid: I love how you compare the tortilla to the onigiri, my dear friend- I do indeed think they must be similar. I would love to taste an onigiri someday, although I am sure they are harder to make than tortillas!

      Experiences like this one and your dad's war experiences can make or break a person. In the cases of my ancestors and your dad, they used those horrific things to build good things in themselves.

      I do hope your dad is doing better! xo

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  26. What a riveting true story. Mankind is anything but kind. That mankind has survived this long surprises me with so many fingers on the nuclear button. :-(

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    1. Roland: So true- it is something of a miracle that any of us at all are left today. Brutality, sadly, I assume is something that will always be here. Thank you for stopping by~ headed to your place now~

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  27. Oh my gosh Shelly!!!! Don't tease us like this!! Please, please...hurry and tell some more!

    Wow. Your family history is full of wonderment and tragedy and a will to live/survive. I admire your roots!!

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    1. Ps...Bud loves the history of Poncho Villa, so I'm gonna have to stop and send him here to read your post soon.

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    2. HOOTIN ANNI: I hope to have it up tomorrow, and when I think about their stories, I'm very grateful to live in this day and age!

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    3. And that Pancho Villa was something else. He made incursions across the border at least up to here, another reason I'm grateful I live in this day and age!

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  28. This reminds me of that movie For Greater Glory. Wow. Your grandfather must have so many stories, amazing, miraculous stories, because he lived through it all.

    Can't wait to hear the rest. I feel like we are sitting around a table and you are telling the story, and then it's time for bed....we have to hear the rest later!!

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    1. Jamie Jo: They were all so matter of fact with those stories, like it was no big deal. I am so glad I didn't have to live through it!

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  29. Oh, and I love, totally LOVE that picture.

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    1. Jamie: Isn't it neat, the clothing and hair and everything? I'm really struck by how much my mom look lie my grandfather after seeing this picture~

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  30. Oh, how horrible.

    I love the picture too.

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    1. Theresa: It's hard to believe times like that were so close to our own lifetimes~

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  31. How terrible. But it was a riverting true story. Thanks for sharing Shelly!

    Nas

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  32. As always, your skill at story telling is top notch. Even though it was scary and sad, I still loved it. When you tied it all together with an old family photo, I was part of it. I can't wait for part 2!

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    1. Pat: Thank you! I hope to have the second half up later today or maybe tomorrow.

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  33. I love how close to home you keep your stories and the pictures make it that much more personal, can't wait to read the conclusion!

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    1. Julie: Thanks! I hope to have it up tonight or tomorow~

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  34. This is an incredible story of courage and strength. History feels fresh and alive when you write it, and personal too. I love the picture to give us a connection to the children's beautiful, innocent faces. What a brave great grandma you had!

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    1. Jenny: That is one of my favorite pictures of my grandfather. And yes, my great grandma, as humble as she was, was made of loving steel.

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  35. Because I'm behind everyone else in reading the story, I get to go right on to the continuation!

    Love the photos! I find myself staring at every little detail.

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    1. Anita: Thank you! And I love that photo- I don't think I could have handled the fashions, but I do enjoy looking at them~

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  36. You write with such clarity of tone, I felt as though I was on that flatbed car beside your family...going straight to part two now! :D

    And the photo is wonderful!

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    1. Cathy: Thank you! A great story like this is easy to tell~

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