Pedrito’s Diary, Day 5
Sunday, January 26, 2025
The guard took me outside. Other uniformed men were pacing up and down the back gates. The one who walked with me for a little bit, pointed at a large boulder and said loudly, “Go over there and hurry up! It’s too cold outside for me to wait for you long.” I was in a big hurry anyway. So, I rushed toward the boulder but then stopped. The back gates were lit with huge lights, and 1 of them was positioned to have the boulder in clear sight. All the guards could see what I was about to do. I felt so embarrassed that I thought about holding it in. But maybe a minute later, I had to let go. The smell of old pee turned my stomach. I wondered how any of us children could do number 2 here. In such a wide open spot. At home, we had a bathroom with a door, like all my friends’ homes did. Papa had put a small fan in ours and it was on all the time. I prayed that I would never have to do a number 2 over here.
Once I was brought back inside, a smile went through my face. Alejandro had waited for me to return right there where he was before my first time using an open air toilet. “Did it go okay?” I smiled again, although I was still feeling embarrassed. “Yes. Thank you.” The guard had already gone to his original post. “Let’s go back to our small boy group,” said Alejandro.
The brothers looked happy to see me back. They patted my back, and remarked together: “Good for you! You can now wait for the food with ease.” As soon as the word “food” was mentioned, someone announced through a megaphone: “Form lines ASAP! Stretch your arms in the front so that you can touch the one in front of you. The faster you are in that position, the faster you will get your food.”
Many feet shuffling could be heard throughout the hangar. We also did as we were told. Each of the brothers lined up behind me. They made me feel like I had big brothers. I was in their protection now. I smiled again. I desperately hoped that Gabriela was as lucky. The smile immediately faded away from my face.
© hülya n. yılmaz, February 3, 2025
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