Pedrito’s Diary, Day 10
Friday, January 31, 2025
With his little hand, my new friend, Gabriel, signaled to me to bend down. Before I bent down to his eye level, I noticed that he had twisted his legs. “Brother Pedrito, I have to pee.” (This beautiful little boy with huge brown eyes had started calling each of us by our names but always adding “brother” to them.) I knew exactly what to do anymore. I held his hand and walked him toward the back gates. I told him, “Gabriel, it won’t be easy at first but then you will get used to it. Just remember that there will be a very bad smell.” He looked at me and just nodded his head.
The same man who gave us food and blanket earlier this morning was at the back of the hangar this time. I saw his name badge, Matias. “Mr. Matias, Sir, this is Gabriel. He needs to pee.” The man’s reply was friendly: “I remember the two of you. Come on, little guy, I’ll show you where you must go.” Just like Alejandro had waited for me on my first walk to the boulder, now it was my turn to make Gabriel feel alright.
When Gabriel returned with Mr. Matias by his side, he thanked him 3 times. Maybe his Mama and Papa taught him to do that. I also thanked the guard. “Gabriel,” he said, “I will be at one of the tables in the front this evening, giving out food. Make sure to come to me if you go there alone. You need to eat what you get not to get sick. OK?” “Okay,” answered Gabriel, and thanked the guard 3 more times.
Having passed his peeing outside test, Gabriel looked very relaxed, almost happy. “Mr. Matias is very nice. He helped me get to a big rock outside. He then turned around. I peed all by myself.” We all applauded Gabriel, “Bravo! You now are a member of our group, The 6 Brothers Club.”
Gabriel giggled for at least a few minutes. His little face lit up. He was beaming with pride. “When I am with Mama and Papa again, I am going to tell them right away! They will be so proud of me.”
© hülya n. yılmaz, February 9, 2025
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