Pedrito’s Diary, Day 16
February 6, 2025
After breakfast, all 6 of us formed a circle on the floor. “I wonder if we’ll get our beds today,” said Alejandro. Diego asked: “When was the announcement about them? I can’t remember exactly but it has been at least a few days.” None of us could remember exactly. Following the hotdog day when many of us got sick, it had become more difficult to sleep on the concrete floor. We were all looking forward to the day when the beds would arrive.
“I’m very thirsty,” said Gabriel. He couldn’t save his water until this evening as we were told yesterday. I offered him my bottle immediately. Jose told me to stop, “I have an idea,” he added, “let’s pour all our remaining water into two bottles. We will then distribute the same amount to each of us whenever needed.” We gave him our water bottles. He first took Gabriel’s empty bottle, and filled it up. There wasn’t much water left in the rest of the bottles. Jose poured all the remaining water into one bottle.
Gabriel said right away: “I am thirsty. Can I please have some water now?” Jose spoke: “We each will have an allowance of water.” Gabriel asked, “how much can I have?” Jose answered, “Go ahead, take sips to the count of four.”
My mind got stuck on the word “allowance,” and I thought about the money my parents gave me. They gave me 2 dollars every day for my school lunch, and 2 dollars for the weekends for my chores.
I always saved the money Mama and Papa gave me, then gave it all back to them on Sundays. I repeated that every week. “No, our darling Pedrito, you keep your allowance. One day, you might need that money. Keep it safe,” was Mama’s response every single time.
“Did you all get allowances from your parents?” I asked the brothers. “Yes, except for Jesu, since he doesn’t go to school yet,” Alejandro answered. Hearing that, Gabriel told us he didn’t get an allowance either, that he also will once he starts school.
I wish we all had our money with us so that we could buy more water and food.
© hülya n. yılmaz, February 16, 2025
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