Pedrito’s Diary, Day 27
February 17, 2025
There was much coughing throughout the night. It probably was very late when I finally fell asleep amid the many coughs.
I woke up to Gabriel’s voice: “Pedrito, wake up. Breakfast is ready. I’m so hungry!” Alejandro, Diego, Jose and Jesu were already standing up. Jesu looked a little pale and he was coughing quite a bit. So, I asked him, “Are you okay, Jesu?” Alejandro answered for him: “He coughed a lot during the night, and it seems that he is running a little fever.” I looked at both of them, and said to Jesu: “I am so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well, Jesu. I hope you will start feeling better after you eat something and have water.” Just then, Gabriel spoke: “Sorry, Jesu! Feel better, OK? If you are cold, you can have my blanket after breakfast.” Both little boys hugged each other, and all of us together made our usual trip to the food tables.
There were fewer lines this morning and they seemed short. I looked around and saw that some boys didn’t leave their beds. We all knew that this was against the rules. Our instructions were very clear, “Form lines and . . .!” When I heard Gabriel’s joyful shout, “Mr. Matias!” I was distracted. All of us hurried to his station. He greeted us in his usual friendly manner, “Good morning, boys!” We greeted him back with much enthusiasm. To me, he was a hero, our hero! We were able to stay together only thanks to this kind man. Every time I thought about the arrival of the busses that were going to take us to several different locations, my appreciation for Mr. Matias grew more and more.
On our way back to our spots, I clearly saw that some boys were still in their beds. I became curious. How was it possible for them, for any of us, to disobey the instructions? This question was stuck in my mind while I ate my breakfast. When we all finished our food, I asked everyone in my “Brothers Club”: “Did you notice that some boys are still in their beds?” Alejandro and Diego answered with a huge “Yes!” Just then, an announcement came through the megaphone:
“ATTENTION! Listen carefully! 27 of you got sick last night and now have a fever, and are coughing long and hard. Those boys will stay in their beds until we tell them it’s okay to move around. We instructed those who didn’t have a cough but were near the 27 boys to leave their spots and move to a bed away from the sick ones on the opposite side of the building. If you hear anyone coughing around you, go to the front of the building and tell a guard. Immediately!”
I looked at Jesu. His face was paler now, except for his cheeks. They were red. He was the only one amongst us with a cough. Diego whispered something to his ear. When Jesu started to cry loudly, I guessed that Diego gave him the bad news. “Don’t worry! I will come over to visit you,” said Diego. He was trying to comfort his little brother but I knew that the guards wouldn’t allow anybody who wasn’t sick to go over there.
When Jesu’s cries slowed down a little, Diego held his hand, and took him to one of the guards in front of the hangar. Alejandro and Jose stood up on their beds. I did the same. I could see them both. The guard unclutched their hands, and quickly, took Jesu to an empty bed. Jesu must have started to cry again. We could hear his loud cries all the way on our side of the building.
Diego was just standing there where the guard took Jesu away from him. Alejandro and Jose were still standing on their beds. They too were crying. I held my tears back, when I noticed the curious look on Gabriel’s face; his eyes were glued on my every move.
© hülya n. yılmaz, March 7, 2025
hülyaswritings 