The Weight of All Things

They arrive at Señor Alvarado’s house, which is much more comfortable and full of food than the village from which they have come. He offers them cold beers and Coca-Colas. He wants to know who Nicolás is, and when Gerardo and Elias explain that they are taking him to the bus to ride to San Salvador, Alvarado explains that they won’t be letting the bus through. Just that morning the Army blew up the bridge at the dam, and they have placed roadblocks at alternate routes. They ask about the bus that Dr. Eddy is riding, and Alvarado assures them that travel from Honduras is still moving, but not for long. Nicolás begins to cry and wonders what he will do.

Gerardo explains to Alvarado that Nicolás was separated from his mother at the cathedral, and Alvarado takes pity on Nicolás. He asks where his mother lives and when Nicolás shows him the envelope with the return address of her employer, Alvarado suggests that he write his mother a letter. Nicolás thinks it is a wonderful idea, one that he had not thought of himself. Nicolás writes a letter to his mother at Alvarado’s table.