THE OLD WOMAN OF THE CANDLES by Kevin Piamonte

2001 by Ramon Sison

HOLY Thurs ay! The house "oome over the street! Massive! Win o#s $a%e o%en "i&e mouths! So this #ou" be summer 'or me! There #ere other houses nearby( but not as bi$ an o" as this one! As ) stoo outsi e the rusty iron $ate( Doray *ame runnin$ out o' the heavy #oo en oor! )t #as a"most sun o#n! +You,re 'ina""y here! ),ve been #aitin$ sin*e mornin$!+ She &isse me on the *hee&! +The bus bro&e o#n(+ ) si$he an $ave her a hu$! She brou$ht me insi e the house! The basement #as ar&! A 'ami"iar s*ent 'i"tere throu$h my nose! ) snee-e ! +)t,s o" #oo ( remember.+

SHE ha brou$ht me to )ba/ay( A&"an( a year a$o 'or her Lo"a Con*hin$,s 01th birth ay! We staye 'or a *ou%"e o' ays! Doray an ) usua""y s%en summer at bea*hes! She su$$este that #e s%en this %arti*u"ar one in her Lo"a Con*hin$,s house! ) e*"ine at 'irst( but *ou" n,t bear the thou$ht o' $oin$ to the bea*h #ithout her! So #e ma e a ea"! An hour,s ri e 'rom )ba/ay #as a #hite san bea*h!

+) %romise!+ She he" u% her han ! +We,"" $o to 2ora*ay a'ter! You /ust have to see ho# they s%en Ho"y Wee& in my Lo"a Con*hin$,s to#n!+ +2ut ),m not even a %ra*ti*in$ Catho"i*(+ ) %roteste ! +Don,t eny it 2urt Ma*arai$(+ Doray %ointe her a**usin$ 'in$er at me!+ On*e ) sa# you "i$htin$ a"" the *an "es in *hur*h so that 3ona #ou" "ive!+ As& an you sha"" be $iven! ) thou$ht that #as the o*trine o' the Chur*h! 3ona ie o' abuse three years! a$o! She #as one o' those ea' *hi" ren #e too& *are o' in the Center! The t#e"ve4year o" $ir" #as su en"y missin$ one ay! When #e 'ina""y 'oun her in a *emetery( her bo y ha been battere ! She "in$ere in the hos%ita" 'or t#o ays! The %ain #as ee%"y et*he on her 'a*e! Even her %"eas 'or *om'ort ha *ease to be human! +A"" ri$ht( a"" ri$ht!+ ) $ave u%! +We,"" $o to your Lo"a Con*hin$,s house 'irst( %uri'y our sou"s urin$ Ho"y Wee& an burn them a'ter in 2ora*ay!+ Doray an ) have been the best o' 'rien s sin*e *o""e$e! We #ere rin&in$ bu ies! Everybo y on *am%us thou$ht #e #ere a *ou%"e! )n a #ay #e #ere( sin*e #e #ere a"#ays to$ether! A'ter *o""e$e #e #ent on to o vo"unteer #or& 'or the ea'! We thou$ht #e #ou" be servin$ the best o' humanity! 2ut the truth #as #e #ere both re"u*tant to $et an ei$ht4to4'ive /ob! We *a""e that a strait/a*&et! For some reason ) #asn,t ab"e to ma&e it on the ay Doray an ) #ere su%%ose to "eave 'or )ba/ay! +You, better 'o""o#( mister(+ she #arne ( her han ba""e to a 'ist!

SAN 5ose Street( )ba/ay! Doray to" me that on Ho"y Wee& the to#ns%eo%"e 'o""o# a *ertain tra ition! Her Lo"a Con*hin$ o#ne a Santo Entierro( the ea Christ! )t ha been #ith the 'ami"y 'or years! Every year( urin$ Ho"y Wee&( they #ou" brin$ out the statue an everybo y #ou" %arti*i%ate in the %re%aration! Some %eo%"e #ou" be in *har$e o' ressin$ u% the statue #hi"e others #ou" ta&e *are o' e*oratin$ the *arria$e that #ou" *arry it throu$h the streets! +What,s so e6*itin$ about that.+ +)t,s a 'east( 2urt( a *e"ebration!+ ) thou$ht it #as ri i*u"ous *e"ebratin$ eath! There #as somethin$ eerie about the #ho"e i ea! +Lo"a Con*hin$( o you remember 2urt.+ Doray as&e as #e $ot to the "an in$!

The o" #oman sat on a *hair *are'u""y "i$htin$ *an "es on the a"tar in 'ront o' her! Her "i%s reverent"y move in si"en*e an her $a-e #as stran$e as i' she #asn,t "oo&in$ at any o' the ima$es in %arti*u"ar! )t #as this same si$ht that $reete me a year a$o! +The o" #oman o' the *an "es(+ ) #his%ere to Doray on our 'irst visit! +He,s here to he"% in the a*tivities 'or the Ho"y Wee&!+ +)t,s $oo to see you a$ain( Lo"a Con*hin$!+ +Di you have a $oo tri%. Perha%s you nee to rest!+ The o" #oman stare at me! Her 'a*e "oo&e tire ! )t sa$$e #ith #rin&"es! 2ut ) *ou" see there ha been beauty there a$es a$o! The 'ine "ine o' her bro# so't"y *urve to $ray a"mon eyes! Her nose su$$este not S%anish es*ent! 2esi e her #as a #oo en *ane be e*&e #ith she""s intri*ate"y embe e ( 'ormin$ a '"ora" esi$n! +Come!+ Doray "e me throu$h the "ivin$ room! Carve "atti*e 'rames on #a""s *om%"emente the *han e"ier ma e o' brass an *ut4$"ass! +Where is the rest o' the 'ami"y.+ +They,"" be here in the mornin$(+ Doray sai as she o%ene the oor to the be room! ) ste%%e insi e! +You,"" s"ee% here!+ She in i*ate ! +That,s the #ashroom!+ +An the other oor to the ri$ht "ea s to your room(+ ) re*a""e ! Lo"a Con*hin$ #as b"in ! She su''ere $reat"y at the han s o' the 5a%anese! This ) *ame to &no# "ast year! Lo"a Con*hin$ #as a *om'ort #oman! She ha to $ive in so her %arents *ou" be save ! At 'irst she resiste ! Then the 5a%anese hit her on the hea #ith a %"an& o' #oo ! She be*ame b"in ! Then she $ot %re$nant! Was it her story or #as it 'or #ant o' a $ran mother that someho# ha +) thin& ),"" rest 'or a #hi"e(+ ) sai 7uiet"y! +Yes( o(+ she re%"ie as she o%ene the oor to her room! +We,"" have inner "ater!+ The room #as re%"ete #ith o" #oo en hea s o' saints! Some ha no eyes( but they "oo&e rea"! ) shivere 44a 'ami"iar 'ee"in$! )n 'ront o' my be #as a *abinet #ith $"ass *asin$! )t #as em%ty! The #hi'' o' *am%hor 'rom the #oo en hea s ma e me i--y an ) 'e"" as"ee%! Soun "y! ra#n me to her.

) WOKE u% to the soun o' voi*es! A so't stream o' mornin$ "i$ht see%e throu$h the $au-e o' the mos7uito net! ) hurrie "y #ashe an resse ! Then ) o%ene the oor an ste%%e out o' the room! There #ere %eo%"e movin$ aroun ( ta"&in$! +2urt Ma*arai$.+ An e" er"y #oman "oo&e at me &no#in$"y! +Yes! 2urt( you,ve met Tiya 2asyon(+ Doray be$an! +An Tiya Patrin$( Tiyo Lin o( my *ousins Te ( 5oey( )na( E"ena( Ni*&y an Damian!+ +We""( ),m ba*&!+ ) i n,t &no# #hat e"se to say! +Let,s have brea&'ast!+ She tu$$e at my arm! +Everybo y has eaten!+ The *ombination o' rie 'ish( s*ramb"e e$$s an 'rie ri*e s%rin&"e #ith *ho%%e onion "eaves ma e me very hun$ry! +Nobo y here eats meat on 8oo Fri ay(+ Doray e6%"aine as #e sat o#n! +)t,s the be"ie'!+ ) #as too hun$ry to min #hatever Doray #as tryin$ to say! +) i n,t bother to #a&e you u% "ast ni$ht(+ she sai bet#een bites! +You #ere snorin$ an ) too& *are not to #a&e you #hen ) %ut u% your mos7uito net!+ +) 'e"" as"ee% as soon as ) hit the %i""o#!+ +Di 2urt have a $oo s"ee% "ast ni$ht( Doray.+ Lo"a Con*hin$ as&e as she #a"&e into the inin$ room! She sat on the *hair at the hea o' the tab"e! )t #as un*anny ho# she *ou" move #ith /ust a *ane! She seeme to &no# every in*h o' s%a*e in her house! +8oo mornin$(+ ) $reete her! +Ah( there you are!+ Her hea 'o""o#e the soun o' my voi*e! +Di you s"ee% #e"" "ast ni$ht.+ +Yes( ) i !+ +You shou" ! You #i"" be oin$ many thin$s to ay!+ A'ter brea&'ast( #e #ent o#nstairs! The "i$ht 'rom the bu"b *oate the basement in amber! ) snee-e ! )n a *orner #as the *arria$e! 2"a*&! )t #as "ine #ith "eaves o' si"ver! On the *arria$e #as a *asin$ #hose si es #ere ma e o' $"ass! An$e"s #ith ar& 'a*es a orne ea*h o' the u%%er 'our *orners! The *arria$e "oo&e ominous( "i&e a hearse! Tiyo Lin o an Tiya Patrin$ *ame in!

+2oys( "et,s o this to$ether!+ Tiyo Lin o #ent to the *arria$e an starte %u""in$ it out 'rom the *orner! A"" o' us i our share! The #hee"s *rea&e ! +)t nee s oi"in$(+ Tiyo Lin o sai ! We %ositione the *arria$e un er the bu"b! +Why on,t #e /ust o%en the oor.+ ) su$$este ! +Then #e *an have "i$ht!+ +No( on,t(+ Tiya Patrin$ sai ! +)t,s a tra ition! Nobo y shou" see the Santo Entierro unti" everythin$ is one!+ ) he"%e %o"ish the *arria$e( shinin$ the "eaves o' si"ver "inin$! With a$i"ity Te *"imbe the *arria$e an uste the #oo en to% o' the *asin$! Tiyo Lin o #i%e the insi e o' the $"ass! No #ay #ou" ) $o in there( ) thou$ht! )t #ou" be "i&e $oin$ insi e a *o''in! +We,re rea y #ith the Santo Entierro(+ one o' the $ir"s *a""e out! They ha been *"eanin$ the bo y! The ea Christ #as "ai out on a mat! My stoma*h tumb"e over! ) 'e"t "i&e ) #as "oo&in$ at a *or%se in a mor$ue! +Are you a"" ri$ht.+ Doray a%%roa*he me! She ha been arran$in$ the '"o#ers an "eaves o' %a"m! +Loo&(+ ) sai 7uiet"y! +) on,t &no# #hat this is a"" about( but ),m not at a"" *om'ortab"e!+ +What is it.+ +The ea Christ! ) /ust on,t "i&e it!+ ) snee-e ! +An this s*ent o' o" #oo ( it,s rivin$ my nose nuts!+ She "au$he ! +What is so 'unny.+ ) "oo&e at her s7uare"y! +That,s #hat you $et 'or bein$ a hereti*!+ She brushe my 'a*e #ith the bou7uet she he" in her han s! +Oh( sto% that!+ ) #i%e my 'a*e! +) thin& ), better $o u%stairs 'or a #hi"e an rest!+ +Don,t be so "a-y! Lo"a Con*hin$ #on,t "i&e that &in o' attitu e!+ +We""( she,s not my $ran mother in the 'irst %"a*e!+ ) ma e my #ay u%!

Lo"a Con*hin$ #as sittin$ by the a"tar #hen ) $ot to the to% o' the stairs! The subt"ety o' "i$ht *omin$ 'rom the *an "es *aresse the 'eatures o' her tire 'a*e! +Are you one.+ ) #as start"e ! +No( Lo"a Con*hin$!+ +Who are you.+ Her voi*e #as stern! +Ah( you,re 2urt!+ +Yes( Lo"a Con*hin$!+ ) #as re"ieve that she re*o$ni-e me! +What are you oin$ u% here.+ she *urt"y as&e ! My throat #ent ry! +) #ant to rest 'or a #hi"e! ),m 'ee"in$ 7uite si*& be*ause o' the sme"" o' o" #oo !+ +) "i$ht *an "es 'or the Santo Entierro be*ause it is most %re*ious to us! )t is our in u9$en*ia(+ e*"are Lo"a Con*hin$! +)t %rote*te us urin$ the #ar! Doray,s 'ather #as a baby then!+ ) sat o#n in 'ront o' the o" #oman! +You mean the Santo Entierro has some &in o' %o#er.+ My *uriosity starte to $ro#! +Yes( it oes!+ Lo"a Con*hin$ *on'irme ! +)t %rote*ts us 'rom the evi" o' 8oo Fri ays! As#an$!+ ) a"most sni*&ere ! 2ut in her voi*e #as the #ei$ht o' her be"ie'! As#an$s( #it*hes #ere myths to my &no#"e $e! They #ou" '"y at ni$ht usin$ their hu$e bat4"i&e #in$s! Their han s ha *"a#s 'or 'in$ers( an their teeth #ere ra-or shar%! They #ou" "oo& $hou"ish( eyes $"eamin$ bri$ht re ! 2ut at aytime they #ere beauti'u"! My $a-e #as trans'i6e on the o" #oman,s 'a*e! ) sear*he 'or the e"i*ate 'eatures that use to be there! +They *ome out on the eve o' the eath o' Christ!+ Her voi*e s"i$ht"y 7uivere ! Was it 'ri$ht ) hear . Or a threat. ) #as $ettin$ e $y on my seat! Faith( be"ie'( &no#"e $e boi"e u%( b"urrin$ my min ! +You,"" see on 8oo Fri ay! When the moon rises( a"" #in o#s are shut in houses e6*e%t ours(+ she %rou "y e*"are ! +Win o#s in this house are "e't #i e o%en!+

)t a#ne on me! The Santo Entierro #as not the 'ami"y,s iin u"$en*ia! )t #as hers44'or a"" the 'ears she &e%t insi e! +) thou$ht you #ent to s"ee%!+ Doray ha *ome u%stairs! +No( ) #as ta"&in$ to your Lo"a Con*hin$(+ ) stammere ! Co" s#eat ri%%e 'orehea ! o#n my

+) to" him stories about the Santo Entierro(+ the o" #oman sai #ith an air o' a**om%"ishment! +Let,s $o!+ ) $rabbe Doray,s arm! For the 'irst time ) 'e"t a'rai ! Yet ) *ou" not un erstan #hy! ) ra*e *ame a'ter me! +Wait(+ she *a""e ! Everybo y stare at me b"an&"y #hen ) $ot to the basement! ) turne aroun an 'a*e Doray! We a"most bum%e into ea*h other! +Can #e $o 'or a #a"&.+ ) %ante ! We #ent to the %"a-a in 'ront o' the *hur*h! We #ere both 7uiet! ) %on ere #hy she brou$ht me to this stran$e %"a*e! ) 'e"t she ha one it on %ur%ose! ) never 7uestione events( %henomena! ) a"#ays too& them as thou$h they #ere a natura" or er o' the *osmos( "i&e birth an eath! True( ) i "i$ht *an "es 'or 3ona( but the $ir" ie nonethe"ess! ) 'e"t humi"iate ! That menia" tas& #as my turnin$ %oint! Never a$ain i *an "es burn! +This is #here the %ro*ession en s(+ she sai as #e sat on a *on*rete ben*h! We #ere 'a*in$ the *hur*h! +The %ro*ession $oes aroun ( throu$h severa" streets an it en s here at about seven in the evenin$!+ +Do you be"ieve in your Lo"a Con*hin$,s stories about the Santo Entierro.+ Doray "oo&e "ost in thou$ht! She $ro%e 'or #or s! +) on,t have any ans#ers( 2urt! 2ut this is #hat ) *an te"" you!+ Her eyes bri$htene u%! +What ) sa# #as the *ro# sur$in$ to#ar the Santo Entierro as it $ot to the oor o' the *hur*h! )t #as a ma s*ramb"e! Everybo y #ante a %ie*e o' the Santo! They say its hair or any %art o' its *"othin$ *an be use as an amu"et( a %rote*tion a$ainst evi" s%irits!+ Another mythi*a" e6%"anation! +),m hun$ry!+ ) stoo u% an #e #ent ba*& to the house! o#nstairs! Doray

Lun*h #as 7ui*&! Everybo y #as rushin$ to 'inish the mornin$,s a*tivity 'or the %ro*ession in the a'ternoon! ) #ent to s"ee%! )n the 'irst %"a*e( va*ations #ere meant 'or na%s! 2esi es ) 'e"t ) ha my share a"rea y #ith the *arria$e! +2urt!+ ) hear Doray,s voi*e throu$h my s"umber! +)t,s time to $et rea y!+ +Hmmm(+ ) %roteste ! ) #as too tire to o anythin$! +Wa&e u%( s"ee%yhea !+ She sat on the be ! +You,ve been s"ee%in$ 'or hours! Come on!+ She $ave me a $ent"e s"a% on my 'a*e! +A"" ri$ht!+ ) rubbe my eyes an $ot out o' be ! +Ca"" me #hen you,re rea y!+ She stoo u% an #ent insi e her room! When Doray an ) #ent o#nstairs( ) $as%e at the si$ht that $reete me! There #as the Santo Entierro insi e the $"ass *asin$ o' the *arria$e! As"ee%! )ts "on$ $o" en bro#n hair #as s%rea out "i&e a 'an! )ts bo y *overe #ith the ri*hness o' #hite an re ve"vet #as a orne #ith bea s o' $o" ! The *arria$e #as be e*&e #ith s%rays o' %a"ms an '"o#ers( the ones use 'or 'unera"s! Trin&ets o' "i$hts i""uminate the #ho"e %resentation! Death never ha this bri""ian*e! +We""( #e,re rea y(+ Tiya Patrin$ sai ! The boys44Te ( 5oey( Ni*&y an Damian44o%ene the oor an %u""e the *arria$e out! A sma"" *ro# stoo outsi e! They a%%"au e as #e ma e our #ay into the street behin the ima$e! They ma e the si$n o' the *ross an 'o""o#e us! As #e neare the *hur*h( ) *ou" see other *arria$es "ine u%( ea*h one *arryin$ a i''erent ima$e re%resentin$ Lent! We #ere ma e to %osition some#here at the en o' the "ine! An the %ro*ession be$an! The ban #ith s*ant *om%osition o' trum%ets an rums "a-i"y a**om%anie our stri es! ) sni*&ere ! +Shhh(+ Doray #arne ! When the sun *ame o#n( some %eo%"e starte han in$ out *an "es! +Want to "i$ht one.+ Doray s"y"y o''ere ! The %ro*ession #ent on 'or about t#o hours! Peo%"e "ine the streets! There #ere o" %eo%"e sittin$ on #hee"*hairs! Soon they #ou" ro#n in the sha o# o' the evenin$! ) thou$ht o' Lo"a Con*hin$ "e't a"one in the house seein$ the #ho"e %ro*ession in her min as she %raye 'or her sou"! )n her house *an "es burne "i&e tire s%irits! When #e neare the en o' the %ro*ession( the *arria$es #ere brou$ht insi e the *hur*h! one

+Let,s $o!+ Doray %u""e me! +Where.+ ) thou$ht this #ou" be the most a#aite event o' the ay! 2ut her *"ut*h s"i%%e o'' my arm! Then ) sa# a thron$ o' %eo%"e rushin$ to#ar s us! 5oey( Ni*&y an Damian stru$$"e to %u"" the *arria$e to the entran*e o' the *hur*h! On to% o' the *arria$e #ere Tiyo Lin o an Te bran ishin$ #oo en *anes "i&e #arriors! Everyone #as tryin$ to $et near the Santo Entierro! ) #as tra%%e ! ) *ou" n,t $et out 'rom the sea o' bo ies! The #ave threatene to *rush me! ) *ou" n,t breathe! ) #as ro#nin$! Some %eo%"e ha tears streamin$ o#n their 'a*es( sobbin$! Others s*reame as Tiyo Lin o an Te hit their han s #ith their #oo en *anes! +The hair(+ someone shoute ! +A stran o' hair!+ +No( on,t:+ ) *ou" no "on$er hear myse"' as ) #ent o#n( %resse by the rush o' #ave! Su en"y Tiyo Lin o an Te #ere %u""in$ me u%! ) s"um%e on the #oo en to% o' the *arria$e( *at*hin$ my breath! 2e"o#( the ma ene 'a*es o' %eo%"e re*e e as #e entere the %orta"s o' the *hur*h! We /um%e o'' the *arria$e! S#eat %aste my shirt on to my s&in! ) 'e"t #e ha $one throu$h a sie$e! 2ut the *arria$e #as inta*t! The $"ass remaine unbro&en! The "eaves o' si"ver "inin$ sti"" $"istene ! Everythin$ #as in %"a*e! The rest o' the boys( 5oey( Ni*&y an Damian( vo"unteere to stay behin #hi"e #e #ent home 'or inner! +You #ere "u*&y you i n,t $et *rushe (+ sai Te ! ) i not bother to say anythin$! ) ha not seen ra# ma ness be'ore! +)s he a"" ri$ht.+ Lo"a Con*hin$ as&e me as #e $ot to the to% o' the stairs! +2urt(+ Doray *ame to#ar s me! We nee not say anythin$ to ea*h other! Tears #ere about to 'a"" 'rom my eyes! +)t,s a"" ri$ht(+ ) he" her han s ti$ht! +),"" be 'ine!+ Later that evenin$ #e staye in my room an ran& #his&ey!

+),m sorry( 2urt( ) trie to $et throu$h!+ She re*a""e #hat ha%%ene ear"ier that evenin$! We #ere si"ent 'or a #hi"e! +)t #as so #eir ! They #ere s*ramb"in$! Those %eo%"e #ere 'anati*s!+

+The 'irst time ) sa# it ) thou$ht ) #ou" $o o#n on my &nees!+ She smi"e in isbe"ie'! Doray "e't at mi ni$ht to s"ee% in her room! ) tosse in be ! ) &e%t thin&in$ about the ma rush o' the *ro# to#ar s the Santo Entierro! What a#esome %o#er 'or one ma e o' #oo to ra# the ti e to#ar himse"'! My min ree"e ! )t #as 2"a*& Satur ay! The ay o' the ea Christ! )n the ha-e o' a"*oho"( ) $ot out o' the room an *autious"y ma e my #ay o#n the stairs an out o' the house! ) #ent out into the street an #a"&e to the *hur*h! The moon ha risen( bi$ an bri$ht! )ts *o"or oo-e beyon its sha%e an b"e the s&y! The street #as si"ent! As ) neare the *hur*h( ) hear its oor o%en! )t moane ! )n the imness o' the surroun in$s ) sa# 'our men *omin$ out o' the *hur*h! They #ere *arryin$ somethin$ #ra%%e in #hite sheets( "i&e a ea man! )t #as the Santo Entierro: Ob"ivious o' my %resen*e( they stru$$"e #ith its #ei$ht! S"o#"y ) too& severa" ste%s ba*&! ) turne aroun an *autious"y #a"&e ba*& to the house! Then ) sa# that the #in o#s o' the other houses #ere shut! Ti$ht! ) remembere #hat Lo"a Con*hin$ sai about the #it*hes! ) ran to#ar s the house( ra*in$ a$ainst the %oun in$ in my *hest! Then ) s#i't"y as*en e the stairs! When ) $ot to my room( ) thre# myse"' on the be ! At a sur%risin$ rate( ) tu*&e the mos7uito net in an *"ose my eyes! The Santo Entierro #as sto"en( the Santo Entierro #as sto"en: This ) &e%t re%eatin$ to myse"'! ) #ante to $et u% an te"" Doray! 2ut ) #as 'ee"in$ too hea y! ) 'e"t ) #as $oin$ to thro# u%! ) *"ose my eyes an *as*a e o#n into a "abyrinth o' ar&ness! Then ) hear a '"a%%in$ on #in$s! Wa&( #a&( #a&! )t '"a%%e in the bree-e b"o#in$ throu$h my #in o#! Wa&( #a&( #a&! There it #as a$ain! ) bo"te u%( *har$e #ith a *urrent o' e"e*tri*ity runnin$ throu$h my veins! The mos7uito net %"un$e o#n! ) stru$$"e a$ainst the mesh o' its $au-e! Then ) sa# the Santo Entierro: )t stoo insi e the $"ass *abinet in 'ront o' my be ! ) s*reame ! The shri""ness shot throu$h the sti""ness o' San 5ose Street! +2urt(+ Doray rushe in! ) s*reame a$ain! She %ee"e the mos7uito net a#ay! Then ) 'e"t her han s( her arms ho" in$ me *"ose! ) #as ren*he #ith s#eat! Someone &no*&e on the oor! ) "oo&e at the $"ass *abinet in 'ront o' my be ! )t #as em%ty! +The Santo Entierro #as sto"en!+ ) breath"ess"y #his%ere to Doray! +The #hat.+ She bare"y hear me! +The Santo Entierro!+ ) %un*tuate ea*h #or ! Doray stoo u% an o%ene the oor! Lo"a Con*hin$ entere the room! The Santo Entierro #as sto"en:+ ) *rie ! +)t #as sto"en!+

Lo"a Con*hin$ *overe her 'a*e( 'in$ers i$$in$ into her s&in! Her breathin$ *ame in s%asms! The rest o' her &in stoo behin her! ) $ot out o' be ! +Where are you $oin$.+ Doray as&e ! +To the *hur*h!+ ) $rabbe Lo"a Con*hin$ an *arrie her in my arms as i' she #ere a *hi" ! She #ea&"y stru$$"e a$ainst my stren$th! +Leave her a"one:+ Doray *rie ! The rest o' the 'ami"y en*ir*"e us "i&e the *ro# that ear"ier sur$e to#ar s the Santo Entierro! +No:+ ) stare at them! An #e a"" mar*he o#n into the ar&ness o' the street( a"" the #ay to the *hur*h! Lo"a Con*hin$ burie her 'a*e my *hest! Her resistan*e #as ro#ne in her sobbin$! The oor o' the *hur*h #as o%en #hen #e $ot there! Some %eo%"e ha "e't it o%en! We ma e our #ay throu$h the *arria$es insi e the sha o# o' the *hur*h,s be""y! )ma$es "oome ! Near the a"tar stoo the b"a*& *arria$e #ith "eaves o' si"ver "inin$! ) Set Lo"a Con*hin$ o#n on the '"oor She $ra%%"e #ith my 'eet( #him%erin$! +Here!+ Tiya Patrin$ o''ere me a *an "e! ) too& it! +Li$ht a"" the *an "es( 2urt(+ Doray,s voi*e 7uivere ! ) numb"y #a"&e aroun the *hur*h an "it a"" the *an "es ) *ou" 'in ! My han s shoo&! Lo"a Con*hin$ #ai"e Then ) sa# it! )t #as there! The Santo Entierro $"istene insi e the $"ass *asin$ o' its *arria$e! +)t,s here( Lo"a Con*hin$!+ My "i%s tremb"e ! +The Santo Entierro is ba*&:+ We a"" "oo&e at Lo"a Con*hin$( sti"" s"um%e on the '"oor! She ha sto%%e *ryin$! +Put out the *an "es(+ Lo"a Con*hin$ *omman e ! Nobo y move ! For a #hi"e everybo y ha stone e6%ressions on their 'a*es! +Put out the *an "es!+ This time her voi*e *ame un aunte ! One at a time her &in b"e# out the '"ames! Their somber 'a*es #ere $hosts e6tin$uishe #ith the %ast! The Santo Entierro 'a e into ar&ness! ) san& to my &nees #ith the "ast *an "e in my han s! Lo"a Con*hin$ rose! Layers o' tormente s&in %ee"e o'' her 'a*e that *ame to the "i$ht! ) sa# her rea" beauty!

)mma*u"ate( a '"o#er #hose %eta"s #ou" #ither #ith a *are"ess brush o' 'in$ers! ) sa# a $ir" o' ei$hteen #hose 'a*e #as as 'ine an $ent"e as the hair o' the #in ! Then the 'eatures s"o#"y *han$e #ith the iminishin$ '"ame! An bet#een "i$ht an ar&ness #as 3ona,s 'a*e *om%"ete"y evoi o' %ain! The "i$ht o' the *an "e in my han s '"i*&ere an ie as Lo"a Con*hin$,s b"in eyes $ave #ay to tears that ha #e""e throu$h the years! )n the ar&ness o' the *hur*h ) bo#e my hea as ) *onvu"se #ith my o#n truths! Lo"a Con*hin$ he" on to my arms as ) he" on to the *an "e! ) *ou" sme"" the %re$nant #hi%s o' smo&e risin$ 'rom the 'aint oran$e $"o# o' its #i*&! 2"a*& Satur ay! An no#( Easter Sun ay! ;9000 by Kevin Piamonte
This story has %revious"y a%%eare in %rint!