And before signing the documents, he made his reasoning very clear:
“I’m old and live alone. I don’t even know where my three children are now. But this boy… he brings me food every day, cleans my house, gives me back rubs, and buys my medicine.
If anyone takes care of me, it’s him I’ll leave what I have to.”
The three brothers froze. Motionless, they exchanged glances of astonishment and shame. Javier’s wife, unable to contain herself, shouted:
“This is abuse!
He’s already old! How is it possible that they allow him to sign over the land like this, without consulting us?”
Don Ramiro, calm and serene, shrugged:
“There was a lawyer. Government officials were present.
The new deeds were issued last week.” If you want to challenge it, do so in the district court in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Only Luis, the youngest and quietest of the three, turned around, his eyes brimming with tears. He remembered the many times his father had called, asking tenderly,
“Will you be coming home for the holidays?”
And how he always replied,
“I’m busy with a big project, Dad.
I’ll make it up to you next year.”
But now… there would be no next year.
