Page 16 - Fiction Rough draft--The Great Elopement_La Gran Fuga, setting rural PR, early 1940’s_Float

When he arrived to Delmitas house, don Manuel had already left. He found her mother Rosa

and sisters Ana and Mercedes, and told them where Delmita was. He told them what she

requested. Dona Rosa exclaimed​,” what? She sent you to get her grandma’s favorite

dress?The one papa always remembered his dear mother wearing? And the brooch her father

gave her his mother on her quinceanera?” I can’t believe this . Ay Dios mio!” Then Delmitas’

mom sighed, and said.” Esa muchacha me va a matar con sus cosas! “ Bueno, ya que voy a

hacer- Dios te guarde Edmundo. ​And she handed the items to him.

The Confrontation

The way back seemed much faster. He already knew what to avoid. But when he arrived at the
back window of his room, he heard a loud noise towards el balcon, the front porch , of the

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house.

Don Manuel was there on horseback, calling out Tio . And he was carrying his machete.
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Don Manuel was yelling. “Salga para afuera si se cree que es un hombre “Cundo! Come out as a man,”
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. By now neighbors were gathering in front of Petrona’s house. ​“Cundo, te llevaste a Delmit,a? Ven y

habla conmigo, hombre a hombre.” Why did you run away with my daughter, come speak to me , like a
man.

Tio Cundo later said that at that moment he felt a pang in his stomach. Whether it was that he

was in love or in trouble he was not sure. It all seemed so clear last night. He and Delmita had

promised love forever. She would be his mujer, his wife, for life. And they didn’t want to try to

convince the families. The families had their own plans for them and could not be convinced

otherwise.. No, Delmita and Cundo made an agreement. They would take life by the reins and

marry. That was the decision. And he knew he would take good care of Delmita.

HIs brother, Quique, said. ​“I’ll go with you. So did Petrona. She was crying but she figured don

Manuel might have some restraint if she came out too.

From the back window, Delmita said. ​“AVanza, hurry Cheito!!!​!”. Cheito had been so distracted

listening to the front voices that he forgot to call Delmita. But she saw him.

“I can’t climb back up! “He said. It’s easy coming down, he thought, but would be very hard to

get back in. Delmita whispered in earnest—”tirame las cosas arriba!” Throw the clothes up to

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me!