The Foreign Service Journal, June 2005

“But I lied,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears. “A Mexican proverb says, ‘You judge the way you live.’” He took a final bite of his burrito and wiped his hands on his jeans. “I’ll be at her house all week paint- ing. Esperanza, numero 7. My name is Juan Diego,” he said as he slowly got to his feet, brushed the seat of his pants and turned to her. “I have to get back to work, hija. You going to be all right?” “Sí, señor. Muchas gracias for everything: the help, the food, the words. Thank you, señor.” She didn’t want him to leave. As long as he was here, the breeze kept blowing and the shade grew longer. When he left, she’d have to make decisions. “Remember, hija, Esperanza, numero 7. But maybe you’ll get the visa. In that case, ‘No hay mal que por bien no venga.’ Hasta luego, hija.” There is no bad from which good doesn’t come. She turned the words over in her mind as she watched him until he reached the corner. He waved, and slowly dis- appeared behind a house. She looked down at her hands, slightly swollen with red indentations from the gravel. The blood on her knees had congealed. She kicked off her shoes and pulled off the remains of her stockings. It would have to do. The interviewer could only see her from the waist up anyway. Not that it mat- tered. But, of course, anything could happen. She stopped. Anything could happen. Juan Diego was right. She didn’t have to go back to Culiacan. She could get lost in this city. She could do it. He had called her strong. She had never felt strong. But he was right. Look what she did! She saved her money, escaped from her husband, and survived. This didn’t have to be the end. This could be a begin- ning. She could do anything. Stay in Hermosillo, go to the U.S. someday. She could do anything. A smile spread across her face. She pursed her lips together, straight- ened her shoulders, and lifted her chin. She was some- body. Rosa glanced down at her watch: 1:45 p.m. She’d have to hurry. She gave a quick squeeze and whispered “Gracias” to Guadalupe in her pocket, gath- ered up her purse and headed for the consulate. n F O C U S J U N E 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 57 Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” h finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives