The morning sunlight streamed through the narrow windowpane above Julie's bed, and was reflected into many brilliant colors by the shinny metal bed frame. Julie slowly opened her right eye and watched the multicolored display on the wall of the trailer. She was too restless to go back to sleep and it was too early in the morning to wake the others. She quietly dressed and, after checking that the reporter was comfortable, left the trailer and followed the main horse trail that led to town. She walked briskly. In fifteen minutes she left the forest and entered the more-populated area just outside of town and parallel to the railroad tracks.
Julie walked past several old houses occupied by black families. The conditions reminded her of the communities that hugged the coastal roads of her beloved island of Vieques and the hilltops of Puerto Rico. Children were playing in front of one house and Julie heard a mother calling to the children. "Adam, Christy it's time for breakfast!"
Julie stared at the mother for a while then walked up to the house and faced the woman standing on the porch.
"I saw you the other night in town. Weren't you staying at the school?" asked Julie.
The woman looked at Julie, shrugging her shoulders, and answered, "Yeah"
Julie waited for the woman to continue, but after an uneasy silence Julie asked: "Could you tell me why you were in town, ma'am?"
The woman picked up a small boy, turned and walked toward her front door and then spoke. "That's what I want to know. If you can answer that, then come inside and tell me."
Julie followed the woman through the front door and into the kitchen. The mother sat the little boy at the table, next to three other children. Julie's eyes widened when she saw the table set with plenty of food; fried potatoes, bacon, biscuits and eggs. "This looks very appetizing."
The woman responded kindly. "Would you care to join us? I have coffee on the stove. Help yourself."
Julie nodded and walked to the stove, "Thank you. I hadn't realized how hungry that walk made me." Retrieving a cup from a small hook above the stove, Julie poured the coffee and sat next to the woman.
The children were fidgeting, but none of them touched the food. Instead they all focused on the mother, except for a few quick stares at Julie.
The mother turned to the oldest child, "Luana, please say grace this morning."
Luana lowered her head and clasped her hands together.
Julie studied Luana, who was about fourteen years old but already seemed much more mature.
Luana prayed, "Bless us Lord for this bountiful food and for keeping our family together."
The mother looked at Luana.
