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ARRIBA!!! OUR NEXT CONTESTANT…
Feb
HOLA MIS AMIGOS!!!
We are now traveling below the equator (well, for the ones of us living in el Norte) to Paraguay! And Jeff Switt has shown us that even in the burning blazing sun, strength can blossom. With that, we present:
A Paraguayan Harvest
Who will miss a little peach from a peasant’s orchard?
At sixteen, Chelita is already too old. Her bones are hard, as they are wont to say about such girls. Fit only for farm work or as a trabajadora in a tourist hotel. But her younger sister Penelopia, at thirteen, is ripe for picking.
Chelita yells for her father as two men in green uniforms drag Penelopia from the orchard to a waiting truck. Chelita and her father can only watch.
A soldier pinches the fruit and is delighted with its ripeness.
“Just a little taste –”
“No!” orders the captain.
…
Penelopia, bound and gagged in the covered bed of the truck, struggles to breathe through a cloth sack tied over her head. Muffled whimpers fill the air. Two guards exchange lewd comments. One gropes Penelopia, and she cries. The guard slaps her head.
“Fuck the capitan,” he mutters, and fondles her again. The girls cower. They’ve all heard the rumors. Incoherent stories. Landfill corpses.
The police no longer investigate. Too much paperwork. And, of course, the bribes.
…
Midnight. The truck backs to the loading dock. The tailgate drops. Three women in grey usher the girls into a darkened building. “Love Me Tender” competes with static from a distant radio. Today’s catch netted a dozen niñas. Many will bring five hundred American dollars. Some more. The girls that don’t learn, given as bribes.
…
Penelopia stumbles in the darkness. A woman reeking of perfume removes the girls’ hoods. The matronas laugh as girls cling to each other. Each matrona assigned four girls and four days to groom their little panochas for showing. An exposicion félino. Buyers won’t pay top dollar for ordinary country cuño.
…
Every day the matronas bathe their girls. Dress their nubile bodies. Paint them with makeup. And a quick course in manners:
De Nada.
Por favor.
Gracias, General.
El gusto es mio.
Corrections are rapid and continuous:
“Don’t slouch.”
“Sit straight when you eat.”
“Smile pretty for the man.”
“Stop crying or….”
…
Matrona Sofia pays special attention to Penelopia, the obvious beauty of her four. As she styles Penelopia’s hair, she whispers in the girl’s ear, “You’re the tastiest putita I’ve ever seen. Perhaps I should sell you to a rich tourista.”
Sofia laughs. Penelopia shudders.
Or should I keep you for myself?
Memories of her childhood arise. The day she was captured. How she survived.
…
Not all girls blossom. No amount of training can help Lucita who sits across the dining table from Penelopia, weeping. Sofia grabs Lucita by her hair and jerks her head back. Her voice hisses, “Quit your crying or I’ll throw you to the guards.” Lucita screams. She sweeps an arm across the table, sending her dinnerware and utensils flying. Penelopia palms a dinner knife and hides it under her clothing.
Lucita runs toward the locked door, knowing it’s locked, yelling, “Matamé, Matamé,” no longer caring if she lives. Sofia grabs her, drags her toward another door, and shoves her to her assistant.
“No bruises. And keep her a virgin. But do what you must…”
The two other girls are sent to bed. Sofia and Penelopia sit at opposite ends of the table. Sofia breaks the silence. “Penelopia, you’re becoming a beautiful lady.”
Penelopia practices what she’s learned. “Sí, matrona Sofia. Gracias.”
“Come, mi querido. Sit on my lap.”
“Sí, matrona.”
Penelopia walks to her – back straight, head erect, eyes forward. She stops with an uncertain curtsey. Sofia wraps her arms around her.
Sofia kisses Penelopia on her cheeks. On her lips. She kneads Penelopia’s flesh as a baker would her dough. Penelopia knows what she must do to survive. She nuzzles Sofia’s neck. Her bosom.
“I love you, Mamá.”
Sofia stops her fondling. The fantasy returns. A daughter. She gives Penelopia a motherly hug. It would be dangerous. Smooths her hair. Maybe impossible. Straightens the girl’s clothes. If not now, then when?
Sofia’s lips move in silent prayer. Father. Forgive me of my sins. She crosses herself.
…
The black phone rings. The three girls stand for final inspection.
“Take these two to the van with the others,” orders Sofia to her assistant. “I’ll take Penelopia.” Sofia leads her down several corridors, up stone steps to a different door. Penelopia struggles to keep Sofia’s stride.
“Penelopia…mi hija.”
Sofia’s breathing is rapid. Her cheeks flush with anticipation.
“Today we’re going to escape. To Brazil. I have papers. Money. Friends there.”
Sofia edges the door open watching for guards. For soldiers. The daylight blinds. The noise, deafens. Traffic clogs the streets of Asunción. Sidewalks swell with pedestrians who pass without taking notice. The building with bars on blackened windows is one that residents know they must ignore.
Sofia clutches Penelopia to her side and hails a taxi. As she opens the cab door, Penelopia says something. The words are lost in the commotion. Sofia bends down with an ear to Penelopia’s mouth. “What’s that my sweet daughter?” Sofia feels a sharp pain as Penelopia plunges the dinner knife into her neck. She falls to the sidewalk, confused.
“Por qué, Penelopia? I thought you loved me.”
Penelopia leans in as if to give a kiss. Her spittle flies.
“No, matrona. I said I loved mi Mamá.”
fini
That ending must have cut to the bone! Don’t forget: the contest deadline is March 4th, 2017 at 11:59PM Pacific Time! Give Jeff some words of encouragement and please share this story and the contest con tu amigos y familia!!! Muchas gracias!!!
Well written and also frightening…..in such an important way.
Thank you for your acceptance of the story and for your kind comments. Jeff
Terrific story, Jeff. I was taken back by the viciousness of human trafficking all too common, still thriving, in today’s world. The fantasy of Madrone’s belief she could see a future with a daughter read like the last nail in the coffin. I have always admired your talent. This is no exception. Welcome to the site.
The building with bars on blackened windows is one the people know they must ignore. My gosh Jeff you hit the nail on the head of this epidemic that has oft been thought of as myth. Oddly enough, I felt bad at the crushing of the dream of the matrona, who herself had probably survived the same cycle yet had hopes and a plan for ‘normal’.
Outstanding. You had me at “men in green uniforms…truck.” From there, I couldn’t “put it down”–the ultimate proof of a good story.
From the first to the last I was with Penelopia. I appreciated the framework of the clipped vignettes, because it held me captive, and made the release at the end that much more poignant.
As an aside, 10,000 is the ANNUAL average number of sex-trafficked workers PHYSICALLY in the SuperBowl, and the city I live in is one of the top three in the world for “grabbable” girls. This story is provocative, and I am glad you shared it.
Human trafficking is still a serious offense and problem in this world, and somehow, Jeff has turned horror into beauty. Thank you for your entry!!!
A compelling story that kept me hooked, wondering if kindness or the instinct to survive would triumph.
This one hurt to read. Human trafficking is beyond horrible and comprehension. It is littered throughout the world with thousands of girls and boys disappearing. Story doesn’t pull punches here with its tone of terror. Well written yet I have a feeling was hard to write. Job accomplished Jeff.
This is some really outstanding writing. And not just great prose, but a very hard and very important truth. Profound.
Thank you for your acceptance of the story and for your kind comments. JeffMy reply was meant for all:
Thank you for your acceptance of the story and for your kind comments. Jeff
Good pace. Excellent dialog. Tragic topic that you tackled superbly.
Thank you Mr Switt.
An entire world lived in that opening line.
Wow great writing Jeff. Shocking and suspenseful to the end. Keep up the great work.
Excellent writing as usual Jeff. Keep at it you’ve got talent.
Good story jeff!!
¡La puñalada! Good story, Jeff. Reminds me in some way of the old movie They Were So Young that dealt in the trafficking of young women.