. . . So, They Made Lemonade

By Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa

This story was written to honor those who have faced personal disasters and triumphed. Many have lived out the old saying, When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Set in a low-income area of New York City in 1970, it starts with a personal tragedy when Adam Rodriguez, a promising fourteen-year-old student lost his mother unexpectedly. He had no other family to turn to. As he wandered around the neighborhood aimlessly, he was dragged into an abandoned building by two adult males. Rocco, an illiterate fifteen-yea-old homeless boy who slept in the building, saved him from the attackers. This begins an unlikely friendship.

Adam soon realizes that he needs more help than that. He was desperate, so he, along with Rocco, went to an old minister of a local Spanish church that Adam had attended a few times with his mother. Pastor Elias Cosme and his wife Ela gave them refuge in their tiny apartment above the small church they served. They were willing to share what little they had because they believe it honored God. They showed the boys love and kindness, teaching them to refine and use the talents they were given in order to move ahead in life. Helping the boys to believe in themselves and their worth took dedication. There are only three options in life: to leave life as it is given to ess, make it worse or improve it for ourselves and others.
People without a vision perish says The Book of Books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781490789132

Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa

Like many immigrants, Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa arrived in the United States from his native country of Ecuador. With only $13 in his pocket he worked hard to build a life in The Big Apple. He married and had 2 children, Tania and Walter. When his wife, Aida, died of cancer, he decided they needed a fresh start. In 1987, he and his children moved to Florida. There he met Gail, a teacher. A new life began for all. It was because of her encouragement that he wrote De Tripas Un Corazon, the original Spanish version of this book. Now we have translated it to English for your enjoyment and encouragement.

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… So, They Made Lemonade

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Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa

©

Copyright 2018 Jose Antonio Velasquez Ochoa.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8912-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8911-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8913-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018946048

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Trafford rev. 07/09/2018

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CONTENTS

I                   The Storm

II                 Tragedy And Friendship

III                Roco Saves The Day

IV                The Knife

V                 Roco Goes To Boxing School

VI                Roco Impress His Coach.

VII              Manny’s Proposition

VIII             Pastor Cosme Gets An Idea

IX                Roco Accepts Manny’s Proposition

X                 Roco Goes To Fight

XI                Rocco Explain His Problem

XII              Maria And Rocco

XIII             Christmas, New Year And A Surprise

XIV             The Absence

XV              The Pastor Gets Sick

XVI             Another Problem, Another Solution

XVII           Love And War

XVIII          Maria Gives Birth

XIX             An Unexpected Call

XX              A Girl Friend For Adam ? … Humm

XXI             The Soldier’s Return

XXII           The Trauma Of The War

XXIII          An Angel In A Dog’s Costume

XXIV          A Surprise For Adam

XXV           Roco Tells Of His Adventure

XXVI          Roco Confesses He Has A Dog

XXVII        Farewell To ‘My Friend’

XXVIII       Roco Asks To Marry Maria

XXIX          Mision ‘Las Vegas’

XXX           Victories And Worries

XXXI          Roco’s Fears

XXXII        And Sunday Arrived

XXXIII       The Days After The Fight

XXXIV       The Return

XXXV        The Offering

XXXVI       The Unexpected

XXXVII     The Years After

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated to the memory of my parents,

Carlos and Eudoxia Velasquez

To my dear wife and best friend, Gail. Thank you

To my daughter, Tania Denise, and my son, Walter David

Both great people

I

THE STORM

……On stormy days, when I am comfortably

settled in my home with my loved ones around me,

eating together and safe ; watching as the heavens

descend with a vengeance,

I think about those who have no one to comfort them.

Tuesday, August18, 1970 dawned with warnings of severe thunderstorms being broadcast over every TV and radio station. This was unusual and unprecedented weather. The sun’s rise was shielded by heavy grey clouds so you weren’t really sure if it was day or night. The clouds gathered slowly and cautiously as they planned their attack on the streets of New York City.

Below, frantic citizen prepared as best they could, following the instructions of the weather men broadcasting dramatically this storm that was rare for the month of August. The wet streets, as opaque mirrors, reflected lights, cars, people running for cover and buildings. The wind, calling to the rain, whistled like a construction worker watching a pretty girl walk by. It carried papers and anything that could fly. The thunder roared as the brilliant lightning danced on the dark stage of the sky. The hanging signs were dangling in the breeze (some of them were now only attached on one end)…It was only 12 noon but it seemed like night.

Many factories and other places of business had sent their workers home, spilling even more frantic people onto the streets of New York. They ran with their arms in front of their faces to protect themselves from the elements. The strong wind and heavy rain defeated umbrellas so that many of them lie on the pavement showing their broken ribs. The platforms of the subway system were packed shoulder to shoulder with people trying to get home. At the bus stops drenched customers made long lines, anxiously praying that the next bus was theirs. Others, lifting their arms to get a taxi cab, discovered they were already taken, passing in front of them and spewing columns of water drenching them even more. Little by little the ‘City that Never Sleeps’ was becoming deserted. Policemen, firefighters, medical personnel were readying for any emergency. In their houses the residents were making their own preparations. Because of the bad weather a feeling of adventure and expectation caused families to cling to each other for a sense of security. The night, dressed in its classic black garments chased away the last signs of life of the dying day. The persistent rain falling over New York formed small lakes and brooks in many parts of the city. At 9 p.m. Alicia Rodriguez and her son Adam, who were visiting Pastor Elias Cosme, jumped from his car and ran to their apartment. The mostly empty building marked with the number 345 was on South 4th in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn where she lived since June of that same year, 1970.

Thank you Pastor for the ride, Alicia yelled in Spanish, over the storm.

God bless you, take care, Pastor Cosme yelled back, but Alicia didn’t hear him since the windows of the car were up. Quickly they went up to the apartment to change their clothes, eat something and plan for tomorrow.

ALICIA RODRIGUEZ, a 40 year old immigrant from Latin America. She stands 5' 6 and weighs about 120 pounds. She came to the USA in 1964 with her eight year old son Adam and her husband Efrain as tourist. They lived in Newark, New Jersey, where they worked and Adam went to elementary school. When their Tourist Visa ended, they made the decision to stay here illegally, as so many others had done. The life of this family changed dramatically when her husband Efrain, who, in desperation to make more money, was caught selling drugs and later sent back to his country never to see his family again. Alicia, afraid of being caught by immigration, left Newark and came to New York. Accepting an invitation from her friend Lola, who offered her the apartment at 345 South 4th in Brooklyn, Lola also recommended Alicia for a job as a dress maker because Lola was going to live with her boyfriend in Manhattan. Alicia was accepted on the spot because she had excellent references. Doing piece work she made a good salary in this factory that according to some, is illegal. For Alicia, her son Adam is the reason for her life. This now 14 year old young man, is also her only hope. His brilliant mind and dedication to his studies, as well as being a tireless reader, had gained respect from teachers and students alike. At 5'5 and 100 pounds he is also aware of the sacrifices of his mother, and that for now he can’t help her. Books are his refuge from his frustrations.

The following day the soft drizzle combined with the early sun rise had painted a rainbow of hope in the sky. The wind wasn’t constantly strong but came in powerful gusts, rolling garbage cans down the middle of the street, vomiting their refuse. Papers were everywhere, along with tree branches, TV antennas, and all manner of unidentifiable junk. Dutiful merchants were up on long ladders fixing their signs, some picking them up from the pavement. The worst was over, and people were ready to go about their regular activities. Residents were opening windows to see the results of the storm. Some gathered on the street corners commenting on the aftermath of the worst storm in 50 years for New York City. People, began heading back to work, and many of them not trusting the sun, have umbrellas just in case.

At 8:30 a.m. Alicia Rodriguez, as usual, came out of her apartment. She was dressed to confront the weather and life; she was wearing an overcoat for the rain, a flowered scarf was covering her auburn hair. She was carried two umbrellas in her left hand and a bulging plastic bag, in her right, as well as a black bag dangling from her shoulder.

Good morning…Good morning, she said in Spanish to those who stood in the entrance of the building, as usual, watching the day go by without doing anything.

Hurry up, Adam, I’m going to be late, zip up your jacket and put on the hood…you should stay home, she said to her son nervously, looking lovingly at him with her big dark eyes.

Yes Mommy, yes Mommy, but you know I have to go to the library to read just for a little while answered Adam to calm her.

Take this umbrella, but don’t lose it, and if the library is closed, come back to the house immediately, said Alicia. I think you should stay home…here is $2.00 to buy something to eat. Alicia was very unnerved following a sleepless night in fear of the storm. Adam puckered his lips to kiss his mother. Quickening her steps, not to be late for her job, she looked back to see her son crossing the street to walk on the opposite sidewalk.

"God bless you my son", rang in her mind, then her head twisted to see her son turn the corner. Adam was running half bent over fighting a gust of wind and holding onto his books. The four blocks from his house to the library seemed to have lengthened overnight When Alicia reached the next corner she was surprised to see many people waiting outside of Ramon Perez’s store, "The People’s Store’.

Ramon Perez, is an old Puerto Rican merchant, that in spite of being the target of many robberies, continued serving this community for over 20 years.

Good morning! What happened that Ramon didn’t open the store?, Alicia asked in greeting, speaking in Spanish.

Marcela got sick last night and Ramon took her to the hospital, explained a familiar voice.

Pastor! Sorry I didn’t see you…Good morning!…What crazy weather last night!, she said leaning her body against the wall.

And now it’s raining again, said someone in the group.

Yea, I better go before I catch a cold…Please guys don’t get too wet, Alicia joked, and opening her umbrella, started to jog to her job just a short distance from the store.

Now it’s really starting to rain, commented the Pastor, if you guys want to go to the supermarket, I can drive… there’s room for four, he said, but before he finished speaking five people were inside the car. The 78 year old Pastor drove in the direction to the supermarket.

Thank you Pastor for the ride…God bless you, someone from the back said.

Why don’t you bless me with a visit to my church replied the Minister rather seriously, producing some laughs from the others.

Well Pastor, sometimes it’s difficult to go, he responded sheepishly.

Nooo, no brothers, no excuses…look, in this weather people go to work, to the stores and do all kinds of things but to go to the church they have all kind of excuses replied the Pastor looking at them in the mirror.

That’s true, said the one nearest to the Pastor just to be agreeable.

When they reach the supermarket, it was raining hard, and with open umbrellas they rushed inside the almost empty market. Once they got whatever they could find, they stood at the entrance waiting for the Pastor. He came through the checkout, smiling triumphantly showing them the carton of milk that by luck, he was able to find.

Go for the car, Pastor said to the youngest of the group, giving him the keys.

In a few minutes the man pulled the car close to the door so everyone along with their meager purchases could pile in.

Thank you Pastor, for the ride, they said almost at the same time.

That’s nothing, in this life we must serve one another, answered the Minister with a paternal voice.

Yes, that’s the truth, but what happens is that many people want to take advantage when we are good, but I can trust my wallet to you Pastor…No problem, said the young driver.

Oh man, that’s easy for you to say…I know that wallet is always empty, commented someone from the back, making the rest of the group laugh in good spirits.

The joking and talking continued as one by one they were left at their homes. Pastor Cosme, whistling his favorite hymn, returned to his own house.

By then the rain was constant but not strong. Pastor Cosme parked his car in front of his house and cleaned his glasses with his tie. Exiting the car, he quickened his steps across the street and entered his house. When he went up stairs, his wife Ela was waiting for him at the entrance of the apartment.

Oh…Look at you…you are so wet…I was getting worried…Where were you? …The kids called from Philadelphia and I didn’t know what to say, Mrs. Ela confronted her husband, speaking only in Spanish.

You know Ela, Ramon didn’t open the store because Marcela got sick last night and is in the hospital so I had to take five guys to the supermarket…it was almost empty, I could only get milk…

Come in Elias! Change those clothes! You are all wet his wife scolded him, The kids wanted to talk to you and you are always carrying people around in that car. Junior said that you should retire from this job and go to live near him, his wife said talking out of frustration.

Calm down Ela! You’re always talking and talking, I just got here and you begin with your yakity yak….

Change those clothes, don’t you see you are wetting the whole house?, Beside you can catch a cold. Come Elias, eat something, said Ela changing her tone of voice.

What a day…What a day!, the Pastor said coming out of his room in his red rob, drying his few hairs with a small towel. Tired he let his brown, round body fall into his favorite seat.

Do you want to eat something?, his wife asked.

Not just yet, give me my glasses and turn on the T. V. I’m tired. How are the kids?, he asked yawning.

Well, they said that you should resign this job of being a Pastor, and I agree with them, but you are so hard headed that you don’t listen to anybody…

Come on Ela!, Pastor interrupted, I know they are right, but nobody understands me, I have responsibilities with this church, Pastor pretested animatedly.

Elias, you must understand that someone younger can come over here and revive this church, replied Ela in a pleading tone of voice.

True! But nobody wants to come over here. The young Ministers want to go to nice churches and with good salaries…besides, What do you want me to do over there, scratch my belly?, he reasoned somewhat frustrated.

O.K. you must be hungry, come to eat something. I cooked a nice chicken soup. Come, don’t let it be cold, said Ela in a loving voice.

Yes…thanks, agreed Elias, slowly moving to the table. By the second spoonful he lifted up his eyes staring at his wife, with the spoon half way to his mouth.

Ela, do you remember in Cuba?, surprising her with the question. When the Cuban Revolution started?; June 26 1953, Batista’s soldiers persecuted us because we were sympathizers of Fidel Castro. You and me, with our kids fled in that raft that old Freddy gave us, we left behind everything we had…We came here, to America, with nothing, to start all over again…Do you remember Ela?, the Pastor asked, again looking at her sadly. His wife nodded and smiled nostalgically.

Those days were very hard for us, without family or friends and no job or money and at more than 60 years old! What days those were…what days, he said shaking his head as if trying to change the remembered pain. The small black eyes of his wife were looking over her oval lenses at some unknown distance as she was trying to revive the memory, wrapping herself in the warmth.

Yes Elias, yes, yes…, she said looking down.

But, we came here and here we are and against the odds we built this ministry, you and I together all the way…

Because I love you Elias…because I love you!, whispered his wife with tearing eyes.

I know…I know, acknowledged Elias holding her hands. I would like to leave this Ministry, but I can’t…when I die I’ll be retired for a long time, but I want to go out still fighting the Good Fight, I want to die doing something. The only thing I ask God is that when that happens, He send somebody here, until then I won’t move. That’s my decision, he finished, drying his eyes. Ela looked at him then walked to stand in front of him, squeezing his shoulders for comfort and solidarity.

Then I guess we stay my crazy man. You and I, together as always, she told him with a smile. Elias was very pleased as he flipped through the years in his mind.

The soup is very good, now let’s go take a siesta, and when I wake up there will be a lot of things to do. Come Ela, he said. Grabbing her hand, they went to their room to lay down on that same old bed they’ve used for close to two decades.

At 4:30 p.m. Elias suddenly woke up, took his jacket and went down to the church.

Elias, what are you doing, don’t you see it’s still raining? Nobody is going to come to church, she said.

Well, today is Wednesday and my obligation is to open the church, nobody knows if someone is looking for God, he explained. He stayed there till 6 p.m. but nobody came. "How many people will be without protection", He thought, then took the telephone and started to call the people from the church to check on how they were doing. It was raining hard and the wind whipping around from different directions, changing course more often than a politician.

II

TRAGEDY AND FRIENDSHIP

It was 2:45 p.m. when Adam returned home, he was wet, his books in a plastic bag and he carried another bag from the bodega with a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. With the keys in his hand, he fumbled with the lock looking around to be sure nobody was following him.

Once inside, he put the milk in the refrigerator and the bread on the counter, well wrapped up so the cucarachas wouldn’t get it. He changed into his pajamas and went to read in the living room. At 5 p.m. he heard knocking on the door in code (three long and two short). Adam ran to open the door, giving her mother a kiss and hug.

How are you my son?. Adam I have told you many times not to open the door just like that, ask first, Alicia reprimanded him in Spanish.

Yes Mommy, I was kind of sleepy, he explained scratching his head. You are soaking wet, better go change your clothes, he advised.

Yes I’ll do that…Are you hungry?

No Mommy, I ate in the store and I bought bread and milk for you.

Oh that’s good because Ramon didn’t open the store today because he’s still in the hospital taking care of his wife and I didn’t get to eat much at lunch time, Alicia commented as she disappeared to her room to change. Quickly she was back preparing scrambled eggs and toast. When it was ready she sat down wearily at the table to eat. Adam sat with her, lost in his book. Suddenly the telephone rang making them jump and Alicia went to answered it.

Who was it? asked Adam when she returned to the table.

Pastor Cosme asking how we are doing, what did you do in the library?, she asked.

Reading…Oh Mommy, I know I did good in school because my teacher in New Jersey exempted me from the finals. We have to go to get my report card so I can register here for September, he reminded her, sounding a little anxious.

I have to make time. Now I have a lot of work…let’s see…but you must continue studying and not rest on your laurels, it’s the only way to get out of this poverty. Pastor Cosme says that God gives the talent but you put the effort…

Oh Mommy, interrupted Adam, The teacher told me before we came to Brooklyn that I can have scholarships in good schools…How are the residency paper coming along…?, Adam stopped there when he saw the angry look in Alicia’s eyes.

Adam, that bastard lawyer hasn’t done anything. I gave him more than $1,000.00 for nothing! I don’t know what to do…I’m mad and embarrassed and very frustrated, but you must get ahead. You must get ahead Adam because you can…yes you can Adam, Alicia pleaded with her son, encircling his face with her two hands. Then she picked up her plate to put it in the sink and dropped it on the floor in utter frustration and defeat. She sat back down with her face buried in her hands and sobbed.

Please Mommy, don’t cry, talk to the Pastor, he may know what to do. Let me get you a cool drink of water, Adam consoled his mother.

Thank you my little man. You always take such good care of me. I have to do some accounting to figure out how much they own me, go relax…tomorrow is another day, Alicia said to smooth over the situation. In her heart she was afraid it would not be so easy.

I’ll be in my room, don’t be too late, you must be tired, Adam murmured softly as he gave his mother a hug.

I’ll be there in a little while…I love you and don’t forget to say your prayers, answered Alicia blowing kisses at him.

Seated at the small kitchen table, Alicia worked on her accounts. If she worked a few hours extra next week she could start saving some money again. By 10 pm she was very tired so she prepared her usual coffee with milk, took the cup and went to the living room to drink it in front of the T.V. Quickly she fell asleep on the sofa unaware that she had left the burner on and next to it was a towel she used to grab hot things. Tragically, the flame caught the towel which set the old cabinets on fire. Alicia was so heavily asleep she didn’t wake up but was overcome by the smoke.

Adam woke up in a panic. He was very light headed but remembered to put a blanket over his head as he went to help his mother. Alicia was unconscious on the sofa with her head back and her mouth open. Adam couldn’t do anything and like a drunken man stumbled to the door and began yelling for help.

FIRE… INCENDIO…FIRE!, Adam yelled in both English and Spanish. The few people still sitting on the stoop, ran up stairs to help Alicia, but they couldn’t get past the front door to the apartment because of the heavy smoke. Sorry…sorry… they said. Just a few moments later the firefighters arrived, in their heavy suits and oxygen masks. Some ran into the apartment and quickly took Alicia out to give her first aid. Others ran to the remaining apartments to make sure everyone was out of the building. In the confusion of men, hoses and vehicles Adam desperately ran from one place to another looking for his mother.

The ambulance they had put Alicia in, sped away to the hospital, unaware that they had left Adam behind. Finally Adam realized that she had been taken to a hospital – but which one? He just had to find her. Without her he was all alone and desperate. Running from one place to another looking for help he returned home. By now the firefighters had done their job, packed their gear and returned to the firehouse leaving a DO NOT ENTER sign across the door of the apartment. Adam pounded on them with his fists and yelled MAMY…MAMY. Defeated, fearful and heartbroken, Adam sat down on the floor to rest. Suddenly, like a spring,