Chapter 20
What did we care! Justice had been done us, and we were unutterably happy.
– “The Winning Ball” by Zane Grey, American author
As they moved away from the narrow, cobblestone streets filled with brightly colored vintage cars, the touristy area of Havana gave way to the poverty of Cuba, that became ever more evident the farther they traveled.
Javier had heard about Cuba all his life.
He’d been born in the United States, but his parents and many other family members had been able to immigrate to the United States due to the Cuban Lottery, a program that predated the current family reunification parole.
If not for that, Javier would have been born here and grown up in these streets.
He came from a working-class family, which had provided them with a comfortable life in Miami, but he didn’t think they ever would have escaped the poverty here.
Seeing it firsthand was really driving home all the sacrifices his family had made.
He was beyond lucky to have been blessed with the family he had.
They had worked incredibly hard to give him the best life possible, and he was thankful that he had not squandered the opportunities they had made possible for him.
As the son of hardworking immigrants, he had always been encouraged to study hard and play his best. Principles that he had always respected.
And as a result, soon he would hold a doctoral degree from a respected university.
He was the first college graduate of his family on either side, and he’d done that while playing the game he loved at a professional level.
As a pro baseball player, he was making more money for one season of baseball than most Cubans would see in their lifetime.
His blessings were beyond measure. And it was humbling to have it put in such clear focus.
“Mr. Callahan, I respect your opinion and I know you have many connections. When we get back home, could you point me to who I could speak with about setting up a foundation or something to help the people here? Maybe the orphans specifically.”
Mr. Callahan nodded. “I know an excellent nonprofit attorney. I can arrange for you to meet with him when we return.”
“Thank you,” he said as their taxi pulled up outside a large old building in need of refurbishment. The peeling sign outside read Casa para ninos sin amparo filial, which literally translated to “House for children without parental care.” The place looked depressing.
He took a moment to gather himself while Camdyn’s grandfather got out of the other side of the car. He was grateful for the older man’s presence.
His mother had flat out refused to travel to Cuba. Javi knew it wasn’t for not wanting to get Lola, but rather out of fear that something might happen and she would again be stuck in the country of her birth.
“Are you ready?” asked Mr. Callahan.
“I am, but should we wait for the man from the court?” Javi inquired.
“No. Let’s see your cousin. That man should be here soon,” he replied.
So together they climbed the few stairs to the stoop.
Before either could knock, the door immediately swung open, revealing a stern-looking older woman dressed in a nun’s habit.
She invited them in, then directed them to a room just off from the entrance where the Mother Superior was waiting for them.
This woman had been essential in helping them get everything together that had been needed for Lola’s guardianship to be arranged. Her kind countenance was immediately felt when she rose to greet them.
Following Mr. Callhan’s lead, Javier shook her hand and stated, “Buenos días, Madre.”
She had them sit and began small talk while they waited on the government official to arrive.
Her English was surprisingly good, and she asked Javier questions about his life in America, about his parents, and she shared with him about his Aunt Isla and Lola.
By the time the man from the provincial family court arrived, Javi had learned that Lola was a sweet, helpful child and that the Sisters were quite fond of her.
Once all the official paperwork had been handed over, Mother Superior pushed back from her chair and saw the man from the court out before fetching Lola.
When she returned, Javier and Mr. Callahan stood.
The young girl trailing the head nun was thin, all long limbs and dark frizzy curly hair that fell past her shoulders.
She was slight, but Javi could see the resemblance that Lola shared with his Aunt Isla and his mother.
“Lola, this is your cousin, Javier La Costa, and his attorney, Mr. Callahan. Your guardianship has been granted to your cousin, and you will be going to live with him in the United States,” announced Mother Superior.
Lola kept her head tucked down, though Javi noticed her sneaking a look at him.
He stepped forward and kneeled before her so that he could see her eyes.
“Buenos días, Lola. I am glad to finally meet you in person, though these aren’t the circumstances I had imagined.
I’m very sorry for the loss of your mother.
But I promise you, you will have a good life with me and your Aunt Juana. ”
She nodded in acknowledgement but still didn’t speak.
Mother Superior cut in. “She spent this morning saying her goodbyes to the other children and the rest of the staff here. She’ll need to gather her belongings, and then she’ll be ready. Lola, go get your things,” she instructed, dismissing the girl.
Lola turned and quickly exited the room.
“Madre, I thank you for caring for her—” began Javi.
Mother Superior interrupted him. “That’s what we do here. We care for children who do not have parents. And Lola is very fortunate to have had her mother for as long as she did, because we have many children who do not have that opportunity.”
“Madre, I would like to donate to the facility here. I know there are limits from the government as to what I can do today, but what would be the best way for me to help you and help the children here?” he asked.
Mother Superior took her seat behind the desk again and motioned for Javier and Mr. Callahan to sit as well. By the time Lola returned, carrying only a cloth drawstring backpack, he had already given all the currency he had on him to Mother Superior.
“Lola doesn’t have much to take with her,” said the woman. “Most of her clothing was uniforms that the other children could use, so I asked her to please leave hers so they could wear them.”
“Yes, of course,” agreed Javi.
As soon as he had the opportunity, he would take Lola shopping. He would buy her anything she needed. He’d known his whole life that his mother sent money back to her sister. He had known that, and yet the gravity of that had never hit home until today.
Mother Superior said goodbye to Lola and led them to the door.
Within minutes, they were loaded back into their taxi and on their way to the airport.
For the ride back, Mr. Callahan sat in the front passenger seat, leaving Javier and Lola to sit together in the back.
Javier was at a loss for words. He didn’t know what to ask this child that he was responsible for.
He was her guardian. Essentially, like an adopted father.
She belonged to him. What did he know about twelve-year-old girls?
He couldn’t imagine what emotions she was feeling.
Lola was looking out the window, watching as they made their way back into the city. One hand clung to the door and the other, the one closest to him, was pressed against the seat. He patted the top of Lola’s hand, drawing her attention to him.
“I don’t imagine you’ve ever had the opportunity to fly on an airplane, but that’s how we’ll be getting to Florida today,” he began, and he continued talking and describing everything that would take place.
He wanted Lola to know what to expect at the airport and what to expect on the plane.
And during the flight, he talked to her about everything he could think of.
She listened intently to everything he said but spoke very little.