Young Roberto Kelly, convinced he’s been abandoned by his parents and fearing placement in a children’s detention center, flees to the Río Grande bosque; the narrow cottonwood forest skirting the river as it meanders through the city of Albuquerque. Determined to survive like the classic lost boys, Bomba and Tarzan, he constructs hidden campsites and attempts to live off the land. His brief escapade is punctuated by a forest fire, hunger-driven excursions into the city, pursuit by law enforcement, and harrowing interactions with homeless men camping along the river. A startling friendship with a coyote pup and a fortuitous encounter with a gypsy family contribute to the boy’s developing environmental spiritualism as winter approaches. Ultimately, a misguided venture away from the safety of his bosque leads to surprising consequences.
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On his escapades out of the bosque he frequently chose the plaza as a destination, and the old men recognized him immediately. They no longer pried him with questions about "whose boy he was," as they knew all the families within half a mile of the kiosko. "Kiosko! Kiosk! That's the name for that bandstand thing", he exclaimed silently. He wouldn't have to ask. He'd remembered the word, and it filled him with a strange pleasure. He recognized this was his dad's way, being proud of not having to ask. He ambled over to the old ones, who greeted him as "hijo," the strange boy that walked all the way from barrio San José (what he had told them) to hear their stories and enjoy the energy of the plaza. Ancient Alfredo and Pablito, the little wrinkled one, were already seated, and fat Carlitos approached from the opposite direction the boy did. Carlitos always smiled and greeted the others with pure joy. Alfredo, Pablo and especially Tío Loco usually pretended to be angry at his unaccounted-for good cheer. "Y ahora, Carlitos, what for are you smiling now," grimaced Alfredo. Alfredo's false anger always pleased Carlitos, as it had been their way of interacting for many years. His smile evolved into chuckles as he chortled, "¡Qué día bonito, mis amigos! A fine day for chasing women." The boy had never seen any of them walk fast, never mind chasing women. The only women they spoke to were the old ones they knew since forever, who came and left the iglesia throughout the day for mass, novenas, dusting the pews, meetings of various societies, to bring soup or enchiladas to the padres, or to perform who knows what other perceived chores. A group of viejas gathered each Saturday afternoon for some special devotion to the virgin. Tío Loco called them the "Mary Gang," though not to their faces. The other old men were more respectful, greeting each lady with real or simulated tips of their caps and kind words of inquiry about family members. Tío Loco kept a close watch on the women when they arrived, as if they represented real danger to his person. One of his mad stories recounted how these sweet, religious women were organized into packs of "gray panthers" intent on pummeling members of the community who did not show the proper respect for the Virgin of Guadalupe. To strengthen the truth of his fiction, he frequently caught himself in the middle of saying "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph;" cutting it to "Jesus and Joseph," and looking around with animated fear. "The 'gang' has their spies everywhere," he would announce solemnly. Carlitos nestled between his two friends, who of course complained, though actually welcomed the additional insulation. The boy stood off to their side, looking about for something to sit on. He didn't want to squash his pack full of food. "Siéntate aquí, hijo," beckoned Carlitos as they drew him forward, making room for his skinny "nalgas." There were a few moments of silence, punctuated with occasional grunts, as each member of the "bench society" positioned and repositioned his torso for optimal comfort. Then the stories began.
About Jimmy Mason
Jimmy Mason, a retired biology teacher, resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Silda, and bluetick coonhounds, Azulita and Machaeranthera. He fills his cup bicycling up and down the Río Grande valley, officiating high school sports, tending his vineyard, volunteering at the zoo, and hiking throughout his beloved bosque.
Young Roberto Kelly, convinced he’s been abandoned by his parents and fearing placement in a children’s detention center, flees to the Río Grande bosque; the narrow cottonwood forest skirting the river as it meanders through the city of Albuquerque. Determined to survive like the classic lost boys, Bomba and Tarzan, he constructs hidden campsites and attempts to live off the land. His brief escapade is punctuated by a forest fire, hunger-driven excursions into the city, pursuit by law enforcement, and harrowing interactions with homeless men camping along the river. A startling friendship with a coyote pup and a fortuitous encounter with a gypsy family contribute to the boy’s developing environmental spiritualism as winter approaches. Ultimately, a misguided venture away from the safety of his bosque leads to surprising consequences.
Jimmy Mason, a retired biology teacher, resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Silda, and bluetick coonhounds, Azulita and Machaeranthera. He fills his cup bicycling up and down the Río Grande valley, officiating high school sports, tending his vineyard, volunteering at the zoo, and hiking throughout his beloved bosque.