Esperanza Rising

reins and Miguel the lantern. When the wagon
stopped, Esperanza could see a body in back, com-
pletely covered with a blanket.
“Where’s Papa?” she cried.
Miguel hung his head. Alfonso didn’t say a
word but the tears running down his round cheeks
confirmed the worst.
Mama fainted.
Abuelita and Hortensia ran to her side.
Esperanza felt her heart drop. A noise came
from her mouth and slowly, her first breath of
grief grew into a tormented cry. She fell to her
knees and sank into a dark hole of despair and dis-
belief.