The Red Camp.

by Debra Diaz   The heavy August air, thick with dust and smog, hangs like a yellowed tapestry over the low hills of El Campo Colorado. Family business brings me to Orange County, and as always I’m drawn to the camp. Parking my car on Buena Vista, I climb up to the railroad tracks bordering the barrio. The wooden camphouses are long-gone, as are El Veracruzano and … [Read more...] about The End of THE RED CAMP

by Debra Diaz El Dia de las Madres Mother's Day   It is Mother’s Day and Rita, Laura and I are taking Mom out to brunch. I invite Tía Mercy, who, after thirty-eight years of marriage is going through a divorce. She seems lonely and sad. Tía’s two sons, Hector, thirty-six, and Rubén, thirty-four, are not around. I don’t ask … [Read more...] about THE RED CAMP 25

by Debra Diaz   Emily: Volver, Volver Return, Return It’s not easy for me to come back. I’m returning home for my younger sister Laura’s wedding and, although I’m only an hour away by plane, I’ve made a point of keeping my distance. Several years ago, before I left for college, Dad had moved out of the house and disappeared into Mexico, … [Read more...] about THE RED CAMP 24

by Debra Diaz   LA MADRE:  The Mother Carmen:  Destiny   I watch Emilio Reyes Cruz, in his freshly starched and pressed army uniform, move down the street like an alley cat with his head lowered, eyes staring straight ahead and his long legs gliding real smooth underneath him. Heading towards his father’s house in El Campo Colorado, he … [Read more...] about THE RED CAMP 23

by Debra Diaz Emilio: Waiting It’s ten p.m. when I pull my truck into the parking lot of the Hungry Lion Coffee Shop, drive to the far corner behind two palm trees, turn off the ignition and wait. Through the trees I watch the waitresses closing down the restaurant as they move from table to table refilling salt and pepper shakers, cleaning booths and wiping down … [Read more...] about THE RED CAMP 22