Free Yeny and the Children for Peace by Michelle Mulder Page B

letters before, and was curious. Juan had told her that his father never saidanything about where he was or what it was like there. (If he did, the kidnappers wouldn’t send his letter.) But he would probably write about what they had said on the radio. Thank goodness they had
that
. Sometimes people simply disappeared, and no one ever found out what had happened to them. That was worse than kidnapping, Yeny thought, because then you didn’t know if they were alive, or if they were being tortured. They were the
desaparecidos
—the “disappeared.”
    Mamá was in the kitchen, making
arroz con pollo
, rice with chicken. Papá looked as if he’d returned from work minutes before. His fingers were still black from the newspapers he’d been selling.
    â€œDid you hear about the letter?” Yeny asked him, hugging him hello.
    He squeezed her tight, and then put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “I did, Yeny.” His eyes held hers for a moment, like he was trying to tell her something. But what?
    â€œAre you ready?” Aunt Nelly asked, sitting at the table.
    â€œYes, yes!” said Sylvia. “Hurry up already!”
    â€œOkay,” she said again, as everyone settled into a seat around the table and leaned forward.
“My dearest family, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear your voices on the radio. And hearing little Yeny today was an extra-special treat. I’m happy they’ve come to live with you.”

    â€œMe too,” said Elena.
    â€œShhhh,” said Sylvia.
    â€œI tell you that I am doing well. I’m looking after myself, and I live in hope that I will see you again soon. Meanwhile, I’m with you in everything you do. Little Juan, I am proud of you for being involved in this carnival that you talked about. By the time you get this letter, it will probably be over. I’m sure it was a great success.”
    Yeny crossed her arms and looked down at her knees, in case her face showed that she wished
her
father could be proud of her for taking part. No matter what, she wouldn’t make her parents feel guilty. That never worked with them.
    â€œI’ve been hearing about another event that you may be involved in. I’ve heard that children around the country are taking part, and I’ve never heard of anything so amazing.”
    â€œHe’s talking about the election,” Juan said. “He couldn’t write it out, but I’m
sure
he’s talking about the election tomorrow. We’re gonna be there, Papá! Just you wait.”
    â€œI’m so proud of you children. You are succeeding where we adults have failed, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that it’s not worth the risk. These things are ALWAYS worth the risk. You must never, never give up hope that change is possible.”
Aunt Nelly paused and looked at Yeny’s father across the table.
    Yeny looked back and forth between them. Her father
had
been trying to tell her something with his hands on her shouldersand his smile when she came in the door. Was this it? Was he changing his mind?
    Yeny was so excited that she barely heard the rest of the letter. When Aunt Nelly finished reading, she passed the pages around so that Juan and his sisters could reread them for themselves. Yeny’s father looked right at Yeny and Elena. “Girls,” he said, “you both know that you mean everything to me.”
    Yeny stifled a sigh. This was the same speech he always gave. He hadn’t changed his mind after all.
    â€œAnd you both know that the idea of you going to the election tomorrow terrifies me,” he continued.
    Yeny felt like rolling her eyes, but if she had any hope of going tomorrow, now was no time to be disrespectful. So she nodded instead, and listened as though this were new to her.
    â€œBut you know what?” Papá said. “If your uncle, who’s been kidnapped and held away from his family for