Or maybe there should be statues of the Rizal women here, kuya. I don’t know where the women in our family get their strength. In their quiet, well, not so quiet ways, they will stand up to anyone to protect the family.
You’re right, Pepe, but some of the women in our family are not so demure and reserved as they used to be. Some of them are very outspoken, even abrasive. I realize these are modern times, but it wouldn’t hurt to tone it down a bit.
It’s a sign of the times, kuya. What is it our niece Patti likes to say? Go with the flow or play it by ear. I like that . . .
Before Pepe could finish what he was saying, Ciano felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He turned toward the horizon.
The villages ran one after another along the river and the central plane with the mountains in the distance. Cars wound along the autobahn or highways, and barges piled the river. It was a charming vista of houses, church spires and imposing ruins of old castles. Vineyards on the hillsides spilled down to the river.
The brothers saw a small perfectly round cloud, but it was black as night in the bright blue sky.
Kuya, it looks to me that black dot is hovering above the city of Wiesbaden in the Taunus area.
An ordinary person wouldn’t see it there, but it was a sign and they knew it wasn’t good.
Family members who had the gift were burdened with interpreting signs or dreams. Sometimes a sign was a good thing, but this one spelled doom. Ciano had a sinking feeling that once again the sign meant troubled times ahead for the family.
Pepe, we need to go through the instructions I gave you about the gift. We don’t have much time.
The younger brother nodded solemnly, looking at the approaching cloud.
You need to go home and meet our niece Patti. You will have to rely on your instincts where to go from there. I have to leave you now and investigate the black dot. Samantha and Patti will need your help with whatever situation they face.
Once more, Ciano quizzed his brother. Pepe, as well as Patti, were new to the gift. There were only four of them who had it in the family: two from the past and two from the present. Ciano and Samantha were quick to realize how it worked while the other two were still learning.
Try not to play it by ear or go with the flow too much, Pepe. Ah, these modern phrases. Use some of the tried and true wisdom you learned when you were a boy.
Pepe patted his older brother’s shoulder.
Kuya, Patti and I will sort things out on our end.
I knew you would say that. Our niece Patti has the same traits as you. You are both the seventh child of a large family, both idealistic, and both heads filled with all sorts of wild imagination — she wants to live in a commune surrounded by people she loves, gaze out from her window at a lovely vista and write. And you, you had the idea of establishing your own farming community in Borneo, do you remember?
And our little Samantha takes after you. She is more reserved, and takes the time to sort problems in her head. Come now, kuya. You and that delightful girl have your rebellious streaks. You are a man who endured the torture of the friars for his beliefs. But you always acted with great deliberation, and you always think things through carefully.
Someone has to, Ciano said with a shrug.
The brothers embraced.
The two spirits floated away, Ciano to investigate the ominous black cloud that hovered over Wiesbaden, and Pepe to the Philippines to become acquainted with his niece Patti.
5
Sammy’s Turn
SAMANTHA!
She stirred from her restless sleep at the urgent sound of her name being called. Was it her mother demanding her to come out of her room and pick up her books scattered in the living room? Are they packing for the trip to the Philippines?
But it wasn’t her mother’s voice, and something else woke her up. The wall on the side of her bed was missing! Sammy sat bolt upright, and stared at what used to be the wall of her bedroom. She rubbed her eyes twice to make sure her dream didn't follow her from Zeeland into her now dismal world.
A scene was playing out in front of her like a movie theater screen. A crowded street teeming with people were hurrying and scurrying around, and walking in and out of shops and restaurants. She could smell the pungent aromas of vendor stalls and feel the heat of the day.
But the cool dark bedroom was still there. She pressed her hands on the rumpled cover of her bed where she poured out her tears of last night’s sadness.
I’d much rather be some place else, she told herself.
Samantha Plum climbed back on her bed, and turned her attention to where the wall was. She swung her feet down touching the ground of the bustling scene. She wondered aloud. "If I cross over from the line of darkness into the light, will I get there?"
She hesitated, then took a step forward. Sammy heard the sound of a door closing behind her. The darkness of her bedroom disappeared. She was in her dream.
Samantha, keep up with us.
It was Tita Mari beckoning from across the street.
Her aunt was walking ahead with her friend Maria, who lived in plastic, fantastic Los Angeles where everyone seemed to strike a pose, showing off, ready to be discovered. That was her Dad’s description of La La land as he called it.
Where was Toya? Sammy spotted her cousin walking a few feet behind Mari.
C’mon, Sammy!
Victoria didn’t mind being called Toya by the family, but it was a different matter with her peers at school. She was known as Victoria or Vicky.
I mean, what kind of a name is Toya? And why did my parents start this nickname business? At least Sammy makes sense. This nicknaming is such a Filipino thing to do.
Toya, how come you’re not walking with Tita Mari?
I’m trying but every time I almost catch up to her, all these people get in my way. Watch this, Victoria said, as she ventured towards Mari. A small group of people immediately crowded between her and her mother.
I’ll come over there and we can try to get to them.
Sammy crossed the street, but couldn’t reach her cousin. A small crowd of people blocked her way. She pushed and even stepped on some toes. Repeatedly, a surge of people came between them, keeping the cousins separated and apart from Tita Mari and her friend.
Sammy, what is going on? We’re being split up on purpose!
Panic turned to anger as Victoria pushed people away from her. Sammy couldn’t see her cousin now. She could only hear Toya’s voice above the crowd.
Hold on Toya! Look for signs and tell me what you see.
The signs are in Chinese, Tagalog and English. We must be in Manila somewhere. Sam, you gotta see this. The sign on this store says Ka Ka Drugs. Can you believe it?
Victoria was amused despite her anger and fear at being hemmed in by the crowd.
Toya, we’re in Chinatown, she said, listening to snatches of conversation.
You’re right. I hear a lot of Chinese and Tagalog. Wait, I can see my mom turning right. I’m going ahead. Sam, the name of the street is Tambacan. Follow me there!
As soon as she lost sight of Victoria, the crowd parted and let her through. Sammy ran toward her