Don Chan passed his trophy around with pride. The flames bounced off the shiny object, blinding the men from the stars.

—It‘s for letters, a young woman yelled from the back of the circle. Don Chan couldn‘t see her in the dark.

—What did you say? Don Chan yelled over the crowd.

—People use it to open letters, she said.

—Why can‘t they use their hands? one man said, and they all laughed at her.

—Go home to your parents, little girl. You have no business here, one said as he took another swig of his beer.

Miraluz got up and exposed her long legs and tall build. Her body was pear shaped. Her long hair was tied back in a bun. She walked away. Santo stood and stretched his neck to take a closer look at her. Miraluz had outgrown the dress that rose above her knees. She was new in Los Llanos.

—Quiet! Don Chan yelled to the crowd. —What‘s your name?

—I‘m the granddaughter of María Magdalena Natera. I‘m here to watch over her until she feels better.

—How do you know about this opener for letters? Don Chan asked.

The men howled and barked and laughed at each other, unsure where Don Chan was going with all the questions.

—I read about them in a book, she said, coming in closer, the flames lighting up her brown skin.

—It‘s late for you to be out like this at night. You know what Trujillo does to young women, Don Chan said. —He‘ll take you away.

—He‘ll die tomorrow. She said it like a gamble. —I saw it in a dream.

—And if he doesn‘t die tomorrow? Don Chan was amused by her spunk.

—Then I won‘t return to your circle again. And allow you men to think that you know everything.

—What a mouth on that woman, one man said, chugging more beer. He spilled it over himself and demanded Don Chan‘s attention.

She walked away.

—Señorita Natera. What‘s your name?

—Miraluz Altagracia. But you can call me Miraluz when you see me tomorrow.

Don Chan laughed to indulge the girl.

Santo at thirteen had recently discovered his erection and secretly hoped she was right about Trujillo so he could see her again.

The next day, on May 30, 1961, El Generalísimo Dr. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina Benefactor de la Patria y Padre de la Patria Nueva was assassinated.

LA NACION

DIARIO DE LA TARDE

CIUDAD TRUJILLO R.D.

12 Pàginas 5 Centavos

AñO XXII - NUMERO ## JUEVES 1 DE JUNIO DE 1961 AñO 31 DE LA ERA DE TRUJILLO

REVELAN DETALLES MUERTE DE TRUJILLO

Generalísimo Muere Como Un Valiente

According to official reports released today by the Dominican armed forces, El Generalísimo Doctor Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina exchanged gunshots with the assailants who killed him two nights ago…According to the driver, Trujillo said, ”I am wounded, but stop the car so we can fight.“…

HEROE Y MARTIR NACIONAL…who performed the miracle of turning chaos into order, and nothing into wealth. TRUJILLO HA CAIDO, PERO SU OBRA NO PERECERA…Trujillo the great, the authentic pioneer of the Dominican consciousness…TRUJILLO: SU NOMBRE PERTENECE. A LA HISTORIA, SU OBRA A LOS DOMINICANOS…They have left the Dominican Republic orphaned…LA MUERTE DE TRUJILLO SIEMBRA EL DOLOR EN EL HOGAR DOMINICANO…in all the Dominican homes reigns sadness and pain.