LatinosUSA

“Come on, Andy! Your dad has the car ready to roll!” Mom yelled up the staircase.

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Bounding down the stairs, pulling on his hoodie, Andy was still half asleep. “God, what time is it? I thought we were leaving later.”

“You know your father and traffic. He can’t stand getting stuck in the morning rush around New York City. He told you last night we’d leave early. Connecticut to D.C. is about five hours on a good day.”

“Guess I didn’t hear it. Why are we going again?” Andy slid open the back door of the van.

“Good morning, son! Ready to rock and roll?” Dad’s voice was way too enthusiastic for this hour.

“We’re going to have our voices heard. Right, Frank? As Americans, we have the right to speak up. If we don’t like something, then we try to make it right. Does that make any sense?” Mom laughed at herself.

“Sure, Mother. If you want to put it that way, go ahead.”

Andy curled up in the seat, thinking this was as good a time as any — as an American — to sleep.

He opened his eyes to his father grumbling about the traffic. “Damn. I thought we’d beat this. You know how I hate this, Sue. I told you we should’ve left earlier.”

“Oh, Frank, I know. I should’ve gotten you up sooner. I’m sorry, dear.”

Andy looked out the window. Bumper‑to‑bumper traffic stretched as far as he could see. “Where are we, anyway?”

“We’re in Maryland, just outside D.C.,” Dad said. “Should be there soon. Then we’ll have to park and walk a bit. I don’t mind. I’m just glad we’re here for one of the most important days in modern history, son.”

“Dad… I don’t know if I want to do this. I’m not sure I even like this guy.” It was the first time Andy said it out loud. He wasn’t certain — not really — but the more he’d looked things up on his own, the more he realized he didn’t agree with a lot of what his father was always talking about.

“What? You’ve got to be kidding,” Dad said, turning in his seat. “It’s the only choice, son. That other candidate… Well, I don’t like anything he says. And I don’t trust him. He and his family seem really shady to me.”

Andy kept his eyes on the window, watching the traffic inch forward.

“Son,” his father said, “this is your first time voting. It’s an honor — your right as an American. When I was your age, I listened to my dad. He was the man I looked up to, no matter what. Our family has always voted this way. It’s tradition.”

As they parked and began the walk toward the Capitol, the crowd thickened around them. To Andy, some of the faces looked tense, keyed up, like they were waiting for something to spark. His father and mother didn’t seem to notice. They moved forward with the crowd, caught up in the thrill of being part of something they believed was right.

His mother turned to him, eyes bright. “Come on, Andy. Isn’t this exciting? We’re creating change in our government. This is the American dream!” she shouted.

People around them cheered in agreement, and she beamed as if their reaction proved her right.

“You betcha!” his dad added. “I’ve never been to a protest before. Should’ve done it back in the sixties, ya know. Never had the guts until now.”

“Dad, this is totally different.” Andy wanted to tell them this wasn’t a good idea. “Dad!”

But his father was already deep in conversation with a man draped in an American flag.

From his Boy Scout days, Andy knew that wearing the flag like that was against the U.S. flag code — total misuse. “Mom,” he said quietly, “I don’t like some of these people. They seem like they’re… I don’t know… looking for trouble.”

“Andy, you know your father,” his mother said. “He’ll talk to anyone. Especially if they share his views.” She giggled.

No one takes me seriously in this family. Am I the only one with half a brain here? Andy thought.

The man walking ahead of them, dressed in complete combat gear, had a can of bear spray clipped to his belt.

There are definitely no bears in D.C. What is this guy thinking? Everyone looks dressed for battle.

Andy grabbed his father’s arm. “Dad, let’s step to the side for a minute. Mom, come over here for a sec.”

Thankfully, they both listened.

“What’s the problem, son? We gotta get goin’. We’ll miss everything!”

“Dad, think for a second. What is it we’re going to miss? Why are we here?”

His dad stepped in close, face-to-face with him. Andy could see the frustration tightening around his eyes — almost anger.

“Son,” he said, “we’re here to make them stop. Stop and listen to the voices of Americans.”

“Stop what? I can’t be a part of something like this. I don’t mind a protest, but we can’t stop the process, Dad. These people are dangerous. You’re bringing us into a battle?”

They all froze at the sound of gunshots. Smoke billowed into the sky, thick and rising fast. Shouts rolled through the crowd — people yelling that certain politicians were traitors. As they looked toward the Capitol, waves of people surged forward.

“See?” Andy said, his voice cracking. “That’s getting out of control. Why is that, Dad? You want to bring your family into that?”

Unknown to Andy and his father, his mother had a hand on each of them. “Boys… I’m scared,” she whispered. “Frank, maybe Andy’s right. I don’t like guns and shooting.”

“The problems here won’t be fixed today, Dad,” Andy said. “Let’s turn back. Mom’s scared, and it’s just not safe.”

“Let’s head home. We’ll beat the traffic if we leave now.”
 Dad took his wife’s hand and kept an arm around Andy’s shoulder.

“Plus, I’m freezing.”

They all laughed.