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The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Education materials In efforts to educate the community unique historical district of Ybor City, we provide research, educational materials, and links to other resources of Ybor City's history. Learn about Ybor City's unique history and about the people who helped usher in "Modern Tampa." Education materials Coming Soon! research links Books & Research Works Historic Preservation Resources Heritage and Educational Resources Our Community Collaborators Pr ograms Fe rnando's Footsteps Eve nts

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Appreciated Securities With capital gains tax rates expected to rise, it is an ideal time to take advantage of the current rates by giving appreciated securities, such as publicly traded stock or mutual funds that have been owned for more than a year. The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID No. 59-3374494.

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Thank you to our Event Sponsors 2025 Buildings Alive! Sponsors 2024 ¡VIVA! Sponsors 2024 Legacy Sponsors 2024 Buildings Alive! Sponsors 2023 ¡VIVA! Ybor Comes Alive Sponsors

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. 2022 Recipes Apple Pie caponata churros German potato salad Hungarian goulash Sicilian stuffed meatloaf Tortilla de patatas Banana Pudding chicken & rice w/chorizo cuban sandwich Guinness beef shepherd's pie saLMON "nuevo latino" slow cooker cheddar bacon beer dip vegetarian caldo gallego News library newsletter library recipe library events library

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Part three: El Barrio Candamo / The Candamo Neighborhood Chapter Thirty-Eight "Por favor, Fernando. Llame a María Messina. Rompí aguas, y los dolores vienen muy fuertes!" Giuseppina, in her now perfect Spanish, asked Fernando to call María Messina because her water sac had broken and her pains were quickly becoming very strong. María Messina Greco's skills as a midwife had become legendary throughout Ybor City and West Tampa. Though now married to Luigi Greco, the midwife was usually referred to by her maiden name, "María Messina". Mrs. Priede, a good friend and next-door neighbor, helped Giuseppina to her bed. Earlier in this afternoon of October 25, 1921, Giuseppina's labor pains had begun. Fernando, aware that his two daughters, Carmela and Pilar, had become frightened, had taken them to the Busto home across the street. Complicating the situation was the fact that a strong hurricane was approaching the Tampa area. It was now 6:00 pm and unusually dark because of the thick cloud cover. The noise of the howling winds practically drowned out the frantic knocking at Fernando's front door. Mrs. Priede ran to the door and opened it. Mrs. Messina rushed in, her husband close behind her. Fighting the steadily increasing winds, Mr. Greco managed to close the door behind them. Concerned about the storm, the midwife had asked her husband to accompany her. Mrs. Priede led the midwife into Giuseppina's bedroom. Fernando was holding Giuseppina's hand, comforting her against the worsening pain. Mrs. Messina began examining Giuseppina, asking her some questions. This was Giuseppina's fourth delivery and she told the midwife that the pains were much worse than the previous three. After further examination of her patient, María asked Mrs. Priede to watch her. The midwife gestured to Fernando to follow her into the dining room. Fernando grew concerned as he noticed the intense look on Mrs. Messina's face. She told him that she was pretty sure they were dealing with a breech birth. Normally, in a situation such as this, Mrs. Messina would transfer the mother to a hospital, but the hurricane precluded this option. She made it clear to Fernando that she would do her very best, but Giuseppina's life was in grave danger. Fernando's sense of despair was balanced by his knowledge of Mrs. Messina's skills. Formally trained in midwifery at the University of Palermo, she also had many years of experience. "María, tengo confianza en ti." Fernando told María that he had confidence in her. She embraced him, as Fernando broke down in tears. He regained his composure and joined Mr. Greco, who was seated in the living room. As he was taking a seat, the house went dark. Fernando lit some oil lamps, taking some into the bedroom. He checked the telephone, and it was dead. The hours that followed were emotionally excruciating. Along with Giuseppina's moans and screams, the incredibly strong winds were causing the house to shake. Fernando found himself wishing the winds would get even stronger so that the sounds of Giuseppina's suffering would be drowned out. Mr. Greco tried in vain to console Fernando, who had resigned himself to the fact that his wife would probably die. At approximately 4:00 am, the sounds of a baby crying replaced those of Giuseppina's suffering. Fernando rushed into the bedroom, anxiously anticipating what he would find there. Mrs. Priede was holding a baby wrapped in blankets. Giuseppina was groaning softly. Mrs. Messina pulled Fernando aside and told him that his baby son was fine, but that his wife was bleeding uncontrollably and needed to get to a hospital quickly. The Spanish population in Tampa had increased substantially between 1898 and the present, now numbering in the many thousands. The Spanish community was so large and powerful that it was able to sustain two major Spanish societies, each providing healthcare in addition to social and other services. In 1902, the Centro Asturiano (Asturian Center), was created. Along with the existing Centro Español (Spanish Center), these two organizations were the focal points of Spanish life in Ybor City and West Tampa, and each had an excellent hospital. While a sense of competition had evolved between the two societies, Fernando and his family maintained membership in both clubs. "María, somos miembros de ambos centros. Cuál de los hospitales recomiendas?" Fernando had advised the midwife that he and his family were members of both Spanish centers and wanted to know which of the hospitals she recommended. "Tenemos que ir al que queda más cerca. Vamos a La Clínica Covadonga del Centro Asturiano. Debiéramos llevar el bebé también, por si a caso." María Messina replied that they needed to go to the closer of the two, which was the Clínica Covadonga ("Covadonga Clinic") of the Centro Asturiano. The Centro Español hospital, though larger and somewhat better equipped, was much further away. It was on Bayshore Blvd, south of downtown Tampa and very close to Hillsborough Bay. Because of the hurricane, portions of the Centro Español hospital were probably under water. Mr. Greco suggested they take his car. By now the hurricane's winds, while still strong, had subsided somewhat. Fernando carried Giuseppina, who was barely conscious, to the car. Luigi rushed ahead of them to open the door of the car. María and Mrs. Priede, holding the baby, followed. Mrs. Messina had managed to temporarily slow the bleeding by giving Giuseppina a special herbal tea of yarrow and cayenne. Fernando's mind was racing to the point where he felt numb and incapable of showing emotion. Were the girls OK at the Busto home? Would Giuseppina survive this ordeal? Could they even get to the clinic? The Suárez home was on the northern fringes of Ybor City. The clinic was situated in Tampa Heights, which is normally about a ten- or fifteen-minute drive. As they drove west on 21st Ave., Fernando was in awe of the damage surrounding them. Luigi was having to evade debris in the street. It was still dark, but on occasion the car's headlights would illuminate houses. Many had lost their roofs, others were virtually destroyed. Luckily, Fernando's house and those near him seemed to have escaped severe damage. A few blocks ahead, on the right, they passed the site of the new Centro Asturiano Hospital, still under construction. He couldn't help but think that Giuseppina would have a better chance of survival had this new facility been completed. The difference in distance may well make the difference between her living and dying. As Fernando heard his new son begin to cry, he gently hugged Giuseppina; Gaitero was sobbing softly but uncontrollably. Mr. Greco was driving as fast as possible, maneuvering to avoid fallen tree branches and other debris. As they turned onto Michigan Ave., Fernando noticed that Giuseppina was bleeding again. The car made a quick right turn onto Ola Ave. Giuseppina's eyes opened and she gave a barely audible groan. The Clínica Covadonga lay one block ahead, at the intersection of Ola Ave. and Euclid Ave. As the car braked to a halt near the clinic's entrance, Mr. Greco immediately opened the rear door and assisted Fernando in carrying Giuseppina into the hospital. María Messina had wisely began honking the car's horn in a frantic effort to alert the clinic staff of their presence. Within seconds several nurses emerged, carrying oil lamps. "Por favor! Por favor! Mi esposa, por favor!" "Please! Please! My wife, please!" Fernando's pleas echoed through the dimly lit and otherwise quiet lobby. As the nurses were placing Giuseppina on a gurney, a man in a white coat ran toward them. Fernando recognized him as Dr. Jorge Trelles. Dr. Trelles had been in Tampa approximately ten years and had earned the reputation as one of the best doctors in Florida. María Messina stepped toward the doctor. As he examined Giuseppina she relayed information softly in his ear. The doctor turned toward Fernando. "Esta mujer necesita una transfusión de sangre inmediamente. El problema es que, por culpa del huracán, nuestro suministro de sangre está agotado. También, por falta de electricidad, no podemos hacer las pruebas para confirmar su tipo de sangre. Sin una transfusión, ella probablemente se muere. Que me disculpen mis palabras tan fuertes, pero tenemos muy poco tiempo." Dr. Trelles was brutally frank. He told Fernando that Giuseppina needed a blood transfusion immediately; without it she would probably die. The problem was, because of the hurricane, their blood supply at the clinic was depleted. Additionally, without electricity they could not quickly perform the laboratory analyses to determine her blood type. He apologized for his strong words, but time was of the essence. "Hace unos años que me dijeron que yo tengo el tipo de sangre que puedo dar a cualquiera persona. Fue cuando me trataron aquí mismo para una úlcera sangrante." Fernando told Dr. Trelles that several years ago, this same clinic told him that he had a type of blood that he could donate to anyone. He explained that he was being treated for a bleeding ulcer at the time. Dr. Trelles ordered the nurses to rush Giuseppina into a nearby treatment room. He grabbed Fernando by the arm and followed the gurney. Another nurse took the newborn baby into another room for examination. Within minutes Fernando was on a gurney adjacent to Giuseppina. As Dr. Trelles performed a physical examination of Giuseppina, the nurses frantically began the procedure of transferring Fernando's blood directly into Giuseppina. The doctor constantly monitored Giuseppina's heart rate and blood pressure. After approximately 45 minutes, Giuseppina was softly calling for Fernando. He turned toward her. "Estoy aquí mi amor, estoy aquí mismo." Fernando, with tears in his eyes, responded, "I'm here my love, I'm right here." Gaitero felt relieved when he noticed that the color of Giuseppina's face had returned to its normal pinkish white from the earlier ashen gray. He glanced toward Dr. Trelles, hoping for some indication of what was happening. Rather than speaking, the doctor smiled broadly and gently nodded his head in the affirmative. Fernando reached over and gently grasped Giuseppina's hand. After about another 30 minutes, a nurse told Fernando that the procedure was over. As she was disconnecting him from the equipment, she explained that they would give Giuseppina some medications for pain and to help her sleep. She also recommended that Fernando remain on the gurney for a bit longer. Giuseppina was wheeled out of the room. Twenty minutes later, the same nurse returned with a tray containing a large mug of café con leche and toasted Cuban bread with butter; this was the panacea for all ailments in this part of Tampa. Dr. Trelles entered the room and sat next to Fernando. He told him that, after a lot of rest and nourishment, Giuseppina would be fine. His newborn son was healthy, though crying for his mother, and for food. Both men chuckled. The doctor recommended some minor reparative surgery after a few days of recovery from her blood loss. After a moment of hesitation, Dr. Trelles mentioned that although Giuseppina was anatomically able to conceive again, he recommended against it. He suggested that while he was doing the surgery, he could sever her Fallopian tubes, making future conceptions impossible. The doctor reminded Fernando that this procedure was strongly frowned upon by the Catholic church. That being said, Dr. Trelles said he was able to, in good conscience, present an argument that a future pregnancy would endanger Giuseppina's life. Fernando, though a believer in God, was not as observant of Catholic doctrine as was his wife. He advised Dr. Trelles that he was in favor of the proposal, but that he would discuss it with Giuseppina. As the doctor rose to leave, he turned to Fernando. "Gracias a Dios que tu recordastes de tu tipo de sangre, porque no teníamos ni tres minutos para perder. Para sentirme asegurado, depués de la transfusión, miré en los expedientes para confirmar lo que me dijiste. Algunas veces las complicaciones de dar sangre incompatible se presentan unas horas después. Estamos bien, Fernando." With a grin, Dr. Trelles told Fernando that it was a godsend that Fernando had remembered about his blood type, since they didn't even have a few minutes to spare. The doctor, concerned about delayed complications from mismatched blood, confessed that he had checked the hospital files, and Fernando was correct. Gaitero had type O blood and was considered a universal donor. Fernando had saved Giuseppina's life. After finishing his coffee and toast, he asked a nurse if he could see Giuseppina and the baby. She led him down a hallway which was dimly lit from the first rays of the rising sun. Fernando had failed to notice that the hurricane had passed. A gentle rain and a light wind were the only reminders of their hellish night. They entered a large ward which was occupied by approximately 15 women. The beds were separated by room dividers draped with white cloth. Halfway across the room, the nurse stopped and gestured to Fernando to enter the "room". Mrs. Priede, always the loyal friend, was in a chair next to the bed. She was gently stroking Giuseppina's hand. The new mother was fast asleep. When Mrs. Priede saw Fernando, she rose and gave him a warm hug, kissing each of his cheeks. As he returned the hug, they both wept quietly. She offered him her seat, but Fernando declined. Mrs. Priede was an older woman, and Fernando felt badly that she had been through such an ordeal. He apologized profusely; she whispered that it was fine. Giuseppina was like a daughter to her. Fernando asked for his son. Mrs. Priede explained that María and Mr. Greco had taken the child to a wet nurse in nearby West Tampa, across the Michigan Ave. bridge. Dr. Trelles had thoroughly examined the infant and all was well, except that he needed to start eating quickly. Giuseppina would not be able to nurse for a day or two. Mrs. Messina always kept a list of women who had recently given birth. Many of these women were willing to help out in situations such as this; some expected compensation, others did not. Fernando's expression changed to one of surprise and concern. Mrs. Priede assured him that all was well and that his son was in good hands. The thoughtful nurse brought some coffee and toast for Fernando and Mrs. Priede, along with another chair for Fernando. As they enjoyed their food, they reminisced about Asturias. Like most of Fernando's neighbors, Mrs. Priede was from the concejo ("county") of Candamo. This wonderfully kind woman was from the town of Grullos, not far from Fernando's native San Román. They were briefly interrupted when Giuseppina opened her eyes, smiled at them, and reached out for Fernando's hand. El Gaitero's faith in humanity had never been stronger, and café con leche never tasted better. The birthday cake with four brightly burning candles attracted the attention of the young boy. As he reached out to grab the candles, Fernando quickly pulled back his son's hand, causing it to hit the edge of the cake. "Luciano, cuidado, no te quemes!" Fernando cautioned his son to be careful and not burn himself. Though only four years old, the child had already earned a reputation of being bright, curious and assertive. The guests, gathered around the table, broke out in laughter as Luciano, with a big smile, began eating the frosting. As the crowd began singing a Spanish version of "Happy Birthday", Fernando lifted his son in his arms and kissed his cheeks. Giuseppina, standing beside them, cleaned her son's hand. Fernando put Luciano down, and he ran off to play with his sisters and other children. After the cake was served, Fernando followed his wife into the kitchen. As she washed the dishes, he put his arms around her from behind. "Gracias por darme cuatro hijos preciosos. Todos estan con nosotros hoy." Fernando had thanked Giuseppina for giving them four precious children. She turned and faced him. With tears in her eyes, she hugged her husband. Fernando and Giuseppina rarely spoke of their third child. Born after their daughters, Carmela and Pilar, their first son was named Gaetano, in honor of Giuseppina's father. In Sicilian culture, the first son is normally named after his paternal grandfather, and the second son after the maternal grandfather. This custom is not the norm in Spain. Despite his ambivalent feelings about his father-in-law, Fernando suggested they honor him by naming their first son after Giuseppina's father. The elder Gaetano was extremely dedicated to his family. He had come to love Fernando as his own son. Tragically, baby Gaetano died in 1920, a victim of the influenza pandemic which ravaged the world from February, 1918 until April, 1920. He was just shy of his first birthday. Fernando and Giuseppina had considered naming their second son after his deceased brother, but Giuseppina felt it would cause the child to feel as though he were a "replacement", not his own person. Always grateful to St. Lucy, they chose the name Luciano, with Gaetano as his middle name. Giuseppina, wiping tears from her eyes, suggested that they join their guests. Fernando was grateful that she had found solace in her Catholic faith, though he knew that a piece of the familiy's heart was forever broken. Following Dr. Trelles' advice, Giuseppina, with Fernando's support, had a tubal ligation following Luciano's birth. Luciano Gaetano would be their last child. The next day was a bright, sunny, and crisp day. It was Sunday morning, the day before Luciano's actual birthday. Fernando was dressed and waiting on the front porch for Giuseppina and the children. The Suarez house was on the southeast corner of 21st Ave. and Ybor St. It was a large, but not ostentatious house, the most admired in the neighborhood. This area, between 21st Ave. southward to 19th Ave., and between 15th St. and Ybor St. was known as El Barrio Candamo, "The Candamo Neighborhood". This was because virtually every house had been built and occupied by Spaniards who had emigrated to Tampa from the county of Candamo in the province of Asturias. Most families had their roots in one of the many small villages of Candamo, such as San Roman, Ventosa, Cuero, or Grullos. Eastward from the Suárez home was a largely Sicilian neighborhood. Culturally, this combination was ideal for the Suárez family. Fernando reminisced about the night Luciano was born. The hurricane had caused almost catastrophic damage to Tampa and the surrounding area. Hyde Park and downtown Tampa had a tidal surge with water rising to the third floor level; many homes were completely washed away. West Tampa and Ybor City, while sustaining significant damage, were spared the flooding. Luckily, these neighborhoods were on some of the highest ground in Tampa. The cigar factories were purposely placed in these areas for this reason. To maintain pliability and freshness, the tobacco leaves were stored in the lowest sub-basement areas of the factories, the most humid areas. Because high quality tobacco from Cuba was very expensive, it was important that the leaves be stored in areas that were not prone to flooding. Fernando thought it ironic that some of the poorer areas of Tampa were spared, while the wealthier areas sustained the most damage. Fernando's thoughts were interrupted by Giuseppina's voice. "Bueno, Fernando. Estamos listos." Giuseppina told Fernando that they were ready. Fernando felt grateful as he saw his family smiling, dressed in their Sunday best. Today was a special Sunday. Normally Fernando would drive Giuseppina and the children to and from Mass at Sacred Heart Church. While they were at church, he would join friends at the Centro Asturiano clubhouse, a short drive from the church. Afterward, they would eat lunch at one of Ybor City's many Spanish cafes or restaurants. Today, Fernando would join them for Mass, in honor of Luciano's fourth birthday. Later in the afternoon, they would attend the dedication of the new Centro Asturiano Hospital. This would be followed by a dinner and entertainment at the beautiful Centro Asturiano clubhouse and theater. Fernando and his family joined Giuseppina's parents and other relatives in pews toward the front of the church. In 1905, the old wooden structure was replaced by a massive, beautiful stone building. To the left of the Licatas was a beautiful stained glass window bearing the Licata name; this was in recognition of their significant donation toward the building of the new church. Fernando would not allow himself to imagine the source of much of this money. The impressive new Centro Asturiano Hospital was located on 21st Ave., between 12th St. and 13th St., only a few blocks from the Suárez home. After the dedication ceremony, attendees were offered a tour of the hospital. Located just off of the waiting room was a beautiful chapel. Inside the chapel was a statue of Our Lady of Covadonga, the patron saint of Asturias. The former, smaller clinic for the Centro Asturiano, replaced by this new, modern hospital, had borne her name. For a complex variety of reasons, Covadonga had become a symbol of hope and pride among all Asturians, religious and atheistic alike. In recognition of the clinic having saved Giuseppina's life, Fernando and the Licata family had donated the funds for the chapel, as well as for hospital equipment. This new hospital would also serve members of the Italian Club, as the Spanish societies were the only ones to have hospitals. Fernando asked the Licatas to watch Carmela, Pilar, and Luciano. The children continued down a hallway, escorted by their grandparents. Fernando took Giuseppina's hand and gently led her into the chapel. They sat in one of the five pews. They were the only people there. Still holding her hand, her turned to face her. "Pina, nada puede reemplazar nuestro precioso bebé, Gaetano. El dolor de esa pérdida siempre será más allá de palabras, lo sé. Pero, en total, tenemos tanto en nuestras vidas por lo que debemos estar agradecidos. Nos conocimos, nos casamos, y tenemos tres hijos que son el centro de nuestras vidas. He tenido éxito en mi trabajo. Tenemos amigos buenísimos. Tus padres me han aceptados como otro de sus propios hijos. Aunque no soy muy religioso, puedo decir que somos bendecidos. El futuro parece muy seguro, sin límites. Te quiero con todo mi corazón." Fernando, feeling introspective, had shared with Giuseppina his assessment of their lives. He acknowledged that the pain of losing their precious baby, Gaetano, was beyond words, and would always be with them. In spite of that, he felt grateful for so much in their lives. They met, they married, and have three children that are the central part of their lives. Fernando has done well in his work and they have many good friends. Giuseppina's parents have accepted Fernando as another of their own children. In his opinion, their future looks secure and without limits. Though he was not religious, he felt that they were blessed. Giuseppina gently squeezed Fernando's hand. He recognized this as an affirmation of his words. "Señor Suárez, la junta directiva está organizando una reunión a las tres. Dicen que su presencia es obligatorio. Me parece que es sobre algo muy importante." Fernando's secretary, Miss Valdés, advised him that the board of directors had just called for a meeting, and that his presence was obligatory. She elaborated that it seemed to her that it was about something extremely important. Fernando glanced at his watch. He had about forty-five minutes to wonder about what it might concern. As the assistant to the general manager of Sanchez y Haya, Fernando was usually privy to matters of concern to the factory. He had noticed, over the past several days, that several of the owners and board members from New York had come to Tampa. Ignacio Haya died in 1906, twenty-three years earlier. After that, the factory grew quickly, along with Tampa's cigar industry in general. The factory, after several moves, was now located in a massive four story building on 13th Ave. and 21st St. The 1920s, quickly coming to a close, had been a decade of incredible prosperity in the United States. This certainly extended to Tampa, which had become the undisputed "Cigar Capital of the World", as often proclaimed in advertising material. As 1929 was drawing to a close, several cigar industry journals were forecasting that Tampa's 287 cigar factories were on track to set a new record. The forecast was for more than 500 million hand-rolled cigars in 1929, far exceeding that of Havana. Fernando, benefiting from his literacy, had personally prospered as well. After Mr. Castañeda retired, Fernando was promoted, replacing him. Fernando completed several courses in business practices and accounting. Several private Spanish language business schools operated in or near Ybor City. Additionally, he had taken advantage of free English classes offered at the Centro Asturiano, and had attained a limited, but functional, proficiency in the language. It was shortly before 3:00 pm and Fernando made his way to the meeting room. The room was filled to capacity, something Fernando had never seen. Only men were present. The air was so thick with cigar smoke that it was difficult to breathe. Though Fernando's livelihood depended upon cigars, he was not a smoker. He felt very uncomfortable, but declined to comment. It was particularly hot for late October, which only added to the problem. Mercifully, one of the few other non-smokers began opening some of the windows. Though Fernando knew many of those in the room, there were several unfamiliar faces. He assumed they were board members from New York. Shortly after three o'clock, one of the gentlemen, Mr. Pons, called the meeting to order. He wasted no time in getting straight to the point. Early in this afternoon of October 29, 1929, the US stock market essentially collapsed. The downward trend had begun over a week prior, with daily declines causing widespread concern. Many of the directors present had varied business interests and had probably sustained major financial losses. For many, Sanchez y Haya, Inc. represented a large portion of their portfolio. The purpose of the meeting was to announce that there would be immediate and drastic cost-cutting measures put into place at the factory. This would include a major reduction in the number of employees. Many of the men present also had investments in other cigar factories, both in Tampa and elsewhere. Cigars were considered an expensive and non-essential indulgence. The fear was that the cigar industry would be negatively affected early and significantly. It appeared that the boom years of the 1920s were about to come to a screeching halt. "También, hemos notado que en Nueva York hace unos meses que hay interés, entre los obreros tabaqueros, en el comunismo. Los sindicatos están promoviendo ideas peligrosas. En el caso de los obreros tabaqueros, estas ideas vienen de los lectores. Recomiendo que empezemos el proceso de quitar estos agitadores de las fábricas de Tampa. Pueden ser la ruina de la industria, o lo que va quedar de la industria." Mr. Pons had advised the others that there was concern about general labor unrest. He and others had noted that in New York, labor unions were promoting dangerous ideas, a flirtation with communism. Concern about the stock market had been circulating in that largest of our US cities for some time. Many activists felt that capitalism was beginning to fail, and attention was turning to the Russian revolution, a mere 13 years prior. Mr. Pons, continuing, said that in the case of the tobacco workers, these ideas were strongly promoted via the lectores ("readers") in the factories. That, along with the fact that the cigar workers in Tampa were highly unionized, gave him cause for great concern. He recommended that they begin the process of removing the readers from the factories of Tampa. Fernando was growing increasingly concerned. Mr. Pons was well known throughout Tampa as a reasonable man, one not prone to hyperbole. The desperation in his voice added to the already tense atmosphere. In addition to owning one of the larger cigar factories in Tampa, Mr. Pons also owned interests in many others, including some in New York. Because of the vast number of cigar factories in Tampa, there had emerged a consortium of owners and investors which wielded significant influence and power. This was the group in which Fernando found himself. As Mr. Pons finished talking, the room was filled with the clamor of a collective angst; many were shouting out questions, others walked out, clearly agitated. Fernando knew that any attempt at removing the readers would be met with strong resistance. They had become not only a source of news and entertainment, but a cultural fixture onto themselves. The workers had developed a special bond with the readers. Fernando felt that suddenly, his professional future was no longer secure, and that the world as he knew it was about to change. The Great Depression had begun that fateful afternoon of October 29, 1929, now known as "Black Tuesday". Two years into this cataclysmic financial collapse, every part of the American economy had been severely affected. The cigar industry was changing rapidly. Massive layoffs, though necessary, fueled disillusionment of the capitalist system. Labor unrest was increasing. The year 1929 had been a banner year for the industry, with Tampa's 287 factories hand-rolling almost 500 million cigars. However, hard times were ahead for the "Cigar Capital of the World". "Gaitero,que sorpresa! No esperaba verte aquí." Ignacio expressed surprise at seeing Fernando. The two men embraced warmly. "Yo sé que hay riesgo en lo que hago. Pero esta son mi gente, y tengo que mostrar apoyo a su causa." Fernando, without hesitation, replied that he knew there was a risk in what he was doing. However, these are "his people", and he had to show support for their cause. Fernando and Ignacio joined the throngs of people filing into the magnificent theater of the Centro Asturiano clubhouse. Many people approached Fernando, hugging him and thanking him for his support. The palatial building, at the southeast corner of Nebraska and Palm Avenues, was considered to be among Tampa's most impressive structures. The theater, ranked among the finest in all of Florida, had a capacity of approximately 1,100 people. On this October evening in 1931, it was filled beyond its seating capacity. Several months prior, the cigar workers' union had called for a general strike. Central among the many issues was the subject of the "lectores" or readers. Factory owners had grown concerned that the readers were "poisoning" the minds of the workers by reading progressive, left-leaning newspapers and works of literature. The factory owners were barring the readers from the factories. Following peaceful demonstrations, many factories had locked out their workers, offering their jobs back at substantially lower wages. Negotiations were progressing poorly. The union leaders had called for a general meeting at the Centro Asturiano theater. Fernando knew that as a manager, he was expected to support the factory owners. After much introspection, he decided that his loyalty lay with the workers. He fully expected to lose his job, a price he was willing to pay. "Zapato, hace años que no trabajas como tabaquero, y ahora es el dueño de un negocio privado. También me quedo sorprendido verte aquí." As the two men were taking their seats, Fernando similarly expressed surprise at seeing Ignacio at the strike meeting. It had been years since Ignacio stopped working as a cigar maker. A few years after Fernando married, Ignacio married Sofia Faedo. Her family had a small dairy farm in the northwest part of West Tampa. The demand for dairy products had grown rapidly along with Tampa's population. Ignacio and Sofia had successfully built her family's business into one of the larger and better-known dairy farms in the Tampa area. "Gaitero, como tú, mi corazón todavía queda con esta comunidad. También, el éxito de mi lechería depende mucho que la gente puedan comprar mis productos. También, es nuestro elemento.....recordamos de dónde vinimos, verdad?" Ignacio told Fernando that his heart still remained with the community of the workers. He felt it was their basic element, remembering from where they came. On a more pragmatic level, he also reminded Fernando that the success of his dairy business depended on the ability of people to buy his products. He had seen proof that a prosperous middle class was very good for private businesses. There was a long table on the stage. Sitting at the table were four men and one woman. The first person to speak was Belarmino Pedroso. Though visibly older, his passion for, and dedication to, his struggle for the common person was more evident than ever. "Al pueblo tampeño, le digo que ahora es el momento de unirse contra las fuerzas que quieren quitarles sus derechos. Su derecho a ganar un salario con el que pueda vivir de una manera decente. Su derecho a trabajar en condiciones humanas. Su derecho a escuchar a personas o ideas cuyos objetivos son darle una manera de mejorar su vida." Belarmino appealed to the workers of Tampa to unite against those forces that were trying to take away their rights. He spoke of the rights to a decent wage and humane working conditions. Above all, he championed the right to listen to any person or idea, even those that conflicted with his political opinions. As he concluded, the audience rose to their feet in thunderous applause. As the next speaker rose and approached the dais, the audience, still standing, began shouting words of adulation and praise. The older gentleman about to speak was Armando Nogueira Yglesias, the reader who had translated for Fernando the day he first arrived at Port Tampa. Now in his late 60s, he was no longer working as a reader. He was the owner and publisher of a progressive newspaper, "El Obrero Iluminado" ("The Enlightened Worker"). This newspaper was well respected by union leaders across the country, and local politicians vied for its endorsement during elections. Armando spoke passionately and eloquently about the right of the people to be informed and educated. He warned that when ideas and free speech become the enemy, dictatorships can take hold. He cautioned that the elimination of the factory readers was about more than losing a form of entertainment. It was an attempt to deprive workers of an education, a form of control. The evening ended with a frank and pessimistic assessment of what lay ahead. The reality was that the strike was going the way of the factory owners. Workers were desperate, as their savings were depleted. Jobs in other industries were all but nonexistent. Emergency assistance funds, such as those offered by the Centro Asturiano, were rapidly being spent. While the spirit of cooperation was impressive, it was probably not going to be enough to win the strike. The cigar industry in Tampa was forever changed. Opportunity and security were no longer limitless. As Fernando and Ignacio walked to the parking area, Ignacio reminded Fernando that his son's birthday celebration was scheduled for the next Sunday afternoon at his home. Ignacio and Sofia had two sons and one daughter. Rafael, their youngest child, was a bit older than Luciano. Like their fathers, the two boys were very close friends. Over the years, the special bond between Fernando and Ignacio had extended to their families as well. "Hijos, vamos! Estamos un poco tarde. Zapato y la familia nos esperan!" Fernando, always punctual, asked his kids to hurry up. They were running a bit late for Rafael's birthday celebration. They piled into the car, holding trays of Spanish and Sicilian food. Giuseppina, an excellent cook, had become legendary for being a guest that never arrives empty-handed. Soon after crossing the Michigan Ave. bridge, Fernando turned right on Armenia Ave. This was a newer area of West Tampa, and known as "Los Cien" ("The One Hundred"). The name was taken from the fact that several of the large cigar factories in the area had built one hundred homes and then offered them at cost to their workers. This was done as an incentive to draw and keep workers. They employed a lottery system to decide who could make a purchase, since the demand exceeded the supply. Large factories such as Gracia y Vega, Celestino Vega, Andrés Díaz, and Calixto Lopez were the dominant employers in this northernmost part of West Tampa. Soon they were headed west on Tampa Bay Blvd. After a few blocks, just past Tampa Bay Blvd. elementary school, the paved road gave way to sand and gravel. They rolled up their windows to avoid the dust. After a few more blocks, the roadway ended. Just in front of them was a large wooden house surrounded by beautiful live oak trees. Many horse-drawn wagons and automobiles were parked on either side of the gate. Beyond the house were large fields with what appeared to be an infinite number of cows grazing. The unmistakable combination of smells unique to dairy farms instantly transported Fernando back to his native Candamo, Asturias. To the left of a large, opened gate was a sign that read "Sunny South Dairy". As would frequently happen, Fernando was reminded of how he, Ignacio, and so many other immigrants had achieved the "American Dream". Because of recent events, he was no longer sure of how enduring this dream would be. After lunch and the traditional birthday cake, Fernando and several other men entertained most of the guests with traditional Galician and Asturian bagpipe songs. Several couples performed the traditional jig dances of these northern Spanish provinces. Called "jotas", they're lively Irish-like dances popular at festivals and parties. The children and younger adults had gone inside the house and were listening to jazz and a new type of American music called "swing" or "big band". Following the music and dancing, most of the men retreated to play dominoes or cards, and discuss politics. The women were helping Sofia in the kitchen. A few months prior, Spain had formed a democratically-elected Republic, a staunch rejection of the monarchy and the Catholic Church. Believing a "new Spain" was emerging, many of the conversations were focused on the possibility of returning to their beloved homeland. Fernando and Ignacio were seated at a table, no one else was with them. "Bueno, Zapato. Lo que yo esperaba, ocurrió. Hace dos días que me botaron de mi trabajo. Me dijieron que mi presencia en la reunión de la huelga la otra noche es el razón." Fernando confessed to Ignacio that he was fired from his job at Sanchez y Haya two days prior. What he had predicted had, indeed, happened. "Vaya, hombre. Que vas a hacer? Quieres trabajar aquí en la lechería hasta que encuentras algo mejor? La buena cosa es que, aunque hay la crisis, la gente todavía tienen que comer." Zapato, shaken by the news, wondered what Fernando was going to do. He offered him a job at the dairy until he could find something better. Ignacio commented that although there was an ongoing economic depression, people still had to eat. Fernando hesitatingly replied that the Licata family had offered him a position with the family business, and that he had accepted the offer. There was an agreement that Fernando would not get directly involved in any activity that was untoward, or illegal. Gaetano and his sons agreed, and Fernando would become the office manager and accountant at Licata's Fruits and Vegetables. Chapter Thirty-Nine Chapter Forty Chapter Forty-One Chapter Forty-Two Click Here For Part Four

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Part Five: ¡Ahora, Somos Americanos! / Now, We are Americans! Chapter Fifty-One Shortly after 9:30 a.m. the "Phoenix" docked in lower Manhattan. Captain Winchester informed the Tampeños that they must stay on board until an immigrations officer inspected their documents and approved entry into the U.S.A. About an hour and a half later the immigration officer arrived. He apologized for their wait, advising them that more passengers than usual are arriving in freighters. He attributed this to the political instability in Europe, especially in Spain. The process went quickly and smoothly, though he asked numerous questions about their time in Spain. He stamped their documents and welcomed them home. The relieved passengers thanked the crew and Captain Winchester. The captain had grown quite fond of the Tampeños and asked to keep in contact. They exchanged addresses, and Captain Winchester promised he would let them know if the "Phoenix" were to ever call at the Port of Tampa. Because they were the only passengers disembarking, it was easy for the Alonso and Cuesta families to locate the Tampeños. A man approached them with open arms. "Fernando, bienvenido a Nueva York! Gracias a Dios que llegaron sin problema." Amancio Alonso recognized Fernando and welcomed him to New York. He thanked God for their safe arrival. Fernando, having met Amancio in Tampa, rushed over to him. "Amancio, muchísimas gracias por todo. Esperamos que no seamos una molestia para vosotros, hombre!" Fernando thanked Amancio, and told him they hoped they weren't going to be a nuisance for them. Amancio, assuring Fernando that they would not be imposing, began a round of introductions. He and his wife, Alicia, were accompanied by Guillermo and Dolores Cuesta, the other host family. After the usual hugging and kissing, Amancio led the group out of the dock area and toward the street, luggage in tow. The noise and pace of the city immediately impressed the Tampeños, now feeling like country bumpkins. Amancio and Guillermo hailed several cabs, explaining that, unlike Tampa, very few New Yorkers owned cars. The twelve people, along with baggage, required a total of four cabs. Soon they were crossing Manhattan toward the lower West Side and Little Spain. The Alonso and Cuesta families lived in adjacent apartment buildings on 14th St. immediately across the street from La Nacional, the oldest Spanish benevolent association in New York. Many Spanish businesses and restaurants were located on this main street of the Little Spain neighborhood. Both host families luckily had sons and daughters close in age to that of the Prendes and Suárez families. This made it easier to accommodate eight people comfortably. After settling in, everyone gathered in the Alonso apartment for a large Saturday afternoon meal. Naturally, the conversation centered on the situation in Spain. The Tampeños' harrowing story captivated their hosts. News from Spain had become erratic, and communication with family and friends in Spain was impossible. What was known is that it appeared the civil war was going to be a protracted one; an early resolution was not likely. Amancio addressed the group. "Esta noche hay una reunión en La Nacional. Van a discutir cómo podemos organizarnos para apoyar la Republica." Mr. Alonso announced that there was to be a meeting that night at La Nacional, the Spanish society across the street. They were going to discuss how to organize in support of the Spanish Republic. Fernando had assumed that their hosts, like the vast majority of Spanish immigrants, were probably supporters of the Republic, but hadn't known for sure. He was relieved to know that they were in "friendly territory". The meeting was open to all members of La Nacional and their interested guests. The decision was made to attend the meeting. The children decided they would rather take advantage of seeing some of the sights of New York. The Alonso and Cuesta children were anxious to show their visitors a bit of the big city! Giuseppina and Sofia helped Alicia and Dolores clear the table and wash dishes. The men, of course, retreated to the living room for coffee, cigars, and more political discussion. The children practically ran over their parents as they rushed out to explore Manhattan with their new friends. As Alicia appeared with the coffee, Fernando suddenly got a feeling of dread and guilt, concerned over what might be happening to his family in Asturias. Something about the way Alicia was serving the coffee and passing around the cups made him think of his mother. Their rapid escape and ocean voyage had been, in some ways, a distraction from the grim reality now facing them. The hasty departure from Cuero was probably the last time he would see his parents, and possibly any of his Spanish relatives. His racing thoughts were mercifully interrupted by Guillermo. "Caballeros, me dicen que Fernando es un gaitero muy famoso. Su fama llega hasta aquí en Nueva York. Quiero ver y oír la prueba!" Guillermo, known for his humor and easy-going approach to life, chided Fernando to perhaps entertain them by playing the bagpipes. He joked that the Tampeño's fame as a master "gaitero" reached all the way to New York, and he wanted to hear and see proof of his talent. Fernando agreed, welcoming the opportunity to take his mind off of the war. Within a few minutes, Guillermo returned with a bagpipe he brought from Spain many years before, admitting he simply wasn't able to do it justice. It had been sitting idly on a shelf in a linen closet. Fernando brought it to life, so much so that within a few minutes several Spanish neighbors joined them. A spontaneous fiesta was the perfect way to end the afternoon. By 7:30 p.m. La Nacional was filled to capacity. There was no theater or auditorium as such, but the ball room was set up with folding chairs and a make-shift dais. The evening began as a special general meeting of La Nacional's membership. The purpose was to take a vote formalizing the support of the organization for the legally elected Spanish Second Republic. While the vast majority of the members supported the resolution, a small but vocal minority voiced opposition. Some claimed neutrality was best, others supported the Nationalist rebels. Shouts of "communists" and "fascist Hitler-lovers" filled the air. Two men exchanged blows and were ejected from the building. It was obvious that Spain's crisis was resonating among its ex-patriots here in New York. Fernando wondered if the same was happening in Tampa. After the chaos subsided, a vote was taken and as expected, the resolution passed by a landslide. Members who were opposed would be entitled to a full refund of their annual dues. Ignacio, whispering to Fernando, wondered if perhaps this was a way of identifying the fascists among the membership; both men chuckled softly. The Spanish consul of New York addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for the show of solidarity. Representatives of various trade unions spoke of efforts to raise funds and send supplies to the Republican government. It was obvious that the community here in New York was organizing in response to the crisis in Spain. After the meeting, there was a social hour. The Tampeños were introduced to many friends of their hosts. The visitors were amazed at how strong the connections between the two Spanish communities were. Practically every person they met had friends or relatives, or both, living in Tampa. When the economic depression arrived, many Tampeños moved to New York in search of jobs. Several of these transplants were at the meeting, and were anxious to hear news from "home" and to chat about the "old days" in quaint Tampa. Ignacio turned to Fernando. "Bueno, Gaitero. Parece que lo que dicen es verdad. "Tampa es una trampa". Ignacio, quoting one of his favorite witticisms, told Fernando that the old saying, "Tampa is a trap", appears to hold true. Tampa, in its own quirky way, leaves its imprint on those who are born there or have adopted it as their home. Tampeños may leave Tampa, but Tampa never completely leaves a Tampeño. The men laughed out loud, agreeing that this seemed to be true. It was now 10:00 p.m. The visitors from Tampa had insisted on treating the Alonsos and Cuestas to dinner. The children were still out on the town. Reservations had been made at "El Chico" restaurant, a few blocks away. It was New York's oldest and best-known Spanish restaurant, owned by a fellow Asturian. Dinner was excellent, a combination of classic Spanish food with some Latin American specialties on the menu as well. A wonderful flamenco show added to the festivities. It was 1: 00 a.m. by the time the adults got back to the apartments. The four mothers personally checked to make sure all the children were safely asleep. As a group, they knocked on each of the children's bedroom doors, verifying that all were accounted for. They laughed as they "made the rounds", blaming the wine at dinner for their silly behavior. The Tampeños' first day in New York had certainly been memorable, for a variety of reasons. Giuseppina had arranged with Dolores and Alicia to prepare a traditional Sunday afternoon Sicilian family dinner. Though Little Italy was relatively close to Little Spain, the Alonsos and the Cuestas were not very familiar with Sicilian home cooking and welcomed the generosity of their guests. The four mothers arose before everyone else and went on a shopping expedition to nearby Little Italy. By 11:30 a.m. a large pot of "sugo siciliano" was simmering on the stove in the Alonso's apartment. "Sugo" is the traditional Sicilian term for tomato-based pasta sauce. Giuseppina was amused when the clerk in one of the Italian stores referred to it as "gravy". Alicia and Dolores were equally amused when they saw that Giuseppina added, in addition to various meats, two dozen hard boiled eggs to the sugo. The four women laughed as they compared local idiosyncrasies. As the others awoke, they gathered in the large kitchen, which was now functioning as a Sicilian cooking school, with Dolores and Alicia taking notes. By 3:00 p.m. the group of 16 people were feasting on seemingly endless platters of Sicilian delicacies. Silence replaced the simultaneous talking that normally prevailed. Giuseppina and her "assistant", Sofia, proudly observed as their families and guests enjoyed the new experience. "Fernando y yo hicimos llamadas esta mañana. Conseguimos reservaciones para el tren a Tampa el miércoles. Llegarèmos el jueves. No había disponibilidad hasta ese día. Esperamos que no presenta problema para vosotros. Podemos conseguir un hotel sin ningún problema." Ignacio announced that he and Fernando had made phone calls that morning and were able to get train reservations to Tampa for the following Wednesday. They would arrive in Tampa on Thursday. They had tried to get reservations for an earlier day, but there was no availability for eight people. Ignacio hoped this wasn't a problem and said they could go to a hotel. Almost simultaneously, Guillermo and Amancio assured them that all was fine, and they welcomed them to stay as long as necessary. Dolores joked that the only problem would be the weight gain if Giuseppina continued to prepare the meals. Everyone laughed, as more food emerged from the kitchen. Monday and Tuesday were spent enjoying the sites of New York. The Alonsos and Cuestas were the most generous of hosts. Amancio and Guillermo co-owned a small cigar factory of approximately 40 employees. These were known as "chinchales", the Spanish word for bedbugs, due to their small size. In Tampa, they were also known as "Buckeyes", but no one seemed to know exactly why. Amancio and Guillermo were successful, having carved out a large local market for their high-quality cigars. Their tour of New York included a visit to the factory. The visitors were struck by the similarity to those found in Tampa. Many of the employees they met had spent time in Tampa prior to moving on to New York. Most had learned the trade in either Tampa or Havana. This reinforced the fact that Tampa was the focal point of cigar manufacturing, and the ties between the New York and Tampa Spanish immigrant communities were many. New York's Penn Station was not particularly busy. The Silver Meteor train to Tampa was scheduled to depart at 3:00 p.m. Always obsessively early, Fernando had insisted on arriving two hours before departure. Amancio and Guillermo had returned to work after their "mini vacation" as hosts. Dolores and Alicia had accompanied the travelers to the station. The families had bonded during the past four days, and the farewell was emotional. The New Yorkers promised they would visit Tampa in the near future. The Tampeños checked their baggage and enjoyed a quick tour of the majestic train station. They boarded the Silver Meteor at 2:15 p.m. At precisely 3:00 p.m. the train slowly pulled out of Penn Station. Unable to obtain sleeper accommodations, the travelers settled in for what would be a night of trying to sleep in their seats. Fernando reminisced on his trip from Havana to Tampa on the Mascotte, remembering that hard wooden bench that served as his bed. Certainly, these train seats were more comfortable, but his being 36 years older would probably offset the difference. He was anticipating a difficult night but decided to shift his focus and enjoy this last part of this great adventure. As expected, Rafael and Luciano were rarely to be found in their seats. After several walks from one end of the Silver Meteor to the other they finally returned to their seats. After a few hours the train slowed as it entered Union Station in Washington, D.C. The conductor announced this would be an extended stop of 50 minutes. Luciano, wanting to get a quick glimpse of the nation's capital, asked if it would be possible to disembark. The conductor said it would be, but to make certain they retained their tickets for reboarding. As the train came to a halt in the cavernous station, the Tampeños gathered their belongings and walked briskly into the terminal and onto the street. From the main entrance they could see the U.S. Capitol, its white dome just visible above the many trees lining the streets. Luciano and Rafael asked permission to run ahead of them for a better view. Their parents agreed, reminding them to keep an eye on the time. The departure from Washington was anticlimactic, as the route was via underground tracks. By the time the train surfaced, the beautiful rolling hills of Virginia were visible. After a short time, they were called to the dining car. The conductor had thoughtfully arranged two tables across from each other. As Ignacio began eating his delicious fried chicken, he commented to the others. "Saben que esta es una de las pocas veces que he comido comida americana tradicional. Está deliciosa." He said this was one of the few times he has eaten traditional American food, and he found it to be delicious. After some exclamation of surprise, the group realized that this was logical. The typical immigrant living in West Tampa or Ybor City in 1936 would have had limited exposure to American culture. Their children, on the other hand, had begun the great process of assimilation. By the time dinner was over, the sun had set. The Tampeños began the process of trying to convert their seats into makeshift beds. Using the blankets and pillows that had been provided, they had limited success. Adding to their restlessness was the anticipation of finally getting home after an exciting, but stressful, adventure. "Next stop, Savannah, Georgia! Next stop, Savannah, Georgia!" It was approximately 6:30 a.m. and the Silver Meteor was entering Savannah. Mercifully, the several stops during the night had no ticketed passengers, and the sleeping passengers had been spared additional interruptions. The conductor advised them that if they wanted breakfast, they should proceed to the dining car shortly. In Jacksonville, Florida, their car would be switched to another train headed to Tampa and St. Petersburg. The remainder of the train, with the dining car, would continue down Florida's east coast to Miami. Shortly after breakfast they completed the transfer in Jacksonville. By 2:30 p.m. they were slowly passing through Ybor City. The tracks paralleled and were immediately next to 6th Ave. Excitedly, they identified familiar landmarks that somehow looked a bit different from their perspective. After pulling onto a set of side tracks, the Silver Meteor began slowly backing into Tampa Union Station. Fernando turned to his fellow travelers. "Bueno, quizás Tampa es una trampa, pero es una trampa que adoro. Finalmente, estamos en casa." He told the group that perhaps Tampa was a "trap", but it was a trap that he adored. They were finally home. Thanksgiving had become Fernando's favorite holiday. He viewed it as the quintessential American celebration, and it was on this day that he felt the most "American". He often reminisced of his first Thanksgiving 38 years ago at La Gallega boarding house, a few weeks after his arrival in Tampa. So much had transpired, most of it for which he felt grateful. This particular Thanksgiving of 1938 was one of conflicting emotions. The Spanish Civil War raged on with no end in sight, and recent reports suggested the fascist rebels under General Francisco Franco were likely to prevail in overthrowing the legally elected government. Its ferocity exceeded what anyone had expected. The German and Italian air forces, especially the Condor Legion of the Luftwaffe, were regularly bombing civilian and military targets. The United States, along with most of the world, failed to support the democratically elected Spanish Republic. The war had so far killed close to half a million Spaniards, many of them civilians. This represented one out of every fifty Spaniards. News was sketchy, and Fernando had virtually no information concerning his family. On the brighter side, Fernando and his family were well. Carmela and her husband had given Fernando and Giuseppina their first grandchild. Pilar was engaged to a wonderful man, and Luciano was in his senior year at Hillsborough High School. Not only was he an outstanding scholar, but a star player on the school's football team, one of the best in the state. Luciano had grown into a strong and agile young man, and one of the best high school fullbacks in the state of Florida. At times, Fernando couldn't reconcile the conflict and the guilt he felt. His idyllic life in Tampa certainly was a stark contrast to the hell his family in Spain was probably enduring. As he smelled the aromas coming from the kitchen, he wondered if his family had any food at all. His despairing thoughts were mercifully interrupted. "Papa, me voy! El partido empieza a la una y el equipo tiene que estar en la escuela a las once y media. Voy con Frank en el tranvía." Luciano, in his usual booming voice, told Fernando that the game started at 1:00p.m. and the team needed to be at the school at 11:30 a.m. He said that Frank and he would go on the streetcar. Fernando raced over to his son before he could run out the door. He grabbed him by both shoulders and planted a kiss on each of his cheeks. Luciano, smiling, reciprocated. Fernando proudly watched from the front porch as his son ran two houses over to meet his good friend and teammate, Frank Busto. Frank was the quarterback on the team. "The game" to which Luciano referred was Tampa's most important football game of the year. It pitted Hillsborough High against arch-rival Plant High School. Hillsborough was located in the working-class neighborhood of Seminole Heights, just north of Ybor City. Plant High was located across the city in the Palma Ceia neighborhood. The rivalry was intense, and the game was traditionally played on Thanksgiving afternoon. These two schools were the only two public "white" schools in Tampa. Many people viewed the rivalry as a match between the elite and wealthy professionals of South Tampa, and the blue-collar working classes of Seminole Heights, West Tampa, and Ybor City. Hillsborough High was the high school for the vast majority of the immigrants and their children. This year's game was especially important, as the winner would earn the championship for the central part of Florida, and the right to play for the Florida state championship. After the game, the Suárez family and their friends would enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner at the Suárez home. As usual, Fernando insisted on arriving at the game early. Fortunately, this year's game was at Hillsborough High, only a ten-minute drive from El Barrio Candamo. Ignacio, Sofia, and Rafael met them at the stadium entrance. Rafael, already graduated from Hillsborough High, had been an excellent football player as well. Not as stocky as Luciano, he was better suited for baseball, and was a first baseman in the semi-pro leagues. Sofia and Giuseppina spent most of the game discussing the Thanksgiving dinner preparations, as well as praying that Luciano would not be injured. Rafael sat between Ignacio and Fernando, explaining the rules of the game as it unfolded. Rafael explained that because of their size, fullbacks are usually used to block for their quarterbacks, as well as for short yardage gains. Luciano was versatile in that he was also a fast runner, despite his large size. Rafael hoped, but doubted, that they were understanding. As expected, the game was a thrilling one. The roar of the crowd was so loud, Rafael gave up trying to explain what was happening because it was impossible to hear him. With two seconds left on the clock, Plant was ahead by a score of ten to six. Hillsborough had the ball on the Plant three-yard line, and it was fourth down. The ball was snapped to Frank Busto, the quarterback. The coach had allowed Frank to call the play, but Frank misread the defensive lineup. Luciano, lined up next to him, realized what had happened. Frank and Luciano had fantasized about and practiced this situation numerous times in sandlot football at Cuscaden Park, near El Barrio Candamo. He yelled out to Frank, as the game clock hit zero and the final buzzer could be heard. The play was still in motion. "Paco, la falsificación! La falsificación! Aquí, hombre!" Luciano had yelled out, in Spanish, "Frankie, the fake! The fake! Right here, man!" The defensive players frantically looked around them, totally confused. Frank knew what to do. As his arm came forward he circled to his right, lobbing the ball to Luciano, now about eight yards from the goal line. Thrusting forward, he got to about the three and a half yard line. Three of Plant's largest defensive linemen, now having read the fake, were upon him. Luciano dug in his cleats. With his head down, the ball clutched firmly against his chest, he thrust forward with all his strength, dragging the three linemen with him. About a foot from the goal line, he knew his knees were about to hit the turf. Closing his eyes, he took the ball and plunged it forward with as much strength as he could muster. He hit the turf, rolling over on his back. Glancing to his left, he saw the referee raising both arms, signaling a touchdown. Hillsborough won the game, thirteen to ten. Neither an explanation nor a translation was needed for Luciano's and Rafael's parents to understand what had just happened. Most of the fans, including them and Rafael, raced onto the field. In a scene reminiscent of the Roman legions having returned home after defeating Carthage, Luciano's teammates had lifted him onto their shoulders and were parading around the field. He may as well have been a victorious Roman general. The celebration was marred as disappointed Plant High fans began throwing wadded up paper wrappers and anything else they could find at the celebrants. Several policemen dispersed the crowd. The coaches wisely began to hurry their teams away. Luciano called out to his parents. "Mama, papa. Les quiero muchísimo. Les veo en una hora, en casa, y vamos a comer pavo!" The game hero told his parents than he loved them very much and would see them in an hour, at home, and that they would eat turkey. Little did Luciano realize that he had just given Giuseppina and Fernando a gift far more valuable than his having won a game that would go down in school history. In the midst of a celebration with his peers, he remembered who he is and from where he came. Rafael told his parents that he was going to meet the guys in the locker room to share in the celebration. He would meet them at the Suárez home with Luciano and Frank. As the parents neared the parking lot, they became aware of a man ranting in a loud voice. Apparently, the father of one of the Plant High players had enjoyed too much bourbon during the game. His anger and disappointment over the outcome of the game had gotten the better of him. "Get me the hell back to the white part of town! I hate these damned spics and talleys and all these low-class cracker Latin-lovers that put up with them! This country should throw them out and make us clean again!" Only Fernando was able to understand the gist of what was being said. After being asked by the others, he reluctantly translated the man's opinions. Ignacio, always a bit more confrontational than Fernando, raced toward the man. Fernando unsuccessfully tried to stop him. Ignacio, stopping a few feet from the man, yelled out. "Somos americanos tanto como tú! Eres una desgracia para este gran país!" "We are as American as you! You are a disgrace to this great country!" The drunk man clenched his fist, pulled back, and swung directly at Ignacio. The intended target, always quick on his feet, averted the punch. Ignacio immediately swung back, landing his fist squarely on the aggressor's nose. Blood gushed out. Women screamed. Within seconds, two policemen appeared. Luckily, one of the policemen had been close enough to witness the confrontation, acknowledging that Ignacio had responded in self-defense. Fernando approached the policeman, explaining that Ignacio did not speak English. The officer agreed to have him translate. After asking for identification from both men, the officer asked if Ignacio wanted to press charges. He declined, wishing to put the entire affair to rest. After Fernando and Ignacio managed to calm Sofia and Giuseppina, the two couples returned to their cars. No one spoke during the ride back to El Barrio Candamo. As 1938 drew to a close, Fernando's conflicted feelings grew in intensity. He and his family were relishing in their good fortune. Luciano was scheduled to graduate from high school the following June, and he had been accepted to the University of Florida and a position on their football team. He was awarded a full scholarship based on both his athletic and academic achievements. In early December, Hillsborough High played for the Florida state football championship, losing to Robert E. Lee High School of Jacksonville. Naturally, Luciano was disappointed at the outcome, but his parents were proud of the mature manner in which he accepted the defeat. Carmela and her family were well and comfortably settled. Pilar was due to marry in June, two weeks after Luciano's high school graduation. Fernando and Giuseppina were grateful beyond words for their personal situation. On the contrary, Fernando's feelings of near euphoria were tempered by the news from Spain, which grew worse by the day. Recent Nationalist rebel victories gave the Fascists control of most of the country, with the exception of Asturias, parts of Castile, and the capital city, Madrid. The siege of Madrid, ongoing since October 1936, was one bastion of "hope against hope" for the Republicans. The Republican slogan had become "They Shall Not Pass!", in Spanish, "No Pasarán!" Leopoldo Gonzalez, a cigar maker and musician from Tampa had composed a song of the same name, incorporating the slogan and words of encouragement. The song was played at numerous pro-Republican rallies and fundraisers, not only in Tampa, but in cities across the U.S.A. While proud that Asturias had mounted some of the fiercest anti-Fascist resistance in the war, Fernando dreaded the thought of the price which was paid. It was now a week before Christmas. The "Tampa Democratic Popular Committee to Aid Spain" had issued an appeal for the community to replace Christmas gift-giving with donations to aid Spain. They sought not only cash, but donations of clothing and first aid items such as bandages. Hundreds of thousands of Republican Spaniards, sensing that defeat was near, were beginning to flee across the frigid Pyrenees Mountains into France. Along with other organizations, the Committee was holding a rally at the Centro Asturiano clubhouse that evening. Spain was desperate. The grand theater of the Centro Asturiano was filled beyond capacity. People were sitting in the aisles. Those not able to enter were milling about the ball room, the cantina, and the hallways. Expecting an overflow crowd, the organizers had arranged for the speakers' voices to be broadcast throughout the building. Predictably, the Suárez and Prendes families were early arrivals. They sat together, close to the stage. To the delight of the older members of the families, most of their children and their families attended as well. The list of speakers was impressive. In addition to all the leading progressive activists in Tampa, many important figures from other cities were there as well. Most impressively, the current ambassador from the Spanish Republic to the United States, Don Fernando De Los Ríos, had flown in from Washington, D.C. He was accompanied by Gustavo Jimenez, the Spanish Consul in Tampa. For nearly two hours, the various speakers spoke of the dire situation in Spain, and the humanitarian effort before them. They thanked the people of Ybor City and West Tampa for their activism and the supplies, money and ambulances that had been donated in support of the Republic. Women, in particular, were singled out for their protest march in 1937 in response to the bombing of civilians in Gernika by the German Luftwaffe. Lastly, the Spanish ambassador, referring to Tampa as the "altar of Spain" in the U.S.A., announced that Tampa, in support of the Republic, had raised more money, per capita, than any other American city. The ambassador also paid tribute to the Sicilian and Cuban communities for their strong support as well. As the crowd rose to their feet in thunderous applause, Fernando shouted to Ignacio. "Mira Zapato, oigo las palabras, pero me suena como están dando gracias por una causa perdida, y cuando ellos hablan de la gloria de la República, me hace recordar de como hablan de una persona fallecida en su velorio." Fernando told Ignacio that he hears what they're saying, but it feels as though they're giving thanks for supporting a lost cause. He added that when he hears them speak of the glories of the Republic, it reminds him of how people speak of a deceased person at their wake. Ignacio agreed, saying that the gist of what they were hearing is that money and supplies are needed more as humanitarian relief than for doing battle. After the program, there was a reception and refreshments were served in the large ballroom. As Fernando wandered through the crowd and spoke with friends, the pessimism was palpable. It seemed that 1939 was going to be a year of much joy and much sorrow. He remembered that he once read a historian's comment concerning Spain. The historian said that throughout history, Spain displayed two faces, one is fiesta and the other is tragedy. His personal life was perhaps mimicking that of his native land. The Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were spent in the normal fashion. There were many large gatherings with family and friends, ending with the traditional New Year's Day feast at the Licata farm. Gaetano and Sebastiana were now in their early 80s, and healthy. Fernando couldn't help but wonder how his own parents were faring during these difficult years. During the weeks that followed, the civil war was the focus of the immigrant communities in Tampa. There were gatherings in the homes of those with a shortwave radio, where they listened to "La Voz de Madrid" ("The Voice of Madrid") for the latest war news. The primary source of printed news for Tampa's Latin community was "La Gaceta", a tri-lingual newspaper founded in 1922. It followed the civil war closely and was a staunch supporter of the Republic and progressive movements in general. Approximately 27 Tampeño men served with the Lincoln Brigade, a group of volunteers attached to the International Brigades that fought for the Spanish Republic. One of them, Gonzalo Borrell, served as an unofficial war correspondent for “La Gaceta”, somehow managing to transmit his stories via France. While grateful for the news out of Spain, the community was disheartened by the course of events. Fernando considered the American custom of "April Fools' Day" odd, yet somewhat charming. It was his children who introduced him to this yearly ritual, having learned of it at school. Saturday, April 1st, 1939 began as a crisp spring day. April had become Fernando's favorite month. Normally, the summer heat and humidity had not yet arrived, and it was often the driest part of the year. Fernando was enjoying his early morning café con leche on his front porch. He had just begun reading "La Gaceta" when he heard Luciano, yelling from a distance. "Papa, papa! Has oído lo que pasó?" Luciano was running from the Busto home toward his father. Fernando assumed it was part of Luciano's yearly April Fools' pranks. Always anxious to play along, Fernando threw the newspaper to the floor. Raising his hands to his face in a comical and exaggerated look of surprise, he responded to his son. "Dios mío, hijo! Que coño ha pasado!" By now Luciano had run up the steps and was on the porch, near his father. Immediately, Fernando could see that this was not a joke. The elder Suárez stood and looked at his son. "Papa, la guerra ha terminado! Paco y yo estábamos escuchando la radio americana y interrumpieron el programa. Parece que las tropas republicanas en Alicante se han rendido a los Fascistas". Luciano said that Frank and he were listening to an American radio program when it was interrupted. The Spanish civil war was over. The troops in Alicante, the last Republican stronghold, had surrendered. Fernando and Luciano rushed into the living room and turned on the radio. The phone was ringing. Ignacio, hearing the news, had telephoned Fernando. After a rambling exchange of emotions between the two Spaniards, Fernando returned to the living room. Giuseppina and Pilar joined them. They sat in silence as the grim news got even worse. General Franco was showing no mercy. Many of the Republican troops scrambled to get onboard the British coal ship, the Stanbrook. It was the last ship able to leave prior to the official end of the war. Many of the those left behind were mercilessly slaughtered by the Nationalist troops. While not totally surprised by this news, the Spaniards and other immigrants of Tampa were devastated by the collapse of the Spanish "experiment" with democracy. Within days, many countries, including the United States, had officially recognized the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco as the legitimate government of Spain. In the eyes of many immigrant Spaniards, any hopes of returning to their beloved homeland were forever dashed. "I do swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic." With those words, Fernando and Ignacio, along with dozens of others, were now U.S. citizens. The Suárez and Prendes families descended the steps of the Federal Courthouse in downtown Tampa. It was late May, and the Spanish Civil War had ended almost two months prior. Many Spaniards across the U.S.A., previously hoping to return to Spain, had neglected to obtain U.S. citizenship. Now that Spain was firmly in the grip of a fascist dictatorship, that quickly changed. Within months of the war's end, thousands of Spaniards renounced their allegiance to Spain and began the process of becoming American citizens. The events of the weeks that followed offered Fernando and his family the opportunity to distract themselves from the dire situation in Spain. Luciano graduated from Hillsborough High School with honors, ranking fourth in his class of 663 graduates. He would be working at the Licata farm until his departure for the University of Florida in Gainesville in early September. Pilar's wedding took place several weeks later. She married Victor Castellano, a young man from West Tampa. He was an accountant at the prestigious Cuesta-Rey cigar factory, having obtained a degree in accounting from the University of Tampa. The newlyweds' future appeared to be promising. The International Red Cross was offering to assist people in obtaining information about relatives in Spain. Fernando and Ignacio, immediately following the end of the war, had contacted them and filled out the necessary papers. The process was lengthy and challenging, as Franco had immediately imposed a travel and communications embargo. Spain was now essentially an isolated country. The whole of Europe was now in a precarious geopolitical situation. Adolf Hitler, emboldened by his unchallenged annexations of Austria and part of Czechoslovakia, as well as the fascist victory in Spain, appeared intent on moving into Poland. Fernando, though content with his family, feared for the future as the summer of 1939 was drawing to a close. Fernando commented on how hilly the terrain was. They were only about 35 miles north of Tampa, but it seemed as if they had been transported to Georgia or Alabama. Gainesville was another 100 miles down the road, and Fernando was enjoying the trip. Luciano had made the same trip by train in June, so he had offered to drive. This would permit his parents the chance to relax and take in the scenery. Giuseppina, already missing her son, sat silently in the back seat. Mile after mile of orange groves occasionally gave way to pastureland dotted with grazing cows. Fernando realized how different and culturally distinct Tampa was from anything else for many miles surrounding it. Almost hypnotized by the calm beauty of the scenery, his thoughts drifted to Spain and his relatives there. It was Friday, August 31st, 1939 and the war in Spain had ended five months prior. It was starting to become a distant memory, the only reminder being the occasional letter from the Red Cross informing him that they still had no definitive word on his family. Luciano's voice startled him. "Papa, creo que quiero estudiar para ser ingeniero. Me gustaría construir cosas como carreteras o puentes. Que piensas?" Luciano, recognizing the now too familiar melancholy look on his dad's face, tried to distract him. He told Fernando that he was thinking of majoring in engineering. He relished the idea of building highways or bridges. He asked his father what he thought of the idea. "Hijo, lo que quiero para todos mis hijos es que sean feliz y saludable. Eso es lo más importante en la vida. Estudias lo que te trae felicidad." Fernando replied that what he wants for all his children are health and happiness. He told Luciano that he should study whatever would bring him satisfaction. Luciano rubbed his father's knee affectionately. They didn't notice it, but Giuseppina was silently shedding tears. She was overcome with emotion. The pride of having a son that was going away to college, the sadness of not having him close by, and the knowledge of how deeply he loved his family had overcome her. After stopping for a light lunch, the Tampeños arrived in Gainesville just before noon. They dropped Luciano off at his dormitory and then checked into a motel they had reserved. They would meet their son for dinner and spend the next two days attending orientation activities organized by the university. Fernando, always the explorer, suggested to Giuseppina that they drive around Gainesville for a while. This was their first experience with "mid-America". Other than New York City, or Sundays at Clearwater Beach, Tampa was the only place in the U.S.A. with which they were familiar. The university campus was impressive. The red brick buildings and tree-lined streets had the look of a classic "university town" as portrayed in the movies. Pines and other hardwood trees far outnumbered palms and other tropical foliage. Some areas of the city had somewhat hilly streets. Though only 140 miles away from Tampa, the contrast was staggering. As Giuseppina and Fernando were soon to learn, this stark contrast was not limited to just the foliage and the terrain. After driving around the small city, Fernando and Giuseppina decided to stop for ice cream in the charming downtown area of Gainesville. The ice cream shop was rather full, but they were able to sit at a small table near the entrance. Soon after they were seated, Giuseppina happened to notice that several people at a nearby table kept glancing at her. Not able to speak or read English, Giuseppina asked Fernando to translate the small menu. She spoke in a somewhat loud voice, due to the amount of noise in the room. This seemed to attract even more attention from several nearby tables. Soon after placing their order, a woman at another table stood up and approached Fernando and Giuseppina. She addressed Giuseppina, smiling and speaking with a heavy Southern accent. "Excuse me. I do apologize for disturbing you. I'm afraid my friends and I were being rude, and that was certainly not the intention. We couldn't help but notice your beautiful earrings and the fact that your ears are pierced. They look lovely, and it's something we simply don't see around here. You're a beautiful woman, and those earrings enhance your beauty. I'm tempted to have my own ears pierced." Fernando, in his limited but sufficient English, explained that his wife did not speak or understand English, and asked the woman if he could translate what she said. The woman, smiling, agreed. Giuseppina nodded her head, thanking the woman and smiling. The woman, in perfect Spanish, responded. "Yo pensaba que ustedes estaban hablando castellano, pero con tanto ruido, no podía entenderles bien. Y ahora que oigo mejor, yo sé, por el acento, que ustedes son españoles, verdad?" Fernando and Giuseppina were taken by surprise. She told them that she thought they were speaking Spanish, but because of all the noise, she couldn't understand them well. Now that she could clearly hear them, because of their accent, she recognized them as Spaniards. She continued, explaining that she is a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Florida, and spent two years studying Spanish at the University of Salamanca in Spain. Continuing the conversation in Spanish, Fernando and Giuseppina complimented her on her perfect Spanish. They then spent several minutes getting acquainted. She was fascinated that Giuseppina, though Sicilian, could speak Spanish so well. Having an interest in Latin-based languages, she asked Giuseppina to say a few words in Sicilian. Knowing some Italian, the woman was fascinated at how different the two languages are. She had heard of Tampa's diverse immigrant community but had not met anyone from there. She further commented that this was the first time she had encountered native Spanish speakers in Gainesville. Having researched Hispanic immigration to the U.S.A., she also told the Tampeños that as far as she knew, the only two cities in Florida where Spanish was widely spoken were Key West and Tampa. She congratulated them on Luciano's achievements, and introduced herself as she handed them a business card. Her name was Dr. Rachel Young. She then handed them a second card and said that if Luciano needed help with anything at all, he could contact her. She returned to her friends. Fernando and Giuseppina finished their ice cream treats. As they were leaving, they smiled and waved to Dr. Young and her friends. As they were driving back to the motel, Giuseppina commented on how a seemingly trivial act of kindness can make such a difference. She confessed that she had been harboring many concerns about Luciano being in an unfamiliar place, particularly one so culturally distinct from Tampa. She felt much better after encountering Dr. Young. She was particularly grateful for the professor's offer to assist Luciano if necessary. Fernando commented that he really hadn't realized just how different their lives in Tampa were, compared to many other American cities and towns, especially those in Florida. In New York, it was almost impossible to feel "different", in that almost every nationality and culture on earth existed within the city, but that was the exception. Gainesville was a new experience for them, and they realized that assimilation into mainstream American life would not be in their future. Early risers, Fernando and Giuseppina were the first customers in the motel coffee shop. As they glanced over the menu, Fernando smiled and looked over at his wife. "Pina, quizás si comemos un desayuno típico americano, seríamos un poco menos extraños! Tenemos que pedir huevos fritos, harina de maíz, y tocino. Vamos a probar el café americano, lo que llamamos 'agua sucia'!" Gaitero was in a jocular mood. He suggested to Giuseppina that if they were to eat a typical American breakfast, perhaps they would appear a bit less strange. He suggested ordering fried eggs, grits, and bacon, using the term "cornmeal" for grits. He even suggested that they try American coffee, which is referred to as "dirty water" by many Tampeños! Pina laughed, reminding him that she actually enjoyed "typical American" food, even the coffee. She confessed that she and her sisters frequented Morrison's Cafeteria whenever they went shopping in downtown Tampa. They chuckled and ordered their food. Giuseppina excused herself to go to the ladies' room and Fernando got in line at the cash register to pay their bill. A radio was on the windowsill next to the register, barely audible to anyone except the cashier. As Fernando stepped to the front of the line, the cashier, apologizing, turned away and raised the volume on the radio. The musical program had been interrupted by a news bulletin. Early in the morning, European time, Germany had invaded Poland with a massive air and ground assault. Several other employees and customers gathered near the radio. Giuseppina, now standing next to Fernando, asked what was happening. Fernando explained the seriousness of the situation. Fernando could hear comments like "this is Europe's business, not ours", and "I fought in the Great War and I want no part of this". England and France issued an ultimatum to Germany. If they did not withdraw their forces from Poland by Monday, September 3rd, they would declare war on Germany. This was two days away. As Fernando and Giuseppina drove to Luciano's dormitory, he silently contemplated what the future might hold. He couldn't help but think that this was not unrelated to Germany's and Italy's military successes in supporting the Spanish fascists during the Spanish civil war. Saturday and Sunday were spent touring the campus and attending several orientation functions. Luciano anxiously spoke of the current international crisis, even suggesting he would leave the university and enter the military should the U.S.A. enter a future conflict. Giuseppina, normally soft spoken, vehemently chastised him for such thoughts. On Sunday evening, Fernando and Giuseppina treated Luciano to a farewell dinner at Gainesville's best steakhouse. Luciano had his first class early the next morning, and they probably wouldn't see him again until Thanksgiving. As Fernando drove away from the dormitory, Giuseppina quietly wept. "EUROPE AT WAR!!" The headline in the Monday morning edition of "The Gainesville Sun" newspaper was clear, even to someone whose ability to read English was limited. As Fernando dropped a nickel into the slot to complete his purchase of the newspaper, his mind was racing. Several hours ago, England and France had declared war on Germany. The U.S.A. had formally declared its neutrality, but Fernando knew that this would inevitably change, unless the conflict was quickly resolved. He was not optimistic that this would occur. For the first time ever, he found himself wishing that he and Giuseppina had had only daughters. He walked back to the motel room and retrieved Giuseppina and their luggage. The Tampeños began their quiet drive to Tampa and the familiarity of Ybor City, West Tampa, and their "Barrio Candamo". Chapter Fifty-Two Chapter Fifty-Three Chapter Fifty-Four Chapter Fifty-Five Click Here For Part Six

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Fernando's Footsteps About the author Tony Carreño, a Tampa native with Spanish and Sicilian roots, has been engaged in preserving Tampa’s cultural heritage for more than four decades. In the past few years, as a member of the Board of Directors of Centro Español de Tampa, he has been instrumental in the production of two documentary films about Tampa’s Spanish immigrant community. Carreño has provided knowledgeable “guided tours” to Asturias for Tampa locals to further their knowledge and appreciation of this unique history. Carreño is a trustee and current member of the Ybor City Historical Society. Tony - What FF Means to Him Play Video All Videos Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Prologue: Bienvenidos / Welcome As the steamship turned eastward in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, there was enough of a jolt to awaken Fernando. He had managed to get a decent night's sleep, even though his "bed" was really a long wooden bench, and he had slept in the sitting position. Like for many of his fellow passengers, his youth, not quite 18 years of age, had made this possible. Read More Part One: a trabajar / get to work Ignacio explained that "La Gallega" is where he has lived for the past 3 years. Ybor City had many boarding houses that catered to single men, mostly Spaniards, but this one had earned the reputation of being the best. He had arranged for Fernando and him to share one of the larger rooms. Zapato gestured to Gaitero to pass through the small gate. Read More Part Two: La Vida / The Life Fernando and Ignacio finished their snacks and continued walking home. Gaitero was frustrated yet mesmerized by the mysterious Giuseppina Licata. His thoughts were interrupted by Zapato's voice. "Hombre, mañana es tu día especial. La costumbre aquí es que a llegar a los dieciocho eres un hombre. Tenemos que celebrar!" Read More Part Three: El barrio candamo / the candamo neighborhood "Por favor, Fernando. Llame a María Messina. Rompí aguas, y los dolores vienen muy fuertes!" Giuseppina, in her now perfect Spanish, asked Fernando to call María Messina because her water sac had broken and her pains were quickly becoming very strong. María Messina Greco's skills as a midwife had become legendary throughout Ybor City and West Tampa. Read More Part Four: El Segundo Escape / The Second Escape Fernando was grateful for the high ceilings and huge fans in the Licata warehouse. His office was toward the rear of the vast space, and was semi-enclosed. It was a stifling hot and humid day in June of 1936. Almost five years had passed since Fernando joined the Licata family business. Having expanded beyond fresh fruits and vegetable, the company was now called "Licata Food Distributors". Focusing on Mediterranean food products, it was one of the main suppliers of wholesale food items to restaurants in Tampa and the west coast of Florida. Read More Part Five: ¡Ahora, Somos Americanos! / Now, We are Americans! Shortly after 9:30 a.m. the "Phoenix" docked in lower Manhattan. Captain Winchester informed the Tampeños that they must stay on board until an immigrations officer inspected their documents and approved entry into the U.S.A. About an hour and a half later the immigration officer arrived. He apologized for their wait, advising them that more passengers than usual are arriving in freighters. He attributed this to the political instability in Europe, especially in Spain. Read More Part Six: Un Mundo en guerra / a world at war "Los Helados", named for their delicious homemade ice cream, was known for serving some of the best food in Ybor City and West Tampa. Fernando and Giuseppina didn't mind waiting for a table. Though it was a Tuesday afternoon, the dining room was filled to capacity. It was two days before Thanksgiving, 1941, and Fernando relished this yearly tradition. He would work half the day on Tuesday, and not return to work until the following Monday. Read More This is a work of fiction. With the exception of references to known and publicly documented historical entities, the following apply: Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ©Tony Carreño 2020 Events & Programs The Ybor City Museum Society is dedicated to preserve and share the unique story of Ybor City through exhibits at the Tampa Baseball Museum at the Lopez House and through the Mobile Museum, as well as through special events throughout the year. See what is coming up and join us in celebrating the historic cultural community of Ybor City.

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. board of trustees executive committee Vincent Dolan Chair Swope Rodante PA Lynn Kroesen Vice Chair Entrepreneur Collaborative Center Amy Waite Secretary livingHR Gil Polanco Treasurer Bank of Tampa Steven Hovsepian Immediate Past Chair Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler, & Hovsepian trustees Christina L. Acosta Hillsborough Community College, Dance Stephanie Agliano Hillsborough County Lee Bell Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Brian Breseman Tampa Bay Lightning Anthony Carreño Historian, Author, and Documentary Co-Producer Chris Eastman Eastman Construction Management, LLC Kara Guagliardo J.C. Newman Cigar Company Aileen pizzo hanlon History Enthusiast James Howard Creative Loafing Dr. Jennifer Knight University of South Florida patrick venable Venable Law Firm Mary C. Alvarez Trustee Emerita Arminda Mata President & CEO Regina Bowen Community Outreach Coordinator Rose Lopez Archivist Our Staff About Us Code of E thics

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. Part Two: La Vida / The Life Chapter Twenty-Three Fernando and Ignacio finished their snacks and continued walking home. Gaitero was frustrated yet mesmerized by the mysterious Giuseppina Licata. His thoughts were interrupted by Zapato's voice. "Hombre, mañana es tu día especial. La costumbre aquí es que a llegar a los dieciocho eres un hombre. Tenemos que celebrar!" Ignacio reminded Fernando that the next day will be his eighteenth birthday. He also told him that in the United States turning eighteen marked a cultural transition from boyhood to manhood. They would need to celebrate. Fernando had almost forgotten about his birthday because he had been so preoccupied with adjusting to his new job and new home. They two men laughed as they reminisced about their boyhoods in Asturias. Fernando suddenly remembered that Ignacio's birthday was in late October, having just turned eighteen himself. The two men were virtually the same exact age. "Zapato, tanto lo siento que se me olvidé felicitarte de tu cumpleaños. Quizás podemos celebrar los dos mañana...vale?" Fernando had apologized to Ignacio for forgetting to congratulate him on his recent birthday. They were born only 20 days apart and Fernando suggested that they should have a dual celebration the next day. They hugged each other in agreement. "Viejito, despiértate! No tenemos ni un minuto para perder. La celebración empieza ahora." Fernando was awakened by Ignacio's teasing.....he was coaxing "the little old man" out of bed. Zapato was anxious for the day of celebration to begin, not wanting to waste even a minute. Ignacio suggested that they spend the late morning and afternoon visiting the various cafes that lined La Sėptima, enjoying their favorite snacks and beverages. They made a mutual decision to pace themselves, knowing the day would end at a late hour. By mid-afternoon the tired and barely sober duo returned to La Gallega, ready for a much-needed nap. The young Spaniards fell onto their beds. "Fernando, nacistes en un día de nieve, de mucho frío. Pero siempre has tenido un corazón cálido." "Fernando, you were born on a snowy day, very cold. But you have always had a warm heart". As Fernando drifted off to sleep, he was sure he could hear his mother's words that she so frequently repeated to him. Fernando and Ignacio were awakened by loud knocking at their door. Aniceto was telling them to hurry up and get downstairs. As they hurriedly washed and dressed, Ignacio confessed that he had spoken with Maruxa and Aniceto about this special day. In lieu of the normal dinner, they had prepared a variety of heavy appetizers and Spanish "fiesta" foods. They would celebrate with their fellow residents. As they hurried down the stairs, the sound of several bagpipes filled the air. At the foot of the stairs, Maruxa greeted them with big hugs and directed them to the rear outdoor area. What followed was feasting and celebration with abandon. At one point, Ignacio challenged Fernando to demonstrate that he was worthy of his nickname, "the bagpiper from Candamo". Aniceto grabbed his arm. "Tengo aquí una gaita asturiana. Sabes como tocar una tonada montañesa?" Aniceto handed Fernando an Asturian bagpipe, asking him if he could play "an Asturian mountain tune". This was an ancient musical genre, resembling a chant, especially popular in the high mountains of Asturias. El Gaitero Candamín replied in the affirmative. As he began to play, Aniceto began singing. Within minutes, a tear-filled silence permeated the fiesta, and most of the partiers had been temporarily transported back to Asturias or Galicia or Cantabria. As the final strains of music and singing ended, the thunderous applause and shouting told Fernando that he could use his nickname with pride. It appeared that he was now La Gallega's "official" bagpiper. As Aniceto embraced him, Maruxa began passing around small cups of Anís del Mono, the famous Spanish licorice-flavored liqueur made from anise seed. This signaled the end of the party. The Saturday evening was still young. Ignacio suggested that they go to the Centro Español for more socializing and perhaps a game of dominoes. Several of the other tenants decided to join them. The Centro was filled to capacity. The group of young men stood at the bar area near the front windows. Fernando noticed that La Séptima was packed with people as well. Young couples strolllng hand-in-hand, along with families and single gentlemen filled the wooden sidewalks. More drinks were ordered, but Ignacio reminded the group that boisterous behavior or drunkenness was not allowed here. Ironically, just as Zapato finished talking, everyone's attention was turned to a table in the far corner of the room. Two men at the table were arguing very loudly, one apparently accusing the other of cheating in an ongoing card game. As one of the men stood with clenched fists, two of the bartenders raced over and grabbed him, escorting him out the front door. One of the other Spaniards in the group, Santiago, raised his arms in frustration. "Vaya! Siempre hay problemas con ese Siciliano...tiene un temperamento muy corto. Lo dejan entrar aquí solo porque su padre es rico y poderoso. No es miembro, pero paga mucho para poder entrar y jugar las cartas." Santiago had explained that the man was a Sicilian who was a short-tempered troublemaker and gambler. Though not a member of Centro Español, he was allowed to enter and play cards because he paid the club a tidy sum for the privilege. Apparently, his father was wealthy and powerful. "Pero lo conoces bien?" Ignacio asked Santiago if he knew the man well. "No. Creo que se llama Ligada, o algo parecido, pero no lo conozco." Santiago continued to explain that he did not know the man well, only that his name was Ligada, or something similar. "Quizas Licata? El apellido es Licata?" Fernando had excitedly asked if the man's name might be Licata. Santiago, somewhat surprised by the urgency in Fernando's voice, replied that Licata sounded right. Fernando raced out the door. He anxiously searched the crowd for the young Sicilian. He spotted him halfway down the block to his left. He broke into a slow run and caught up with the young man. He gently put his hand on his shoulder. The young man turned around. "Señor Licata? Soy Fernando Suárez Menéndez." With his right hand outstretched, Fernando had introduced himself to Mr. Licata. As the young Mr. Licata turned to face Fernando, he clenched both fists and assumed a defensive stance. Apparently, Fernando's introduction had been inaudible. As he drew back his right fist as if to throw a punch, Fernando jumped back, placing his open hands facing the Sicilian. He broke into a broad smile, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Cu'sì e chi voi?" Licata angrily asked Fernando who he was and what did he want. Fernando was able to recognize that Licata was addressing him in Sicilian but wasn't sure of his exact words. He wisely assumed that a quick explanation was in order. In Spanish, Fernando again introduced himself, explaining that he spoke neither Sicilian nor English. Once again, he extended his right hand as a greeting. The young Sicilian appeared to understand him. He relaxed, lowering his fists and reciprocating with a handshake. Fernando was aware that they were blocking the sidewalk and gestured to Licata to join him in the entrance alcove of a closed business. In the relative quiet and privacy of this space, Fernando continued to explain that he had witnessed the scene at the Centro Español, and a friend had identified him as possibly being a Licata. "Si, soy Salvatore Licata, me llaman Turiddu" In broken but understandable Spanish, the Sicilian had confirmed that he was Salvatore Licata, and is known by the Sicilian diminutive for Salvatore, which is "Turiddu". Gaitero was relieved that Turiddu's demeanor had quickly changed and found him to have a certain charm. He went on to ask if he knew of a young woman called Giuseppina Licata and might they be related. At the mention of Giuseppina, Turiddu appeared to tense up. "Comu si canusci a mè soru? Allura, mi dispiaci....Como conoces a mi hermana?" In a frenzied mixture of Sicilian and Spanish, Turiddu questioned Fernando as to how he knew his sister, apologizing for initially asking in Sicilian. Fernando quickly explained that he had never met her, but that he worked at the same cigar factory. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable continuing the conversation in their current environment, he invited Turiddu to join him for a drink, asking him if knew of a quiet cafe nearby. The Sicilian, having trouble standing erect, welcomed the invitation and pointed to a bar and cafe across the street. Fernando gently guided him by the shoulder as they made their way across the crowded La Séptima. As the two young men were taking their seats at a table, Turiddu, somewhat slurring his words, began apologizing for initially misinterpreting Fernando's behavior. Beneath the veneer of anger and suspicion, Fernando detected an affable young man. The Spaniard diplomatically suggested that they might both be wise to avoid any additional alcohol. Turiddu laughingly agreed. They both ordered coffee and pastries. Fernando, remembering Ignacio's description of Giuseppina's father and his admonition to proceed cautiously, decided he would take his friend's advice to heart. He gave Turiddu a brief summary of who he was and how he ended up in Tampa. The Sicilian appeared to be interested, but Fernando wondered how much of this was due to his partially inebriated state. Just as Gaitero was wondering how to get to the main point of this meeting, Turiddu mercifully did it for him. "Allura, te piaci a mè soru e voi canusciri a idda. Sugnu giustu?" Turiddu asked Fernando if he was correct in that that he liked his sister and wanted to meet her. Since he blurted this in Sicilian, the Spaniard remained silent with a quizzical look. "Te gusta a mi hermana y quieres conocerla, verdad?" In his limited Spanish, Turiddu, with a smile, repeated his assumption. Fernando, with a smile, slowly nodded his head, reaffirming Turiddu's suspicions. The Sicilian smiled. He went on to tell Fernando that if he had a dollar for every time a young man told him this, he would be extremely wealthy. Apparently, Giuseppina's beauty was as legendary as it was obvious. The conversation had become rather awkward, not just linguistically but also due to the subject matter. Not wanting to mention Turiddu's father, Fernando decided to use a different approach. He remembered Ignacio explaining the importance of respect within the Sicilian culture. "Quiero respetar a tu familia y tu cultura. Por favor, cual sería la manera más respetuosa para empezar a conocer a tu hermana Giuseppina? Te pregunto sinceramente y de mi corazón." Fernando, speaking slowly and looking directly into Turiddu's eyes, had told him that he wanted to respect his culture and his family. He also asked what would be the most respectful way to begin to know his sister Giuseppina. He concluded by saying that this request was sincere and from his heart. The lack of response from Turiddu concerned Fernando. Had he proceeded too quickly? Had he violated a time-honored protocol embedded in the Sicilian culture? The young Spaniard felt as if he were trying to navigate a floor full of eggs without cracking any shells. Turiddu returned Fernando's intense stare, remaining silent and motionless. For a moment Fernando's mind drifted back to childhood and the "staring contests" he would have with friends and siblings. Fernando could have claimed "victory", as Turiddu ran the fingers of his right hand through his own thick black hair. He then cupped both his hands around his mouth and looked away from the Spaniard. After a few moments, he turned to Fernando. "Quiero presentarte a mi papá." Turiddu told Fernando that he wanted to introduce him to his father. This was totally unexpected and caught Gaitero a bit unprepared. In his mind the elder Licata was an unapproachable and threatening man. He couldn't help but wonder if Turiddu's bravado was due to his state of partial intoxication or the fact that he had another agenda...or both. "Como no...sería un placer." Fernando's response was just as assertive as Turiddu's offer. He graciously agreed to meet the legendary Mr. Licata. Before Fernando could ask Turiddu when, where, and how this would happen, the young Sicilian stood up and began a frenzied attempt to tidy up his appearance by adjusting his tie and tucking in his shirt. He was clearly preparing for a hasty departure. Fernando then realized that this meeting, in Turiddu's mind, was imminent. "Hombre, que haces?" Fernando asked Turiddu what he was doing. He responded that the way to show a respectful interest toward a young Sicilian girl is to first speak to her father, and tonight was the perfect opportunity to do so. Gaitero nodded in agreement but questioned the lack of discretion in not having made prior arrangements with Mr. Licata. Turiddu responded that his father, in the best of circumstances, was not very approachable. He added that tonight he felt particularly emboldened to make such an introduction for a variety of reasons. The partial language barrier and the emotions of the evening aside, Fernando understood that this was essentially a rare opportunity, and that he’d best take advantage of it. It might be his only path to meeting Giuseppina. He nodded in agreement with Turiddu. Fernando paid their check and the two men left the cafe. Turiddu made it clear that Fernando was to follow him. They walked about two blocks west on La Séptima. At the corner of 18th St, Turiddu stopped in front of a rather large building. On the front window was written "L'Unione Italiana"..."The Italian Union". This was the social club and mutual aid society for most of Tampa's Sicilian and Italian community. On either side of the main entrance were long benches, filled with men speaking loudly in Sicilian or Italian. Several of the men stood up, walked over to Turiddu and gave him kisses on both cheeks. It was obvious that Turiddu Licata was well-known and respected in the community. He introduced Fernando to several of the men. The conversations were in very rapid Sicilian and Fernando could only determine the gist of what was being said. He assumed, and hoped, that this was merely normal polite conversation. Turiddu gestured to Fernando to follow him into the building. It was similar to the Spanish Center but smaller. The main level, like that of the Centro Español, seemed to be off-limits to women. The room was filled with men sitting at tables. Most were playing cards, some dominoes. Turiddu gestured toward a staircase in a corner of the room. Fernando followed him up the stairs. At the top they passed through large double doors and entered what appeared to be a ballroom filled with round tables set up for a formal dinner. The attendees appeared to be well-dressed families enjoying a quiet dinner. A string quartet provided soft background music. Candles adorned the tables. Fernando felt as if he had entered a very expensive restaurant in Havana. At the other end of the room was a long rectangular table at which were seated approximately twenty people. The young Spaniard suddenly felt terribly out of place and embarrassed, realizing that this was a private affair to which he had not been invited. Turiddu stopped walking, gazing around the room. It appeared that he was searching for a particular group of guests. Fernando grabbed him by the arm. Not wanting to attract more attention by speaking, Fernando communicated his feelings of awkwardness to Turiddu with hand gestures and facial expressions....suggesting they should immediately leave. The young Sicilian responded by gently nudging him to continue walking along a side wall toward a corner in the rear of the room. Fernando hesitatingly did so, realizing that they were beginning to attract curious stares from the diners. As they got to the very back of the room, Fernando noticed that a man seated in the very corner table had stood up and was hurrying toward them. As the man approached them, he grabbed Turiddu by his left ear with one hand and by his neck with the other. He then dragged him behind a room divider immediately next to his table. Fernando discretely stepped to the side, not sure of what to do. By now, many of the guests seated nearby were aware of the developing scene. Just as he was about to make a hasty departure, he noticed a table of only women and children, adjacent to the man's table. Several of the women were elderly, dressed in rather drab black dresses. Others were quite young. One of the younger women was directly facing him. As Fernando's eyes met hers, she immediately diverted her attention to another lady seated next to her. He realized that she was Giuseppina Licata. Before Fernando could decide what to do, someone had grabbed his arm, pulling him behind the room divider and into a kitchen, whose doors were blocked from view by the partition. In the light of the kitchen he could see that it was the gentleman who had dragged Turiddu by his ear. Just as Fernando was pushed into the kitchen, two other men quickly approached him. They were large, burly men and were reaching into their jackets. Simultaneously, Turridu was frantically speaking to the first man who had grabbed him. The conversation was in rapid Sicilian, and Turiddu would occasionally point toward Fernando. The Spaniard was able to understand that the first man was Turiddu's father and that Turiddu was explaining who Fernando was and why they were there. Mercifully, the elder Mr. Licata waved away the two men who now had drawn pistols. Gaitero had never been this close to hand guns. He wisely remained silent as the pistols were returned into ominous-looking shoulder holsters. As the armed men stepped away further into the kitchen, Turiddu's father released his hold on his son. He then turned toward Fernando. He began speaking in a soft, measured, and gracious tone. "Por favor, perdona la estupidez de mi hijo. A veces es malcriado y no respeta a su familia. Soy Gaetano Licata." In broken Spanish, Turiddu's father had apologized for his son's boorish and stupid behavior, explaining that he sometimes disrespects his family. He introduced himself as Gaetano Licata, extending his right hand. The young Spaniard was still trying to process the events of the last few minutes but was able to extend his hand in return. The two men shook hands, but Gaetano Licata's face showed no emotion at all. Fernando remained silent. Glancing toward his two "assistants", Mr. Licata spoke very quickly in Sicilian. Immediately, Turiddu and Fernando were being gently escorted through the kitchen, out a rear door, and down a back staircase into an alley. One of the two men tipped his hat and nodded respectfully toward Turiddu. Gaetano Licata's "assistants" quickly climbed the stairs and reentered the building. Turiddu looked at Fernando and began speaking rapidly in an attempt to explain what had just transpired. What followed was a disjointed mixture of Sicilian and broken Spanish. It reminded Gaitero of the ramblings of a bad liar. In this case, he interpreted it as an expression of anger, remorse, and embarrassment. It appeared that the evening of too much liquor and too much emotion had taken its toll, in many ways. Turiddu suddenly grew silent, ran toward a line of trash cans, and began vomiting profusely. Fernando turned away, sparing both himself and the young Sicilian any further feelings of awkwardness. "Fernando, me siento mejor. Vamos." Turiddu called out to Fernando, explaining that he felt much better and that they should go. The two young men began walking around the L'Unione Italiana building and toward La Séptima. When they got to the corner of 7th Ave. and 18th St. they paused under a streetlamp. By now La Séptima had few people and the row of benches in front of the Italian club were empty. Guests were starting to leave the private function at the clubhouse. Turiddu pointed to an area on the benches furthest away from the main doors of the building. They sat down and Turiddu began speaking. In contrast to his earlier frenzied manner, his voice was calm and his words measured. In that now familiar mixture of Sicilian and limited Spanish, the young Licata confessed that his wanting to introduce Fernando to his father was less altruistic than it might have appeared. It was less of an attempt to help Fernando in his efforts to meet Giuseppina than it was a way of challenging his father. The special occasion that they had just invaded was the wedding of Gaetano Licata's goddaughter, whose father worked for Mr. Licata. In the Sicilian culture, the relationship between godparents and godchildren was a sacred one. As an act of defiance, Turiddu had refused to go to the wedding, intending to infuriate his father and disrespect both families. On a cultural level, this was a sin that exceeded most of those mentioned in the holy scriptures, and almost beyond redemption and forgiveness. The social gaffe was worsened by Turiddu's appearing in a disheveled and inebriated state, with an uninvited friend. Additionally, his father had explained to the bride's father that Turiddu's unexpected absence was due to a case of the flu, thus further embarrassing Gaetano Licata and his family. The evening had been a social disaster for the Licata family and Turiddu was responsible. Fernando could see the utter despair on Turiddu's face and decided that silence was his best option. He extended his hand to Turiddu, thanking him for his efforts, regardless of his motivations. Turiddu reciprocated the handshake and handed Fernando a business card for "Licata's Fruits and Vegetables". The young Sicilian stood up and began walking east on La Séptima. Fernando saved the card in his wallet and headed back home, anxious to explain to Ignacio just how memorable this special birthday had become. As Gaitero walked north on 18th St. toward La Gallega boarding house, he couldn't help but think that the Licatas' business interests extended beyond fruits and vegetables. It was almost midnight by the time Fernando got back to La Gallega boarding house. He was careful not to disturb others as he climbed the stairs to his bedroom. As he was preparing for bed, Ignacio's voice startled him. "Vaya, Gaitero. Pues dónde estabas? Estábamos un poco preocupado por ti. No he dormido, esperando que llegues a casa. Todo bien?" Ignacio explained to Fernando that he hadn't slept, anxiously waiting for his best friend to return home. He told him that the group of guys were a bit worried, wondering where he had been and if he was OK. Fernando felt embarrassed and apologetic that he had caused them to worry. At the same time, he couldn't help but be comforted that he had already established a bond with others in his new home. This was something he hadn't felt during his years in Havana. Perhaps the fact that Tampa was essentially an "island" in the middle of a vastly different culture encouraged people to look out for each other. In any case, he sought to reassure Zapato. "Zapato, tanto lo siento haber sido la causa de tanta preocupación. Todo bien...te explico más mañana." Fernando apologized for having been the cause of so much worry. He assured Ignacio that all was well, and he would explain more the next day. Fernando got into bed. Within a few minutes, the two young men were asleep. Sunday morning dawned bright and quite cold. Fernando and Ignacio quickly washed and dressed, anxious for the warmth of the dining room, which Maruxa and Aniceto thoughtfully kept warm with a potbelly stove. Within minutes they were enjoying their coffee with milk and a hearty meal of bread, fruit and cheeses. They were soon joined by several of the men who had accompanied them to the Centro Español the evening prior. After many questions and expressions of concern, Fernando explained that all was well, and that he had made the acquaintance of the hot-tempered young Sicilian, Salvatore Licata. He avoided any references to the fiasco at the wedding reception. Several of the men expressed concern, telling Fernando that there were many unsavory rumors about the Licata family. Most were not aware that the confrontational young man often seen at the Centro was, in fact, the son of the infamous Gaetano Licata. Fernando simply nodded with a smile, wanting to discourage any further discussion about the previous night's "adventure". After breakfast, Fernando and Ignacio moved into the adjacent sitting area to enjoy another cup of coffee. Fernando took Ignacio into his confidence and shared the details of what had happened with Turiddu. Zapato's face went almost ashen when Gaitero explained that he had had direct contact with Gaetano. Ignacio's expression changed to one of surprise when Fernando explained that Gaetano, though quite angry, had been quite calm and polite toward him. Fernando took the card that Turiddu had given him out of his wallet. He showed it to Ignacio, asking him if he knew where "Licata's Fruits and Vegetables" was located. Zapato turned the card over. On the reverse side there was a very brief explanation of the location, written in Spanish, Italian, and English. Below the verbiage was a sketchy map indicating the exact location as well. Fernando had not previously noted this information, due to his hasty departure from Turiddu. "Y por qué quieres saber dónde está la finca de Licata? Vas a abrir un restaurante?" Ignacio had asked Fernando why he wanted to know where the Licata farm was located. He jokingly asked if he was planning to open a restaurant. "No tenemos nada para hacer hoy, verdad? Quiero ir para ver lo que es. Tengo curiosidad." Fernando explained to Ignacio that since they didn't have anything to do today, he would be interested in seeing the Licata farm. He was curious. Ignacio could see that Fernando had not been deterred by the events of the previous night but was more determined than ever to find a way to meet Giuseppina Licata. Somewhat hesitatingly, he agreed to accompany Fernando to satisfy his curiosity about Licata's Fruits and Vegetables. Ignacio explained to Fernando that according to the business card, Licata's Fruits and Vegetables was located about three miles to the east of them. This was a perfect distance for a brisk late-morning walk. It was a semi-rural area that locals referred to as "Gary". Beginning approximately six blocks east of Ybor City proper and continuing well to the east, Gary was becoming known as an area in which many Sicilian families had settled. Many of these families had established small truck farms that grew a variety of fruits and vegetables. While the harvest was used primarily to sustain the owners themselves, a portion was sold to friends and neighbors. The Sicilians and Italians had quickly earned the reputation for growing excellent produce. As they prospered, many were transitioning from working in cigar factories to opening small grocery stores that specialized in fresh produce. In addition, there were many African American families as well as Anglos, and a few Spaniards and Cubans. The two Spaniards walked down to La Séptima and headed eastward on foot. After several blocks, there seemed to be an abrupt end to the urban infrastructure one could find in Tampa. Wooden sidewalks gave way to sandy footpaths, in places quite overgrown with weeds. Occasionally, Fernando noticed tiny wooden houses which sat precariously on concrete blocks. He could see African American families gathered around outdoor fire pits in which scraps of wood were burning. The day was rather cool, and he imagined this was their only source of heat. Gaitero was taken aback by the primitive conditions he saw. "Zapato, yo pensaba que no había pobreza como esta aquí en Los Estados Unidos. Yo vi esto en las afueras de La Habana, pero me quedo sorprendido encontrarlo aquí." Fernando told Ignacio that he thought poverty like this was unknown in the United States. He had seen these living conditions on the outskirts of Havana but was rather surprised to find them here. "Gaitero, me gusta mucho vivir en Tampa pero creo que hay, por lo menos, tres Estados Unidos. Uno para ellos cuyos familias llevan mucho tiempo aquí, y las raíces son de Inglaterra y otro países del norte de Europa. Después otro para gente como nosotros...inmigrantes del sur o este de Europa. Al final, las migas que quedan son para gente que no son blanca, como estos pobres. En mi opinión, la realidad es que sería igual, o peor, en cualquier otro país. Aunque Los Estados Unidos no es el sueño mágico que muchas personas imagen, es el sitio preferible para buscar una vida mejor." Ignacio explained to Fernando that in his opinion there are essentially at least three United States. One is for those whose families have been here for many generations, and whose roots are from England or other northern European countries. Then one for folks like themselves…. immigrants from southern or eastern Europe. Finally, the remaining "crumbs" are for those who are non-white, like the unfortunate people they are looking at right now. He concluded by saying that while the United States is not the "magic dream" that many perceive it to be, it is still the best place in which to seek a better life. Rather cynically, he believed that it would be the same, or worse, in any other country. While Fernando was taken aback with this dose of reality from his best friend, he concluded that Ignacio was probably right. This venture into the darker side of the human condition made his quest to somehow get closer to Giuseppina Licata seem trivial. After a few minutes of walking in silence, Ignacio stopped and retrieved the business card that Fernando had entrusted to him. Looking around him, he gestured that they should turn to the left. As they headed north on a small dirt road, it appeared that the houses were becoming a bit larger and more modern. Many were surrounded by sizable tracts of land, perhaps two acres or so. On some plots there were several dairy cows. The crops, mostly green vegetables, were neatly arranged in long rows. Fernando noticed occasional stands of curious cactus-like plants bearing medium-sized fruit. The fruit was red, with prickly spines protruding from it. He had never seen such unusual looking plants. Just as Fernando was about to ask Ignacio about these strange fruits, they stopped in front of a small farmhouse. An older gentleman was sitting in a chair alongside a wooden stand loaded with fruits and vegetables for sale. Ignacio confessed that he was lost and needed to ask directions. "Señor, por favor, hablas español?" Ignacio asked the farmer if he spoke Spanish. His response was a hand gesture asking Ignacio to wait. The older man walked into a small barn-like structure, returning with a much younger man. "Hola. Soy el hijo del señor. Hablo español un poco." The younger man explained that he was the son of the older man, and he did speak a bit of Spanish. His accent clearly revealed him to be Sicilian. Ignacio asked him directions to the Licata farm. The son explained that they needed to retrace their steps a short distance and take a left turn at a small creek surrounded by massive oak trees. Ignacio recalled seeing such a place and thanked him for his help. As they were about to leave, Fernando asked the young Sicilian about the spiky red fruits. "Esas se llaman ficos d'India....en español, higos de India. Nosotros sicilianos también los llamamos ficorini, o higos pequeños. Espera un momento!" Fernando was told that they were called "Indian figs", and that Sicilians also referred to them as "little figs." He asked the Spaniards to wait for a moment. He quickly returned with a paper bag with four or five Indian figs. As he handed them to Fernando, he explained that they were delicious and extremely nutritious, though quite difficult to eat due to the sharp spines and the numerous seed pods within. He suggested rolling them in wadded up newspapers to remove the spines. Fernando and Ignacio thanked the two men for their help and generosity. After a few minutes they saw on their left a cluster of massive, moss-draped oak trees. A small creek, almost dry, ran through and beyond the stand of trees. A sign indicated that the Licata farm was down the dirt road that paralleled the creek. Somehow, they had missed the sign earlier. They turned left, heading further east. Just beyond the sign, they noticed vast stretches of row upon row of vegetables. Neatly arranged fences clearly defined the property. Quite a distance down the road they came to a dead end. Just beyond a large open gate was a warehouse-like structure. Beyond that was a three-story wooden house. The house was extremely large, with wrap-around porches surrounding the first two floors. A manicured lawn was dotted with massive oak trees. Fernando had never seen anything like this before. Fernando and Ignacio were distracted by the distant sound of several large horse-drawn wagons turning onto the road leading to the Licata complex. Fernando suggested that they remain unseen and pointed to a particularly tall and dense stand of bushes off of the road. Though this was clearly a place of business as well as the Licata family home, Fernando preferred to remain out of sight after the fiasco of the previous evening. He did not relish the idea of having to explain his presence on a Sunday morning. As the wagons passed through the large open gate, seven or eight men emerged from the warehouse. Some were clearly holding shotguns. Two of the men were dressed in suits and appeared to be barking orders at the others. Fernando recognized these two as Gaetano Licata's "assistants" from the scene in the kitchen of L'Unione Italiana. Immediately after the wagons entered the complex, the gates behind them were quickly closed. The passengers quickly descended from the wagons. There were approximately 20 people in all. Many were carrying what appeared to be large pots and trays of food. As they gathered in a group, there were exchanges of kisses and hugs. As they began walking toward the house, the horses were unbridled and taken into the warehouse. Several of the men with shotguns remained standing near the closed gate. "Dos de ellos estaban en la boda anoche. No quiero que me vean. Tenemos que quedarnos escondidos. Vamos por estos campos y regresamos por atrás de la casa." Fernando explained to Ignacio that two of the men were at the wedding the night before and he didn't want them to see him. He suggested that they remain hidden from view by walking through the fields and returning from the rear of the house, well out of sight. Luckily, they were able to find a path that was outside of the fenced-in and cultivated areas. It closely paralleled the creek, and the large trees and brush kept them from view. To their right was a barbed wire fence that enclosed the Licata property. As they approached the area, which was near the back of the house, they could hear lively music and singing. This area was dominated by a large patio upon which sat several very long tables. Beyond the patio, the lawn sloped slightly downward toward a large pond, almost a small lake. One of the men with a shotgun appeared to be walking the perimeter of the fence, inside the private property. Suddenly the sound of voices startled the two Spaniards. A short distance in front of them they could see several young men walking toward them. As they drew closer, it became obvious that they were speaking English. Fernando whispered to Ignacio, indicating that they should stop spying and continue walking, but not running. As they passed the group of men, one of them waved and muttered what appeared to be a friendly greeting. Fernando and Ignacio waved back at them and continued walking away from the Licata complex. Soon they emerged into a vast open area that was dotted with small wooden houses. Though similar to the ones that they had seen earlier, these were in somewhat better condition. They turned right onto a dirt road, heading back toward Ybor City. They encountered several small groups of people, all of whom were speaking English. Shortly ahead was a larger road, essentially an extension of La Séptima, but still quite a distance from Ybor City. They turned right and continued toward home, having made a large circle around the Licata farm. Instinctively, they had refrained from speaking until now. "Zapato, yo creo que esa gente estaban hablando Inglés, pero sonaba un poco diferente de lo que yo había oído en La Habana, verdad?" Fernando explained to Zapato that he thought the people they had just encountered were speaking English, but it sounded different than what he had occasionally heard while living in Havana. Ignacio offered an explanation. "Pues sí. Ellos son lo que llamamos "cracas". Son norteamericanos sureños que llevan muchas generaciones aquí en la Florida. Hablan con un acento muy distinto, y tienen una cultura muy distinta. Ahora, en Tampa, usamos esa palabra para describir cualquiera persona blanca que no es español, cubano, o siciliano. No sé de dónde viene la palabra, pero entiendo lo que quiere decir la palabra." Zapato had explained that the people they had just encountered are called "crackers". They are white southern Americans whose roots go back many generations in Florida. He added that they have a distinct culture and a distinct accent when speaking. Additionally, he explained that in the Latin areas of Tampa, the term was now used to describe any white person who was not Spanish, Cuban, or Sicilian. Ignacio admitted that he had no idea where the word came from but understood its meaning. As the two young men continued their walk home, Fernando was reliving the past twenty-four hours in his mind. Certainly, this would be a birthday to remember. He realized he was vacillating between being a responsible adult and an impulsive adolescent smitten by a pretty girl. Today's adventure was nothing more than acting out on the musings of a young boy who thinks he might be falling in love with a young girl he has yet to meet. He wasn't sure what today's adventure was all about, other than an attempt to learn all he could about Giuseppina and her family. "Gaitero, vamos a comer algo en Las Novedades. Yo te invito para tu cumpleaños. Es la costumbre aquí...al revés de cómo se hace en España. Vale?" Ignacio interrupted Fernando's introspection by inviting him to eat at Las Novedades. He explained that in the US, the custom is to host friends on their birthday, the opposite of the way it's done in Spain. Fernando graciously accepted. He and Ignacio were now in the middle of La Séptima, and they relished the familiar surroundings. Gaitero and Zapato found themselves almost anxious to return to the relative calm and predictability of their workweek. Though the weekend had been enjoyable and, in many ways, fruitful, they welcomed the familiarity of the Sanchez y Haya cigar factory. Just as Fernando had punched his timecard, Julio approached him. "Buenos días, Gaitero. Por favor, venga conmigo a la oficina del señor Castañeda. No te preocupes, todo bien." Julio, Fernando's immediate boss, had requested that he join him in Mr. Castañeda's office. He assured him that all was well. As they entered the manager's office, Fernando was somewhat surprised to see Belarmino Pedroso seated at a small table, along with Mr. Castañeda. He remembered Belarmino from his arrival at Port Tampa. Though only ten days prior, it somehow seemed like an eternity had passed. Belarmino stood and extended his hand toward Fernando. "Fernando, encantado verte. Espero que todo va bien contigo." Belarmino warmly greeted the puzzled young Spaniard, and the two men shook hands. Mr. Castañeda also extended a greeting and handshake to Fernando. He went on to explain that Belarmino had contacted him on behalf of some of the other employees. Apparently, word had gotten out about Fernando having been paid for an extra day the week before. Though Belarmino was not employed by the factory, he was well-known in Tampa as a community activist and labor organizer. A group of employees had contacted him, protesting what they considered preferential treatment of Fernando. Sanchez y Haya prided itself on having an excellent relationship with its employees and hoped to avoid the unionization of its workers. Belarmino was affiliated with the Cigar Makers' International Union (CMIU) and had successfully organized workers in some other factories. Sanchez y Haya had agreed to informally allow Belarmino to be a conduit through which employee concerns might be passed on to management. Though at times a bit awkward, this arrangement was generally working well for both the factory and the workers. Mr Castañeda explained to Fernando that he had done nothing wrong and would not be forced to return the extra day's pay. Julio apologized for having suggested the extra pay to Mr. Castañeda. The general feeling in many of the cigar factories was that the Spanish workers were often given preferential treatment over others because most of the owners were themselves Spaniards. Several workers were demanding an extra day's pay and there was concern that Fernando would now be labeled as an elitist by the other employees. Despite the efforts to convince him otherwise, Fernando felt responsible for having offended his co-workers. He insisted on returning the extra money to the factory. His sense of fairness caused him to be embarrassed that he hadn't refused the extra pay in the first place. He was concerned that his reputation within the community was forever compromised. Belarmino suggested that rather than returning the money to the factory, perhaps Fernando could donate it to an employee relief fund that the workers had organized. This fund was established to assist those workers who faced financial difficulties due to illness or injury. Belarmino was entrusted to administering and dispersing these monies. Fernando enthusiastically agreed. Additionally, Belarmino asked for Mr. Castañeda's word that this type of situation would be avoided in the future. He assured him that it would. As the men were leaving the office, Belarmino, intuitively sensing that the young Spaniard wanted to speak with him privately, gestured to step outside the main factory entrance. Concerned that he was already late for work, Fernando turned to Julio, who was standing a few feet away. Before he could speak, Julio, aware of the situation, gave him a "thumbs up" sign of permission. "Belarmino, tanto lo siento por todo esto. Me siento muy mal." Gaitero had expressed his regrets to Belarmino for having caused a problem. Belarmino most graciously assured him that all was well, and that he would personally speak to those workers who had complained, explaining how Fernando had generously donated to the workers' relief fund. Fernando immediately felt relieved. It was clear to him why Belarmino had become such a trusted figure and honest broker within Ybor City. He understood human nature well. To Fernando's relief, the morning passed quickly and without incident. Tomás was cordial, never mentioning the incident that had attracted such attention. However, he remained apprehensive about facing Ignacio during the lunch break. Certainly, his best friend had, by now, heard about what had happened. Ignacio, already enjoying his lunch, called out to Fernando to join him. As Gaitero was unwrapping his sandwich and wondering how to broach the subject, Zapato smiled broadly. "Gaitero. No hay ningún problema. Ellos que se quejaron saben que no fue la culpa tuya, y saben que diste el dinero al fondo de emergencia para los empleados. Un punto importante. Yo sabía lo que había pasado antes de ti. En estas fábricas de puros de Tampa no hay ningún secreto." To Fernando's amazement, Ignacio told him that all was well. The employees that had complained know that it wasn't Fernando's fault, and that he had given the extra money to the employee emergency fund. Finally, Ignacio confessed that he had known about the extra pay before Fernando himself knew. He wanted Gaitero to know that there are no secrets in the cigar factories of Tampa. The rest of the work week went very well for Fernando. He was very relieved that his co-workers appeared to harbor no ill feelings toward him. He had had a quick introduction to the delicate nature of the constantly evolving relationship between management and the cigar workers in Tampa. With Ignacio's feedback, he now understood the concept of solidarity and equal treatment of all employees. He couldn't help but wonder if the offer of extra pay had been a kind of "test" of where his loyalties might lie. Fernando decided the best approach was to do his job as best he could, and maintain a low profile. It was now mid-day on Wednesday of Fernando's third week at Sanchez y Haya. As the two Spaniards were enjoying their lunch, Ignacio reminded Fernando that the next day was a holiday called Thanksgiving. Zapato's voice distracted him from staring at Giuseppina, who was sitting across the loading dock from them. She was still very much on his mind. "Mira, Gaitero. Recuérdate que mañana es un día de fiesta y no trabajamos. Es lo que llaman 'El Día de Acción de Gracias'. Vamos a comer muchísimo mañana. Maruxa siempre cocina pavos y muchas cosas más para la comida por la tarde." Ignacio elaborated that they would not be working the next day and that Maruxa would be preparing a large afternoon meal, including the traditional turkeys. He continued with a brief explanation of the holiday's origins as he understood it to be. Fernando found the explanation a bit odd. Though he knew very little about the history of the United States, he did know that the Spanish had founded St. Augustine in Florida many years before the English pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts. In any case, it was a holiday and Fernando looked forward to embracing a new "American" tradition. Fernando's first Thanksgiving dinner exceeded his expectations. In addition to some familiar Spanish dishes, Maruxa had prepared a few traditional American foods, including several large roasted turkeys. Fernando especially liked the "puré de patatas", or mashed potatoes. Potatoes were a daily staple in Asturias, but he had never had them prepared in the classic American style. Always ecumenical, Maruxa had, over the years, created a uniquely delicious turkey stuffing...Cuban breadcrumbs combined with Spanish chorizo and other spices. The dinner had certainly reflected the cultural mosaic that little Tampa had become. Fernando suggested to Ignacio that they take a much-needed long walk. After a long stroll on La Séptima, they decided to have a coffee at El Centro Español. They agreed that this would be an alcohol-free evening, as the events that occurred on Fernando's birthday were still fresh in their minds. Gaitero and Zapato stood at the bar sipping their espressos. The "casino" room was not as busy as they had expected. This was a good thing, as they could actually converse without having to shout...a rarity in this room. Ignacio glanced at his watch, remembering that tomorrow was a workday and not wanting to get to bed too late. As he was preparing to suggest to Fernando that they head home, they were approached by a young man. "Hola Fernando. Como estás?" The man had greeted Fernando, enquiring as to how he was doing. It was Salvatore Licata, his right hand outstretched. "Hola, Turiddu. Estoy bien, y tu? Quiero presentarte a mi mejor amigo, Ignacio Prendes." Fernando returned the greeting, and introduced him to Ignacio, realizing that he had already adopted the American custom of using only one surname, instead of the customary two. The gentlemen exchanged the usual pleasantries, commenting on the holiday and, predictably, on how they had all eaten too much. Fernando was anxious to broach the subject of the wedding reception fiasco but wasn't sure how to do so without embarrassing Turiddu or himself. Mercifully, the young Sicilian spared him additional anxiety. "Fernando, todo está bien con mi padre. Aunque es muy estricto y serio, él quiere a su familia mucho, y siempre quiere mantener paz entre nosotros." Turiddu explained that all was well with his father. He elaborated that although his dad was a strict and serious man, he loved his family immensely, and always sought to keep peace within it. Fernando was very surprised and relieved, not only for Turiddu, but for himself as well. He had been concerned that his inappropriate presence at the wedding reception, though inadvertent on his part, had forever precluded his becoming acquainted with Giuseppina. Turiddu's next statement surprised and pleased him even more. "Mi padre quiere invitarte a nuestra casa para una fiesta. Parece que se quedó muy impresionado contigo. El día es el trece de diciembre, el día de Santa Lucía. Es una fiesta muy importante para nosotros Sicilianos. Y por favor, Ignacio, estás invitado también." Turiddu told Fernando that apparently his father was impressed with him, despite the awkwardness of the meeting, and wanted to invite him to the family home. The occasion would be the celebration of St. Lucy's day, which is on December 13th. He continued to explain that St. Lucy, and the festival that honors her, is very important within the Sicilian culture. He also invited Ignacio to join them. Both men graciously accepted the unexpected invitation. Fernando's mind began racing with anticipation, although the celebration was two weeks away. After several more minutes of conversation, Turiddu excused himself and joined a card game in progress at his usual table. "Perdón Gaitero, pero hay una llamada por teléfono para ti. Un hombre que no habla español muy bien." Maruxa had politely interrupted the customary post-dinner coffee and conversation that Fernando and Ignacio were enjoying. She advised him that there was a telephone call for him...from "a man who didn't speak Spanish very well." The call was from Turiddu Licata. It had been a week since Fernando and Ignacio had seen him at the Centro Español on Thanksgiving evening. The young Sicilian was calling to give him details about the St. Lucy celebration. He reminded Fernando that Ignacio was also invited, and that a carriage would pick them up and return them to their home. Fernando was pleasantly surprised, having concluded that the invitation was perhaps the result of Turiddu having had one drink too many, and not sincere. The Spaniard thanked him, and replaced the earpiece on the large wooden telephone. "Quien era, Gaitero? La policía te busca?" With a big smile, Zapato had asked his friend who had called, jokingly wondering if the police were looking for Fernando. Fernando explained that it was Turiddu and shared the details of the invitation. The Feast of St. Lucy is celebrated on December 13, and that would be one week from tonight. Ignacio, like Fernando, was a bit surprised by the phone call. Turiddu had explained that the celebration marks the beginning of the Christmas season for the Licata family, and that semi-formal attire is suggested. The Spaniards decided this would be a good time to invest in nice clothing. Tomorrow would be Friday, a payday, and they would visit El Sombrero Blanco after work. "Bienvenidos, Fernando e Ignacio! Como están, caballeros?" The two Spaniards were impressed that Mr. Katz remembered their names. He had welcomed the two "gentlemen" warmly. The store was rather busy, and already decorated for Christmas, a custom that was rarely observed in Spain. They explained to Mr. Katz that they wished to purchase new suits. The proprietor smiled and gestured to follow him. As they were walking toward the back of the store, Ignacio spoke. "Señor Katz, por qué tienes toda esta decoración para navidad en su tienda? Yo pensaba que los judíos no celebraban navidad." Zapato had asked Mr. Katz why his store was decorated for Christmas since Jewish people don't celebrate the holiday. "Buena pregunta. Como dicen en España: 'Es bueno rezar a los santos, pero si quieres comer, tire abono en el suelo.'" Mr. Katz' reply made sense. He acknowledged that the question was a valid one, and answered it by quoting an old Spanish saying, "It's good to pray to the saints, but if you want to eat, throw fertilizer on the soil." It was a clever way of saying that, above all, he was a practical man. While he may have his religious views, ultimately the secular reality of financial security takes precedence. He explained that he had learned that most of his customers identified with and enjoyed Christmas, and he gives his customers what they want. Fernando and Ignacio completely understood, and the three men broke out in laughter. It was a laughter based on their mutual understanding of the practical aspects of life. In less than an hour Fernando and Ignacio had chosen their new suits. Mr. Katz had carefully taken the necessary measurements and promised that the altered suits would be ready by Tuesday evening, two days before the St. Lucy celebration at the Licatas. As Mr. Katz was finalizing their purchases, he asked the Spaniards more about the special event. When they explained that it was at the Licata's' home, the older man put down his pencil, took off his eyeglasses, and stared intensely at them. "Estos trajes pueden ser las mejores inversiones que jamás harán. Gaetano Licata es un hombre que quieres como tu amigo, no como tu enemigo." Knowing that Mr. Katz was a wise man made Fernando and Ignacio feel especially gratified at what he had just told them. The fine suits they just purchased could well be the best investment they would ever make. Mr. Licata is a man you want as your friend, not your enemy. The proprietor went on to suggest that they take gifts on their visit to the Licata home. Apparently the Licatas were regular customers of El Sombrero Blanco and he was familiar with their tastes. He suggested they take ladies' handkerchiefs to Mrs. Licata and the two daughters. Mr. Katz gently nudged Fernando and Ignacio toward a display case nearby. He brought out three boxes of handkerchiefs, assuring them that they would be appropriate and ideal gifts. Before the Spaniards could ask the price, Mr. Katz very generously told them he would offer them at no charge, in appreciation of their substantial purchase this evening. He would have them gift-wrapped and ready when they picked up their new suits. Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Thirty-Three Thursday, December 13 was an unusually cold day in Tampa, and the cloudy skies and wind made the air feel even colder. Fernando and Ignacio were scurrying down La Séptima. The carriage that would transport them to the Licata residence would be at La Gallega boarding house at 6:30 p.m. and it was now just after 5:00 p.m. As they hurriedly passed the various store fronts, they noticed the lavishness with which American businesses promoted the Christmas season. It seemed to them that this most special holiday was very much becoming a commercial venture here in the USA. Nonetheless, they were enjoying the spirit of the season, and anticipating tonight's celebration of the Feast of St. Lucy. Fernando was taking no offense at Ignacio's teasing by referring to it as "the Feast of St. Giuseppina"! The two men quickly bathed and changed into their new suits. As promised by Mr. Katz, the suits had been perfectly altered, pressed, and ready two days prior. Fernando remembered to gather the three beautifully wrapped boxes of handkerchiefs, eternally grateful for Mr. Katz' thoughtfulness and generosity. As Fernando and Ignacio descended the stairs and entered the sitting area, they were greeted by whistles and applause. They looked quite dapper and their fellow boarders were quite impressed. Maruxa rushed over to them and gave each man a big hug and the customary Spanish kiss on both cheeks. Two of the older men had loaned them overcoats, appropriate on this particularly winter-like night. Turiddu had politely requested that they be punctual, as the carriage would be making several stops to pick up other guests as well. Proud of their usual punctuality, they donned their overcoats and waited on the front porch. A few minutes later the unmistakable sound of many horses stepping in unison caught their attention. A very large carriage drawn by six large horses stopped in front of La Gallega. Fernando and Ignacio walked toward the street. Two men were conducting the carriage. One descended and tipped his hat at the two Spaniards. He was one of the men Fernando had "met" that awkward night at L'Unione Italiana. This time he smiled and gestured toward the carriage. Mercifully, the carriage was partially enclosed and offered protection against the unusual weather. As Fernando and Ignacio entered, they politely tipped their hats at the other guests. The carriage pulled away and was soon headed eastward on La Séptima. There were approximately 12 other guests on board the carriage. All were speaking Sicilian or that other language that Fernando had noticed on several occasions, still curious what it could be. After two more stops, they arrived at the Licata home. As they entered the complex, they saw many other smaller carriages. Apparently, this was a large affair with many invited guests. Their carriage came to a halt near the warehouse building. Fernando and Ignacio politely allowed the other guests, many of whom had children or were older, to descend ahead of them. The two men who had driven them escorted them away from the warehouse area and toward the Licata family home. By now it was pitch dark. The path leading up to the house was lined with large candles which had been placed into small wooden boxes filled with sand. As they got closer to the house, they could see that the massive front porch, as well as every window, was adorned with candles. As the night was particularly dark, the flickering of the candles produced an effect that was almost other-worldly. Fernando and Ignacio, instinctively speaking in hushed tones, agreed that they had never seen anything quite like this. Shortly ahead of them was the end of a line of guests who had queued up to greet the hosts standing just inside the massive front door. This receiving line was moving rather quickly and as they got closer, they saw Gaetano and, presumably, Mrs. Licata next to him. Beyond them stood four younger people, one of whom was Turiddu. It was clear that the guests ahead of them in line were close friends and relatives of the Licatas, since the greetings that were being exchanged were of a familiar nature...warm hugs and kisses and animated conversation. Suddenly Fernando felt a bit apprehensive, wondering if Mr. Licata would remember him from that now infamous initial meeting. Surely, Turiddu was honest when he said that his father had suggested inviting them to the celebration, or had Turiddu once again sought to challenge Gaetano's authority by having uninvited guests? To his relief, just as he was approaching Mr. Licata, Turiddu rushed over, placed his arm around Fernando and turned to his father. Gaetano Licata looked at the two Spaniards and smiled warmly, extending his right hand. Fernando and Ignacio returned the friendly greeting from Gaetano, each shaking hands with the elder Licata. No one mentioned the unfortunate scene at the wedding. Turiddu, with his left arm around Fernando's shoulder, gently guided him further down the receiving line. "Mamá, estos son mis amigos, Fernando Suárez e Ignacio Prendes. Caballeros, quiero presentarles a mi madre, Señora Sebastiana Schiro Licata." Turiddu introduced the two Spaniards to his mother, Sebastiana Schiro Licata. She politely smiled and nodded gently. Fernando couldn't help but wonder if she remembered him from the wedding but decided to focus on this more pleasant evening. Fernando handed Sebastiana one of the gifts and expressed gratitude that he and Ignacio had been invited to her home. In her very broken Spanish she warmly thanked him, looking a bit surprised at their thoughtfulness. Fernando found himself hoping that this might make up for their disastrous first meeting. Fernando noticed that he and Ignacio appeared to be the last two guests, as Gaetano had closed the front door and began walking into the massive living room to socialize with his guests. Fernando quickly glanced to his right, catching a glimpse of Giuseppina, hoping he wasn't being too obvious. He became aware that his hands were perspiring and discretely rubbed his right one against his pants. "Rosario, estos son mis amigos Fernando e Ignacio. Mi hermano, Rosario" Turiddu introduced the two men to his older brother, Rosario. He was a large burly man and he returned a smile that appeared to be somewhat forced and inauthentic. Fernando wondered if perhaps he had been at the now infamous wedding reception and harbored some resentment toward him. Before he could ponder this any further, Rosario left and joined the other guests. "Fernando e Ignacio, estas son mis hermanas Rosa y Giuseppina. Hermanas, mis amigos Fernando Suárez e Ignacio Prendes." Turiddu introduced the Spaniards to his two sisters, Rosa and Giuseppina. Fernando was impressed that he was now referring to both Ignacio and him as "friends", since it had been only a few weeks since they met. Sebastiana had quietly walked over and was standing between and just behind her two daughters. Speaking simultaneously, both Fernando and Ignacio expressed their pleasure at meeting them. Fernando desperately tried to not focus on Giuseppina while ignoring Rosa. The two young women were very different from each other, and no one would reasonably assume they were sisters. The elder daughter was a large, though well-proportioned woman and had a rather "matronly" look about her. Giuseppina, as Fernando had noted on many occasions, was strikingly beautiful, in a gentle and demure way. Her eyes were a deep shade of blue, and her skin was a milky white. Both young women smiled but did not speak. Mr. Katz, familiar with the various cultural subtleties of his customers, had coached Fernando and Ignacio on the proper protocol. Rather than addressing the young Licata sisters directly, Fernando, with the remaining two gifts in his hands, looked directly at Mrs. Licata. "Señora Licata, ¿podemos ofrecer, con respeto, estos regalos a sus hijas?" In Spanish, and speaking for both of them, Fernando had asked Sebastiana Licata if they could, with respect, offer gifts to her daughters. Mr. Katz had emphasized that the second most important thing in Sicilian culture is respect. The most important is the family. With some assistance in translating from Turiddu, Mrs. Licata glanced at Rosa and Giuseppina, and then smiled at Fernando and Ignacio. She nodded in the affirmative. Ignacio handed one of the handkerchief sets to Rosa, and Fernando passed the other one to Giuseppina. This was not spontaneous, by any means. After Mr. Katz' coaching, the two young men had "rehearsed" this ritual several times, in the privacy of their room at La Gallega. Rosa and Giuseppina gracefully accepted the beautifully wrapped gifts. For the first time, Fernando heard Giuseppina's gentle voice as she, along with Rosa, responded with "Grazie" …."Thank you." Mrs. Licata collected the unopened gifts from her daughters and passed them on to a maid who was standing nearby. She gracefully gestured to everyone to join the other guests in the living room. As Fernando and Ignacio entered the large living room, they noticed that Mrs. Licata and her two daughters joined a group of ladies seated in a far corner of the room. In the center of the room was a massive oak table upon which sat an incredibly large amount of food of all kinds. The atmosphere was ethereal, as the gas lamps were turned down low, creating dancing shadows along the walls and ceiling. Several large oak logs burning in a huge stone fireplace provided the perfect amount of additional light. This also served to warm the room, both literally and figuratively. A tall, beautifully decorated Christmas tree was in a corner of the room to the left of the fireplace. Fernando was enthralled, never before having seen a Christmas tree. This was a custom that had not taken root in Spain, and was just becoming popular in Cuba. His trance was broken by the sound of Turiddu's voice. "Amigos, ven conmigo. Quiero explicar algo de nuestras costumbres sobre Santa Lucía." Turiddu, in a particularly festive mood, had put his arms around Fernando and Ignacio. He asked them to follow him, as he wanted to explain some of their customs having to do with St. Lucy's day. He guided them toward a table that was between the fireplace and the group of Sicilian women sitting together. Many guests were lining up to gain access to the table. Turiiddu took the Spaniards around the line, approaching the table from the side. As they passed near the group of sitting women, Fernando glanced at Giuseppina. As their eyes met, she broke into a large smile, then quickly averted her eyes. Upon the table sat a small altar featuring a statue of St. Lucy, adorned with flowers. Surrounding and below this were dozens of small votive candles which had been lit. In the center was a huge bowl filled with a type of porridge. Guests were serving themselves, garnishing the porridge with a variety of nuts and dried fruits sitting in smaller bowls. At the end of the table was a large wooden box with a slit on the top. Periodically a guest would slip a sealed envelope into the slot. Turiddu explained that St. Lucy is considered the patron saint of light and vision, hence the numerous candles. Due to a complex, and often erroneous, interpretation of history and astronomy, her birthday, December 13th, is also celebrated as the longest night of the year. The traditional porridge is called "cuccia" in Sicilian and consists of wheat berries cooked with ricotta cheese and sugar. Legend has it that a shipload of wheat saved thousands from starvation during a famine in Sicily in the 16th century, having arrived on her birthday. Turiddu prepared a sampling of cuccia for his friends. They found it tasty and vaguely reminiscent of the iconic Asturian rice pudding. Turiddu explained that the envelopes that were being left at her altar are monetary donations intended to help the hungry and the blind. Traditionally, in Sicily, the celebration is not as elaborate as this. Most families celebrate with a simple family dinner of cuccia and quiet meditation. Turiddu explained that as his father had prospered, he had turned the Licata celebration into a large affair signaling the beginning of the Christmas season. The Spaniards were captivated by these beautiful traditions and honored that they had been invited. Fernando couldn't help but think that somehow Turiddu had been instrumental in his having been invited. It seemed that, as opposed to his older brother Rosario, Turiddu was somewhat of a "loner". As they made their way around the room, very few guests would approach the young Sicilian, whereas Rosario always seem to have an entourage about him. Perhaps Turiddu had earned a reputation as unapproachable. In any case, Fernando felt that a strong and special bond was developing between Turiddu and him. This allowed him to comfortably confide in Turiddu. "Turiddu, quiero hablar con tu hermana, Giuseppina. Cómo puedo hacerlo sin ofender la familia? Quiero que me ayudes." He told Turiddu that he wanted to speak to his sister without offending the family and requested that Turiddu assist him. Turiddu discretely pointed toward the group of women seated together. He explained that this was a time-honored Sicilian way of protecting their innocent young ladies against the improper overtures of anxious young men. The concept of innocence and virginity until marriage was deeply ingrained within that island culture. Mothers, grandmothers, and single aunts formed a formidable wall which needed to be approached cautiously. Turiddu suggested that they approach as a group, addressing the older women first, keeping the conversation impersonal and pleasant. The young Sicilian gestured to Fernando and Ignacio to follow him. As they approached the women, Turiddu addressed his mother in Sicilian. Ignacio, having developed a cursory familiarity with the language, relayed, in a low voice, a rough translation. He explained how he had shared the history of Santa Lucía and that the Spaniards enjoyed the cuccia. This seemed to please her and she went on to introduce the other older women to Fernando and Ignacio. With Turiddu and Ignacio translating as needed, they were soon emerged in polite and spontaneous conversation...with the exception of Rosa and Giuseppina. Mrs. Licata turned toward Giuseppina. After a brief exchange in that "other" language that sounded absolutely nothing like Sicilian or Spanish, Turiddu tuned toward Fernando and whispered. "Mi madre comentó a mi hermana que ella sabe que ustedes trabajan juntos y quizás han hablado en la fábrica. Giuseppina contestó que sí, trabajan juntos, pero nunca han hablado porque están en diferentes departamentos. Mi madre después dijo que entonces esta noche sería una buena oportunidad para hablar un poco. Para mi, esto significa que ahora puedes hablar directamente con ella. Es una forma de permiso." Turiddu explained that his mother had told Giuseppina that she knows she and Fernando work together and perhaps they have spoken at the factory. Giuseppina replied that they did work together but they had never spoken since they are in different departments. Mrs. Licata then commented to her daughter that tonight would be a good opportunity to talk. Turiddu said that this was sending a signal, and that it was appropriate for him to speak directly with Giuseppina. Fernando seized this opportunity. In Spanish, he asked her now she liked working at Sanchez y Haya. In surprisingly good Spanish, she responded that she enjoyed it very much. Complimenting her on her excellent Spanish, Giuseppina told him it was an unexpected benefit of working primarily with Spanish women. As they continued in warm but impersonal conversation, Turiddu and Ignacio excused themselves to mingle with the other guests. It appeared that Fernando had garnered the approval of the Licata family. For the young Spaniard, January 6th, "Día de Los Reyes" or the "Feast of the Three Kings", had arrived early. This holiday is the day when Spaniards receive their Christmas gifts. "Gaitero, parece mentira que solo hace tres años que llegastes a Tampa. Tanto ha pasado....cosas buenas." Ignacio told Fernando that it was hard to believe that only three years had passed since his arrival in Tampa. So much had occurred, most of it good. Fernando couldn't respond because Ignacio was anxiously adjusting Fernando's tie, making it almost impossible to speak. The two Spaniards were not familiar with formal attire, but the helpful Mr. Katz had generously included free lessons with their tuxedo purchases. Sunday, December 13, 1903 was, appropriately, a cold and cloudy day. It was St. Lucy's Day, and reminiscent of the day, exactly three years ago, that Fernando and Giuseppina had begun their courtship. Gaetano and Sebastiana Licata approved of Fernando and annointed the romance between him and their younger daughter. As Ignacio continued to nervously adjust Fernando's tie, Fernando pushed his hand away. "Por favor, Zapato! Estás más nervioso que yo! Soy yo que se casa hoy, tu no!" Jokingly, and with a broad smile, Fernando reminded his best friend that it was he who was getting married today, not Ignacio! Both men broke into laughter and hugged each other warmly. As the relationship between Giuseppina and Fernando developed, Fernando sought and received permission from her parents to propose marriage. Giuseppina readily accepted his proposal. Mr. Licata then offered to bring Fernando into the family business, but Fernando respectfully declined. He preferred to demonstrate that he could attain financial stability on his own. Still employed at Sanchez y Haya, Fernando had worked his way up to assistant manager of personnel. This further impressed Giuseppina's father. His literacy, work ethic, and ability to get along well with the other employees had served Fernando well. "Bueno, Gaitero. Tenemos que irnos, porque nos esperan en la iglesia" Ignacio reminded Fernando that they needed to go because others were waiting at the church. Maruxa and Aniceto were already dressed and waiting on the front porch. Maruxa, in tears, rushed over to Fernando and warmly hugged and kissed him. He had honored the couple by asking that they serve as his "parents by proxy" during the ceremony and dinner afterward. Considering them far more than his landlords, Fernando was grateful for their love and friendship since his arrival in Tampa. As the carriage made its way from Ybor City to downtown Tampa, Fernando was deep in thought. Earlier in the year he had decided that he was financially prepared to enter into marriage. With the Licatas' approval they considered which Sunday would be best. Fernando attributed it to good luck, but Giuseppina felt it was divine providence that St. Lucy's Day, December 13, would fall on a Sunday. The decision was made. Sacred Heart Catholic Church occupied a modest wooden building in downtown Tampa, the corner of Florida Ave. and Twiggs St. As the carriage stopped in front of the church, hundreds of guests were filing into the building. Fernando and Ignacio hugged Maruxa and Aniceto and handed them off to one of Giuseppina's cousins from New Orleans who was serving as an usher. The two Spaniards entered the church through a side entrance. Father Conde greeted them. He and Father Amorelli would be conducting the wedding mass. They joined the waiting groomsmen. Ignacio was, of course, Fernando's best man. The others consisted of Turiddu and Rosario, Giuseppina's brothers, and Josė and Manolo, Fernando's friends. The men took their positions to the right of the altar. The church was completely full. Fernando smiled at Maruxa and Aniceto, who were seated in the front row to his left. Maruxa began crying, and Aniceto rolled his eyes. A brief silence followed the final strains of the Ave Maria. The pipe organ was at maximum volume as Wagner's wedding march filled the church. At the end of the procession of bridesmaids Fernando could see Giuseppina, escorted by her smiling father. As they approached the altar, Gaetano lifted her veil, kissed her on each cheek and passed her hand to Fernando's hand. Mr. Licata then leaned forward and whispered to Fernando. "Ahora tengo tres hijos." The elder Licata told Fernando that he now has three sons. Fernando smiled and thanked him. Gaetano had rented the entire building of L'Unione Italiana for Giuseppina and Fernando's wedding reception. The upstairs ballroom had been reserved for a formal dinner and dancing. The casino downstairs was set up for the traditional St. Lucy observance later in the evening. As Fernando and Giuseppina took their seats at the head table, Fernando couldn't help thinking about the irony at hand. It was in this very room, three years prior, that he had first "met" the Licata family. His trip down memory lane was interrupted by the tinkling sound of a spoon hitting a water glass. Gaetano Licata began speaking in Sicilian, welcoming the guests. As prearranged, Ignacio followed by welcoming the Spanish- speaking guests as well. Midway through dinner, Ignacio delivered, in Spanish, a most eloquent testimonial to his best friend and his bride. Turiddu translated into Sicilian. As coffee and wedding cake were being served, the bride and groom circulated among the guests, greeting friends and relatives. To Giuseppina's wedding gown was sewn a large silk pouch. At every table someone would place an envelope containing money into the pouch. The entire wedding had been unfamiliar to Fernando, as it was a combination of Sicilian tradition and modern American customs. After several hours of dancing to traditional Sicilian and Spanish music, many of the remaining guests went downstairs to the casino. Father Amorelli offered a special blessing honoring St. Lucy. Afterward, a second dessert of cuccia signaled an end to the evening of celebration. Giuseppina, accompanied by her sister Rosa and other women, had gone to change from her bridal gown into her travel clothes. Fernando, Gaetano and Turiddu were sitting at a table in the now nearly empty room. With Turiddu's help in translating, they reminisced about the previous three years. Gaetano reaffirmed how fond he had become of his new son-in-law. Gaetano went on to explain that he was impressed with Fernando's determination to meet Giuseppina. He was even more impressed that Fernando always respected her and the Licata family. He also valued Fernando's wisdom and discretion in not asking for details about the family business. However, Fernando was now part of the family and he wanted no secrets between them. Mr. Licata asked Fernando to assure him that what he was about to share with him would be kept in strictest confidence. Fernando nodded in the affirmative. With Turiddu translating, Gaetano explained that he and his family immigrated to New Orleans in the late 1880s. Like so many of his fellow Sicilians, he was able to find work cutting sugar cane in the fields of south Louisiana. The work was extremely difficult and conditions very harsh. The workers were underpaid and mistreated. As a result of this, Gaetano and others attempted to organize labor unions. In response, the plantation owners, with the help of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), organized vigilante groups and lynched many of the activists. Several of Gaetano's friends and relatives lost their lives. In some cases, even the police assisted the KKK. Gaetano managed to avoid capture and eventually he and his family were able to come to Tampa. After working for a short time in a cigar factory, Gaetano was able to buy some land in Gary. His goal was to establish a farm and prosper by selling fruits and vegetables to the growing immigrant community in Tampa. His experiences in Louisiana as well as in Sicily had fostered a distrust of authority. He wanted he and his family to be self-reliant. Shortly after the Licatas had established their farm, the local KKK burned their fields, as well as those of other immigrant neighbors. Originally founded in 1866, the KKK was formed to resist the policies of the Reconstruction era, targeting the newly freed former slaves. Over the years their agenda expanded to include acts against Catholic, Jews, and immigrants in general. Rather than going to the police, Gaetano organized a group of Sicilian men and retaliated against some of the local KKK members. Several of the Klan members were killed in the process. The KKK in the rural areas outside of Tampa was not as powerful and organized as that in Louisiana. The response was effective. Soon, it was understood that Gaetano Licata was a man to be taken seriously, a man who would fight back to protect his family and neighbors. Mr. Licata told Fernando that, as a token of gratitude, his neighbors offered money and a share of their crops. As time went on, Gaetano was anointed as the "leader and protector" of the local community. As more immigrants moved into the area, Gaetano explained the situation and strongly suggested that they purchase "an insurance policy" from him. In essence, Gaetano Licata became the de facto law enforcement, not only in Gary, but in parts of Tampa proper as well. Mr. Licata elaborated that he had seen a similar system work very effectively in and around his native Bivona, Sicily. Wealthy landowners had tried diverting the water supply away from small farms in order to force peasants to abandon their lands. The wealthy would then purchase them at very low prices. This was the basis of the emergence of the "Cosa Nostra" or "Our Thing" organized crime in Sicily. Essentially, it offered an alternative to traditional law enforcement, which was often under control of the wealthy. He confessed his disillusionment when he discovered that this was also true in some parts of the United States. Fernando listened intently, remaining silent. He knew that when dealing with Mr. Licata, listening is always better than speaking. There was a warm side to Gaetano, but Fernando also understood that the Licata business had morphed into a bit more than his father-in-law was offering. The word around Ybor City was that the purchase of a Licata "insurance policy" had become obligatory, not optional. Those who declined might suddenly experience a fire. Uncooperative business owners would hear of their customers being assaulted. Fernando had grown to love Gaetano, but wanted to maintain some distance from the family enterprise. He knew that the "fruits and vegetables" part of the company was simply a front, a means of maintaining visibility and influence. Additionally, Gaetano truly enjoyed farming. It was also common knowledge that the Licata illicit business interests had begun to expand well beyond local extortion. Fernando, remaining silent, embraced Gaetano warmly. Giuseppina, along with her mother and her female entourage, entered the room. The few remaining guests approached them, embracing and exchanging kisses. Within a few minutes, all of the wedding guests had departed. Giuseppina, uncharacteristically animated, approached the men. "Pina, estas más guapa que nunca. Ahora voy a cambiarme de ropa. Necesito apurarme porque el barco sale a las once y media." Fernando, now addressing his wife by the diminutive for her name, told her that she looked prettier than ever. He announced that he had to hurry and change clothes because their ship leaves at 11:30 pm. It was now just after 8:00 pm. The Spaniard couldn't help feeling grateful that Giuseppina spoke excellent Spanish, otherwise their relationship might not have flourished. The Licatas, among many other gifts, had insisted on organizing and paying for a two-week honeymoon trip to Havana. The steamship "Olivette", a sister ship to the "Mascotte" that brought Gaitero to Tampa, awaited them at Port Tampa. They had a reservation for the luxury suite. Fernando felt somewhat conflicted to have accepted such an extravagance. However, Gaetano understood and respected his son-in-law's inclination to prosper on his own, a sentiment shared by Giuseppina. The H. B. Plant railway operated a late-night train timed specifically to connect with "Olivette". Fernando and Pina, accompanied by her family, along with Ignacio, Maruxa, and Aniceto formed a procession as they walked the two blocks to the Ybor City train station. Several of Gaetano's "helpers" had taken their luggage earlier. As they were boarding the train, Sebastiana embraced her daughter tightly. "Mè figghia, speru la spiranza sunnu comu semu." Piina's mother had told her, in Sicilian, that she hopes her daughter is as happy as they are. Giuseppina Licata Suárez responded with a smile. She and Fernando hugged their friends and relatives and boarded the train. Chapter Thirty-Four Chapter Thirty-Five Chapter Thirty-Six Click Here For Part Three Chapter Thirty-Seven

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The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. 2022 events Legacy Awards 2022 2022 Vicente Martinez-Ybor Award: The Newman Family 2022 Anthony "Tony" Pizzo Award: John Rañon 2022 Adela Gonzmart Award: Mary Mortellaro Caltagirone (Posthumous) 2022 Trustees' Award: Deborah Guglielmo (Posthumous) Following Fernando's Footsteps Program 2022 Legacy 2022 2022 Vicente Martinez-Ybor Award: The Newman Family 2022 Anthony "Tony" Pizzo Award: John Rañon 2022 Adela Gonzmart Award: Mary Mortellaro Caltagirone (posthumous) 2022 Trustee Award: Deborah Guglielmo (posthumous) Baseball, Bourbon & cigars 2022 Buildings Alive! 2022 News library newsletter library recipe library events library

The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982. The society is a citizen support organization for the Ybor City Museum State Park and is committed in preserving, promoting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City through programs and exhibits. donate As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Ybor City Historical Society depends on the generous support of our members, donors, and sponsors. The Ybor City Historical Society partners with our community members to r estore the character of Ybor City through e ducating the community about its history, a dvocating for the current community, and p reserving the cultural heritage for future generations. In doing so, we believe the entire community will REAP the benefits of our dedication. Your donation supports the mission of the Ybor City Historical Society and ensures sustainability in providing exhibits, programming, and educational experiences that preserve and share Ybor City’s unique history and cultural heritage. For more information, contact us by e-mail or by calling 813.247.1434 . There are many ways to provide charitable gifts to the Ybor City Historical Society. For cash, charitable, and honor/memorial gifts, complete the donation form. Charitable Donation Honor or Memorial Gifts Planned Giving Cash Donation Appreciated Securities Donate Today Leave a one-time donation First name Last name Email Donate in the name of: Honoree name: How did you hear about us? Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Country Phone Enter the amount you wish to pay: $ Donate Thank you for donating!