Impending departure and our last goodbyes
In which Teófilo reminisces about his and his bride's last days as residents of Puerto Rico in preparation for their South Dakotan sojourn.
Deep introspection was the last thing in my mind during those fateful last days in Puerto Rico. We had things to do, places to visit, and people we had to say goodbye to.
One Last Nerdy Visit
We spent our honeymoon touring the northern coast of Puerto Rico and walking throughout San Juan. One place we visited was the famous Arecibo Radio Telescope, back then functioning at the cusp of its powers. This was well before they built the visitor center, and also long before its tragic collapse back in December 2020. In fact the Observatory shut down its science mission a few days ago as of this writing, perhaps forever.
Yes. That was a very romantic move on my part. But I’m the same guy who took my fiancé to watch 2010 Space Oddisey II the day we became engaged.
The sweet golden first days of our married life came to an end, and we returned to Ponce to spend our last days as its residents. We faced an imminent, continent-sized change in our geography.
Preparing for Cold Weather and Packing Our Luggage
We purchased the thickest jackets we could but at J.C. Penny’s at Plaza Las Americas mall for our coming Dakotan sojourn. The military transit office allowed us to pack for our move and we did: one large cardboard box containing what we thought were our bare necessities. In fact, pretty much all we owned that was of any value was in that box. I also packed my guitar as a hand-carried luggage.
One Last Little Drama
We must’ve said our goodbyes to everyone, even to my USAF recruiter. As I wondered how to bid goodbye to Mom she provided the opportunity for it, and also one last bit of small drama.
It so happened that she and my little brother were walking toward the local mall during those days, when a careless driver barreled toward them. She only had time to push my little brother out of the way, but the car hit her instead. I’m not sure what happened afterwards but we headed to my old homestead as soon as we found out.
Titi Gloria greeted us at her home’s entrance, while at that very same moment, I heard Mom in her chancletas rapidly flip-flopping her way from the living room into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. By then I’d come to know she often did this when she wanted to flee an uncomfortable situation and also to show her contempt for anyone daring to upset her.
At least the sounds of her escape run informed me that she hadn’t been badly hurt in the accident. I wouldn’t get to see her again for three years, as you’ll see.
The Last Day
I don’t recall my last goodbyes to Papi and others, but I must’ve had said them. At Mercie’s home her half-brother Carlos wrote her a last goodbye letter in a tearful hurry. I’d rented a vehicle, perhaps the first time I’d ever done so in my life and drove ourselves to San Juan’s Muñoz Marín International Airport early in the morning of September 11th, 1985. We saw our luggage bearing “RAP” tags for its final destination at Rapid City’s Regional Airport as it disappeared into the underground luggage transfer jungle. Ellsworth AFB, just east of Rapid City in western South Dakota and the first stage of our new life together, beckoned.
Adiós, nos fuimos
En sus lenguas quedamos
En sus memorias
Goodbye, we are gone
We remain on your tongues
And your memories