Daniel and Armando from San Pedro Sula

Two weeks ago, Faith, Laura and I went to San Pedro Sula to see a futbol game. After the game we were looking for baleadas and ended up in the center. We found a little baleada stand and were eating when Daniel walked past. Daniel was at Pronino when we got here in January, moved up to La Montana, stayed for maybe a week there and then ran away. We had heard he was living with his family, but apparently he wasn't. We yelled for him, but he ran off.

A bit later, Laura found Daniel again and Armando, who was in Pronino last year but I'm not sure when he ran away. Armando was really excited to see us and willing to talk. He wanted to go back to Pronino, but not Daniel. Daniel was so tough just to talk to. I'd take a step towards him, he'd take two steps back. I had a few sips left of an iced tea and kept trying to get him to come closer for that. But he wasn't having it. And by now, there are a bunch of people around trying to convince Daniel to come talk to us, to go with us. Raggedy old men from the street telling him that this is no life for him, to stop being afraid to talk...

So eventually we got both Armando and Daniel to come with us to eat something. There was another kid with them who wanted to go to Pronino, but he'd never been there before and he needed his custody papers from his mom (he had already tried to get into Pronino the week before). We bought them all baleadas and sodas, and all of a sudden four more street kids appeared. Two had been in Pronino, but were out of opportunities to come back. And there went more baleadas and sodas...

We kept talking and talking with them. Trying to find some magic words that would make Daniel want to come back. Armando was all set to go back with us, he was no problem. But Daniel was being tough. His feet were black, solid dirt and they were both so skinny.

An hour later, the plan was that they would both meet us in the morning at 7:00 at the corner in front of McDonald's. We told them we would buy them breakfast and then take the bus back to Progreso and get to Las Flores. I knew Armando would come, but was so nervous Daniel wouldn't show up. I told Armando to make sure he brings Daniel too. But if Daniel didn't want to come with us, there was no way we would be able to make him.

We got to the center at ten minutes to 7 and waited. The cathedral bells started ringing seven times, and from behind the cathedral came Daniel and Armando. Ready to go with us. We bought more baleadas and juice, and a pair of sandals for Daniel. Walking to the bus stop, I was still thinking they were just going to run away from us, decide not to go back. Then we got on the bus and Armando sat by the window, with Laura next to him and Daniel sat next to the window with Faith next to them. And I sat in front of the four of them, a bit relieved and glad that the two of them were between Faith and Laura and the windows...not closer to the aisle to just get up and off the bus.

Now they're both at Las Flores, Armando being really good, Daniel being difficult. And I feel a bit responsible for them both. Everyday when I get to work I look for them, hoping they're still there.