Reading Changed My Life - Townsend Press

Reading Changed My Life! Three True Storiesthe beach. “I said no, I have my little girl, I want tospend my time off with her.” And he said, “Bringher along!”Over the next months, Maria learned moreabout Alfonso. He too was from Mexico, from aremote village without an elementary school oreven electricity or running water. At the age of 18,without speaking a word of English, he had crossedthe border and begun following the harvest. Shelearned he was a hard worker; a steady, quiet man;and that he didn’t drink. He told her he admiredwhat she had accomplished, that he respected herthirst for education. She watched him play gentlywith Antonietta. Slowly she came to believe thatthis was a man she could trust, and she and Alfonsowere married. Together, they worked in the fields,but close to home so that Antonietta could stay inthe same school. When the picking season ended,they both found local work.In 1987, their son, Korak, was born. That same22