Gizmo De La Cruz Composition October 31, 2001 The Unmistakable Sweetness of a Bitter Onion Will was lying awake in bed one night hoping the impending day would never come. The pressure in his lungs was unbearable, and his throat felt like fire. He was just diagnosed with a serious case of bronchitis, and his parents decided to take him to a doctor in Mexico rather than pay one hundred dollars for medicine in the U.S. Will was terrified of doctors, let alone one from Mexico. His mother assured him that everything would be fine, but he still found himself unable to sleep that night. Finally, a deep slumber came over Will, giving him a chance to abandon his feelings of horror and pain. A rumbling sound awoke Will early the next morning. His father was in the kitchen (as usual) making breakfast. His mother was sitting in the living room waiting patiently for her food. Despite the normality of this scene, Will knew this day was going to be anything but normal. He struggled to the bathroom hoping his parents had forgotten about Mexico, but just as he passed the doorway he heard his mother's voice. "Don't be long sweetie. We only have an hour to get to the doctor's office." The throbbing in his head had suddenly grown colossal as he closed the door to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, Will emerged fully dressed and ready to face the fate that awaited him. The trip to and from the office was quick. Will couldn't believe how short his visit lasted. With one small inspection, the doctor knew exactly what to give him to help his condition. Unfortunately, the doctor asked Will to leave before he gave his prescription to his parents, so he had no idea what his medicine was going to be. Curiously, his parents stopped at the local HEB before getting home, but they didn't carry a prescription bag with them when they returned. They had normal groceries: some sugar, and some onions (purple). Once at home the true nature of the groceries was revealed. The doctor had prescribed a remedy that was very popular in the older days. Will was appalled as his mother explained it. The onion was cut in half and placed inside a bowl. Then the sugar was generously sprinkled over and around the onion. The bowl was covered with aluminum foil (shinny side down) and placed outside. There the bowl was to stay until the morning when Will's mother would retrieve it. She explained the onion would secrete a juice that would mix with the sugar, and he would need to swallow three whole tablespoons every morning for ten days. Disgusted, Will walked towards his room thinking he would rather let the bronchitis kill him than taste that revolting potion. As night approached, he watched his mother prepare the sickening concoction. The bowl was placed outside on a stool near the doorstep. Will thought that maybe he could get out of drinking the juice if there were bugs in it in the morning. While getting ready for bed, Will prayed to God for ants to invade the onion bowl. Once again sleep evaded him until late that night. In the morning, Will awoke to his mother's soothing voice emanating from the kitchen. The bowl was in front of her. No ants in sight. Will nearly cried. With his nose clamped tightly, he took in the first spoonful. Amazingly, all he tasted was sugar. A scent of onion lingered, but nothing as horrid as he anticipated. In reality, he liked the juice. It made his throat feel cool and fresh. For the next ten days, Will gulped down the onion juice without one complaint. A week later, he was cured! The bitter onion in sugar did it. Will never forgot his experience. He realized quickly how foolish his attitude was about taking the onion juice. He would always remember the good it did for him. |