The Farming Of Bones

Amabelle leaves the stream and starts fraternizing with some middle-class Haitians who all live in the same area. They start discussing a “rumor” that Haitians who are not “in one of the Yanki cane mills” will soon be sent back to Haiti (69). They mention that without documentation, it will not matter how long one has lived in the Dominican Republic; Haitians will be sent back to Haiti. This worries Amabelle, who has no “papers” proving her nationality (70). They then discuss Joël’s death in a manner that presents his death as a bad omen. A stonemason named Unèl suggests that “we gather together to protect ourselves” (71). Amabelle then watches as Unèl disappears into Don Gilbert and Doña Sabine’s lodgings, where she sees more workers than ever before. She makes one more stop on her way to work, visiting Father Romain. He’s flying a kite with some kids and gives her words of “hope” (74). At work, she watches Señorita Beatriz visit with Papi. Señorita Beatriz asks Papi several questions about his past and about whether he is happy living in the Dominican Republic. He says he doesn’t like it because of the way the military is glorified and has a monopoly on everything. He reveals that he is writing down his history but says he will only share the book with his grandchildren. Doctor Javier arrives and attempts to ask Amabelle if she would like to come to Haiti to work as a midwife soon. They are interrupted by the bustle of the house so she never answers, but in her head, Amabelle decides she will go if Sebastien agrees to go with her. 

Amabelle remembers her childhood desire to see what was cooking in her mother’s pot. She recalls opening the lid prematurely on one occasion and getting burned. She was saved by her father, who told her that at her age she “should not be” anywhere “near a pot” (83).