Carmen talked me into Vieques

Carmen talked me into going to Vieques.

I didn't need convincing about what was happening there. I needed convincing that standing outside in the heat all day was going to accomplish anything.

We went anyway.

I remember expecting everything to feel very serious and political, and of course parts of it did, but mostly I remember people. Talking, sharing food, complaining about the heat, somebody always knowing somebody else's cousin.

Carmen was much more energized by all of it than I was.

At one point she looked at me and said, "Aren't you glad you came?"

I told her I'd answer after I found some shade.