The Return

Hello, my dear friend,

It has been many months since I have written you and since I left Macondo in search of Jose Arcadio. 

I was afraid to write to you, even though I was unable to find him, I did find a lovely old woman who took pity on me and allowed me to live with her. She has the most joyous of laughs. She has helped me find my inner strength and I have come to realize now that it is time to go home to my own family. I have come to miss my husband and my little Amaranta.

I will do better with that girl. I will teach her to be brave and to select a better husband than I. One that will not be caught up in the nonsense of scientific machines like her father, one that will not consume himself in something senseless. I am a new woman now, a businesswoman. I have come to be known in this town and I have spoken with the leader of this town and many of the men, women, and children have agreed to follow me back to Macondo and include our little town in the prosperous living they live in here. 

We will be leaving at dusk at the first sign of light. I will be bringing with me a well-needed change to my beloved Macondo. I am excited to see my town prosper as this town has. You won't believe the amount of beautiful things we can get for our home, I will be bringing many items to choose from.

If Jose Arcadio Buendia is not to do anything about ensuring the survival of our little town, I will. 

I must get some rest, as the trip is long and hazardous and I must be rested for it. I can not wait to see you again my dear friend. 

Until soon.

Ursula.

A Town

 

Dear Friend,

After many days lost in the jungle, I have found a town. The town looks promising. I was able to find the trail that was pointed out to me before I left Macondo. But I am worried that I took far too long following it and that I might have just missed them. But I shouldn't think like that. I'm sure I'll find Jose Arcadio. I hope Jose Arcadio and the cursed gypsies have set up camp here. It seems as if this town would be someplace for them to sell their fantasies.

Jose Arcadio will regret leaving us like this, of that I am sure.

My body aches from the restless walking, I have not walked this much since we crossed that forsaken mountain years ago. I have not eaten properly in days, let alone bathed properly. I have been bitten by too many mosquitos to keep count and my clothes are horrendously dirty. The town looks big but I am certain I will find my son. Someone is bound to have seen those devil gypsies and their delirious science machines.

I'm coming Jose Arcadio. I will not allow you to get lost within the delusions of the gypsies as your father has. I will not lose another Buendia to those deviled gypsies.

I must admit I am frightened, what if he doesn't want to come home again? It has just occurred to me, what if his mind is just as lost as his father's? What if I am unable to give him reason enough to return home?

You're probably saying I mustn't worry too much, everything will be fine. But I still worry for my child, he will be okay and he will return home with his mother, where he belongs.

I must continue walking toward the town, until next time my dear friend. 

Ursula.

A Mother's Cry

Dear friend,

I have learned that Jose Arcadio has left with the gypsies. A neighbor has informed me that he left late last night under the cover of darkness. 

I mustn't continue to cry though, I must try to find him and bring him home. 

I have to find him, whatever it takes Jose Arcadio will not leave like some sort of criminal in the night without saying goodbye or explaining himself. What would people think of us?

I curse those forsaken gypsies and their magic. How dare they lure a young boy with delusions and beliefs of these ridiculous inventions as if they are something wonderful. Jose Arcadio has a family and a responsibility to this town. We did not walk over that forsaken mountain and risk having a pigtailed child for him to run away, and with the gypsies nonetheless. 

And Jose Arcadio Buendia could care less about his firstborn. 

That man will drag our family down with his delirious ideas, and now his son has been tainted by his crazy ideas about science. His son is gone and what does he say? "That way he'll learn to be a man." What does he know of being a man? Always in that room, playing with his machines, like a child plays with his toys. Thinking that he has found the magic and all he's found is another wasted day.  He doesn't even realize when his children grow or when his town needs him. Barely leaves that room, decaying in his forsaken illusions. I curse the day Melquiades and those gypsies found our town. What does he know of being a man that one? 

I must walk faster, night has caught onto me. I must catch the gypsies before they get too far, I will not allow no son of mine to leave like this. 

I must be going now until next time, with much love.

Ursula.