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Nicodemus Lim’s Thirteen Sons
There were many things wrong with baby Peter’s body. His grandmother, his Lola, the hilot Vicenta, massaged him and tried
to work her healing, but he suckled weakly. And although Fativa poured her milk and love out on him, he lived only forty-two days. Nico marked his tiny grave with a cross he had carved from Baguio
pine. Then he planted a persimmon tree. In remembering Lim Po, his own father, he wished to be a good and patient father too.
He found work as a stonewall builder. It was less money than working cashew, and more difficult, but Nico did not want to expose his wife or his seed to the plantation pest sprays anymore. He
prayed for whole children, who would love and grow.
Andrew was born the next year. He was perfect, except for missing one f
