Parsley (Perejil)

October 1937

DAJABÓN, Border between Dominican Republic and Haiti

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Rest in peace...

Marie Thérèse.

She won't know she's dead if we don't scream loudly enough.

Only her body has left us.

And now she's happy.

She can join everybody else up there.

PARSLEY

I'm gonna catch it!

Come. Get down.

Leave this damn animal alone!

She's feeding us. Why bother her?

You go play.

-You're with me in the kitchen. -Okay...

Marie, this knife won't cut.

There's another one. See? That one.

That one's sharp. Hold tight or she'll escape.

Let's go.

Pay attention so you learn. One day it'll be your turn.

It's gonna slip away.

The quicker, the better.

So she won't suffer as much.

Oh, Sal!

Now you're dirty.

You can't stay like that.

Go change.

Give it.

I've heard Trujillo will issue an order

against the Haitians living on this side.

He wants them all out of here.

Any Negro who mispronounces the word "parsley" is screwed.

I'll know more tonight.

General Pío Villalona has summoned us.

-You let me know. -I just told you, Frank.

El Jefe himself wants Haitians out of this area.

Who else would be here? We're right next door.

Stop thinking with your dick.

You keep falling for all these Haitians!

You and I go way back, through thick and thin.

Think about your sons, your house, your future!

What will you do now?

But you're looking at it.

Finish this room, God willing, before Marie gives birth.

Or do you want your nephew to be homeless?

You're a grown man, you do as you like.

That's why you're in the military. To fuck me over.

I'm in the military to have it all and rub it in your face, nigger.

Go meet with that faggot Pío Villalona.

Let me know, if you want.

You've always hated that my skin is lighter than yours.

It eats you up inside.

Say it in Spanish if you're so tough.

I feel sorry for you, Germán.

Done, I'm clean.

Let's go pluck the chicken.

Marie, you take over.

Help me out.

So sad your mother won't be here.

Who will be your midwife now?

I don't know yet.

Your mother was real good.

I know.

How long is Marie Thérèse's spirit with us?

Say it again: Marie Thérèse.

-Marie Thérèse. -Much better.

Nine days, Salo.

Nine days, nine months...

That's right.

That woman could argue all night long.

More stubborn than a damn mule.

Crossed the border by herself for a better life.

Only death could stop her.

She was good at cutting off animals' heads.

But Marie is not like her, is she?

Marie? She has Marie Thérèse's fire.

-She just hasn't shown it yet. -What are you saying, Tío?

Me? Nothing, I said nothing.

-How am I not strong? -I didn't say that at all.

Here's money for food this week.

-Tell Luis to put coffee on my tab. -Yes, Dad.

-Back early tomorrow. -See you tomorrow.

-Blessings, Dad. -God bless you, be safe.

I have the prettiest Negress

I'm in love with her

Why live without her?

Without her, I'm miserable

I have the prettiest Negress

What will you do if they take me?

How would they? They can't just take you.

This is not new, Frank.

Sure, but things have settled now.

Not how they used to be.

You live with me in my house and I am Dominican.

You have nothing to worry about.

You're the one who doesn't need to worry.

I am not Dominican.

What if they deport me?

What are you saying, Marie?

If by any chance they do take you...

I'll go with you, baby.

You think you can get away from me?

You're my lady. Your man will be wherever you are.

Got it?

You promise?

What part of "This Negro loves you" don't you understand?

What was that?

Was that a kick?

That was strong.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Strong like his daddy.

And pretty like his mommy.

That little pea growing inside you...

These two pods must take good care of him.

So he can grow strong and healthy and pretty like his mom.

Fuck.

What's happening?

No, you stay in bed.

Rest easy, baby. I'll go check.

-What's out there? -There's a fire.

-It's near Partido. -A fire?

-I'm coming with you. -Stay here, I'll be right back.

-What's going on? -Nothing, you go back to sleep.

-Frank... -Don't worry, Marie.

I have to go check on my boys. Lock the door till I'm back.

Stay safe.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our...

Round up all those Haitians!

Have them say "parsley"!

Parsley!

Say "parsley"!

I'm not saying it, you fucker!

Demetrio...

-You're coming with us. -Open up!

Open up or we burn the house down!

We're taking you.

Let's go Marie!

May God save your soul.

Marie. Marie!

That way! That way!

They're going this way!

C'mon, let's go!

Keep walking.

We'll stop here.

-Then we cross the river. -The river?

Yes. They killed your dad!

And he's Dominican! What will they do to us?

And Frank?

Don't worry. Your brother will be back.

Don't be scared.

We're also on the run.

We were tipped off before the guards came.

-Where are you from? -We lived in Partido.

You know the Gómez?

Jorge, Rafaelito. They live with their mother.

I don't.

Come.

Come here.

My husband went to Partido to find his sons.

He hasn't come back yet. What's going on there?

Only Dominicans are left there.

I had to leave.

To save my family.

My husband is Dominican.

We hid here because of the baby.

Tomorrow we are going to Haiti.

Turn off that light. They will find us.

I'm going to look for Frank.

What about me?

Stay here with Tío.

He'll worry if he wakes up and doesn't see you.

What about you?

If we're going to cross, we have to do it together.

Don't you want to see your brother?

I'll be back before dawn.

If not, cross the river with them.

Take care of Tío.

Hold on, Dad.

Hang in there.

Oh my God.

Has my husband come back?

You're pregnant. Leave now!

Tell me if you saw Frank!

He had no time to return. You have to cross the river.

I'm not going to the river.

-You can't go to Partido! -Of course I can.