Exposition for Story

The sun burned against the pale blue sky, filling the air with a hot, sweltering sensation, making Antonio’s navy blue tunic stick to his sweaty back. The light brown wheat bent and swayed softly in the light breeze like gentle waves washing over seaweed. It brushed against Antonio, bristling and tickling his ankles. Deciding to take a break Antonio pushed his straw hat up farther onto his forehead, and used his rough hands to brush his dark, coffee colored hair out of his eyes. While picking at the dirt from under his stubby fingernails, Antonio raised his deep brown eyes that gazed across the farm. His eyes traced over the wheat, over the tall stalks of corn and across to the clay scalloped roof and burnt red stucco of his house.
Suddenly, Antonio was startled by a deep voice with a thick Spanish accent, “Antonio.” Turning to see who had said his name, Antonio’s eyes met the thin but good natured face of his neighbor Raul. Greeting his neighbor kindly, Antonio set down his metal shovel and walked to where Raul was standing.
“So, what brings you to my farm on such a nice day,” began Antonio who was curios to know the reason.
“Well...each time Spain lays one more restriction on us, I say to myself: I’m going to get them some day, and the rise of our taxes last month was just the last straw. But this time I said to myself: By golly, it is time for me to take action,” Raul’s thick mustache twitched as he spoke. “So I am starting to organize a group of fellow farmers to fight for Independence because I can’t do it all by myself, and I was wondering if you would be a part of the group,” his tone sounded so casual that it was like he had been asking what Antonio had eaten for breakfast. Checking to see if he had heard correctly, trying to make his voice sound just as laid-back as Raul’s, Antonio asked , “you mean, going and fighting the Spaniards, right? I mean if your joking, you better tell me right now cause...wow who gave you this idea...I mean...are you all right?” He had definitely not succeeded in a relaxed tone, and was now trying very hard to control his baffled and confused facial expressions.
“That’s right, I am talking about fighting Spain”, Raul chucked looking Antonio straight in the eye, “ but if you aren’t ready to do it, then I guess...” his voice faded, disappointment filled his eyes and traveled across his face as he turned his back and started to walk away. Antonio watched as Raul made his way through the wheat, his back hunched and eyes cast downward. Antonio hated making others unhappy, it seemed to suck all the joy out of him too, so without realizing what he was about to do, Antonio opened his mouth.
“Uh, Raul...I...I’ll think about it” When Raul turned back around, his face glowed with excitement again and with a big grin he basically flew to the spot where Antonio was standing. Taking Antonio’s hand, Raul began to pump it up and down, “thank you, thank you, thank you.” This time turning around with a spring and walking happily back across the vast farm. “Thank you,” Raul yelled once more over his shoulder, whistling to himself as he reached the fence dividing Antonio’s farm with another neighbors.
It was worth it, seeing Raul so thrilled, to ask Maria and just hope her answer would be one that Antonio could except.
All through the rest of the day Antonio thought of what Raul had said and as the hours went by Antonio felt more and more passion for his land and rights. Raul was right, nothing was going change if they did not act soon. Anger had bubbled inside him long enough. It had all started when limitations had been imposed by the Spanish government. First, they had been banned from growing crops that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain. Then, they had been banned from making goods that might have competed with those grown or made in Spain and then they could not trade with foreigners. The taxes had started to become higher and higher and now they were so unreasonable that Antonio had to work four more hours each day to keep food on the table. So many other regular people had gone to fight against Spain, why couldn’t he? He wanted his rights and was willing to fight for them! The more Antonio thought about it, the more the idea stuck into his head. He decided to just get it over with and ask Maria as soon as he got home. Independents was the only thing he thought about for the rest of the afternoon while working under the blazing sun.