Page 55 of The Moon Sister
But they’re never wrong, María. . . her inner voice told her.
Returning inside, María was at least kept busy helping her mother serve lunch to the many guests – great bowls of spicy bean and sausage casserole accompanied by egg tortillas and crunchypatatas a lo pobre, which on any other day she would have tucked into with pleasure. Today, she could barely swallow. Having made sure Lucía had eaten her fill, in between relatives fussing over her, María once again went outside to search the pathway for her husband. She did not find him, but instead saw Eduardo running towards her.
‘What news of your brothers?’ she asked, halting her son before he reached the prying eyes in her parents’ cave.
‘Mamá,’ Eduardo panted, bending forwards to catch his breath. ‘It is not good news. I thought as much when I saw them up at the Alhambra last night. They were part of a gang who were picking the audience’s pockets. Both of them were caught red-handed by the police, but Carlos managed to escape. I went to talk to one of the other boy’s fathers, and he told me they are all in the jail. They will be sentenced tomorrow or the day after.’
‘And Carlos? Where is he?’
‘He must have gone into hiding,’ shrugged Eduardo.
‘¡Dios mío!’ María buried her face in her hands. ‘My little Felipe! Tell me, what must we do?’
‘There is nothing we can do, Mamá. He must serve whatever sentence they give him.’
‘But you know how they treat the likes of us in theirpayojails! They beatgitanos, abuse them . . .’
‘It was only petty theft, so perhaps the sentence will be short. And maybe it will teach Felipe a lesson.’
‘If it doesn’t, I will!’ María’s anguish overflowed into anger. ‘Maybe it will also show him that following his big brother around like a shadow is stupid and dangerous. Do you know what the sentence is for such a crime?’
‘No, but perhaps we should talk to Grandfather. He has experience with thepayosand he might know somebody who could help.’
‘Your grandfather is a blacksmith, not apayojudge! My poor, poor Felipe! He is only thirteen – still a child.’
‘Yes. Maybe there is some law that children can’t go to adult jail.’
‘But what if they take him away from me?! I have heard of that before.’ María paced up and down, wringing her hands in despair.
‘Mamá, try to calm yourself. I will try and find out when they are being sentenced, then perhaps you could go to court and plead for mercy, say that Felipe was influenced by others—’
‘Yes, by hisbrother! Go, quickly, and please try to find your father also.’ María watched as Eduardo ran off, then gathered herself as she heard her mother approaching.
‘Where have you been, daughter? Where is José?’
‘He is coming any minute, Mamá, I promise.’
‘I hope so, because everybody waits to see Lucía dance, and of course José must accompany her. Our relations must begin the journey back home soon.’ Paola indicated the stretch of grass in front of the cave, which led directly down to the river. There were a number of wagons parked upon it and mules grazed idly between them. A large group of people had also begun to collect around a small makeshift dance floor. María saw more people walking along the path towards them.
‘What is this, Mamá?’
‘Nothing.’ Paola had the grace to blush. ‘I merely told some friends and neighbours that Lucía would be dancing here after lunch.’
‘You mean you told the entire village you would be holding your own private show,’ María muttered. ‘Well, it is not possible without José.’
‘Perhaps we do not need him. Maybe there is someone here who can stand in his place. I will go and find someone.’
‘Mamá,Abuelasays she wants me to dance but Papá is not here.’ Lucía appeared beside her. ‘So she wantshimto accompany me.’
María followed Lucía’s tiny pointing finger across the gathering crowd to Chilly, the boy who had earlier made such unsettling predictions. He was holding a guitar that seemed far too big for his body.
‘Him?’ María frowned at her daughter.
‘Last night he played at theConcurso. He is talented, but I want Papá to play for me.’
‘María?’ A soft hand grasped her shoulder, and she turned to see thebrujaMicaela, standing beside her.
‘Congratulations on your daughter’s success. You must be proud,’ she said, as Chilly joined them. Micaela ruffled the boy’s head. ‘And this one . . . equally talented in his way. He has the gift like me.’
