Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

I tell Tía Dolores that I’d like to go to Santa Fe, as long as Josefina does, too. Josefina squeals and grabs my hand. I squeeze it, and feel excitement bubbling up inside of me. Two girls, off to the big city!

I snuggle next to Josefina that night in her soft bed of sheepskins and wool blankets. Francisca’s and Clara’s quiet breathing fills the room, and cool desert air wafts in through the one tiny window over my head. Far away, I hear a coyote howl. The sound still reminds me of a child screaming, and a brief chill runs down my spine. But my eyelids are heavy and the sheepskins are so soft, so I soon drift off to sleep.

Josefina and I wake up with the sun. Josefina brings a jug of water from the stream, and after a quick breakfast of tortillas and goat cheese, we hurry to help Ana with the dishes. When Señor Montoya calls to us from outside, we wipe our hands, kiss Ana, who will finish our chores for us, and run outside through the big wooden doors at the front of the house. Señor Montoya is standing beside a wagon with two mules hitched to the front. I almost fall over. Of course, why would there be a car waiting for us? But somehow, my mind pictured a station wagon that we’d all take.

The morning is fresh with a cool breeze, and puffy white clouds sail high over our heads. The bright yellow wood of the wagon is cheerful in the brilliant blue morning. The mules look eager to get moving, too. Señor Montoya addresses us as “ladies” and Josefina giggles. He helps her into the wagon and settles her on a board across the back with a blanket laid on top. Then, he comes to help me. This will definitely be an adventure.

I boldly take Señor Montoya’s hand and haul myself up next to Josefina. Carmen hands us a bundle of food for lunch, and Señor Montoya swings into the seat beside Tía Dolores. And with a jolt, we’re off on our way. We wave goodbye to the entire family and servants who have come to see us off.