Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I then take a big swallow of the tea. My eyes widen in surprise. It’s not that bad. After about a half hour, the gurgling in my stomach dies down and the nausea dissolves. I laugh and hug Josefina. She cured me!

Josefina brushes away my praise, but her cheeks are pink with pleasure. Josefina and Francisca help me dress in a white blouse with lace flounces on the sleeves and Francisca’s beautiful blue green skirt. Josefina ties a long blue fringed sash around my waist and Francisca tucks a bright yellow flower in my hair. They all admire me.

Tía Dolores and Ana join us to walk to the fandango. Tía Dolores is dressed in a beautiful dark red flowery dress, and Ana wears a black skirt with yellow bands at the hem. A wagon with two mules is waiting for us. Ana’s husband, Tomás, helps us climb onto the boards laid across the wagon box, while Tía Dolores sits in front with Señor Montoya. With a jolt the wagon starts and we all set out in the sunset for the village.

Light and music pour from the doorway of Señor Sanchez’s house, greeting us. The main room has transformed from the busy working scene of the morning. Brightly dressed ladies and their partners twirl to the music of a violin and guitars. Older men and women cluster on the bancos around the edges of the room while children play on the floor or sit on their laps. The twirling ladies look as light as butterflies, their feet barely touching the floor. Francisca and Ana are whirled away to dance. I pull on Josefina’s hand to dance, too, but she looks shocked. We are too young to dance.

Josefina takes us to a corner of a banco and I crowd in beside her. We are too young to dance? My hands pat in time to the music and my body yearns to be out there twirling. But I’ve been in Josefina’s world long enough to know there are a lot of rules about how young girls behave.

We still find lots of things to look at and laugh about. We take turns picking our favorite skirts we like best on the dancing ladies. Josefina gives me a little background on the different couples. Francisca is dancing with a handsome boy, and Ana and her husband, Tomás, smile as they dance together. Tía Dolores and Señor Montoya are waltzing together. I tell Josefina that they dance so well together. Josefina is a little bit surprised, and then answers that they do, as if the thought of them being together has never occurred to her.

The candles flicker and flare in their holders and a magical glow is cast over the room. Along one wall, I see a cloth covered table loaded with tortillas, stew, white cheese, custard, and tamales. The musicians play a lively tune and the men stamp their heavy boots in time and the women clap their hands.

When the musicians take their break, Tía Dolores comes up behind Josefina. She raises her hand to Josefina’s braid and says she will fix her hair. She loosens the ribbon on Josefina braid, and with her fingers, untangles the wavy strands. She says when we get home she has to give Josefina some lavender oil to comb through it. but she must use it every night. The swirl of the party seems to fade as I watch the two of them together. All of a sudden, I wish that my own mother were here. She used to braid my hair like that every morning before school, and I would lean up against her just as Josefina leans against her aunt. With a pang, I realize it’s time to go home.

I tell Tía Dolores and Josefina that the party’s wonderful, but it’s time for me to go. Tía Dolores says that Miguel can accompany me back home, and I say that I can find my way on my own. I tell Josefina that the party has stirred some memories and I think I’m going to try to find my family. But first, I needed to thank both of them for taking such good care of me. Tía Dolores nods and smooths my hair. She simply says she’s glad I came to them.

Josefina walks me to the door, as Miguel waits outside. She says goodbye to me and hugs me tight, and I squeeze her back. We’re bonded through time, I tell her silently, and I hope she can hear me in her heart.