Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

Three hours later, I’m hot, cramped, hungry, and still in the wagon. The wheels squeak so loudly that conversation is difficult, and a fine layer of yellow dust has settled over everything and everybody. The rocky hills roll by endlessly. Piñón trees, small adobe houses with stick fences like Josefina’s, glinting rivers. Bigger hills, mountains, green and gold and touched with snow. They look cool. But I’m not.

I am fed up with being jolted on the rutted road so hard that my head feels like it’s going to come loose. Even the cold tamales we’ve eaten for lunch don’t refresh me. I think longingly of zipping into downtown Santa Fe in our car. A quick fifteen minutes with air conditioning.

But Josefina and Tía Dolores don’t seem to mind the ride at all. In fact, Josefina leans close to me and chatters on and on, pointing out landmarks here and there. She says everyone will be at the marketplace and we’ll see many things to trade. We’ll visit with Abuelito and Abuelita, too. She’s practically bouncing up and down on the seat. It’s clear to me that Santa Fe is the most exciting place she’s ever been. And her excitement is catching because my heart beats faster when Señor Montoya announces we’re almost there.

We’ve started to see more people on the road. Some walking, some on horseback, and some other wagons and big carts. Their wheels are squeaky, too. Some are so loud I want to cover my ears with my hands. Josefina says something and I have to lean closer to hear. She says that a lot of people are on the road because it’s market day.

I peer through the clouds of dust billowing around us. Then, the mules halt and we come to a stop, and the dust settles. We’re at a crossroads. The traffic is flowing down the main road, but a smaller road branches off to the right. Señor Montoya says he’s taking Tía Dolores to her parents’ house to visit with Abuelito and Abuelita while he goes to the plaza to trade and speak to the officials. Tía Dolores twists around and says they’ll be excited to see Josefina, too. But it’s our choice of where we want to go next.

Josefina’s forehead creases. She wants to visit with Abuelito and Abuelita, but it’s been so long since she’s seen the plaza. Josefina asks if Abuelita will be upset if Josefina doesn’t come to visit her right away. Tía Dolores says Abuelita has strong opinions about how young ladies should behave, so she may be disappointed. But we have traveled a long way, and she knows Josefina was looking forward to the market. Josefina turns to me. What would I like to do?

I stammer. I don’t want to get Josefina in trouble with her grandparents. But I’m dying to see the market and all the people. However, the thought of washing up and getting something to eat is tempting. And I am curious to meet Josefina’s abuelito and abuelita.