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 settles over everything and everybody. The rocky hills roll by endlessly: piñón trees, small adobe houses with stick fences like Josefina’s, glinting rivers, mountains 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 ate for lunch don’t refresh me. I think longingly of zipping into downtown Santa Fe in our car, air conditioning blasting.

But Josefina and Tía Dolores don’t seem to mind the ride at all. Josefina leans close to me, chattering and pointing out landmarks. Everyone is gathering at the marketplace today, she says, with many things to trade, and we’ll visit Abuelito and Abuelita, too. Santa Fe is clearly the most exciting place she’s ever been, and her excitement is catching. 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, some in other wagons and big carts, their wheels squeaking, too, a few so loud I want to cover my ears. Josefina leans close to explain that it’s market day.

I peer through clouds of dust billowing around us. Then the mules halt, the dust settles, and we’re at a crossroads. The main road carries the traffic ahead, but a smaller road branches off to the right. Señor Montoya says he’s taking Tía Dolores to her parents’ house to visit Abuelito and Abuelita while he goes to the plaza to trade and speak with the officials. Tía Dolores adds that they’d love to see Josefina too, but it’s our choice where we go next.

Josefina’s forehead creases. She wants to visit Abuelito and Abuelita, but it’s been so long since she’s seen the plaza. She asks if Abuelita will be upset if they don’t visit right away. Tía Dolores says Abuelita has strong opinions about how young ladies should behave, so she might be disappointed. But 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. Still, washing up and getting something to eat is tempting, and I’m curious to meet Josefina’s abuelito and abuelita.