Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

I’ve barely played the last note of the mockingbird song when I find myself sprawled at the base of the rock, with a wet tongue licking my cheek. It’s Daisy, and I’m back in my own world and my own time.

I brush off the dust, and head into the warm, noisy house. My family is still gathered in the kitchen. Their faces look wonderfully familiar. I want to run over and hug them all, but they think I’ve only been outside a few minutes, so I settle for pulling myself up to sit by the counter.

Henry holds out a piece of paper, and says he wanted me to see this. It’s a beginning rock climbing class. He asks if I want to take it with him. I study my brother’s freckled face. Before Josefina, I would have said no. But this time, exploring the desert doesn’t sound so bad. I tell him that that would be fun. Dad’s eyes meet mine. He raises his eyebrows as if to say, Now that’s a change. I shrug.

Mom moves to the stove and lifts the lid on the steamer to check the tamales. A delicious smell billows out. I inhale and mutter “Mmm.” Dad wanders over and says it seems like I’ve decided to give New Mexico a try. I shrug again, and just say that I’ve been doing some thinking.