Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

I whisper to Daisy that I’ll see her soon. I raise the flute to my lips and give it a blow. And just like that, I’m back in the plain little room. The blanket is spread over me. My mind feels much clearer now that I know I’m not going crazy. I throw back the blanket with renewed energy and I roll the bedding up against the wall again. It’s heavier than it looks.

From the courtyard, Josefina spots me coming out of the doorway. She calls me over and invites me to sit with them. Now, they’re sitting around a big pile of roasted ears of corn, pulling back the pale gold husks and removing the silk. I sink into the ground and try to tuck my bulky skirt underneath me. I can tell the girls are all watching me.

Tía Dolores asks where my family is, and I hesitate. I answer that I don’t know where they are right now. How am I even supposed to begin to explain? Clara asks if I’ve gotten lost, and I vaguely respond it’s something like that. Everyone is quiet for a moment, until a voice speaks up behind us, saying that us cautivas sometimes find it hard to talk about our experiences.

I turn and see an older woman I hadn’t noticed before. Her face is deeply wrinkled and tanned. Her hair is in a twist, bound by colorful threads. She’s rubbing a pot with sand. Josefina draws her breath—a cautiva. Her hand grasps mine. Francisca and Clara murmur and shake their heads, looking distressed. Cautiva means captive. They think I’ve been kidnapped.

Tía Dolores gives me a small hug, and introduces me to Teresita, their servant. She says Teresita was also a cautiva. Teresita says she was taken from her people, the Navajos, by enemies when she was a little girl. Just as enemies took me from my people, the Spanish.

Captive? Enemies of my people? The others seem to know what Teresita is talking about though, because they nod sympathetically. Francisca asks how old I was when I was captured. Before I respond, Clara asks if the Indians treated me kindly, and Josefina asks if I escaped. The questions are coming fast, and I’m getting flustered. I don’t want to lie. Finally, I say that I had a long journey. This is all very strange to me. I gesture to the piles of corn, the chickens, and the sisters on their blankets.

Tía Dolores breaks in soothingly, and says this must all be very distressing. I must’ve been captured very young. She says she’s heard cautivas that were taken very young hardly remember anything at all. Besides, I hit my head. So that could be affecting my memory, too. Josefina asks if I remember which Indians captured me. The Apaches, perhaps? Or the Comanches?

Suddenly it all makes sense. They think I am Spanish, and was captured by Native Americans and was living with them. And Teresita was Navajo, and captured by the Spanish.

Tía Dolores says we must tell Josefina’s papá. He’ll need to inform the officials in Santa Fe that we found a cautiva. Perhaps I can stay with them until my relatives are found. Tía Dolores reminds me of my favorite teacher, Mrs. Burton, from second grade. Take-charge, but not too bossy. She always knew what to do. I bet Tía Dolores is the same way.

Tía Dolores and Josefina get up, and Tía Dolores leads us outside the courtyard and through the big front gate. A tall man is lifting a saddle onto a light tan horse with a black mane and tail. He wears a wide brimmed hat like my grandfather used to wear hiking. Tía Dolores calls him Andres, and asks him to speak. She introduces me as María, and says that Josefina found me wandering outside. She quickly explains that I seem to be a cautiva who was taken so young that I don’t remember anything. Señor Montoya studies me with grave eyes. Out of the corner of my eye I see Josefina standing beside me with her hands clasped and head bent down. I mimic her.

Finally, Señor Montoya says I am welcome here. He’ll notify the Santa Fe officials and make inquiries to see if anyone knows of a daughter who was taken years ago. He says he’ll send Miguel and some other men to check the hills. The rancho is not safe if enemies are nearby. And if they cannot find my family, they’ll find a home for me. I am immediately nervous. The family is going to so much trouble for me, and they’re searching for an enemy that doesn’t exist.

Choosing my words carefully, I explain that I am very far from where I started. I don’t think enemies are nearby. Señor Montoya raises his brows and I lower my eyes. Then, he says the area must be checked regardless. He says Josefina will take good care of me. Josefina simply says yes, and a thank you.

Señor Montoya mounts his horse and trots away. I think of how Dad and I talk and argue and laugh together at home. it’s different here, but it seems like Josefina loves her father the same, even if she doesn’t talk to him the same. Then, Josefina turns to me with a wide smile on her face. She exclaims she’s so happy to have another girl her age here.