Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

Josefina wants to take me to visit Sombrita before we go inside. Sombrita must be another sister. Or maybe she’s a servant. She leads me around the side of the house and points underneath a tree. I can’t see anything but goats under the tree. Josefina clarifies that Sombrita is the gray-and-white goat. I burst out laughing. Josefina, realizing my mistake, chortles with me. We have to clutch each other to keep from falling over with laughter. Then I realize that being with Josefina is like being with Danielle. This is more fun than I’ve had since leaving Chicago.

The goat bounces up to us. She sniffs my legs and nudges me with her hard head. I pet her, and her fur is soft, like a puppy’s. When I scratch her, I can feel tiny buds of horns at the top of her head. Sombrita gazes up at me as if she knows what I’m saying when I talk to her. Daisy would probably like her.

Josefina tells me all about when she got Sombrita. Her mother, Florecita, died right after Sombrita was born. Papá thought the baby wouldn’t live, but she begged her father to let her keep her. Josefina had to feed her carefully and she grew stronger and stronger. Now, Josefina can’t imagine not having Sombrita as a friend. After some pets and cuddles, Josefina tells Sombrita to go run and play. She obeys, with her tail wagging and ears flopping, as if she can understand.

Josefina and I stand up slowly, dusting off our skirts. Then, a bell bongs somewhere far away. I must look startled because Josefina gently reminds me the bells call us to prayer. She bows her head and it takes me a minute to realize she’s praying. She must be pretty religious.

Then, a sweaty man on a horse rides up and halts in front of us. I jump out of my skin, but Josefina recognizes him. She references him as Miguel. He says there are no signs of enemies in the hills. The cautiva must have wandered far from the place where she escaped from. Tía Dolores, who is standing in the doorway, relaxes.

Josefina turns to me and says we must do all the things I’ve forgotten how to do. She asks if I’d like to go collecting with her in the hills. Teresita has asked her to gather plants for dyes. Or, we can gather squashes from the garden itself, if we’re not feeling strong for an expedition.

The hills around here sound scary. What if enemies show up while we’re out there? But I know Miguel has just made sure we’re safe, and it’d be fun to hike with Josefina out in the wind and sunshine. Probably more fun than with Dad. It seems like Josefina’s not afraid of adventures.