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 a servant. She leads me around the side of the house and points underneath a tree, where I see only goats. Josefina clarifies that Sombrita is the gray-and-white goat, and I burst out laughing. Josefina laughs, too, and we clutch each other to keep from falling over. Being with Josefina feels like being with Danielle, more fun than I’ve had since leaving Chicago.

The goat bounces up to us, sniffs my legs, and nudges me with her hard head. Her fur is soft like a puppy’s, and 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 understands what I’m saying. Daisy would probably like her.

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

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

Then a sweaty man on a horse rides up and halts in front of us. I jump, but Josefina recognizes him as Miguel. He says there are no signs of enemies in the hills. The cautiva must have wandered far from where she escaped. Tía Dolores, 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, since Teresita has asked her to gather plants for dyes. Or we can gather squashes from the garden instead, if we’re not up for an expedition.

The hills around here sound scary. What if enemies show up while we’re out there? But Miguel just made sure we’re safe, and it’d be fun to hike with Josefina in the wind and sunshine, probably more fun than with Dad.