A Vision of Crows

Chapter 11 - A Simple Conversation

Graciela's hand froze, suddenly gripping Mateo's shirt, making the man squirm. As for Meg, to such a statement, she honestly had no idea how to react.

Graciela whacked Mateo on top of his head, as if he were an unruly child.

"What was that for?"

"'What was that for?' For ruining the damn mood, that's what!"

She shook her head, then turned to Cia, who had been silently watching, with her beady black eyes wide open in bewilderment, "Look here, girl, I'll tell you what I used to tell my son, Benito. You see your uncle over here? Don't become a pessimistic, grumpy old man like him."

"I don't really know what that is, but okay!"

"That's right, become an optimist, like me!"

"You hear that, Uncle, I'm going to become a optrist, like Auntie!"

A pained look crossed Mateo as he looked from Graciela to Cia, both beaming.

Meanwhile, Meg, who had recovered from her shock, looked across the room. She glanced at Cia, who caught her and grinned, "And I'm going to be a witch, just like you! I already worked my magic on Uncle!"

Meg replied with an uneasy laugh, "Yeah, you've sure left him... bewitched."

Mateo looked at his watch, returning to his usual serious demeanor, "Well, it's almost time to open up. Graciela, you can go now, Edwin will be here any minute. Cia, you stay here."

Cia tugged on his sleeve, "Can Ms. Witch stay here too?"

"Ms. What? Never mind, no, she's probably busy herself, aren't you Ms. O'Keefe?"

Meg spoke up, "Actually, I could watch over her for a while if you would like."

Mateo raised his ever-suspicious eyebrow, then after a brief moment of hesitation, finally nodded, "As long as you both stay where I can see you."

Meg nodded in agreement as Cia jumped up and down in delight. She latched onto Meg's arm, pulling her behind her as she led them both to a nearby table, with her lizard Nocht curled around her neck.

She sat them both down at a small table, a bit far from the stand but still within sight. Mateo nodded at them from afar, expressing his approval. Meg took a look at Nocht and asked, "Your lizard, what kind is he?"
"Who, Nocht? I dunno."

"He seems to like you, no?"

"Definitely!"

Nocht climbed onto Cia's arm as the little girl giggled.

She said, "I love lizards! They're cool, like Nocht! My Mama gave me Nocht!"

That was a surprise.

"Your mother, you met her?"

"Yes, last year. She came one day and told me she was my mother."

"But she could have been anyone, are you sure she was your mother? What if she was someone dangerous?"

"You are just anyone, but you aren't dangerous! When I saw her, I just knew she was my mama. Her eyes were just like mine.

"Uncle never talks about Mama. I don't think he likes her very much, since he says she left my Papa when he needed her and took Daniel."

"Daniel?"