Neophyte

Life

Metztli arrived at the warm kitchen where the women were preparing lunch. She was confused about what happened with the Padres. The other women who went with her were silent and went off to do their other duties. 

Mariana was helping the other women cut the beef and noticed Metztli's arrival. "I assume serving the food went without a problem?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. It went well. I thought I was going to drop the plates, but luckily, I was able to hold onto them. What else would you like me to do?"

Mariana noticed that something was amiss. "What happened?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing!"

"It is no use lying to me, Metztli. I can tell that something troubles you; your eyes tell me everything. Now speak." Metztli explained everything that happened and what she was ordered to do. She couldn't help but become nervous about singing in a mass, especially in front of someone important. "I understand your worry, young one. There is nothing to fear, you will do wonderfully."

"C-Can't the Bishop just change his mind? I mean, there must be other talented singers who can sing better than I can."

"His word is final, young one. The Bishop has shown you much kindness, and he cannot show too much favoritism to you or anyone else. His position would be put at risk, and he could make more enemies than he already has. This is a wonderful opportunity to show everyone more of your talents."

Metztli hoped Mariana would understand her concern, but Bishop Victoriano did much for her and provided her with protection and shelter. However, she had another concern. "Why would Padre Federico do it?" 

"Do what?"

"He was the one who recommended me since he heard me sing last night."

Many of the women in the kitchen flinched or gave her a quick look before returning to her duties. Mariana noticed and motioned the young woman out of the kitchen. "Be careful when you mention Federico. He may be a Padre, but our people dare not speak of him."

"You told me to be careful around without explaining much. If I am to stay in this place, I must know what is happening. I don't want to be kept in the dark."

The older tsked while massaging her forehead. Although there were more dangers outside the Mission walls, it didn't mean the Mission wasn't a danger itself. "Child, I have no time to explain everything. Many ears might listen and it can our situation...difficult."

"I understand, but please tell me about Padre Federico. Why do the people here fear him?"

Before Mariana could speak, he noticed a male worker running toward them. "Doña Mariana, ¡por favor necesitamos su ayuda! ¡Mi esposa, Anna Maria, está dando a luz a nuestro hijo (Mrs. Mariana, please, we need your help! My wife, Anna Maria, is giving birth to our child)!"

The conversation was long forgotten, but Mariana immediately ran and followed the man. Metztli was stunned as she tried to comprehend what was happening. A woman was giving birth. "If a birth is going to happen, then it would be a great opportunity to learn more skills!" Metztli ran to catch up to them. "¡Espérame! ¡Quiero ayudar (Wait for me! I want to help)!"

Mariana didn't want Metztli to witness the sight of birth but remembered that she was an herbalist; she needed all the help she could get. "¿Dónde está tu esposa (Where is your wife)?"

"¡Está en el campo triturando uvas! ¡Otras mujeres están con ella (She is in the fields crushing grapes! Other women are with her)!"

The three ran as fast as they could until they arrived at the grape fields where a group of people gathered; a woman's screams echoed. Mariana told everyone to move, and the woman going into labor lay on the dirt with a long cloth beneath. Mushed grapes covered her feet and legs.

Metztli watched the scene, remembering watching many documentaries about birth. Nothing could prepare her for it. Mariana motioned the woman's legs and measured her. "She is ready to push."

"Sh-She should not give birth here!"

"Metztli, there is no other option! She will not be able to make it to the infirmary."

"We have to try! It's not a clean environment to give birth! The mother and baby are at risk of infection and-!" Metztli wasn't able to finish her statement as the mother-to-be screamed and pushed. 

Suddenly, water squirted out; the infant was ready to be born. Mariana instructed her to push, which the woman did. The husband knelt by his wife, motioning her on his chest while holding her hands. He encouraged her; the people surrounding them prayed for her and the child. Metztli only stood still while watching the birthing process. 

It was difficult watching the mother-to-be screaming in agony, begging her child to be born. Blood squirted out as the head slowly was being pushed. Mariana encouraged the woman to keep pushing, trying to motivate her. It was noticeable that the woman was losing strength but kept on pushing. 

The head was born, and more of the infant was slowly being pushed, but Mariana noticed the infant's face was blue. Metztli also noticed the umbilical cord wrapped around the infant's neck. Her eyes widened in horror as she covered her lips. The woman gave one final push, and the infant was born.

Everyone around them cheered and praised God. The parents were overcome with emotion and smiled at one another. Mariana looked grim while holding the newborn; the umbilical cord was wrapped too tightly around the infant's neck. Everyone else noticed, and their happiness and joy slowly died down when they saw the unresponsive infant. 

The parents also noticed.

"Mariana, ¿es niño o niña (Mariana, is it a boy or girl)?" asked the father.

Mariana undid the umbilical cord from the infant's neck. "Fue una niña (It was a girl)."

"¿Por qué mi bebé no llora (Why isn't my baby crying)?" Anna Maria asked while looking at her infant.

Mariana looked at the motionless infant, who didn't make a sound or move. She glanced at the parents momentarily, but it wasn't easy to see them fully. Becoming a parent was a joyous occasion, but Mariana had her share of tragedies. It was always difficult for her to give dead infants to parents. "Lo siento, pero su hija ha fallecido (I'm sorry, but your daughter has passed)."

The parents were slowly processing the news. The mother shook her sweaty head violently. "No. No. No! NO!"

Metztli looked at the infant and immediately knelt by Mariana, taking the infant. "What are you-?"

"This baby can't be dead! It can come back to life! I can do the Heimlich maneuver!" The infant was still attached to the umbilical cord, but Metztli did not mind. She feld onto the infant and gave the infant pressure on its chest, but there was still no response. Metztli then tried to turn the infant and pounded on it; there was no response.

"¿¡Qué le estás haciendo a mi hija (What are you doing to my daughter)!?" cried the mother.

 Her cries were ignored as Metztli tried to pressure the infant to breathe. "Come on! Breathe! Breathe! Breathe! BREATHE DAMN IT!"

"STOP!" Mariana stopped Metztli from doing the maneuver. "The infant is gone, Metztli! The umbical cord was wrapped around the child for a while. There is nothing we can do." Metztli's eyes widened while still holding the dead infant. Mariana slowly took the child away as an elderly man gave her a small knife, where the umbilical cord was cut. Then, an elderly woman got her shawl and gave it to Mariana, who wrapped it around the deceased infant.

The deceased infant was handed to the mother, who gently held her child. The parents looked at their daughter as if she was the most precious gift they had received. Tears dripped from their eyes as they looked upon her.

Metztli watched while feeling her heart breaking into pieces. A moment where newly made parents would feel joy became a moment of heartbreak.