Neophyte

Burial

Metztli was in the gardens; she couldn't bring herself to the infirmary. 

The guilt of not being able to save the newborn and trying to persuade the Bishops not to go through the punishments overwhelmed her. The shock of witnessing the Padres, whom she was taught to believe wanted to help the Tongva prosper, was cruel. 

 She wondered if the Mission during her era covered up the truth.

"Metztli?"

"Huh?" Turning around, Metztli saw Guillermo holding a clay cup. "Oh, uh..."

"Mother wanted me to see how you were doing. She believed it was best that I come to you since she saw you run out of the church." Guillermo slowly sat beside her. "I brought some herbal tea; you need it after what happened today."

Metztli slowly took the warm cup and a sip of the hot drink. She flinched due to the heat and bitter taste of the tea. Not wanting to be rude, she took smaller sips and felt the inside of her body soothe down. "Wow, this is making me better."

Guillermo smiled as he looked at the flowers. "My mother taught me and my sister herbal remedies." He glanced at her, taking small sips. "Y-You were brave." Metztli looked at him as he continued, "I have never seen someone do such a thing. Believe it or not, many of my people were speaking about you."

"I didn't think thoroughly. I was more in fight-or-flight mode; I didn't want them to be punished for something beyond their control. Guillermo, there is more to this place than you and Mariana are letting me believe, yet. I was raised close to the Missions, where I was taught that the Padres were good people who wanted the greater good of our people. Is it a lie?"

"I-I feel that I am not the right person to tell you this, but many Missions, like this one, have their cruelties. Some Padres are good and want us to follow the way of God. Bishop Victoriano was one of them. Since Valentina and I didn't have a father to guide and protect us, he took us in. He and my mother are good friends who have helped one another."

"I see. It seems you trust the Bishop very much."

"Yes, with all my heart. People like him still give me faith."

Metztli let out a soft chuckle. "Faith, huh?"

"Faith is something challenging to keep and understand, Metztli. The more you stay here, the more you will see. Here, your faith will be tested."

Singing echoed from the infirmary, and people were seen walking out. Guillermo and Metztli left the gardens as they watched many workers praying together. Mariana walked out of the infirmary. She noticed her son and Metztli, and she went to them. 

"Mama..."

"Guillermo, hijo. Anna Maria will be buried today."

"What? The Bishop ordered this?"

Mariana nodded while wiping her tears. "One of the Padres informed us that it was so. Her husband is still unconscious; he will not have a chance to say goodbye to his wife." She then noticed Mariana. "Metztli. You..."

Metztli immediately went to Mariana and hugged her. "Perdóname, Mariana (Forgive me, Mariana)."

"¿Para qué? (For what)"

"The way I acted toward you, Esteban, and Valentina. I-I was just so angry and distraught. I-"

Mariana hugged Metztli back while gently patting the back of her head. "It is all right; your feelings were justified. Even Esteban understands. As for Valentina..." The women separated. "You told her certain truths that she may not have wanted to hear, but Valentina also should have controlled her anger. Now, let us go to Anna Maria's funeral."

Mariana led her son and Metztli toward the group of people, where they saw some of them carrying a wooden stretcher that carried Anna Maria and her infant daughter's bodies. They were wrapped in a white cloth with ropes wrapped around them. 

It was a heartbreaking scene, and Metztli had the urge to cry but didn't have enough strength; she was tired of the strenuous emotions. She and the others walked out of the Mission to a path that looked familiar to her. 

It was a path that led to the cemetery where there was a barren land with wooden crosses.

The cemetery was in disarray, making it look depressing. "Anna Maria and her baby are going to be buried here? I can't believe it." When everyone arrived at the cemetery, Bishop Victoriano, with two Padres, was present, including Esteban.

Before them was a deep hole where mother and child would be buried.

Everyone got in position as the wooden stretcher was put down; slowly, the prayers and singing died down.

Guillermo, Mariana, and Metztli decided to stand afar as they watched the procession. 

Metztli noticed that Valentina and Toypurina were absent, which she found odd. She then noticed Esteban glancing at her and stopped when he was noticed. 

Bishop Victoriano walked forward as he did the cross signs on Anna Maria and the baby's foreheads. He then stood before the bodies, looking at everyone. Mixed emotions of anger, confusion, and sadness were apparent. He spoke prayers in Spanish, and everyone quietly prayed with him. 

Metztli also prayed with everyone, but it wasn't easy because of her emotions. She also knew that the Bishop's guilt was apparent in his eyes and voice. 

Once the prayers were done, six men assisted putting the bodies into their resting place. Women wept while some men tried to hold in their tears.

It was getting too much, and Metztli turned to catch her breath. Taking deep breaths she couldn't help but notice two figures from afar; Padre Federico and Padre Lucas. 

Padre Federico eventually walked away, and Padre Lucas followed him. 

Federico's words echoed in Metztli's mind: "I'm sorry that you had to witness such a thing." He was sorry that she had to witness such cruelty, but how he said it made Metztli think otherwise. "Perhaps Mariana was right, I should stay away from him."