Neophyte

Return

It was bustling in the Mission as the Tongva and the Padres went about their usual duties. However, neither knew what was secretly conspiring among the Bishops and Padre Federico. 

Padre Federico was in his room, reading the Bishop's journal; he was thankful that the Bishop hadn't asked anything regarding it. He wondered if the Bishop knew that his journal was missing. Either way, Padre Federico didn't care since the journal was one of the key parts of his plan to come to fruition. 

It was only a matter of time before Padre Lucas was found, as the Bishops began their investigation.

The church bells tolled.

Metztli and the others arrived. 

Padre Federico looked toward the door; he wanted to go and see her, but believed it was wise not to be seen in public. He didn't want Bishop Victoriano to focus on him, but it was going to be challenging to fight the urge to see her. "I need to do that again. I will have to wait until tonight."

 Meanwhile, neophytes gathered at the entrance, where they saw Esteban and his men surrounding the wooden cart that had Metztli, Mariana, and her children. 

Many of the children saw them and immediately ran toward the wooden cart, cheering for their return. When the wooden cart stopped, Valentina was the first to climb off; the children surrounded her and asked about her adventures.

The rest watched as they tiredly got off. Esteban assisted Mariana and Metztli; Guillermo and the Soldados assisted in getting the baggage off the cart. "Finally returned," Esteban said, trying to make conversation.

Metztli looked around the Mission and its people. "We have."

"Praise be to God. You all have arrived safely." Bishop Victoriano walked toward the group.

Metztli wanted to hug him, but she didn't have the energy to do so. She then remembered the truth; it was best to tell him that she knew. "We came back safely, Bishop."

Bishop Victoriano noticed that something was amiss with Metztli; she smiled, but it looked forced. She also wasn't looking at her. He was worried that something had happened. Mariana walked forward and looked stern. "We all must speak privately." The Bishop wanted to ask what was going on, but she got closer to him, "It is urgent."

The fact that they all returned should have been a joyous occasion, but unfortunately, something was wrong; it added to their worry. "Very well, let us go."

Metztli and Mariana followed the Bishop to his chambers. They all entered, and the doors were closed. The Bishop turned to walk behind his desk, but Mariana said, "She knows the truth."

Bishop Victoriano felt as if his body had turned into stone. "What?"

"I know the truth, Bishop, no, Victoriano. I know about you and Mariana. She didn't tell me, per se. I heard her and Toypurina talk about it. I asked for the entirety of the truth, and Mariana told me."

Metztli expected the Bishop to be angry with her and Mariana. Screaming why the truth was spoken at all. He didn't. "You know everything..." speaking in a faint whisper. His eyes, filled with life, became hollow. 

"Yes, I do." Metztli walked before his desk. "How could you two keep this secret from Guillermo and Valentina for so long?"

Bishop Victoriano massaged his entire face until he got to the back of his head. "If Mariana told you, then you know why."

"Yeah, yeah, for the protection from everyone. You two lied to your children, saying that their father died when in reality their father was with them the entire time. Do you think you will be able to protect everyone forever?" 

"Metztli, I-"

"What also hurts is the fact that I have to keep this secret from your children. I barely earned Valentina's trust, and it hurts me that I know the truth before her. That Toypurina did, too. So, what, are you going to wait until your deathbed to tell them the truth? They are going to have so many questions and question their identities. They will have to live with the reality that they have lived with a lie."

Her words echoed in the Bishop's mind. No matter what he tried telling Metztli, he knew that she had a point. He and Mariana lied to their children and raised them to a particular identity and life.

Everyone was silent, but Metztli was tired and wanted to rest. "I told Mariana this, and I will tell you. Tell your children the truth, or I will." Metztli walked and opened the door, turned, and looked at them. "I am not going to live with this secret, and neither should either of you." She walked away, closing the door behind her.

Mariana put her hands together. "What shall we do? Should we-?"

"She is stubborn."

"But she is right, Victoriano. I am tired of lying to our children. They need to know the truth. We cannot protect them forever, no matter how many plans you have."

"We will eventually tell them the truth, but it's not the right time. More things happened when you all left, and we have to make haste."

Mariana looked concerned. "What happened?"

The Bishop sighed as he began to tell Mariana everything.