Neophyte

Pray Tell

Metztli was still in Mariana's room, sitting on the bed, numb. She didn't know what to think or feel. She was given a choice: either be sent away to stay with nuns or marry Esteban. The Bishop wanted to protect her, but Metztli thought that there were other options.

Esteban was a good man, but marriage was far from her mind. She wondered whether Esteban knew about the plan or had volunteered to marry her. It was unknown, but what Metztli did know was that she wanted to return to her timeline. She had seen the dark history of the San Gabriel Mission. Metztli realized that the religion she was raised in was used to control her people into submission and slavery. "I have to find a way to get back to my time."

The door opened; Mariana entered. "Dear child, are you regaining your strength?"

"Y-Yeah, but I still feel slightly weak."

"It is understandable. You have been through too much." Mariana closed the door behind her as she put more wood on the fireplace. "Victoriano feels that he failed you. I also feel the same."

"Mariana, don't-"

"No. It is the truth. I also failed to protect my children. I should have convinced Victoriano that becoming a Padre was a terrible idea." Mariana watched the fire crackle. "I could have helped provide for our children, but Victoriano was very stubborn. He believed it was his duty as a man and father to provide for his family."

Metztli was still angry about Victoriano's needing to make decisions for her. However, he was angry at himself for not protecting her. She knew that Victoriano was a man who only wanted what was best for her. Still, it wasn't entirely his responsibility, like how it wasn't Mariana's responsibility to always protect her. "Men. They feel as if they have to do everything themselves."

"Indeed," Mariana chuckled. "I must admit that that side of him was one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. Now, I'm afraid of losing the man I love."

"What do you mean? Does he still love you or-?"

"I know that he does. I was appalled by the plan. Though I knew that he believed it was best to send you far from here. I didn't know that marrying Esteban was an option." The older woman looked at Metztli. "He was the one who found and saved you from Federico. Esteban also brought you to me as he went to Victoriano."

"Are you saying that...?"

Mariana sighed while shrugging her shoulders. "There's a possibility, my child. It would seem that Esteban has feelings for you. Though it must be difficult for him to express it to you."

Metztli blushed; her entire body felt warm. "I-I w-well! We're friends!"

"Perhaps. However, men have difficulty expressing their emotions. They fear it makes them weak. It's frustrating, but we cannot change their nature."

"I guess men are the same as the ones in my time. That's why they never change," Metztli thought. "Still, there needs to be a better way. I mean, with what Federico did, he can be sent away."

"I thought so too, but sometimes you cannot let your guard down. Federico may have something planned, and that is why we still must be careful. Either way, you are right about one thing: Victoriano is getting older, and he won't be able to protect you and my children. You made him think of the possible future. It would be best to act now before it is too late." 

The sounds of wooden crates rang out in the hallway, making the women flinch violently and go on guard. They looked at the door; someone was outside. They feared that someone had heard them. Metztli immediately went to the door and opened it; Guillermo stood outside. Her eyes widened, and she covered her lips.

"G-Guillermo..." Mariana stuttered. "Mi hijo (My son)..."

Metztli put her hands together, trying to contain her emotions. "Guillermo...did you...?"

Guillermo looked as if he had seen a ghost; his skin slowly turned pale. His legs wobbled and looked as if they were going to give out at any moment. "No... puede ser (It... can't be)." He slowly looked at his mother, who looked horrified. "Mama, is it...true?"

Mariana's lips quivered uncontrollably, and then she covered her face in shame. She couldn't look at her son. 

"Guillermo, please, stay calm. Come inside. I think it's time that you learned the truth."

The young man then looked at Metztli. "Y-You knew?"

"Yes, but not for long. I believed that you and your sister deserved to know the truth." She looked around to ensure that there was no one around. "Come inside. Your mother will tell you everything." Metztli then looked at Mariana. "I will make sure that she does."

Guillermo wanted to visit his mother to see if she would make some herbal medicine since he felt that he was getting sick. However, he heard bits of the conversation. Guillermo didn't want to believe it, but the way his mother and Metztli behaved confirmed everything. He thought he would scream and run away in anger, but Guillermo felt hurt. He slowly walked inside his mother's room as Metztli closed the door. She motioned him to sit on the bed, and he obliged.

The trio was silent; Mariana still had her face covered. Metztli knelt and gently touched her hands. "Mariana, it's time. You can no longer hide the truth. He deserves to know."

Mariana slowly put her hands down but lowered her head; she didn't want to see her son's pain. "Perdóname (Forgive me). I-I never wanted to-"

"What? You never wanted Valentina and me to know the truth!? Is it even the truth!?"

"G-Guillermo, you need to calm yourself," Metztli said. "It's not easy for her to-"

"It's not easy!? She told my sister and me that our father died and that he was part of our people! We have believed that for years, and now this! Mama, is it true!? The Bishop is...my father?" Mariana didn't answer; Guillermo knelt before her and forced her to look at him. "Tell me! Is he my father!? Answer me! Answer me! I will keep screaming until you tell me!"

"Yes! Yes! He is your father!" Mariana finally looked at her son; tears were rolling down her face. "He is your real father."

Guillermo trembled as a single tear dripped from his right eye. "Why?" he asked in a faint whisper. "Why lie to us?"

"There was no other choice, mi hijo," Mariana wept. She told him everything about her true origins, her real name, how she and Victoriano met, and what they've done. "I'm so sorry that we lied to you all these years, but we believed it was the right thing to do. Victoriano was adamant about keeping this hidden to protect you and your sister. It would cause you two trouble if it were found that a Bishop has children. Now you know the truth, mi hijo." Metztli felt a state of relief; Guillermo finally learned the truth about his parentage. She couldn't blame him for feeling angry and hurt. She would feel the same if she were lied to. Guillermo slowly stood, as did Mariana. "Don't tell your sister. Not yet. This will hurt her more and-"

Mariana couldn't finish her statement because her son immediately left her room. She tried to call out to him, but Metztli stopped her. "Don't. He needs time for himself."

"B-But he may tell Valentina, or he may do something drastic."

"He won't. Guillermo needs time to process the truth. I have a feeling that he is going to talk with his father, as he should. I know this was not the way you wanted him to learn the truth, but at least you will feel a weight off your chest. Now, you will eventually deal with Valentina."

"Oh, Metztli. Valentina is not as strong as Guillermo. The truth will destroy her. She despises the Spaniards and the Padres. How do you think she will feel when she learns that her father is one?"

"Valentina will accept it sooner or later. I know Victoriano has plans, but now that Guillermo knows the truth, perhaps things can slowly change."

"Oh god, please, guide my son. Do not stray him away."