Neophyte

Foolish

Valentina woke and dressed for the day, but she was surprised to find that Metztli was not in bed. However, she wasn't too concerned since Metztli would go for her walks or help in the Mission. They still had lessons to teach and practice together; Valentina hoped that Metztli would arrive soon. "She couldn't have gone far, it sounds like it is raining."

Walking out of her room, she noticed that some workers were getting their things ready to travel back to their villages. It warmed her heart that some of her people were allowed to return home to visit their friends and family who were not part of their current hell. She missed Toypurina, their village, and her freedom. Valentina believed that one day she would leave the Mission and live the life she wanted. "I will go and find Nonantzin." She walked toward her mother's room but noticed Guillermo walking in the rain from afar. Stopping in her tracks, Valentina couldn't help but feel something was amiss. 

Something was wrong with her brother. "Guillermo!" Guillermo stopped walking and looked at his sister from afar. Valentina noticed her brother's expression; he looked distraught. Before she could call out to him, Guillermo ran away. Valentina wanted to go after him, but she knew that Guillermo would eventually tell her what was wrong. "Maybe Nonantzin knows something about this."

Valentina continued onward until she arrived at her mother's room. Before knocking on the door, she heard a muffled sound inside. Putting her ear to the door, Valentina could make out her mother and someone else. "Nonantzin, it is I. May I enter?"

Scuffling echoed from the inside, but the door was slowly opened. Valentina was surprised to see Metztli. "Valentina, cualli tonalli (good morning)."

"Metztli, tlein tiquinitta in campa (Metztli, what are you doing here)?" Valentina noticed that Metztli looked uncomfortable; she knew something was wrong." She entered her mother's room and saw her sitting by the fireplace, wiping her face. "Nonantzin?" Valentina immediately went and knelt by her mother, who looked away. "Quen amo cualli (What is wrong)?"

"Ahtlein, noichpōchtli (Nothing, my daughter)."

"Something is wrong. I saw my brother running away, looking distressed. Something must have happened. " Valentina felt her mother tense, making her assumptions correct. "Please tell me. You know that I don't like to be kept in the dark."

Mariana still didn't look at her daughter. So much had happened in a day. Guillermo finally learned the truth about his parentage, but not her daughter.  If Valentina knew the truth about Victoriano being her father, she would never forgive either of them. It would break Valentina. 

Metztli stepped forward. "Valentina, Esteban brought me here because something...happened." She explained everything that happened last night and what transpired when the Bishop was informed. Valentina slowly stood up as she listened. She couldn't believe what had happened. However, she wasn't surprised by what Metztli had seen. Stories echoed that many Padres would force couples to have intercourse in front of them. They say it is to ensure the fertility of the couples, but Valentina and others believed it was for the Padres to get some sick gratification. What was unexpected was that the Bishop gave Metztli a choice: either marry Esteban or go far away to a convent. "The Bishop is punishing you?"

"No, he believes that it is a way to protect me."

"That makes no sense! He could have sent you to our village and-"

"It wouldn't be a good idea, noichpōchtli. We don't know what can happen in the future, especially if the Bishop dies. There may be a possibility that more of these Spanish may arrive to this land."

"We do not know if that will happen! Our people will not allow this to happen!"

Metztli knew what would happen in the future. More of the Spanish would arrive in the Californias and take more land from the Natives. She imagined that many tribes tried to fight back, but they were overpowered. It broke her heart.  "Valentina, I also felt angry and hurt. I also thought that the Bishop was trying to punish me. However, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. He is scared of what may happen to us, which is why he is trying to take action."

"Us?"

Metztli violently flinched, realizing what she had said. Mariana also noticed; she massaged her forehead. "I did? Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight. I am still stressed from what happened."

Valentina intently eyed Metztli; she became serious. "I can tell you are hiding something. You know something that you do not wish me to know. I hate it when people I trust keep secrets from me."

Her words stung Metztli's heart. She knew the truth about a horrible secret Guillermo knew. She wondered whether Guillermo would stay silent or tell Valentina the truth. "I-"

"Valentina, there is something I must tell you," Mariana said suddenly.

Metztli's eyes widened. "Is this it? Is she going to tell Valentina the truth?" Her heart was pounding, preparing for what could come.

"The Bishop not only gave Metztli a choice, but he believed it would be best that he find spouses for you and your brother."

Metztli's heart dropped; Mariana didn't tell Valentina the truth. She squeezed her right hand into a fist. "She had a chance! A chance to tell her daughter the truth! I can't believe her!"

"What!? Find spouses for us!? Nonantzin! Tell me it is not true!"

"I thought it wasn't so, Valentina. I was against it since I wanted you both to choose for yourselves, but he wants to choose someone that will be good for-"

"Oh, so he will choose who Guillermo and I will marry! Ha! He thinks he can run our lives because he is the Bishop of this Mission!? That white devil is trying to control our lives just like our people!"

Mariana immediately stood from her seat. "He is not a devil! Never say such things in my presence again! Do you understand me!?" Metztli and Mariana flinched from the sudden outburst. They had never seen Mariana so angry. "Victoriano may not be of our people, but he has done more for us than any of these men have! He has protected us as best he could and educated you and your brother! You view his skin but not his character and deeds!"

Valentina bit her lower lip. "You always defended him! Why!? Why would he go to such lengths for us since we hate what he represents and what he is!? He only wanted us to follow his evil god! He-!"

*SLAP*

Metztli looked on with horror as she witnessed Mariana slap her daughter. 

Valentina's head tilted to the side, shocked that her mother slapped her. She slowly touched her cheek as she looked at her mother. 

"Never...never...speak of him in such a way again. You foolish child. My foolish child." Mariana cried as her body trembled. "He-" Valentina ran out from her mother's room; Metztli wanted to go after her, but she believed it was better to leave her alone. She went to Mariana, who motioned her to sit down. "Why didn't you tell her, Mariana? You had the chance to do it."

"I-I didn't have the strength to tell her. I had no choice but to tell Guillermo, but Valentina will hate her father. I cannot tell her yet. Not yet."

"Mariana, I understand you're scared, but if you do not tell her, then you and Victoriano will lose her forever. Please tell her because I can't fathom to keep it a secret for too long. I will fetch you some tea." Metztli walked out of Mariana's room while closing the door behind her. Looking at the rain soothed her mind, but not her heart. She still had a choice to make, and she knew what she had to do.