Mystics of the Tuolumne

Apostacy #

" My child it is with great sorrow that I must tell you that your soul may already be doomed to the infernal regions."  The priest intoned in his nasality.  

"For what reason?  I haver committed no mortal sin.  I have been to confession and done penance for all my venial sins."  Ericia reacted with alarm, "I came here today for your judicious counsel.  Not your condemnation."

"My dear child you may be too late in seeking the restoration of God's love and charity."  He piously pronounced.

"Restoration?  When did I fall out of God's favor?" Ericia was becoming irate.

"My pitiful charge, you were born to a heathen sire and a heathen dam.  You have by your own confession born two heathen offspring  and you have a salacious attraction to a  heathen barbarian."  He smugly laced his fingers and folded his hands on his ample girth.

"You lecherous old reprobate.  Does your God prefer the murdering enslaving Spaniards to the Miwok?  Does your God smile on you, you nasty old pederast?  You refer to my mother and father as beasts of the field.  You insult the kindest and bravest man in this town, calling him a barbarian.  If you are a man of God, there is no God!"  It became so clear to Ericia that this man thought he was blessed by a non-existent God.  Or that God was as evil and aberrant as his monstrous priests.

"Silence you succubus harlot.  You may practice your witchcraft on the ignorant vermin in this parish,  I won't object because not even God cares.  But, I will not allow you to blaspheme in his house...his mansion on the Earth."  The priest was red, spitting, and quivering.

"You mean this building built with the blood, sweat, and tears of the campesinos you just called vermin?"  She was furious yet, still eloquent.  This was not her first dogfight.  "You mean these are Gods furnishings that were purchased by the poor at the price of hungry children?

"Get out...get out...never return.  You are excommunicated."  The priest shouted.

"That is an honor."  Ericia gathered her skirts and left the temple of evil with regal panache.

In the bosom of the giant willow tree, Dahlia asked, "Will anyone, besides my family, ever love me."  Dahlia was deeply concerned.  Her pretty face was twisted in anguish.  "I see so many boys at school who leer at me with lust in their eyes and hearts.  The girls all look away and see whose nose can go higher in the air."  Dahlia started weeping.

"I love you.  I cherish you."  Albert was hurt by what he perceived as Dahlias cold shoulder.

"NO!  You don't count. You are me.  You are the same as me.  You are a part of me I cannot live without."  She was upset that she had hurt Albert.  "See how I am?"  I hurt you without even trying, without knowing.  How can you stand me?  Aren't you afraid?"

"I have no fear, especially of you or your gifts.  I also have gifts.  The are not preternatural, they are not supernatural.  They come from a part of our universe that we cannot explain yet."  His eyes were shining as he spoke.  He was so handsome now.  He was intelligent on a level that few understood.  "I have been reading articles from different scientists who have theories on how the brain and mind work.  Others talk about the way the most basic elements in the universe behave."

"Who writes books like that?"  Dahlia had never heard of such writings or ideas.  They sounded fascinating.  "Where di you hear about them?"

"I heard about the ideas in my travel.  My mother sent my brother and me to some lectures in Italy and France."  He did not want to flaunt the difference in his opulence and her modest  existence.

"You must tell me more.  I need to go now.  I am sure Joel is not helping Momma."  When she parted the boughs of the secret haven, JB was standing there smiling.

"How did you know where to find me?"    She queried.

"I followed the tracks you left in the snow."  He was smirking and his usual soft-spoken self.  "Lets go to supper."

"Are you falling in love with my Momma?"  She bubbled up at him.

"Maybe, maybe not."  He was then silent again.

Dahlia was not satisfied by BJ's cryptic answers. "Well, which one?"

"Wait and see."  He knew it was irritating this little sprite by being taciturn.  He was grinning from ear to ear.

They arrived to a meal already on the table.  Everyone loved stewed capon wit carrots and celery root, along with dumplings and pot cream gravy.  There was also her favorite vegetable pickled green beans.  Everyone waited for the blessing.  They all turned toward Ericia.

"Give thanks to all of us.  This food comes from our own effort.  Now, eat."  It seemed silly to give thanks to something that had nothing to do with the meal.  Ericia was adamant. "Pass your plates to BJ to serve you."

When Dahlia received her plate back. BJ served Ericia and then Dahlia.  She looked at Joel as BJ was serving Joel's plate.  

"Joel, BJ is going to marry Mamma and be a real Poppa to us."  BJ dropped Joel's plate into the stew pot. And stared at Dahlia with his mouth open.  Ericia just giggled and stood up and retrieved another plate for Joel.

"What brought that up?", BJ asked.

"Because that is all you thought about on our walk home.  I asked you questions so that you would think about it.   Are you mad at me?"  Dahlia was cheery and calm.

"No, I am just forewarned.  You will not have it that easy in the future."  BJ was smiling but,  serious.

"Dahlia, I noticed that Albert's birthday party is at 10:00 AM.  I think you should have yours at 4:00 PM.  "Does that sound good to you?"  Ericia smiled and waited for an answer.

"That sounds wonderful, Momma.   I love you so much."  Dahlia felt lucky to have this family.