Mystics of the Tuolumne

Detente #

"Matilda, you are acting like the late Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer.  You are outnumbered.  You are cut off from reinforcements.  You have run out of bullets.  The only feasible option is to retreat and make peace."  Robert McKinley informed his wife.

"Robert, how can we?  The scandal would be too much for me to bare."  Matilda was upset that he Robert discounted her fears.

"My darling, we live in a different world.  I have been asking.  This girls mother is as respected in this community as much as I am by the whites.  Even more so by the Indians and Spanish.  The union would bring tremendous political advantage."  Robert walked over to her chair and placed his hand on her shoulder.  She was cold and stiff.

"All you care about is your business and your fortune.  You do not care at all about who I am."  She was now in a general huff.

"My dear Matilda, you are who you are because of my business and my wealth.  You have achieved your station in life through my toil.  If you cannot be supportive and understanding of what I am doing here, I at least command you to not interfere and keep your lips sealed when it comes to Albert and this maiden."  Robert was emphatic and made it clear to Matilda that she would henceforth be at peace if she could not make peace.

Matilda rushed from the dining room to her boudoir slammed the door and wept.  Robert sniffed walked to the library and read the newspaper from the Capitol.

The school was in a furor the next day.  Someone had witnessed a wraith running from the grove where Billy's hair caught fire.  The wraith then shapeshifted to a large raven and flew toward the mountains.  "What can we do to protect ourselves from such a spirit?  Nothing living could have done that to Billy."  The boys agreed and nudged each other as if that was an act of bravery.

"Everyone is crazy.  Have you heard the stories about shape shifters?"  Dahlia said in amusement and disbelief.

"Yes, I've heard.  I helped start some and enlarge others.  They want to believe this in their limited dull lives."  Albert was smirking.  "Billy will never admit the real story.  It would ruin him."

"I have decided that I need to be more of a man to protect you.  So I will join the Citizen Volunteer Corps at the University next year for officer training.  They teach horsemanship, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and tactics and leadership."  He told Dahlia proudly if not somewhat imperiously.

"have you lost your mind?  What are you going to do then?  Are you going to chase Apaches all over Mexico and Arizona.?"  She was aghast at his, to her, nonsensical news.  "At least electrons make sense.  This makes no sense at all."

"Dahlia you are going to need to believe in me.  I will not go to Arizona, or Montana, or to any other Indian campaign.  But, I will learn to use weapons that my Father cannot and will not teach me."  He was assertive in defending his plans.

The subject was dropped like a lead balloon.   "Our library has no books on psyche  or anything written by Emile Fisher.  The man you suggested.  I put in an order but the librarian isn't sure if it will even come.  Those topics are thrilling.  I have been reading every science book at school and at the library."  She was breathless in her excitement for learning.

"You know that I love you and that I am in love with you.  Don't take this the wrong way, science is sometimes just as exciting as you are."  Alpert was a little apprehensive after that statement.

"So, who do you want me to be now, the jealous lover or the understanding  sylph?" She played the coquette well.

"Both"  Albert loved her for all of her varied selves. "After school, I'll ride to your house."

Albert was changing his clothes and gathering some pamphlets to put in his shoulder bag when he was interrupted by his Mother.  "Albert, I am still having difficulty with your...friend.  I may have been selfish.  You may bring her here anytime you wish and I will receive her.  It will take time for me to accept her but, I will be civil."

"Thank you, Mother.  I hope you know how much this means to me.  After all, you are the only one who supports my painting."  Albert hugged his Mother tightly.  When he let go she was actually smiling.

Albert saddled and mounted his horse.  Of course, it was a thoroughbred.  He road like a man of great stature through the town to Dahlia's family home.  He dismounted and Joel took the reins and took the horse for a cooling off walk.  Joel loved animals.   "Well Joel, is their any thing you want to warn me about?"

"Not so far but, you know how women are.    We men just have to take it."  He spoke with the wisdom of the ages.

Albert had to laugh.  He went to the door and Ericia greeted him.  "Mi Hijo, I am so glad that you are here.  When am I going to see some of the pictures that you paint."  In time Mamma.  May  I call you that?"

Ericia teared up.  "That would make me so happy."

"Do I hear the California State Guard here to chase the Indians back to the reservation?"  Dahlia came in from her room.  "No it is only the local barn painter." she teased.

"You won't think it is such a joke when I have my blue uniform on and all the girls from here to Berkely are trying to woo me."  Albert teased right back.  "Mamma  I can smell your good cooking all the way across town.  What are we having for supper?"  

"A stew called chili verde.  It is made with short pig ribs and stewed in green chilis all day,"  Ericia lifted the lid off the pot  letting the odors permeate the valley.

"Have you taught Dahlia to make this dish?" Albert enquired.

"Noy yet" Ericia laughed.

'Please do so as soon as possible"  Albert knew he was going to like this meal.