Mystics of the Tuolumne

Guerdon #

"Dahlia, are you going to walk to school with me?"   Joel was anxious to get back among his friends.  "Come on stop fixin' your face it doesn't do any good."  Dahlia came out of her room in a hurry.

"You little brat."  She was in no mood for Joel's joking.

"Dahlia, act your age."  Ericia scolded.

School was still an ordeal for Dahlia.  She was the best student and the strangest.  She was used to the shunning she received but that did not make it easier.  "I brought your traditional lunch, Albert."

"Thank you, who is going to make our lunch next year?"  He knew he would not eat this well at the university.

"I think it will be the Earl of Sandwich." Dahlia quipped sarcastically.  "We could keep chickens for eggs and Sunday supper."

Dahlia continued to help Robert Sr. by seeing the wheat futures throughout the autumn and into the winter.  Other growers could not understand when Mr. McKinley would hold or ship his wheat.  They did notice his astounding good fortune.  Most said an angel whispered in his ear. They were right.

"Is you mother making tamales this Christmas Eve?"  Albert had a look of a famished child. 

"Of course, and you will be expected to help.  My father, BJ, slaughtered a hog last week and it is at the cooler house waiting for butchering.  We have been making nixtamal for a week now.  We have the corn shucks from the fall harvest.  All the chili ristras are hanging in the smoke house."  Dahlia named all the essentials for Albert.  She loved the tradition.

After the Christmas Eve supper, Ericia asked, "What are the Christmas traditions at your house, Albert?"

"We don't celebrate Christmas.  We are humanists."  Albert explained.

"We are all human, Mijo."Ericia was puzzled by his statement.

"No, you misunderstood.  We are humanist we don't believe in God we believe in human consciousness."  Albert tried to clarify.

"Dios mio," Ericia whined. "This girl and this boy, now his parents  are not believers of the true faith."  She crossed herself twice.  The rest of the family had to swallow their grins and laughter.

"My father would like Dahlia to come for supper tomorrow so he can thank her for her help this harvest season."  Albert concentrated on thinking about the Sierras so that Dahlia could not see the surprise his father had planned.  He had learned, spanning the years of his life, to separate his deeper  thoughts from shallow interactions.  It was those deeper thoughts that were a rich playground for the gifted Dahlia.

"I can't come in the morning, we open gifts that some dead Bishop from the Ottoman Empire brings us down our chimney."  Dahlia had half a smirk on her face at the complete absurdity of this tradition.

"Dahlia!"  Ericia was horrified.  She had expectations of lightning and fumes of sulfur to invade their gathering.  BJ and Joel immediately busied themselves clearing the table and cleaning up so that they could hide their laughter.

"Don't eat a large dinner, and I will come for you mid-afternoon.  You will have supper with us.  Is that acceptable?"  Once again Albert was firmly in control.

"Yes, that will be alright." Ericia gasped, hoping they would survive God's wrath until morning.

"Dahlia, I am so happy to see you here."  Robert Sr. was elegantly dressed in formal attire as was the rest of the family once Albert removed his and Dahlia's dusters.  "Please come in and we will have some appetizers and drinks."

"Gladly, but I don't drink alcoholic beverages." She meekly ventured.

Mr. McKinley let out a hearty chuckle.  "No, we don't serve hard liquor in this family.  We only serve wine, not unlike the Christian Eucharist."

"Are you from Utah?"  Dahlia was now confused by these people and their beliefs.

"No, come in my dear, we will discuss the subjects that you are not understanding."  Robert Sr. guided her to the formal parlor. "I understand that Mrs. McKinley has been teaching you etiquette, this will be your time to shine."  Robert Sr. explained, "Humanists believe in the human ability to solve the great mysteries of the universe.  We believe that we are a unique species with unlimited potential to flourish if allowed to.  We discard those supernatural beliefs that inhibit man and destroy his initiative.  Do you understand me so far?"

"Yes, sir what you are saying is much like what my Abuela says."  Dahlia saw the sensibility of what Mr. McKinley said.  "What about leading a moral and ethical life?"

" We affirm our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity."  Albert took over the explanation.

" I love that way of thinking.  That is what I have come to think, but I couldn't put it in words."  Dahlia was excited about this clear explanation of beliefs.

"Dahlia, I am in deep appreciation of your gifts and the help you gave my family."  Mr. McKinley retrieved a portfolio from the cocktail table next to his chair.  "I have started an investment account for you, with a friend, Amadeo Giannini who used to be a produce broker.  He now administers a bank called Columbus Savings and Loan.  He has proven himself in business and has some very big ideas on the future of banking."

"Thank you, I don't know what to say."  Dahlia was embarrassed by the attention.

"We all have you to thank.  You will be paid a monthly stipend from this investment.  You can either draw on it or leave it and increase your investment. Albert will teach you how.  He has one of these accounts at the same place."  Robert Sr. leaned back in his chair.

"I also owe you a debt of gratitude, thank you."  Oramil, Alberts oldest brother was smiling at her.

"Don't leave me out.  And a warm welcome to the McKinley family circle." Robert Jr. rose from his chair and bowed kissing her hand.  Everyone was beaming except Mrs. McKinley who maintained an aloof manner and said nothing.

It was a sumptuous celebratory feast on the finest California had to offer.  California had so much to offer, it could have sated a Roman Emperor.  The laughter and small talk were infectious and pleasant.  Mrs. McKinley excused herself and left the room.  Oramil's wife followed shortly  thereafter.  At that point, all the men erupted in raucous laughter.  Dahlia looked around the room perplexed at the boldness.