Mystics of the Tuolumne

Betrothment #

"Just look at this festive table.  A wild turkey from Albert.  It is stuffed with Oysters from San Mateo, with walnuts and raisins from my father's vineyard. A Smoked Parma style ham from one of Robert's clients.  Abalone steaks from the Mendocino coast.  Potatoes and carrots from Tehachapi.  Pickled cucumber, peaches, and onions that Dahlia and I canned.  And mincemeat pie from our own mincemeat."  Marie Therese did not have a tradition of Thanksgiving as her family was from the Austrian Alps.  Dahlia's family had never celebrated the Yankee holiday.  Albert and Robert Jr's family had never celebrated it as they considered it pagan.

"Whenever you are finished with the grand tour, I would like to eat." Robert was eyeing the spread lustily.  

"Oh, I'm sorry.  I was so proud of our little family meal"  Marie was so excited she was prancing around.

"1..2...3 everyone sit."  Albert ventured that would draw a frown and rebuke from his parents.

"I want to sit near the turkey."  Dahlia was now getting hungry and greedy.

After the feast had been well picked over, "Albert help me clear the table and wash the dishes."

"Don't we have a housekeeper?"  Albert had a pained expression.

"She has today off and we can clean up.  Marie cooked most of it and she can relax with Robert."  Dahlia was good at giving orders.

e   "Thank you two for taking care of the after dinner mess."  Robert Jr. was sitting in a love seat with his arm around Marie Therese.  "Shall we play parlor games or off to be."  Robert Jr. winked at Albert.

"Robert McKinley Jr.!"  Marie feigned indignation.  They all four laughed.  

It was no secret that one of the student's  bedrooms was unoccupied every weekend.  Robert Jr. had "the talk"  with his little brother.   Both Albert and Dahlia were taking two times the number of classes as the rest of the students. Neither one was distracted by mating and dating rituals.

At Christmas Albert and Dahlia made the long trip by trolley, then Hanson, train, and stage back to the banks of the Tuolumne."I need to say hello to my Mother and Father.  I also need to unpack.  You can have that alone time with your family."

"You are my family."  Dahlia looked at him lovingly.   "I know you need time alone with you Mother and Father.  Please give them my regards and love."

"I'll be over in the morning.  Please relay my thanks and love to Ericia, Joel, and BJ."  He had learned his lesson about "family".

The traditional Californio Christmas meal was served and cleared away.  "Albert, I would like to speak to you privately."  BJ took Albert outside.  It was a beautiful sunny day with mild temperatures. "Albert, you have been living with Dahlia for half a year now."

"Yes, sir."  Albert looked directly at BJ. He knew where this conversation was headed.

"If you do not marry her, her life is ruined.  I need to be sure of you."  BJ spoke like the father he was.

"Well, sir I would like to officially have your permission to marry Dahlia."  Albert was naive enough to think this settled the subject.

"I have heard your talk before.  I want a date, a ring, and a formal announcement which includes your Mother and Father,"  BJ placed his enormous hand on Albert's shoulder.

After mulling it over for a while, Albert gave his answer.  "I think we should get married this June next.  We can make the announcement on New Year with a reception at my house."

"You have my permission, son."  He gave Albert a friendly handshake.

At the McKinley supper table, all heads snapped to Florita who had dropped a bowl of chicken and dumplings when she threw her hands to her face.  They snapped around again a split second later to resume their original agape stare at Albert and Dahlia who stood holding hands.

"As I was saying," Albert continued, "We will be marrying on the 5th day of June.  The reception will be held here."  Florita scurried to clean up her mess.  Marie Therese was ecstatic.

"I have some questions."  Eramil was trying to be the sober elder brother.  "Where will the ceremony take place?"

Albert and Dahlia exchanged looks. "At the Miwok village.  Dahlias grandmother will preside at the traditional ceremony.'

With that,  Matilda fainted and fell to the floor.   Dahlia was the first one to her.  She gently lifted her head and placed it in her lap.  "Albert, anyone get some pillows and place them under her legs and feet."  Matilda gradually came around.  Eramil and his wife helped her to the fainting couch in her room.

"We never have this kind of drama at our house.  Albert. Dahlia why do you keep it for here."  Marie Therese elbowed Robert Jr. for his remark and his raucous laughter.

"Alber, Dahlia  I will need a list of guests.  I assume that you want the ceremony to be a private affair and the reception public."  Robert Sr. was serious now.

"Yes, sir."  They both spoke together. "We didn't want it to be so difficult for people."

"It is not your fault.  You children are merely in love.  No one should find fault with that."  Robert Sr. had a different look about him and his words were softly spoken.  He was beginning to see Dahlia as more than a business implement.

"Sir, we will make sure our part is done in a timely manner."  Albert was being mature and reassuring his father.

"Dahlia, I will need some of your expertise around the end of March before I plant."  He looked warmly to his future daughter-in-law.  

"Could we try and experiment?"  Dahlia inquired.  

"We surely can.  How do we do it?" Robert Sr. was fascinated by this brilliant young lady.

"Sir, you sit at you desk with a pen and piece of paper.  Write whatever comes to you.  I'll stay in here with Albert."  She started getting settled at the table.  

Robert Sr. was seated at his desk with pen and paper wondering what was going to happen.  His hand started writing without him making it move.  He wrote down, "A horse is not a ruminant."  He had no idea what it meant.  But he did know that it meant that Dahlia could reach him instantly from anywhere on earth.