Mystics of the Tuolumne

Consummation #

Oramil was married in the Presbyterian Church of his wife's family.  Robert Jr. married Marrie Therese in the Mission San Francisco de Solano.  The McKinleys were now preparing for their remaining son to be married in a traditional Miwok ceremony by the Tuolumne river.  The men of the rancheria had gathered long straight saplings from the creeks in the Sierra foothills.  They would be used to erect a matrimonial scaffolded arch for Dahlia and Albert to marry under.

Abuela had been working with the other elder women of the village to make the great granddaughter of Chief Estanislao the noblest and they were all sadly aware the last great Miwok bridal trousseau.  There would be the unborn fawn leather, porcupine quill, bead, and purple wampum shells from the Quaboags on the other great water.  They had also made her a woman's Veterinary deerskin dress suit with a cordovan apron.  They also made Albert a military-style officer tunic from Tule elk hide with deerskin fringes.

"Dahlia, I want to help pay for some of the expenses of the wedding."  Albert offered in his cultured genteel manner.  Some of those poorer Miwoks have nothing but they are giving all they can.  "I see that same nobility in you.  I think that is what I fell in love with first.  I saw kindness, a sense of justice, courage, and perseverance when  you were a scrawny little scrapper."  Albert shone brightly from the inside like he had before he poisoned himself with drink.

"You are so sincere and generous but I'm rich in so many ways.  If you offer to pay, my people will be offended."  She put her hand on his shoulder and projected the feelings she wanted to communicate to him.  "And Albert, the partnership between your father and me, I have more money than you.  I am a rich scrawny Miwok."  They both chuckled and embraced for a sweet lingering kiss.

"I am the richest man in California.....no....no the physical universe.  I am the only one who gets to kiss your naked bosom."  With that, he jumped back and took three large steps to his rear to avoid the fist coming in his direction.  All refined young ladies made an effete effort to slap with their finger of one hand.  Their other hand, held their lace hanky for their spurious tears.  Dahlia came with a left jab and a right hook.

"Surely Robert, you do not mean to force me into observing at first hand this humiliation, this stain coming on to our name."  Matilda was in a panicked fury.  "I have said nothing as you wished.  "You cannot command me to face this aboriginal crowd at a primitive rite.  Oramil is taking me with his wife, who also rejects this abasement, to San Francisco for a two week holiday."  She looked imperiously at Marie Therese.  "You are going, of course."

"No, madame.  Dahlia is my very best friend and sister.  I will not miss her wedding to my younger brother for any approval by you or anyone."  Marie Therese mad her stand based on doing the right thing.

"Mrs. McKinley, the elder, if you do not attend this happy....nay this signal event in our son's life, you will reap the whirlwind.  I don't know when or how it will come but you, dear Matilda have only just begun your mortification and despair"  Robert Sr. was more hurt and disgusted than angry.  He took his leave escorting Marie Therese on his arm.

Dahlia was an ephemeral beauty dressed in gossamer veils and now white leather.  Albert was dressed not dissimilar to the revered LtCol George Custer.  Albert smiled and rid his head of the atrocities heaped on the native people.  Among drums, rattles, and chants Albert and Dahlia were sealed for all time.  The earth shook at that very time for a few seconds.  The Miwok roared in approval.  Others knew it was an earth trembler.  

Dahlia looked for Albert's family  but could only spot Marie Therese and Robert Sr,  They were both beaming with happiness.  Dahlia made her way to them.  She curtsied to each of them.  "I am so happy that you have honored us with your presence."  The rest of the family's absence was noted by Dahlia with remorse but not rancor.  

"Why are we sitting here like a brace of stuffed turkeys?"  Albert was disdainful of all ceremony.

"Because "the people" will come by in a line give a gift and bless our marriage.

"But they have nothing.  I feel...I don't know...like I am..stealing."  Albert was bright eyed.  Dahlia could feel the goodness of this man she married.

"It is the custom.  They would feel terrible if they could not give at least a twig with an acorn."  Remember our society values giving not getting, keeping and asking for more."  Dahlia knew that it was the opposite in the culture in which Albert was raised.  Where he learned self-loathing as a by-product of greed.

"It was a profound gift that you and I were born in this same place at the same time on the same day.  I do not understand the science behind it.  But I do not question it."  Albert looked at Dahlia with such love it could ignite granite.

Dahlia was a bit more flippant about Albert's sacrosanct theory . "It was happenstance.  Just plain dumb luck."  She looked askance at Albert who was always the emotional partner.

Albert contained his shock at what he perceived as Dahlia nonchalance.  "But we're special."

"Albert what is, is.  Why bother with why.  You taught me that."  Dahlia could not help cuddling up to her old love and new husband.  She felt such adoration from this fine man.

The  entire population strung out along the main street making the pilgrimage from the poor side of town to the rich side for the reception in the garden of the McKinley mansion.  The tables were groaning under the weight of delicacies. People were being served by the house staff.  Florita was effusive bubbling and babbling all over everyone.  She must have kissed Albert and Dahlia twenty times.

"I haven't seen your mother today. Ningun, nada."  When Dahlia slipped into Spanish it meant she was primally angered and or hurt.

"I'll ask my father.  Politeness demands that we at least call on her to say hello."  Albert was the consummate chivalrous gentleman.  More so than any other man in his family.

"I wanted to keep this until later.  Your mother, Oramil, and his dear wife have gone to San Francesco for holidays and shopping on the money that Dahlia and I made."  I am sorry.  I cannot explain nor defend her behavior.  "I'm afraid Dahlia that you have acquired a sanctimonious and venomous mother-in-law.  I know it can't be easy.  I admire you for your grace."