The Witch's Market

by Mingmei Yip

  “But how do you know he’s my son?”

  “Oh, I learned that later. Sabrina told me that she’d put a silver chain with a pendent around her baby’s neck. Her description matched the pendant I saw Luis wearing.”

  “Yes, I know the pendant you mean. Take me to see him as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  This time my trip to the village was comfortable because we were driven by Alfredo’s chauffer. However, I insisted that we should walk the narrow path leading to the village, so as not to alarm anyone with an expensive car and roaring engine.

  As we were approaching the village, Alfredo took my hand. I knew he was extremely nervous to meet his long-lost son. When we were still some distance from Luis’s house I signaled the driver to stop.

  “Look,” I said to Alfredo, “we need to figure out how to handle this. You can’t just arrive at his house and tell him you’re his father. He and his grandpa will be even more shocked than you. You’ll shake up their life completely. Maybe they’ll think it’s some kind of scam.”

  “Would it be that bad for me to be someone’s father?”

  No, I thought—who wouldn’t like to discover they had a rich father? But even though Alfredo probably was not at fault, he’d have a lot of explaining to do.

  Soon Grandpa came out from the house and sat at the table, followed by Luis holding a tray of food. This seemed as good a time as any for Alfredo to meet them, so I suggested that we get out and walk toward the little house. As we approached, they began to dig into their food, talking and laughing. I glanced at Alfredo and saw distress written all over his face.

  Finally, he said, his tone tender, “So this is Luis, my son?”

  I nodded.

  “I need some more time to get used to this. Let’s not disturb them yet.”

  I gestured Alfredo to conceal himself with me behind a tree.

  When they were finished eating, Luis cleared the table as Grandpa picked up a stone and start to sculpt. Luis went to saw wood. Minutes later, he wiped the sweat off his face and took off his shirt.

  I leaned over to Alfredo. “See? He’s wearing a pendant. When we go up to meet him, take a look at it and see if it’s the one you gave Sabrina. Now let’s go up and say hello.”

  “Let’s wait a little longer.”

  “Why?”

  “I . . .” he stammered, looking very nervous.

  Just then Juan came out from the church, walked over to Luis and Grandpa’s house, and sat on the front stairs. He picked up a stick and began to write on the ground with it.

  “Who’s that?” Alfredo asked.

  “That’s Juan. He’s a mute and somewhat slow, but a nice kid.”

  “Mute and slow? That must be why he stays in this place.”

  “There are nice people in the world who are not smart and rich like you.”

  “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

  Just then Luis waved to Juan and the latter walked over to sit on a stump to watch Luis work. Grandpa stood up and went back inside the house, staggering slightly.

  “I’m worried that Grandpa is not well.”

  “Not surprising; he’s an old man.”

  Alfredo would soon be also, I thought. Now that he was out of his element, Alfredo’s genteel veneer seemed to be slipping.

  “Now let’s go and say hello. These are my friends—and one is your son. So be careful what you say.”

  As we approached, both Luis and Juan looked very happy to see me, but puzzled when their eyes landed on Alfredo.

  As I introduced everyone, they all seemed a bit awkward. Luis quickly excused himself and came back with a pot of tea and fruit.

  “Grandpa is taking a nap. Do you want me to wake him up?” Luis asked.

  I saw that Alfredo was giving his son an intense inspection, while the young man seemed only mildly curious about Alfredo.

  I thought Grandpa’s presence would only complicate what was already a difficult situation, so I said, “No, let him have his nap. We can all chat.”

  I only introduced Alfredo as a friend because I thought the first step was for them to get acquainted. I had come to take Alfredo’s suave manner for granted and so was a little surprised that now he seemed awkward and at a loss for words. He just watched Luis and me as we conversed. I guessed he was thinking what it would be like to have Luis as his son, maybe even the future head of his business.

  The young man was honest and forthright, but had none of Alfredo’s sophistication. Juan did not pay attention to our conversation, but occupied himself scraping words on the ground. Alfredo did not even look in his direction.

  Luis smiled at Alfredo. “Señor Alfrenso, thank you so much for coming here to visit.”

  Alfredo nodded but did not speak.

  “Alfredo, did you notice Luis’s pendant? It’s an unusual one.” I leaned toward him. “I wonder if you will recognize it.”

  Luis held it up proudly while Alfredo leaned over to examine.

  “Very nice,” Alfredo said. “I remember seeing one like this years ago. Luis, are you interested in moving out of here someday?”

  “That’s my dream. I read books in the library about other countries and would like to see them sometime. Eileen told me I should see the U.S. first, especially San Francisco, and then go to China. Eileen also told me that Chinese say to read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. I like that.”

  “What about business and making money? Does that interest you?” asked Alfredo.

  I could tell he was shocked to see his “son” shake his head.

  “I make good money selling the furniture I make. I can sell that cabinet over there for twenty thousand pesetas.”

  Alfredo was clearly unimpressed, not surprising as this large-sounding number was only about one hundred and thirty U.S. dollars.

  Luis smiled. “Someday I would like a girlfriend. To get married and have a family.”

  “Twenty thousand pesetas won’t get you very far if you want a woman,” Alfredo cut in.

  Luis ignored this and went on. “Someone like Señorita Eileen.” A deep blush spread over his face.

  Alfredo was irritated by this. “Eileen already has other plans. Just look for a pretty local girl who can keep your house for you and grow some vegetables. Or if you really want to travel, someone who has some sense about business.”

  “The girls here . . . don’t know much. I want a professor, like Eileen,” insisted Luis.

  Now Alfredo looked angry. “You will have to find someone else, young man. Eileen is not available and, anyway, she is not suitable for you,” he said firmly.

  I didn’t think things were going in a good direction so, hoping to soothe the situation, I said, “Of course Luis knows I am very fond of him, but that’s all. He needs to learn more about how the world works—and I cannot imagine a better teacher than you, Alfredo.”

  This flattery seemed to work, at least a little, because Alfredo’s expression softened a bit. I realized that it would be difficult for him to accept that this simple country boy was his child—if he’d ever imagined his stolen baby grown up, it would be as a lawyer or businessman, not a furniture maker. I decided this would be as good a time as any to break the news.

  “Luis, I have something very important to tell you.”

  “You’re going home soon!?” Luis looked alarmed.

  “No, nothing like that. I brought Señor Alfrenso here because we think he is your father.” Then I explained to him about his pendant.

  Luis looked completely stunned and our little group fell silent. Finally, he opened his mouth, but no words came out.

  Juan looked up, probably sensing the tension, but, not understanding, went back to drawing on the ground.

  “But, Señor Alfrenso, I . . . don’t have a father.”

  “Of course you do! Everyone has a father and I am yours. I’ll have my driver get your things and you can move into the castle tomorrow.”

  Alfredo was
used to having things his way without any argument. But his authoritarian personality was at a loss here. You don’t barge into a stranger’s house, claim to be his father, and expect him to immediately hug you and call you Daddy.

  I pulled Alfredo aside, and whispered in his ear, “Slow down. Give Luis some time to know you first.”

  “But I’m getting old and don’t have a lot of time!” he answered in a heated whisper.

  “Calm down! Take some deep breaths. Put yourself in his shoes. Suppose you met a strange man who claims to be your father. Would you just leave and go with him? Luis doesn’t know you. He’ll probably be angry that you did not search harder for him. I would be angry, too, if it were me.”

  Alfredo nodded, like a toreador who’s just missed being gored by the bull. We went back to Luis and Alfredo maintained a sullen silence while I patiently explained everything to the young man, about how Sabrina had given birth to him, only to have him stolen by the witch, who in turn abandoned him.

  After I finished, he said, “Let me ask Grandpa. Maybe he can tell me if Señor Alfrenso is really my father.”

  “Luis, please don’t wake Grandpa up right now. I do think Alfredo is really your father; otherwise I wouldn’t have brought him here to meet you. Why don’t you take some time to think it over. Then you can tell Grandpa and see what he says.”

  “All right,” he said softly, but I could tell the young man was totally confused. His life to date had been simple, with the little house, his grandpa, and his craftsmanship. Now he was connected to the larger world outside and his life was completely unsettled.

  Alfredo was probably as confused, but he hid it better. I suggested to him that he go home so I could stay behind to talk to Luis alone.

  After the older man left, Juan continued to draw on the ground, seemingly oblivious to the father-and-son drama unfolding in front of him.

  After Alfredo’s silhouette disappeared down the path, I told Luis to sit down with me at the table and began to explain.

  As I did so he kept shaking his head, and asking, “Is it really true?”

  I nodded and told him everything—about Alfredo, Sabrina, and Cecily, about how Sabrina gave birth to him, only to have him stolen by the witch, who in turn abandoned him.

  When I finished, he was unable to respond as tears coursed down his cheeks.

  “It’s all right, Luis,” I said, and put an arm around his shoulder. “Now you have a father, not to mention that he’s very rich. So from now on you could live a very good life with every luxury you’d ever dreamed of.”

  He wiped his tears. “I don’t know what to think of this. You say I have a father, but I also had a mother, and now you tell me she’s just died. Why didn’t you tell me when she was alive?”

  “I only found out from a letter she left me. I’m so sorry, Luis, but I didn’t know.”

  “Will you tell me about my mother?”

  This was not going to be easy. I liked Sabrina, but it would be hard to describe her character in a positive way.

  “Of course, but let’s wait for another time, when we are all calmer.”

  “If I really go to live with Señor Alfrenso, will you come with me?”

  “It’s nice of you to invite me. But I don’t belong here. This is your country. Mine is far away.”

  He sighed heavily. “I . . . I’m afraid . . . I’m in love with you, Eileen.”

  I can’t say it was a complete surprise—it had been pretty obvious that he was attracted to me. But I knew it didn’t mean much, given that there were no other women of interest around. It was a sticky situation for me to extricate myself from.

  “Luis, I like you very much. But let’s just be friends and not complicate matters,” I replied gently.

  “How can true love complicate matters? It’s pure and simple.”

  I had no particular reason not to return Luis’s love. But we would have no future. As recounted in the 3,000-year-old Book of Changes, “Everything changes.” Especially love, even though the ancient sages did not think to mention it. I couldn’t possibly bring him to live in the U.S. He spoke only Spanish and couldn’t earn a living making furniture.

  I put my arm around his shoulder again, trying to comfort him. He pulled me against him and I surprised myself by not putting up any resistance. I felt as if I were a newborn chick in a child’s hand, although Luis’s own hand was large and big-boned. His heart was that of a child, but in a big, muscular body. I closed my eyes, letting all my inhibitions slip away.

  He lowered his head to kiss me. His thick lips were warm and soft, but his kiss tentative. Maybe it was his first kiss.

  “Eileen, stay with me tonight.”

  “Alfredo expects me back. You shouldn’t antagonize him right now. Besides, Grandpa is right here in the house.”

  “We’ll go to Past Life Lake. So you can see our future underwater. We’ll be a happy family.”

  I sighed. “Luis, slow down, all right? I’m older than you. Much older.”

  He looked like a child told not to swing too high, lest he fall.

  “Let’s just stay friends, all right?” I said.

  He remained silent for a while, then asked, “What would it be like to be rich?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never been rich.”

  But that wasn’t completely true, for Ivan was rich. But I was not going to get into that with Luis.

  “When we first met, you told me the story of The Butterfly’s Lovers, remember?” said Luis.

  So he was back to the subject of love. I’d have preferred to stay on the subject of being rich.

  “You are the one who told me a story that shows love conquers all,” he said.

  “Luis, that’s just a legend. Real life is not that simple.” Of course, life had been simple for him. No doubt this was part of the problem.

  “Eileen, please answer me honestly. Is there any chance we can be together?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  And that ended our conversation.

  As I was about to leave, I noticed Juan was nowhere to be seen. But the word he’d scraped on the ground surprised me.

  Father.

  What did that mean? What did he actually know? Did he want Alfredo to be his father?

  But if that was the case, he’d be greatly disappointed.

  When I arrived back at the castle, Alfredo was waiting for me. He told me he was eager to see Luis again and hoped I would encourage the young man to visit very soon. I told him that he was still in a state of shock and it would be better not to push.

  “But he has a rich life waiting for him here. Why would he want to stay in that no-place village?”

  It would be of no use to explain. Alfredo, like Ivan, could not understand why someone would want other things in life than money.

  I told Alfredo I had a headache, went to my room, and locked the door. I needed to be left alone to try to think clearly. Bittersweet memories of Luis’s kiss kept floating up in my mind. Turning him down had made my life simpler, but I did have second thoughts.

  I couldn’t yet tell if I loved him, but after Ivan and his ilk, Luis’s naïveté and kindness were extremely appealing. So was his physical beauty—beauty derived from honest work, rather than an expensive gym membership and a personal trainer. But being attracted to him did not undo the fact that there could be no future for us as a couple.

  That night Laolao came to me in my dream, and said, “It’s good to follow your heart—but be careful.”

  30

  Farewell, My Beloved Village

  When the sun shining through the window woke me up, my chest was tight and my throat dry. I had a premonition that a disaster was about to happen, but what, I had no idea. I thought if I did intense meditation I could open my third eye and “see” what was coming, but I was afraid.

  Laolao had always advised me to follow my heart, but also to be careful. Should I follow my heart and give in to Luis’s love? Or should I be careful and marry Alfredo—or even Ivan�
�for their money?

  I kept driving myself crazy with second-guessing. Had I made a mistake connecting Alfredo with Luis? They lived in such different worlds, I doubted true affection could develop between them. But after I learned that they were father and son, how could I just let the matter go?

  I thought it best to leave Luis alone for a while, but after a week, I gave in to Alfredo’s urging and brought him back to the village. There was no answer when I knocked at Luis and Grandpa’s house, which was strange since they rarely went anywhere. We sat by the table in the courtyard and waited until three hours had passed. Fearing something might be wrong, I suggested we go to the church and ask Father Fernando for their whereabouts.

  Only Juan was at the church, dusting the altar. Once he heard our footsteps, he turned and hurried toward me, his bad leg thumping heavily on the floor.

  I gave him a peck on his cheek. “Juan, you’re okay?”

  He smiled, nodding enthusiastically.

  “Juan, remember this is Señor Alfredo Alfrenso, the father of—”

  Before I could finish my sentence, to my utter shock, Juan threw himself at Alfredo. Looking completely disgusted, Alfredo roughly pushed the young man away.

  “Please tell him to go away!” Alfredo said to me.

  I signaled Juan to leave and he did, looking completely crushed. I hated to do it, but I also didn’t want Alfredo to hurt the young man any further. Juan must have been hoping that Alfredo was his father. Of course, that was why he kept writing the word father on the sand after I took Alfredo here. But I knew Alfredo only cared for those who were attractive—or rich. I told Alfredo to wait and hurried around to the back of the church.

  Juan was sitting precariously on a broken chair, sulking. “Juan, I’m sorry. I know you want Alfredo to be your father, but he’s not.”

  He just stared at me with his sad eyes.

  “We’re looking for Luis and Grandpa. Do you know when they’ll be back?”

  With his stick, he wrote on the sand, “Gone.”

  “What do you mean gone, like gone shopping or for a walk?”

  He made some gesture and sound that I failed to understand.