Heaven On Earth

by Constance O'Day-Flannery

  "And that is why I have come to speak with you so early," he interrupted her. "Before you are introduced to all the other members of this gracious home, you have to realize this is not the time you believe it to be."

  She exhaled and rolled her eyes upward in exasperation at his obstinacy.

  He leaned forward and continued in a low whisper. "No one here will understand if you keep insisting it is the year 2000. You must come to some acceptance of this before integrating into their lives… Your future, and theirs, seriously depends upon it."

  She stopped twirling the stem of the flower and stared at him. "You're nuts, you know that? Last night was one thing, but now… well, I simply cannot accept that I've traveled back in time, like, what… more than a hundred years, and that I can't find my sister. I will thank Don Felipe and everyone else for their hospitality, but I can't stay here and pretend. My sister and her family are out there waiting for me right now."

  He sighed and ran his strong fingers through his damp curly hair. "Ay. Por Dios," he sighed, dropping his head. "Please, Casey… again I request your patience. I admit, it is a strange and difficult thing… but you must come to accept that when you were hit by lightning, you were thrown back in time. You saw the newspaper last night at La Fonda. How can you explain that away?"

  She merely shrugged. "I have no idea what that was about, but as soon as I get my clothes back, I'm going to find out."

  "You cannot continue to wear those clothes, Casey. Not here. You see, I have created a… a story for you that will be acceptable to those you will meet later today."

  "A story… ?" Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  "Yes." He hesitated slightly while leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms. "I have said that you were a novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy in California, which would account for your cropped hair, that you changed your mind about your vocation and you left your sheltered life."

  Her eyes widened in astonishment at what she was hearing.

  "I explained you have been hiding from your family, dressing like a man, until their disappointment in you eases and you can be reunited with them again."

  Her mouth hung open in shock. "You did what?"

  "I know it is not a very good story"—he shrugged, sitting upright—"but I was too tired last night to come up with anything better… and I had to say something about your appearance."

  "I can't believe this!" Impulsively she threw the flower at him and watched as he lifted his hand and easily caught it. "How dare you say those things about me! I'm not even a practicing Catholic anymore!"

  "Ah, you know the religion. Good, it will be easier then."

  She sat up straighter and leaned forward. "You are truly certifiable! I am not going along with this whole crazy story. Try and get that through your head, Mr. Time Traveler!"

  That dimpled grin came to his face again as he chuckled, only increasing her irritation.

  "I want my clothes. I need to get out of here."

  He stood up and walked to the large, ornately carved and painted wardrobe and opened the right door. Taking out the long skirt with bands of red, white, and yellow material at the hem, along with a white frilly blouse, he held them out to her. "Here are your clothes, Casey. You will wear these."

  "I'm not wearing them." She folded her arms over her chest and lifted her chin with greater defiance. "I want my own back."

  "You will wear these if you wish to leave this room." He laid them at the foot of the bed and sighed, as though trying to be patient with her. "I am sorry to have to be so firm with you, but I cannot allow you to insult our hosts with your version of reality. Until the time is right for us to return to your sister and the future, we must fit in here without causing suspicion. These are my friends, trusted friends, and so—"

  "So you lied to them," Casey interrupted, furious that this man seemed to think he could take over her life.

  "It would appear that way to you," he answered. "Far better to make up a fictitious story than tell them they are entertaining a woman who is really from the future."

  "I can't be from the future if I never went into the past!" she blurted.

  "Okay, you do not believe me, Casey. However, I assure you, they would not believe you when you start asking for things like telephones and cars. You would then be the one who seems certifiable, señorita." He pointed at her playfully and grinned again.

  She wasn't laughing.

  "Look, we are actually in the same position. I know you came to Santa Fe to visit your sister in the year 2000. I believe you. Can you, for a moment, consider that I am in your corner, that I am trying to protect you while you find yourself in a confusing situation? Have I done anything to indicate that I wish you harm?"

  She refused to answer him. She sat with her arms crossed over her chest and stared at the darkened fireplace in the corner of the room.

  She heard a soft knock and, from the corner of her eye, saw Luke turn to answer the door. He thanked Juana as he took a tray and again shut the door.

  "Your breakfast," he announced, placing the tray on the bed. "Take all the time you wish, señorita, to make up your mind. It would appear we are to be here for some time. I only ask that you behave like a woman and not like an unreasonable child. We can make this enjoyable or miserable… The choice is yours."

  She watched him move out the door and was stunned when she heard a lock click. "I don't believe it!" she said aloud in shock. "He's locked me in my room until I agree to buy in to his whole mind game!" She'd have thrown the plate of eggs at the door if this were her own home… plus, well, she was hungry.

  Jerking the tray toward her, she looked over the meal. Eggs, over easy, pinto beans, and something that looked like a red Polish sausage with a large green chile garnish invited her taste buds. She broke off a piece of the freshly baked bread on the side and jabbed at the soft egg, wishing it were her fist into Luke's so superior stomach. Locking her in her room like she was a misbehaving kid! What nerve! She was thirty-one years old, for chrissake!

  She bit into the sweet bread covered with yolk, then waved it toward the door as though he could hear her giving him a piece of her mind. Well, he could just forget about her and Amy giving him a thank-you present when she was reunited with her sister.

  She ate more of the eggs and chewed the bread thoughtfully, while trying to take her mind away from the maddening man who had just left. She had made a plan last night… What was it?

  The police.

  Right! She needed to contact the police today. Surely there was a missing-person report on her by now. When she didn't show up, Amy would eventually have called the cops. Casey blinked a few times, thinking she heard a noise coming from behind the wardrobe, and then shrugged. She'd never been in trouble with the law before, so they wouldn't even have any record of her, but her fingerprints were on the car and… What did happen when someone was missing?

  She had no more time to think as the wardrobe door opened and a young girl's face peeked into the room.

  Casey nearly choked when she yelped in fright. This was like a never-ending nightmare where people just kept popping in and out all over!

  "Buenos días, Señorita Casey. Do not be afraid. I am Rosalinda… This was my sister's room before her marriage."

  Stunned, Casey could only watch as a pretty teenager, dressed in a yellow gown, stepped out of the wardrobe and smoothed down her voluminous skirt.

  "I am the daughter of Don Raphael Felipe d'Montoya and Doña Isabela d'Cortez. I have heard of your courageous adventure, and even though my parents insist I wait until we are properly introduced, I knew a woman such as yourself would understand my impatience to make your acquaintance."

  Casey simply did not know what to say to this delightfully strange visitor, whose smile was irresistible. Swallowing the bread in her mouth, she muttered, "Hello."

  Rosalinda grinned widely and swept closer to the bed. She curtsied formally, then peeked up and began speaking as she straightened up. "Have you really
left the convent? How brave you are! I myself would never want to shut myself away in a convent, but I would never tell anyone else such a thought. The good sisters of Loretto think I may have a vocation, but I believe it is for the dowry my father would provide the church. Fortunately, my parents wish to see me married…" She took a breath. "Oh, I do hope you will be here for my quinceñera feast. It will be a grand celebration."

  Rattled by the barrage of words, Casey knew she should say something in answer. "What is a quinceñera?"

  Rosalinda looked pleased by her question. "It is a feast celebrating my reaching womanhood, my fifteenth year, and announces I am available for marriage. You may wear one of Marguerita's gowns, if you wish. She is married to Don Carlos and he is very wealthy and so my sister has left some of her gowns for me, and though I don't care for them, you might."

  "Marriage?" Casey sat up straighter and adjusted the nightgown. "You're very young to be considering marriage, aren't you?" Why did this child act as though her appearing from within a wardrobe wearing an old-fashioned gown were perfectly natural? What kind of crazy place was Santa Fe?

  "Not at all," Rosalinda replied, daintily sitting on the edge of the bed and smiling. "My father has invited many eligible men from Mexico and even Spain… though I am determined to wait for my true love. I do hope he arrives soon." She seemed to dismiss that thread of conversation and veered back to her original thoughts. "Did you really run away to find your own life? How young were you when you entered the convent? Oh, this is so romantic… Why, you are a heroine, a woman forging your own destiny!"

  Casey laughed. "I'm not a heroine, Rosalinda. In fact, I'm sort of lost right now. I need to find my family." Maybe this kid could help her. Who cared how she came to be in the room! When in Rome…

  Rosalinda looked contrite. "Yes, so I have heard. Don't worry, I'm sure they will forgive you and you can go home to them, señorita."

  Casey decided not to get into Luke's story, especially if this teenager thought it was such a good one that she wanted to be friendly. "Rosalinda, I have a favor to ask of you."

  The girl appeared delighted again. "Anything."

  Smiling in return, Casey said, "How did you get into this room? Is there a hidden passageway behind the wardrobe?"

  Rosalinda looked at the heavy chest and giggled. "Yes. My father doesn't think Marguerita and I know about it, but we discovered it years ago. My sister and I had many adventures through its use, but I cannot go about by myself now. And there is not much one can do with a duenna accompanying—"

  "I could go with you," Casey interrupted. "I'm twice your age and—"

  "You are not!" Rosalinda burst with astonishment.

  Pleased by the girl's reaction, Casey grinned. "Yes, I am thirty-one and therefore quite respectable as a chaperone. I just need my clothes, and I do so want to explore Santa Fe. If it is possible, could you do me a big favor and show me how to get out of the house unnoticed?"

  She held her breath as she waited for Rosalinda's reply.

  "You are so old and have no husband, no children. All those years in the convent…"

  Okay, it was an impolite statement, yet it was coming from a teenager, and the look of sadness on Rosalinda's face made Casey smile. "I would like a child someday."

  "Me, too," the girl answered quickly. "I would like many children, but first my true love must find me. I know he will."

  "Hmm…" Casey didn't have an answer. The teenager's words reminded her of her own thoughts while driving yesterday. She had surrendered looking. True love? Was there such a thing? Really? Better not to get into that discussion. There was a more pressing matter at hand. "Do you think you could help me?"

  "Where are your clothes?"

  "A woman named Juana took them, and Luke said they were being cleaned."

  Rosalinda shook her head. "I cannot get them for you then, but here…" She held out the white blouse that was folded on the bed. "Dress quickly and I will change into something more… more suitable. I will also get you a shawl, and then if we are very quiet and very clever, we might have a secret adventure."

  Grinning, Casey whispered, "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help, Rosalinda."

  "We shall be coconspirators then," the happy teenager said while slipping off the bed. She headed toward the wardrobe and giggled. "We shall be like sisters, united in our adventure."

  Casey stopped the romantic girl with another question before she disappeared into the wardrobe. "Rosalinda, could you please tell me what year it is?"

  The girl halted with one foot raised before stepping inside. Turning back, she whispered, "You don't know this?"

  "I… I was caught in the storm last night and hit by lightning," she said stupidly. "Could you just tell me?"

  "Madre Dios! Lightning! You poor woman, no wonder you are confused. It is 1878, señorita… the year of my quinceñera."

  Don't panic, Casey's brain seemed to be screaming at her. She numbly smiled and nodded to the teenager, and then watched as Rosalinda slipped inside the wardrobe.

  Alone once more, she grabbed the edge of the sheet and threw it off. She would not think about what the girl had just said. She couldn't! If she believed her, then she really had traveled back in time and Luke was right about everything… and she refused to accept that. She would get dressed and leave this place to find out the truth once and for all. She picked up the frilly blouse and stared at it. Even if it meant she had to dress up like someone living a hundred years ago, she was going to find out what had happened to her!

  She felt surrounded by madness as she dressed, yet she wouldn't let it stop her. She had to focus now, and within minutes she was dressed like a Spanish woman in a long colorful skirt and a thin white cotton blouse that laced down the front under an embroidered flounce. Running her fingers through her hair, she wished she had mirror, comb and a toothbrush, but small essentials weren't about to get in the way of her escape. Nothing mattered now except finding a way back… back to sanity.

  She was ready and waiting when Rosalinda returned, dressed in a much plainer costume. She carried a brush and a white shawl with long fringe. Walking up to Casey, the girl held out the brush.

  "We must hurry before someone comes for your tray. We cannot stay long, señorita, for I shall be missed, but I will show you the way."

  Casey quickly ran the brush through her short hair. "Thank you, Rosalinda. I don't want you to get into any trouble for this. If you would just show me how to get out, I would be most grateful."

  She placed the brush on the bed and was stunned as Rosalinda put the shawl over her head and whispered with tears in her eyes, "I am so sorry about your hair."

  Casey had to bite the inside of her cheek not to giggle. Wrapping the shawl around her and flipping one edge over her shoulder, she said in a serious voice, "It's all right, Rosalinda. It will grow back, and the shawl covers it now. Let's go!"

  "Oh, one more thing I must tell you, señorita." Rosalinda stopped her before they stepped into the wardrobe.

  "Yes, what is it, Rosalinda?"

  "You have some yellow dust on the end of your nose… I think it is from the flower Señor Luke picked for you from our garden this morning." She smiled knowingly.

  "Oh, jeez!" Casey blurted, and began rubbing her nose the same way she'd seen Luke gesture toward her earlier. She shook her head with embarrassment that she'd been sitting there all morning with this bright yellow pollen smudge in the middle of her face. No wonder he didn't take her seriously!

  "Okay… we must be very quiet now, for although the household is busy, even a cough will be heard."

  Casey nodded and took a deep breath. She followed the girl through the wardrobe and into the small passageway between the thick adobe walls. It was dark and Casey was really glad she didn't suffer from claustrophobia, for she could feel her own breath bouncing off the wall and hitting her in the face. Don't think, she mentally schooled herself as she followed sideways through the passageway. She wondere
d who had built it and for what reason.

  What did it matter now, when it was serving her in escaping madness? Like walking between walls wasn't madness! Wait until she told Amy all of it. The two of them would howl with laughter. Just picturing her younger sister in her mind calmed her down. How she loved Amy, her beautiful little niece, Sara, her brother-in-law, Jim. She pictured each in her mind. She wanted to be with them, normal people who drove cars and had bathrooms and were able to recognize reality! Okay, Sara didn't drive a car, but even her three-year-old niece would be able to tell that something was definitely not right with all these people!

  Rosalinda put out her hand to stop, and Casey held her breath as the girl pushed something in the wall and then leaned against what looked to be another part of the wall. Immediately Casey saw what appeared to be daylight. She let out her breath with relief. She might not be claustrophobic, but she would be grateful to breathe fresh air again.

  "Come," Rosalinda whispered. "Slide behind this plant and keep close to the wall."

  A plant? Casey did as she was told and saw that a large tree was planted in a huge earthen pot that hid the false wall. Her heart was thudding against her rib cage as she flattened her body to the wall and slid behind the thick branches.

  "This way. Follow me," Rosalinda whispered.

  "Wait!" Casey whispered back, as a terrible thought came to her. "I forgot my wallet. It's back in the room!"

  The girl looked puzzled as she pushed Casey even closer to the wall. "Wallet? I do not understand this term."

  "It's got my money, my identification. I need it."

  Rosalinda looked relieved. "Oh, I have money if we wish to purchase something. We can't go back. Look, already Marcella is preparing for our meal."

  Casey turned her head and saw the stern woman reprimanding two other women who were setting a long table in the courtyard. To heck with the wallet. She could always come back and get it later.