by R. Castro
She pulled her hands back quickly. "Thank you. You all have a great day."
Lupe didn't wait for a response as she exited the station.
Elias watched as Lupe rushed away, but not before noticing Deputy Will's ill-covered attempt to get her attention. He realized touching Lupe's hand wasn't an accident.
He continued his conversation, "Anyone with the means to travel over there should. It is a whole different world. I'd also hoped to go to Asia. Alas, my traveling was cut short. My father fell ill. I barely made it back to see him. He passed away a few days after my return."
Although his father had been dead for almost two years, the pain still ran fresh and deep. He'd been a great man, and Elias hoped to one day be a fraction of the man his father once was.
"Not too sure you will find too many well-traveled folks around these parts to exchange stories with. But let me tell ya, plenty of us will eagerly sit with you, Mr. Hill, and hear all about it," the Sheriff said joyfully. "Heck. Traveling to where the rail takes us is about as far as some will get, and those are the lucky ones."
Deputy Will returned to his seat. "I've gone as far as Cheyenne. Rode a beer wagon and visited a place that probably had my dearly departed grandmother rolling in her grave. I was glad to be back in Belle. Fort Bridger is as far as I'll allow myself to venture now."
Elias looked at the men in wonder. "Not judging you fine men one bit. Yet I must ask; you've never wanted to see the ocean?"
Sheriff Knight and Deputy Will both looked to each other and looked back at Elias, shaking their heads. "Interesting," Elias said. "I'm not judging, but rather, intrigued. I suppose growing up near the ocean has helped me expand my curiosity for wanting to walk on different lands."
The sheriff shrugged. "Could be. Anyway, 'bout that dinner. The wife and I would like it if you folks could join us. I'll head on over later to extend an invitation to Mr. Cortez and his family. We're thinking tomorrow evening if that's all right by you?"
"Of course!" Elias said, enthusiastically. "My men can man the shop while Valerio and I are gone. We've got a lot of work cut out for us, but so far, no order has been too tall to fill," he said with a wink of an eye. "I'll be heading out now. And thanks for taking care of the messenger service for me. We rely on certain materials being in stock and ready," he said, moving quickly to his feet. "You two have a great rest of your day."
As he left, he overheard Deputy Will comment on the absurdity of wanting to travel so much. Elias smiled to himself. He had bigger plans than Belle. But for now, Belle would do since the work was there.
He breathed in the crisp summer air as he tilted his head in greeting to a couple of ladies, who were standing outside the mercantile when he passed. He smiled in appreciation, although he only had eyes for one woman—Lupe Cortez. Sure, she was younger. Still, there was a fire in her that he couldn't ignore. She was beautiful and unafraid to speak her mind. That independence about her drove him crazy and only furthered his attraction to her. She was the perfect lady for him. Of that, he was convinced.
June 1881 Dinner Party
Lupe reluctantly changed her dress into a nicer one, to appease her mother. They were going to the sheriff's house for dinner, despite her failed attempt at trying to argue her way out of it.
Her younger sister scrunched her nose at Lupe. "Why are you so unhappy to look nicer?"
Lupe scrunched hers back, causing her fourteen-year-old sister to giggle uncontrollably. “It’s not that I don’t enjoy looking nicer. I mean, remember Hortencia’s wedding?” She said to her little sister Maribel, whose eyes lit up. “Well, I enjoyed looking my best then. It’s just that I believe one should dress as we each desire. Some people like to be fancy all the time, and I don’t. I like simple clothes. They match me.”
Maribel’s jaw dropped open. “I’m sorry to inform you, big sister. But there is nothing simple about you. You’re tall like mom and dad, and your skin is the perfect shade of golden. Back home, most of the eligible bachelors had their eye on you. Especially that son of Don Gerardo, Diego. He was sweet on you.”
“Oh, Maribel. Where do you hear such things? Really, most young ladies go through phases of much attention. Like flowers, we all have our seasons.”
Maribel rolled her eyes. “Sure, Lupe. Tell yourself whatever makes you feel better. But I will not lie; you are pretty, and I just wish you’d try a little harder before you walk out the door. I saw you head over to the sheriff’s station in your dirty apron.”
“I was helping in the kitchen and needed to drop off those tortillas. There was no need to fuss over what I was wearing!” Lupe protested.
“Um-hmm. In the meantime, at the mercantile, you know, that place you walked by? Anyway, there were three other young women nicely dressed. I swear it petrified me when I saw you walk by. I was inside buying some peppermints with my friends.” Maribel paused. “You’re not just pretty. You are beautiful. But you don’t let people in to see that side of you. I was really hoping this fresh start would force you to get out a little more, meet other girls your age, you know?”
Lupe studied her younger sister carefully. They looked alike, only Maribel’s hair was dark as a raven’s coat, and her eyes pulled anyone who dared stare too long into her abyss. She knew Maribel would be quite the catch when her time came. And Maribel, unlike herself, would probably fully take advantage of it.
“Oh! Great, you both are ready. Come now, let us go. We don’t want to be late for our gracious hosts.” Martha said, patting both her daughters' backs as she walked them out of the bedroom. “Your father is already outside with Mr. Hill and your little brother.”
“Mr. Hill!” Maribel said, breaking away from them as she pranced on outdoors.
“Why couldn’t Elias walk over by himself? He didn’t have to wait for us,” Lupe complained.
Martha stopped her daughter. “Lupe, please!” Her eyes pleaded with her daughter. “Mr. Hill is your father's boss. He is also a good friend to this family and has been extremely gracious with us. Heck, we are making more money now than…”—She thought— “Well, since ever. At least, while we’ve been married. And that’s saying a lot.”
Lupe let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, I’ll be nice to father’s friend.” She watched as her mother gave her a stern look. “The family friend,” she corrected. “And I’ll be on my best behavior this evening.”
“Thank you,” Martha said, hugging her eldest daughter. “That’s all I’m asking. Just try to enjoy yourself. You're too young to be so serious and severe.”
They reached the outdoors where everyone was waiting. Elias looked at Lupe in a way which made her want to roll her eyes, yet, she held back. You just need to survive dinner. She told herself.
“Mrs. and Miss Cortez, you two look beautiful. Shall we?” Elias said as he offered his arm to Lupe. She was about to snub him; however, her mother’s sideways glance sent a stern reminder of their earlier conversation.
Her parents and Elias exchanged casual conversation as she took in the cool evening air. It wasn’t dark out, but she could feel the shift in temperature as her skin welcomed the reprieve from the warmer day.
A few townsfolk were mingling about the square when they passed, exchanging good evenings. Staring a little too long for Lupe’s comfort.
“Are you all right, Miss Cortez?” Elias asked as he stiffened the bend of his arm, attempting to offer Lupe a firmer grip.
“Quite fine. Why do you ask?”
She wasn’t interested in his reply; but again, she’d assured her mom she’d try.
He gazed up into the sky, and she followed his lead, noticing the stars already shining brightly. “You tensed on my arm. I thought for a moment you were going for maybe cutting off my circulation?” He smiled.
Lupe stared back at him, dumbfounded. It had been the walk through the square and the people staring. “My apologies. I just. Um. Well, I really don’t enjoy being the center of attention. Walking around in these clothes makes me feel as if I’m on
display and available for ridicule.”
“Ridicule? Don’t you think that’s rather harsh?”
“Harsh? Not at all. It seems we ladies, must always be on our best behavior. Worrying about not being less than what society has deemed acceptable. What clothes am I wearing? Am I behaving the right way? Am I speaking properly? And even, am I eating appropriately? It’s like we need to be seen and not heard.”
“My goodness!” Elias said as he turned away, causing Lupe to wonder what he truly was thinking for the first time.
“That’s all you have to say, Mr. Hill?” she pressed.
He turned to her and took a deep breath. “I agree with you. However, keep in mind there are many areas where we men must also conform. Are we a gentleman enough? What of our position in life? And our family? I do agree that we don’t always have to be handsome, but I believe that helps. And our age seems to transcend when considering a bride to be. I suppose age not being a factor is a positive.” He laughed. “Miss Cortez, you look surprised.”
“I’m almost afraid to admit that I’m kind of impressed.”
A wide grin appeared on her face as they reached the sheriff's home, where Sheriff Knight waited outside with his lovely wife at his side.
“Welcome! They both exclaimed in unison.”
“Thank you so much for having us,” Valerio, Lupe’s father, said. “This is my wife, Martha.”
The sheriff shook her hand, “And this is my wife, Hope,” he said, lovingly introducing her.
Elias and Lupe broke away from each other as she moved in closer to introduce herself to the sheriff’s wife. “Hello, thank you so much for having us over. I’m Guadalupe Cortez, but you may call me Lupe.”
“Oh, my! You really are a beauty. I’d heard rumors.” Hope said as she reached in to give Lupe a hug. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
Lupe smiled as she moved so Elias could introduce himself.
Hope seemed nice enough, but she was married, and that always seemed like a hinderance in Lupe’s relationships. She had a knack for befriending women who were often older than she and married. Something Mrs. Cortez claimed put Lupe at a disadvantage when trying to be more social.
The new friends talked and enjoyed each other’s company over a delicious roasted chicken finished with an amazing cherry pie which had everyone talking.
“You’re an amazing cook, Mrs. Knight,” Maribel said as she asked for seconds.
The woman smiled sweetly to the young girl. “Why, thank you,” she said, carefully placing another slice on the dessert plate. “How about you, little Gustavo?” She said to the youngest of the Cortezes.
“I’m stuffed,” he said, rubbing his belly causing everyone to laugh.
“I must get the recipe for your crust. It is probably the best I’ve ever had,” Martha said.
“Of course! I’ll write it up and bring it on over, and maybe I can persuade you to teach me how to make those tortillas we love.”
The men and Gustavo got up and disappeared into the sitting room while the women helped clean up. Maribel complained about not wanting to ruin her favorite blush-colored dress, to get out of helping with the dishes.
“So typical of you, Maribel.” Lupe quietly complained to her little sister, who didn’t seem at all moved with her words. “The least you can do is help dry them off. Go ask Mrs. Knight for a dish towel.”
“Fine. But I’m not washing anything.” The younger girl protested.
While the men enjoyed a nightcap, the women sat around the table sipping tea.
“Lupe, did you leave any suitors where you came from?”
She didn’t have an opportunity to reply as Maribel jumped right in. “Suitors? Absolutely not! My sister is afraid of boys. She’ll literally go the longest way to avoid encountering anyone. And it’s not because she’s shy, either. She’s simply strange, always tucked away in the house reading.”
“I don’t just read. I enjoy many things, such as horseback riding. Albeit, I haven’t really ridden since we arrived.”
Hope reached her hand over to Lupe. “You know,” she said excitedly, “the Fourth of July picnic is coming up. It’ll be a great way for you to meet others. What do you say?"
Heavy boots against the wooden floorboards sounded through the opening into the kitchen. “Why would anyone not go to the picnic?” The sheriff asked with a gruff voice. “It's one of my favorite events of the year,” he said, reaching for a couple of cloth napkins. “Heck, I’m half tempted to have my wife here enter the pie baking contest with that cherry pie we all had for dessert,” he said, leaving in the same way he'd arrived.
“Do you want to enter the competition?” Lupe asked Hope, who didn’t seem at all pleased.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I’d prefer not to. Anyway, back to you. I’ll have it no other way. You’ll be joining your mother and me…”
Maribel cut her off. “And me!”
Hope smiled. “Yes, and you.” She turned her attention back to Lupe, who seemed to have a lot on her mind. “I promise; it will be fun. And I won’t leave your side.”
Lupe sat back in the chair, defeated. Again, she’d agreed to try. “Okay. I’ll go. I don’t promise to stay for the whole event, but I’ll try.”
“Great!” Hope said, tossing her arms around Lupe from the side.
Martha chimed in. “I’m glad you’ve agreed, Lupe.”
Lupe looked around and into the room directly across, where the men were seated and watched as Elias carefully studied her.
Why? Why does he stare at me so intently? she wondered.
July 1881 fourth of July Picnic
“Mother! You can’t possibly expect me to wear this?” Little Gustavo whined as he stood in his navy linen sailor suit, with short pants. Even Lupe had to admit, the outfit was a tad silly. “Stockings, Mother?”
Maribel rounded the corner from the bedroom. “I can’t believe you are going to make us look similar? This simply is unacceptable.” She stood, hand on one hip and the other waving in the air as she spoke.
“What’s the matter?” Valerio said as he joined his family in the front room.
“See, why does father get to look normal and I have to look like this?” Gustavo pressed.
“Oh, but you look so dapper,” Martha said, smoothing out her son's collar. “Besides, most young boys your age will be in similar clothing.”
“I highly doubt that,” Maribel mumbled under her breath as she turned back to the bedroom.
Lupe followed her sister into the room. “Would you like me to help you with your hair? It’ll get warm out there, and I’m wondering if pulling it back in a pretty half braid with curls at the bottom would be something you’d be interested in?”
Maribel didn’t reply and begrudgingly sat on the stool in front of the vanity.
Lupe grabbed the silver-handled brush that had once been their mother's when she was a young lady and started brushing through her sister's long dark hair. “You know, Maribel, I know how eager you are to grow up. But I really think you need to slow down and just enjoy every year for what it’s worth. You are such a pretty girl, and you’ll only get prettier. Don’t get ahead of yourself; especially, don’t do anything to scar your reputation.”
“Sure. It’s easy for you to say. You don’t care. And the worst part is that now that we've moved, I won’t even get to have a Quinceañera celebration. I wanted to have one.” Tears rolled down Maribel’s cheeks.
In that moment, Lupe realized how selfish she’d been thinking about how the move had affected only her, not realizing that her siblings, especially her sister, might be struggling as well.
“Oh, Maribel,”—Lupe pulled her in—“honey, I’m so sorry. I’ve been so caught up, wallowing in my own emotions that I never once stopped to think about how you might be feeling.”
“It's fine. I mean, I’m all right, most of the time. But then I have moments, like now, when I realize just how much our lives have changed. We might not h
ave had a lot in California, but at least there, we had family. And many more people looked like us. Here?” She sobbed. “No one looks like us. And while most people have been nice and welcoming, I can’t help but feel like an outsider.”
That was exactly what Lupe had been avoiding. She didn’t want to feel the weight of being different among a majority that looked very different from her family. They’d had their encounters with bigots, so she wasn’t unfamiliar with spiteful people. Still, that was more their home than any outsiders, so they’d learned to brush off those hateful folks. In Belle, they were the newcomers. They were no longer on familiar grounds.
“Maribel, I give you a lot of credit. You’ve been doing great. I really can stand to learn from you setting the example. How about we give this our best? Let’s show Belle, who the Cortez sisters are? If they love us, they love us. If they don’t, oh well. At least, they had their chance.” Lupe nudged her little sister in the shoulder who seemed to be feeling better.
“But you have to promise to try harder.”
Lupe lovingly smiled at her sister as she took to brushing her hair again. “I’ll try,” she said.
“Look at you all!” Hope said as she rushed to her new friends. “Oh my, Lupe, you look even more beautiful than you did when I first met you if that is even possible.”
Lupe’s face flushed. “Thank you.”
“Come on. Let me introduce you to some people.”
They made their rounds while taking in the creek and sipping on fresh lemonade. They finally arrived at Miss Winkelman, the schoolteacher. Maribel didn’t miss a beat. She introduced herself and shared how excited she was to be her new star pupil, causing a few bystanders to whip their heads around to see who the words were coming from.
“Maribel!” Martha said. “A little humbler, please.”
“What, mother? It is true. I had the highest marks in my previous class. I love school and most especially love to learn.”