Roots of Indifferences

by Terri Ragsdale

  The two girls hurried downstairs. They were taken by complete surprise to see Victoria's Grandfather and Grandmother Hinojosa coming halfway up the stairs to meet them. Squeals of excitement were heard throughout the stairway. "Abuellito, Abuellita! When did you get here? We weren't expecting you until tonight!" A series of hugs and kisses were exchanged.

  "Late last night. You had already gone to bed, my dear. We didn't want to wake you," answered Doña Gloria Hinojosa, pretty as a painted picture, reminding Victoria of her mother, tall and gracious. Beautiful jewelry of dark Alexandrite with diamond earrings hung on her ears, while her graying hair was pinned up and fastened on the back of her head with a lovely stone brooch of marcasites.

  "Look at you girls. How hermosas!" exclaimed Don José Hinojosa, rubbing his white mustache and admiring the two girls with his joyous, earnest smile. His round body wiggled when he laughed. He turned to face Victoria. "Why, you must have grown a foot since we were here over a year ago."

  "I'm so glad to see you, glad you were able to make it to my celebration," replied Victoria.

  "We almost didn't get here in time," Don Hinojosa said. "The roads from the border are dangerous. That's all we heard from Monterrey to Reynosa—about Bandidos and the new Revolution."

  "Now, come!" interrupted Señora Hinojosa. "Let's not talk about politics, not on this happy occasion. That's all I've heard on the train from other couples. We want to enjoy the grandchildren and visit with everyone and enjoy ourselves while we're here." She smiled pleasantly, as the couple took both girls by the arm and headed down to meet the musicians and guests.

  "There's a surprise for you from us, and it's outside."

  "What is it?" questioned Victoria with anticipation.

  "It will wait until later," replied Señor Hinojosa, smiling at the crowd downstairs.

  The mansion was full of chatting people, rich and poor. Servants were scurrying everywhere, seeing that no one was being neglected. From the corral, boisterous noises and shouts were coming from the vaqueros galloping their horses back and forth with wild whoops. Loud shots were fired in the air, starting the celebration. This was an old Mexican custom, especially in fiestas and celebrations, indicating killing the old year and beginning the new. Victoria had now turned sixteen, the beginning of her adult life. She was no longer a child, but a woman. Her destiny was beckoning.

  By the mid-afternoon, the hacienda was even more crowded with people. The day had progressed fast, developing into the late afternoon. There was a good indication that there would be more people than expected. Buggies, hacks, and mule wagons continued to accumulate from all the ranchitos throughout the countryside.

  The people came to socialize, sing, eat, and dance. How they did eat, and how they did talk! The people who had crossed the border from Mexico talked about the man they called Madero, and how he was going to change their country with his ideas and help the poor people. The people from the Texas side talked about the terrible injustices and the economic status, the intolerable adverse conditions and political abuses. No one was sure of anything, and no one reasonably believed in the corrupt political shenanigans that were being used in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas to supposedly help the Mexican-American people. Conversations were deep relating to the deaths of many individuals, especially so many Mexicans, killed by the abusive local sheriffs and the so-called Rinches. Many of the white men would say "Whodunit?" The Mexicans, in turn, would say "Quién Sabe?" It was becoming a matter of courage and honor.

  The older vaqueros gathered outside to drink, dance, and tell stories of the great Mexican heroes. One of these was a man they called "Chino," Juan Nepomucena Cortines, the redheaded Mexican hero. He terrorized the border, getting revenge on the white men, especially over the disputed theft of his family land grants. All the Mexicans would cheer with glee when told of how many whites he had killed and how he had outsmarted the majority of them throughout the region. Fred, Martin, John, and Jamie, with other young boys as guests, listened with much amusement to the tales. They laughed and giggled, forming a friendship that would last them a lifetime.

  Others played blind Mexican poker, betting on blind cards, turning them over, with cheers, while money was being stacked up for whoever held the strongest hand. Many of the vaqueros and gentlemen were wearing their best outfits, and also displaying bridles and saddles lavishly adorned with gold and silver studs. Many of the men wore large-brimmed hats of different colors. Their shirts, assembled by loving hands, were embroidered with different colored designs as well. Other vaqueros wore bright scarves of China crepe, and many had spurs of gold and silver.

  As the day had progressed into the late afternoon, Victoria was ordered to rest before she had her bath and her hair fixed. Fat chance! Many of the young children were playing with firecrackers, and the noise made it impossible to relax, much less sleep. The main event was in the evening with the upcoming dance. Up to this time, Victoria had spent most of her time meeting people and being introduced to so many she had never known—young and old, rich and poor, all dressed in their best attire.

  There were dignitaries still coming to the fiesta later that afternoon, but not spending the night. Many were coming to eat, drink, and dance, but leaving later to return to their nearby ranchos.

  Later, Yolanda, Soledad, and several maids walked into her bedroom with buckets of hot water for the tub. All had orders to help her with the bath, fix her hair, and help her with her gown.

  After her bath, Victoria found it all very amusing, and she was excited. She sat admiring herself in front of the mirror, while the two women began helping her with her hair and began remarking about the fiesta. Soledad, who was always pleasant and humble, was complimentary about Victoria's hair and her lovely white lace floor-length gown. Fred's music box sat playing and looked lovely on her dresser.

  "Señorita," remarked Soledad "is your novio coming to the dance tonight? What a lucky man to have you for his bride," she commented shyly while drying Victoria's back and powdering her with an expensive, gardenia perfumed powder given to Victoria as one of her gifts.

  The normally silent Yolanda, hovering over Victoria’s hair, replied, "Which one?"

  Soledad was stumped for words. "The handsome one. The one that was just here! The one with those beautiful green eyes, of course, el doctor. The one that helped me and made me feel like a person again." Soledad stopped what she was doing and faced Yolanda.

  "No!" Yolanda replied, hatefully. She almost yanked Victoria's hair from her head. "He is not her novio! Victoria is promised to marry another man. Ricardo is her intended novio and was just here a couple of years ago. A very handsome man, too."

  "Never mind!" Victoria yelled at Yolanda angrily. Her eyes were dead set on the servant, but she made every effort to curb her temper. "I'll marry whomever I want! I don't care what you heard, Yolanda! And it is none of your business anyhow! Why have you not gotten married? You're old enough!"

  Yolanda stood stupefied. She stopped fixing Victoria's hair, and let her hands down, still holding the hairbrush. Glaring at Victoria and narrowing her eyes, she thought, how I hate her! The spoiled witch brat! "The right man hasn't asked me," she answered. "Frankly, I don't have to marry anyone, if I don't want to. I'm not being forced to marry anyone," she hissed, showing her claws.

  "Right," said Victoria, unscrambling her hair with her hands. "No man has asked you to get married! That's the reason why. Forget about my hair! And go on downstairs— maybe Mamá Maria will put you to good use. I'll have Soledad finish my hair!"

  Yolanda pitched the hairbrush against the mirror and almost knocked Fred's music box off, rushing with pursed lips out of Victoria's bedroom. And it was a good thing because she had come close to slapping Victoria's face. As she got older, she had acquired patience in curbing her temperament and mouth. Such an act would have been a terrible mistake, for her parents depended on Don Federico for shelter and income. But she would wait. One day, Victoria was going to regret and eat every one of
those humiliating words, thought Yolanda, cooling her heels. She was patient enough and could wait until Hell froze over.

  "We will put your hair up and back, with many ringlets, many ringlets," said the soft-spoken Soledad. Her hands trembled, not knowing what to expect next.

  "How I hate that Yolanda!" said Victoria. Her face was flushed with anger. "She's always getting everyone in trouble in Spanish Acres. Always telling everything and gossiping about things she heard, and making a mountain out of a molehill."

  "Who's making a mountain out of a molehill?" It was the voice of smiling Felicia, coming in from the downstairs and getting ready herself for the big festivities.

  "Oh! It's that stupid Yolanda! Making comments about who my novio is!" The three girls giggled, and they laughed even harder when Victoria tried to put on her corset to make her look slimmer.

  People in the hallways were scurrying in every direction. Don Federico and Doña Francisca walked into Victoria's bedroom. Her mother was already dressed in a beautiful full-length gown and was wearing a tiara on her head with diamond earrings and a necklace to match. Her father was wearing a dark, navy blue, three-piece, Italian silk suit.

  "Mother, you look very beautiful. And Father you are so handsome."

  "Thank you, querida!" answered her father, kissing Victoria on her forehead. He opened a small, black velvet box. "This is from the Del Calderóne family, brought to you by your grandparents. They had heard from your Tía Emma by letter about the color of the dress she was making for you, so they wanted you to have this. They want you to wear it tonight, a family heirloom, I suppose. It is their gift to you, for not being able to be with you this special night."

  "Have Soledad put the necklace and the earrings on after you have finished dressing," suggested Doña Francisca. She began coughing, excused herself and left the room. Don Federico followed her.

  Victoria heard her father telling her mother that he was getting concerned about her coughing and to take more of the medication the doctor had given her.

  "All of us must hurry!" Tía Emma commanded. She was coming from the opposite direction down the hall, with both hands up in the air. "Where is Felicia? Are you dressed and ready? The orchestra has just arrived, and they are setting up their instruments in the grand sala. The mariachis will be playing outside on the patio."

  The two women acknowledged Tía Emma's command and nodded their heads. "The twins are already dressed and have gone downstairs. I'd better check and see what else needs to be done." Saying this, she hurried out, with the sound of her taffeta dress swishing down the hallway.

  "Are you ready, Soledad?" questioned Victoria with concern and empathy toward the poor peasant girl. "What are you going to wear tonight?"

  "Ay, Señorita. You know I don't have any decent clothes to wear for this kind of fiesta," she said while picking up the clothes on the floor. "I have already seen the beautiful dresses that some of the young girls are wearing. I feel ashamed of myself. I would prefer not to mix with the crowd as a guest. Instead, I'll help in the kitchen and help serve the food."

  "You can wear any of my clothes," said Felicia, slipping into her new black patent leather shoes. "We have plenty of dresses, and I think we all wear the same size."

  "No, you won't be helping out in the kitchen. You need to be out in the sala, dancing," replied Victoria. "We have clothes here. My armario is full of clothes. Pick any one you like."

  "But, Señorita, I can't wear your clothes. They are too beautiful for me to wear."

  "Basta, we will not take no for an answer. This is my fiesta, and I want you to look pretty, too," replied Victoria, getting up from her chair and picking up several of her dresses that were piled on top of other garments on a recliner next to her armario. "Come! Put on that one—the golden embroidered one. It will look lovely with your long black hair and your beautiful complexion. José Esquibel will go out of his mind when he sees you. Quickly, let's hurry!"

  Soledad stood up for a moment and smiled, dazzled by Victoria's comment as if a light of hope in her life had been given. She lifted the golden dress with sequins and held it up in front of her, then lowered her eyes in humility and looked down to the floor. "Do you think it will look pretty on me, Señorita Victoria? Do you think any man would dance with me?"

  "Why yes, Soledad, it will look beautiful on you. Come on! You must hurry, too! Why would you ask me that silly question? Any man would love to dance with you. Ah! What certain man? Besides José, someone else, anyone special, we know around here?" she teased.

  "Do you think that the gringo, the foreman, would dance with me tonight?"

  "Why, Soledad! Do you mean, Roy?"

  "Yes! Señorita, Roy."

  "Soledad!" Victoria looked bewildered. "Do you mean to tell me that you have feelings toward Roy? What about José?" Things were starting to get complicated for everyone.

  "You and I are in the same situation," she answered, and her eyes clouded with tears. "I have had to meet with José because he asked me to. I felt obligated because his father helped me and saved my life. I want to be grateful. I like José, but not like I like Roy. I should be ashamed and not have feelings for anyone. In my situation, after what happened to me, at this time, I should hate them all."

  "Oops!" replied Felicia. "I think I had better go on downstairs—things are getting too steamy hot for me here." She snickered, then with a wide smile, glanced toward Victoria, acting silly.

  "Soledad, you are right," commented Victoria, seriously studying the problem as she gazed into the mirror. "I do love Juan, but I'm promised to marry someone else." She quickly ignited her spirit and getting up from her chair, announced, "I am not going to worry about this now. Between the two of us, we will see that Roy dances with you tonight. I think he has the same feelings for you."

  "Oh, Señorita Victoria, thank you! Look at you!" responded Soledad with amazement, with her hands clasped together close to her face. "You look like a dream. Every man will want to dance with you. I'll hurry and dress. I guess I'll have some explaining to do to José tonight."

  Victoria took one last look in the mirror and smiled with pride. Her white silk, full-length gown covered over with white lace accentuated her small waist. White homemade silk flowers with pearls and sequins were embedded in the gown clear to the floor. The low décolletage revealed her full rounded breasts, and an array of more handmade, white silk flowers embedded with Austrian crystals adorned the shoulders. Her hair was pulled up with ringlets falling down the back, and a crystal Spanish tiara comb nested on top of her head. The necklace and earrings were magnificent, set with opals and diamonds resembling flowers and shining like gleaming fires. The finishing touch was her white gloves.

  "Gorgeous, lovely!" said Emma, peeking in from the entryway. "Everyone is ready and anxious to see you. Hurry! The orchestra is starting to play La Princesita Quinceañera."

  As Victoria approached the top of the stairs, the musicians began playing. The chatter of the guests stopped. The majority were holding glasses of champagne or other drinks, and all stood gasping in amazement. Dozens of diplomats, representatives from both sides of the border, began clapping their hands as she came downstairs. Low waves of compliments and remarks traveled like a sharp electric jolt around the great sala. "Ay qué Chula! La Borrada, Qué Bonita!"

  Her parents and grandparents stood at the base of the stairs and gazed up smiling, watching her with pride as she approached the bottom step. The four looked so distinguished, as she turned to her father, who was patiently waiting with his chest puffed up. Fred, the twins, and Martin, who were standing next to her parents, looked handsome in their new suits. The servants were also dressed in fine clothing for the occasion. In one corner was Manuel and Yo-Yo, holding onto one another, smiling and beaming at her.

  Dear old Manuel, she thought, dressed in a Mexican charro suit, looking like Sancho-Panza from the novel of Cervantes Don Quixote. Skinny Yo-Yo looked like Ichabod Crane in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, in a suit
one size too small. Tía Emma, who had worked endlessly organizing the fiesta, stood with her long, light blue gown and feathered hat, looking preposterous with coils of fat, like a stuffed pig, commanding her spot. Next to her was Felicia looking exceptionally pretty. In another section was Mamá Maria in a new dark dress, holding onto little Carlito's hand, and next to her was the scandalous Yolanda, dressed in a bright red, low-cut dress, like a spider making her web, ready to catch her victim, and already making eyes at Roy.

  The grand sala was filled with bright lights, as all of the chandeliers were lit. People of all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old, stood before her, watching her and admiring her. The sala was filled with women, with men, and with younger girls wearing lavish dresses, and adorned with every splendor of gold and silver jewelry, with gem combs and mantillas on their heads. They had come from all over the Valley, especially from the named ranchitos: La Blanca, southwest of Spanish Acres; La Rucias five miles west of Brownsville, the prominent family of Don Barredo; Rancho Tule north of Brownsville; the Norias and Majadas close to Raymondville; Ojo de Agua and La Talpa close to Mission; San Juanita, the Olmito, the Santa Anita and the Santa Rosa, all close to McAllen; the Velas from Laguna Seca, northwest of Chapin; Las Casitas in Starr County; the Tolucca, southeast of Mercedes City; the Santa Gertrudis south of Ciudad Camargo, and so many more.

  The diplomats and representatives wore their best dark silk suits, white shirts, and expensive black shoes; others wore high-top boots of patent leather or animal skins. The Mexican caballeros stood erect, looking splendid in their charro suits. Many trousers were made of velvet, with black braid slashed at the calves. Around their waist was a bright red sash and on their boots silver and gold spurs.

  Many of the young ladies wore bright, hand-embroidered peasant blouses and skirts adorned with sequins and beads. They were always chaperoned by an older member of the family, a duty that usually fell to old aunties, who were dressed in dark attire from head to toe. The Tias sat watching every move the young girls made.