Chapter 2 – Alejandro
It took some time before Don Alejandro became aware of the change in his grandchild. Gone was the careless child to be replaced by a serious boy who seemed to be more withdrawn and less open than some weeks before. He tried to talk with him, but he could no longer get through to him.
Don Alejandro was no longer the trusted grandparent Juanito confided in. Juanito had distanced himself from his grandfather and was closer to his father than ever. As talking seemed to be fruitless Don Alejandro decided to take a closer look at his grandson to find out what had happened.
He felt hurt and that he had lost his grandson somehow as he had lost his son after he had returned from Spain. He had hoped he would get closer to his son again after his marriage to Victoria, but his hopes had not been not fulfilled.
He got the grandchildren he always wanted and Victoria was the daughter-in-law he had wished for, but his son remained as distant to him as ever. He did not change his way of life as Don Alejandro had expected. He still slept late in the morning after reading all night and he still took to his bed at the slightest illness.
Don Alejandro was surprised that Victoria tolerated his behavior. Instead it was Victoria who changed after the marriage. She became more withdrawn and in her eyes there was a sometimes a haunted look that had not been there before. Now that he thought about it, he realized that Juanito had started to wear the same haunted look as his mother. What was it that made them so afraid?
In the recent weeks Juanito seemed to mirror more and more his mother's behavior. He was supportive when his father was unwell and never complained any more when his father preferred to stay in bed instead of playing with his son. Diego on the other hand was spending more time with his son. They could often be seen walking together discussing various topics. Juanito seemed to adore his father in a way that was not there before. It didn't seem to bother him anymore that his father was more the scholar than the fighting hero his friends dreamed to become. What had changed his grandson so profoundly?
Juanito had become very close to his parents and also to Felipe when he came over from Monterey and had at the same time opened a rift between himself and his beloved grandfather. Don Alejandro felt left out. He had somehow resigned that he would never understand his son Diego, but he could not loose his grandson in the same way. He wanted desperately to understand what was going on.
It was one evening after dinner when the children were already off to bed when Don Alejandro saw his son sitting in the parlor reading a book.
"Diego, we need to talk about Juanito."
"Is something wrong with him?"
"Something is going on and I need you to tell me about it."
"Why do you ask me and not Juanito?"
"You are his father. You should know what is going on with that boy."
"Since when does being a father automatically give you a good relationship with your children?",
retorted Diego irritated.
The relationship between him and his father had deteriorated more and more over the years. Diego had grown tired of Alejandro's remarks showing his disappointment in his son while at the same time not being able to tell him the truth. Recently they had hardly spoken a word with each other.
Victoria had tried to smooth the edges, but the whole situation had left a strain on her as well. She had wanted him to tell Alejandro Zorro's secret after their marriage, but Diego had convinced her otherwise. Thus she was forced to pretend she knew nothing about Zorro even in her own house. The only time both of them could be relaxed outside their bedroom were the rare times they were truly alone as in the cave or outside the pueblo.
Diego could not blame his son for his change of attitude, since he had discovered that his father was Zorro. If it hadn't been an emergency, he would have done anything to keep the secret from his son. He loved having his son around and that he no longer had to pretend the boring inactive man around him, but he saw the strain it put on the seven year old boy. Now it had also affected the relationship between grandfather and grandson. Juanito had distanced himself from his grandfather on behalf of his father. He thought that his grandfather was treating his father unfairly even though it was the result of his father's acting.
Diego sighed. What should he do? He knew he could fix the problems in his family by simply revealing Zorro's identity to his father. But would it really solve the problems?
He knew his father well enough to judge his acting abilities. They were close to none. His father was an impulsive man who longed to be proud of his only son. He wanted him to be a well respected man among the caballeros. Diego couldn't be sure that his father would guard his tongue well enough, he might for some weeks, but for months and years? He would also act differently if he knew it was his only son who being shot at by the lancers in the plaza.
Diego saw the strain it put on Victoria whenever he was out as Zorro. She couldn't sleep, fretting over his safe return. Over the years she had somehow learned to cope with it. Diego had been very careful and nothing serious had happened to him in the last years until two months ago. He had been shot by a stray bullet nearly bleeding to death. Now her anxiousness had returned in full strength.
There was so much more to lose. They had to protect their children who would become orphans if their parents were hanged. If his father knew as well, he would join them on the gallows leaving his children totally at the mercy of the alcalde or other strangers. As much as he loved his father, he had to keep him in the dark. Diego sighed again.
"Diego, are you listening to me?" his father said.
"Well, yes, you were talking about Juanito," Diego came out of his thoughts.
"Juanito declared today that he hates me. Can you tell me what has happened? Have I done something wrong? Do you want to punish me by setting up my grandson against me?"
Diego looked stunned for a moment by his fathers accusations. "That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard." Diego tried to reign his temper, but Alejandro had finally hit a nerve. He could not contain himself anymore.
Alejandro watch the change in his son with alarm. Diego didn't even stand up, but Alejandro had suddenly the impression that a totally different man was sitting in the chair in front of him. It was not only that he held himself more upright, he had the attitude of a confident, impressive man.
"I will talk to Juanito, he will apologize to you," Diego said angrily in a deep voice to Alejandro.
Alejandro was intimidated by his son's anger. The way Diego looked at him Alejandro felt as if he had the pointed end of a sharp sword at his throat or if he was a hen looking into the eyes of the fox.
"I would never set up my children against their only grandfather. This discussion has gone way too far. It will stop now."
It was not a request, but a command that Alejandro dared not to ignore. The suddenly somehow overwhelming presence of his son shocked him.
" I want you to be assured that I don't hate you or want to punish you in any way. Good night father. If you will excuse me, I'm in need of some fresh air."
Diego got up and went confidently to the door. Alejandro stared after him still in shock. He could not believe what had happened. He had actually been afraid of his son. This man who had suddenly appeared in the shape of his son was a total stranger to him.
Victoria came into the room. "What has happened? I heard Diego talking and saw him walking out of the room. Did you really make him loose his temper?"
"Diego was angry at me."
"Oh," Victoria said sympathetically. "I wouldn't wish that on anybody not even his foes."
"Diego scared me," Alejandro admitted. "Did you know he can be like … like this? I think I don't know my son at all."
"What did he tell you?" Victoria inquired.
"Nothing. He told me that he didn't want to discuss it any longer and that he had to think about some important things. I have never seen him like this. Do you know what he has been talking about?"
"I have seen him angry often enough. Luckily I was never on the receiving end of it. Normally he has better control on his feelings. You must have really hurt him if he came out in the open."
"What do you mean "he came out in the open"? What are you talking about? Will somebody please tell me what is going on? Don't I have a right to know?"
Alejandro was angry as well. The previous encounter with his son had left him scared and irritated and he had his de la Vega temper under less control than his son.
"Alejandro, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything more than Diego. You should try to talk to him when he has calmed down again. Maybe tomorrow."
Victoria tried to appear calm, but Alejandro could see the strain she was under.
"Victoria, please talk to me. I'm Diego's father and yet you treat me like an enemy, but we are a family. Shouldn't we act like one? If there is something going on, I need to know it. Please!" He was pleading now.
Her shoulders slumped down and she was on the brink of crying. She started to talk, but then she stopped herself and he could see the undisguised fear all over her face. Why was she afraid of him?
"I'm sorry, Alejandro." Crying, Victoria ran from the room in the same direction as her husband had.
What was so terrible that none of his children wanted to talk about it with him?
Upset by the unusual display of emotions from them, Alejandro paced up and down the parlor trying to make sense of it. At least one thing he had found out, something was going on, something he wasn't supposed to know and that his children kept deliberately from him. It must be something very profound or Victoria wouldn't be so afraid.
There was also a different side to his son that Diego had kept hidden from him. He wasn't always such a quiet man as he had made Alejandro believe. Victoria obviously knew his other side, but why did he never show his temper in front of his father?
Alejandro knew he wouldn't get any more answers tonight and decided to take Victoria's advice to postpone any further discussion until Diego was in a better mood.
Victoria didn't have to search for her husband, she knew exactly where to find him. Quietly she opened the secret entrance and slipped into the cave, but the sight wasn't as she expected. Diego wasn't pacing up and down the room as his father had in the parlor and he wasn't practicing with his sword refining his skills as he often did to cool down his anger. Instead he was sitting behind his writing desk his head in his hands and contemplating.
When he saw her enter, he saw the tears on her cheeks. Rising from his seat he moved closer and took her in an embrace.
"What happened?"
"Your father was pleading with me to tell him the truth and I couldn't stand to see him like this. I nearly told him, but then I was afraid what would happen if I did and then I left. Diego, please, I just can't stand it anymore."
He kissed her tenderly. "I know. That's why I made a decision tonight. One I should have made when our son found out about me. I am giving up Zorro."
Surprised she looked at him. "You will no longer ride as Zorro? But what about the people who depend on you?"
"Soon there will be no need for Zorro anymore. From the news I have heard, Mexico will take over California in a few months at the latest and then the alcalde will have no more authority over the people. The latest taxes he has created were only minor ones, ones the people could live with. They are not worth dying for."
"You will really do this?" she asked incredulously.
"I have seen the strain it put on you over the years and it has started on Juanito also. I have asked already too much of you and I want to protect you and my children. Now seems to be the right time when you are expecting another child again."
"How do you know? I wanted to tell you tonight but then there was this discussion with your father.."
"You have been sick in the mornings and after the third time I know what that means." He could could feel the relief that filled her body while he held her in his arms. It was as if a big weight was lifted from her and he felt some guilt for not making this decision earlier. "And now Senora de la Vega you need to go to bed," he smiled mischievously and lifted her in his arms. Carefully keeping her from bumping into the walls he opened the entrance to the library. After closing it he carried his wife straight to their bedroom.
The next morning the atmosphere was different and Victoria was more relaxed than she had been for years. The tension that had held her in check ever since she discovered Zorro's identity was finally gone, now that she no longer had to fear for his life whenever he went out as Zorro.
Alejandro felt that something had happened and he hoped that Diego would be more amenable today, but he was wrong when he assumed that their problems would be solved. Diego was no longer angry as the evening before, but that didn't change his attitude towards his father. As long as the alcalde was in power in Los Angeles, Zorro identity had to be kept a secret, until all this was truly over. That left Diego no choice but to confront his father again.
"Victoria told me that you tried to get some information from her when I wouldn't talk to you. I'm sorry father, but this will have to stop. If you want to know something, come to me and I will tell you all I can. Unfortunately there are some things I really cannot tell you now and I must ask you to be more patient. I'll promise to tell what is going on as soon as I can, but don't question my family any more."
Diego was very firm in his statements and although he tried to be polite, it wasn't request but a command. After the talk last night Alejandro wasn't that surprised anymore, but it still shed light on a side of his son's character he hadn't seen before. He had always assumed that Victoria was the dominant person in his son's marriage, but now he saw that it was a marriage of equally strong personalities. Why hadn't he seen this before? The Diego in front of him was a man who made the decisions for his family and was willing to protect them at all costs. His son's attitude left no room for maneuvering and Alejandro wasn't willing to face his anger again. He still couldn't believe that his son could induce such fear in him by simply staring at him, but he remembered last night too well.
He simply acquiesced to his son's demands and vowed to keep him to his promise to answer his questions as soon as possible.