Confessions of the Five De Silva Girls
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that has to do with the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll, including Jesse (coughIt would be a great present…cough).
Claimer: I may not own the fact that Jesse has five sisters (ages 6-16 when he died), but I do own who the five girls are – i.e. their personalities and names. In short, I own Juanita "Nita" De Silva, Estefana De Silva, Felicidad "Felly" De Silva, Dolores "Dolly" De Silva, and most of all Carmen De Silva. I also own their parents, uncles (except Ricardo's name), aunts, and cousins' personas and names.
To UnangelicHalo: Yes, the sisters all believe Jesse's there – even if Felly lies and says she doesn't for a while. She just doesn't like to believe what she can't see.
Hehe. Baby Susannah. - I thought that would be a good idea… Thanks again!
To Alda Rethe: Yeah, divorce wasn't very common back then, but 'Snotty' Felly was sadly an exception.
(laughs) No, none of those pregnant women were real, but that is a good idea. Hehe. You give me too much credit. Thanks again!
To happydrummergal: (laughs) Here's the update since you were so kind to review…
Felly will be happy…eventually. Poor 'Snotty' Felly.
I know what you mean about the Civil War. I used my textbook a lot for the last chapter.
Well, thanks again for the review!
A/N: Yes, we've gone back in time again. Last chapter was 1865. Now we're back to 1854. (laughs) I'm confusing myself!
Chapter 10: Nita's Narrative – Numero Dos
11 de febrero del año 1854
Querida Sergia,
How are Madre and Padre and you? I hear you've grown… Oh wait. That was baby Cousin Felipe. Ha! Just kidding. You know I love my little short sister.
Nita and most of her family are well. I say most because of her dear madre. Jacinda De Silva will barely speak with anyone and has left for Los Angeles. Last week, Nita and I went up there to visit her. She hissed at us to leave her in peace most of the time. Nita was nearly in tears before we left. I fear things will only get worse.
Carmen is in the same boat as you are in height. She is only ten though, and you are, of course, sixteen. I see you in her though. It is comforting considering I am so far away from you.
You aren't so easily replaced though. Who else would hound me about what I get Nita for her birthday and Christmas. Until next time, hermanita.
Love,
Your Brother Owen
(P.S. I bought Nita a pair of golden hoop earrings for her birthday on the 18th of March, What do you think?)
2 de marzo del año 1854
Querido Owen,
Wow! You actually bought a good gift this year without my help! I'm impressed. I know she will like the earrings.
On a heavier note, it is so saddening what is happening to Señora De Silva. I hope she will be all right. Take care of Nita. How is Señor De Silva taking this? Poor man. His wife has fallen to pieces.
Carmen is a darling. It's a pity she and I are so short. We are still as fierce as any Mexican beauty though! No comments, hermano, about how I am no Mexican beauty. What do you know?
Your Sister Always,
Sergia the Mexican Beauty
25 de marzo del año 1854
Querida Sergia the Mexican Hag,
I'm just kidding. I remember when you turned eleven and I had to keep the men away from you with fists. It makes me feel old saying that though.
Nita loved the earrings – just as you predicted. See? I'm learning. I am a good husband.
Fernando De Silva is taking his wife's…condition better than I had thought. He looks older and wearier, but he still loves being near his children. After all, everyone but Nita still live with him.
With love,
Owen the Wonderful Husband
18 de marzo del año 1854
Querida Juanita,
I heard about your poor mother and have sent this recipe. It is, sadly, the best I can do. Please make the dessert for your mother. They are her famous natilla.
RECIPE FOR NATILLA
Doesn't it sound tasty, dear? Give it a try, and let me know.
I hope you and Antonio are well. My Sergia, my husband, and I are.
Good day,
Serafita Perry
(P.S. Tell Antonio that I saw what he wrote to his sister and to be nice! Silly boy. Can you imagine calling his sister such a cruel name?)
10 de abril del año 1854
Querida Señora Perry,
Thank you for your kindness. How thoughtful. I have had my mother's wonderful natilla before of course, and it gave me great memories cooking it. My mother thanks you as well. For the moment, she was willing to talk to my sisters and I. We don't dare let my mother see my father anymore though. She just closes up and is perfectly miserable.
It is a horrible sight.
I am pleased to hear you, Sergia, and Señor Perry are in excellent health. If only I could say the same about my mother. It was my brother's death that made her this way. I wish there was more we could do for her. I am not often religious to be quite honest, but I keep praying our Lord will shine down on her again.
Your daughter-in-law,
Juanita De Silva Perry
(P.S. I'm sorry Owen said that to Sergia. He was just teasing though so don't take it to heart.)
10 de abril del año 1854
Sergia,
Why did you go and tell Madre I called you a hag? You know I was only teasing! She told Nita I called you a "cruel name!"
Thanks a lot, Sergia. Next Madre will send a letter to me!
Owen
1 de mayo del año 1854
Querido Owen,
You're welcome! Haha!
I won't tell Madre again. I promise.
Your sister,
The Gorgeous Sergia
(P.S. When are you and Nita planning on having children?)
1 de mayo del año 1854
Querida Sergia,
Owen finds himself unable to write to you at this time because of your last letter. He says he'll believe that promise when Felix Diego admits to murdering my brother and being a lying… Well, you know Owen's language.
He also says that when we are having children is none of your business – especially since you are only sixteen.
Your sister-in-law,
Nita
(P.S. When are we planning on having children? Eventually, dear. Eventually.)
31 de mayo del año 1854
Querida Nita,
Eventually, huh? Interesting.
What about your sisters? When will they be married with children?
Best wishes,
Sergia
17 de junio del año 1854
Querida Sergia,
My sisters aren't even married yet, Sergia! But when they are, I suspect Estefana and Pedro will have a child quickly. In fact, I bet she will have many children! As for the rest, they're too young still to think about it.
What about you, Sergia? Do you have a beau?
Take care,
Nita
8 de julio del año 1854
Querida Nita,
I have a beau, but don't tell Owen!
I will tell you who he is if you promise me that!
Regards,
Sergia
30 de julio del año 1854
Querida Sergia,
I promise not to tell Owen! Please tell me! I want to know quite badly!
Cordially,
Nita
19 de agosto del año 1854
Querida Nita,
My beau is….
….
….
….
……
My beloved swain is…
…
…..
Okay. I will tell you. I'm wasting ink and paper.
….
…
His name is Patricio Lowell.
Pat is so nice to me! Always opening doors for me and dancing with me at parties.
Don't tell my mother, but we kissed once! Shhhh! I know you must've yelped at that, but it's true! Please don't tell Madre! She would have a fit and tell Padre and then they would forbid me from seeing Pat.
With love,
Sergia
11 de septiembre del año 1854
Querida Sergia,
I promise not to tell your mother! How great for you! Your first kiss! I remember mine – among other things – and, just between you and me, it was not in wedlock either.
Good luck with that beau! Keep in touch!
Your sister-in-law,
Nita
2 de octubre del año 1854
Querida Madre,
How are you, Mami? I pray you are well. Estefana, Dolly, Felly, Carmen, and I send our love. We miss you so much. If you like, I could come over and make your natilla with you. Owen would be more than willing to travel with me to Los Angeles and the other girls would love to see you.
Please allow us a visit.
Yours,
Nita
25 de octubre del año 1854
Queridas Hermanitas,
I sent a letter to Mami at the beginning of the month. She has yet to reply to me. Hopefully she'll allow us to visit her. Wouldn't that be great? How are all of you and Papi? Can Owen and I stay at the ranch from Christmas until the day after Three Kings Day?
To Estefana:
How is it going with you and Pedro? I heard about an art contest in San Diego. Are you going?
To Carmen:
Say hello to Jesse for me. How are those stories going?
To Dolly:
Do you need another diary? I can pick one up and give it to you when I visit.
To Felly:
Are you keeping the others in line, Oh Great Refined One?
Take care of Papi. He needs us.
Your Older Sister,
Nita
11 de noviembre del año 1854
Querida Juanita,
I am wary of allowing you all to visit. You will distress me with all that coddling. So the answer is no – you and the others may not visit right now.
Besides, you would probably bring your father!
Love,
Mami
15 de noviembre del año 1854
Querida Nita,
Did Mami reply yet? We fear she won't allow us to come.
Of course you and Owen can visit if you want. Let us know.
Papi is taking this amazingly well. He looks a little worn and sometimes he paces, but he really is okay.
From Estefana:
Pedro and I are at the stage where we sneak kisses whenever possible. Hehe. I am going to that art contest with my new painting of Carmen's kittens rolling in the field.
From Carmen:
Jesse says hello and how are you? The stories are hitting a bad point. I have a bit of an imagination shortage right now.
From Dolly:
No worries. I don't need a diary right now. I have five spares from my birthday.
From Felly:
Haha. Very funny, Oh Great Pain in My Side.
Your Younger Sisters,
Estefana,
Felicidad,
Dolly,
&
Carmen
3 de deciembre del año 1854
Queridas Estefana, Dolly, Felly, y Carmen,
Sadly, Mami doesn't want us to come. I copied her reply on the back of this paper. She is being so stubborn!
I'm glad you're all well. Good luck, Estefana, at the art contest. Carmen, I hope that imagination of yours gets a good douse of inspiration soon.
I will see you all on the 23rd.
Until then,
Nita
5 de deciembre del año 1854
Dear the De Silva Family and Antonio and Juanita,
Along with this letter, we have sent gifts for all of you. They are:
1. A pale blue petticoat made by Sergia for Juanita
2. A coat for Antonio
3. An assortment of desserts for Señora Jacinda De Silva
4. A new top hat for Señor Fernando De Silva
5. Three tubes of paint for Señorita Estefana
6. An ink bottle and a little pocketbook for Señorita Felicidad
7. Face cream and a new quill for Señorita Dolores
8. A book about writing tips for Señorita Carmen
We hope everyone enjoys his or her gifts.
Your loving friends,
The Perry Family
3 de enero del año 1855
Querida La Familia de Perry,
Thank you so much for the gifts. We all love them. We have enclosed your gifts of course:
1. A sweater for Señor Perry
2. A skirt for Señora Perry
3. A locket for Señorita Sergia
Thank you again for the gifts – not to mention the support you all have given us over the years. We appreciate it to no end.
Eternally friends,
The De Silva Family
&
Señor and Señora Antonio Owen Perry
19 de enero del año 1855
Querido Owen,
Are you and Nita going to have children this year? Is that what Nita meant by "eventually?"
Come on! Tell me! Hehehe.
Love,
Sergia
12 de febrero del año 1855
SERGIA!
SHUT UP ABOUT MY LOVE LIFE!
Okay?
Owen
12 de febrero del año 1855
Querida Sergia,
Don't mind Owen. You'll be an aunt as soon as it comes to that, okay?
Until then…
Feel free to terrorize my dear husband. Hehe.
Your sister-in-law,
Nita
A/N: Sorry this took awhile guys. I was working on other stuff.
A/N 2: Next chapter: Carmen's Chronicle – Numero Tres! Of course Jesse will be in it... Hehe. - Review! Bye!