Confessions of the Five De Silva Girls
By: ChocolateEclar
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that has to do with the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll, including Jesse (*cough*por favor?*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' personas and names.
To Arda Silverlace: I see what you mean about Felly. You may have noticed she does seem to be the least compassionate of the five girls though. I know it still hurts all of them even after 10 years however.
Yes, all the girls freely bash Diego and Maria. ^__^ I like the idea of the prank. I'll see where I can put it into the story. ^_- Thanks again!
To D'Arcy aka beebee17: Thanks a bunch! ^__^
To akaruiookami: Dolly and her POV will be back in chapter 7. ^__- Thank you for reviewing!
To happydrummergal: I thought so. Meg Cabot's website blog said she was in the Mall of America around then. I wish I could've seen her. It is somewhat far from where I live (in Northwestern Illinois) and I didn't know she was going to be there anyway. ^__^ Thanks for the review.
To Arda Rethe: I like Carmen the best as well. She's a lot like a combination of Jesse and Suze at times. I think Nita will be somewhat like Mia. I haven't started that chapter yet, so I'm not sure so far. I'm pretty sure it'll consist of letters – just like Carmen's was like a normal story, Dolly's was a diary, and Felly's was a bunch of lists.
Thanks again. ^_^
Chapter 4: Estefana's Editorials – Numero Uno
Everyone else has a hobby that has to do with writing except me. Carmen writes stories, Dolly has her diary, Felly has all her lists, and Nita has her collection of letters.Now I have my newspaper clippings. Technically, I'm not writing these articles, but they have to do with our life and important events. I'll also be adding my own comments to these pieces.
* * * *
California Gold Rush Sweeps Through the Country
February 3, 1849
By Arnold McDonald
Thousands of eager miners are traveling from the east to west as word of the excessive amounts of gold discovered in California spreads. At first, few Easterners and Foreigners believed the tales of extreme amounts of gold in California. President James Polk changed that by stating, "The accounts of the abundance of gold in that territory are of such extraordinary character as would scarcely command belief were they not corroborated by authentic reports of officers in the public service."
After hearing this, the real gold rush began.
(These miners are tramping about our property. I thought for sure Papi was going to go into a rage and shoot one of the trespassers.)
* * * *
A NEW PRESIDENT
July 20, 1850
By Christian Drew
After partaking in ceremonies at the Washington Monument on a scorching July 4, President Zachary Taylor became ill. Five days later, President Taylor died and Vice President Millard Fillmore was sworn in as president.
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CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
By Daniel Hanagon
So far we have little information, but it is a definite fact that forty-eight men met in Monterey and framed a constitution for California in just forty-three days! More information will be arriving soon.
(Very interesting. Does that mean California will be a state soon?)
* * * *
The Thirty-First State: CaliforniaSeptember 10, 1850 By Tracy Moreno
Yesterday, September 9, 1850, California was announced as the thirty-first state of the United States of America. The new state includes 411,015 square kilometers and is 1,326 kilometers long from corner to corner. It has several natural beauties, such as the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley. The later is mostly flat plain. California also has an impressive view from the coast of the Pacific Ocean. California's population exploded from 10,000 people in 1846 to 92,500 in 1850. Known for the Gold Rush and its warm climate, California is a beautiful edition to the Union.
(Dios, I can barely think about interesting events like California becoming a state anymore… JESSE!)
* * * *
Missing: Hector "Jesse" De Silva September 29, 1850 By Nicholas ArcherPolice and the De Silva Family have been searching for Hector "Jesse" De Silva, whose been missing for three months come October second. Mr. De Silva was around six feet tall with black eyes and hair and a medium-build. He was last seen in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
If anyone has heard anything about Hector De Silva, please contact the Carmel-by-the-Sea Sheriff's office or the De Silva Family via a letter to the Carmel Post Office.
(I miss Jesse so much!!! Where is he? JESSE? Carmen says he's dead… I know she would never lie, but it still feels so wrong.)
* * * *
NEW STATE TAXNovember 8, 1850 By Angela Mariano
At the beginning of the year, the state legislature passed a Foreign Miners License Tax. It required miners who are not citizens of the United States to pay a monthly fee of $20. When Mexican miners in the town of Sonora announced their refusal to pay, hundreds of miners (including veterans wearing their old Mexican War uniforms) met to aid the tax collectors.
Sadly, Fifteen thousand Mexican miners were working in the southern mines before the tax, while now only ten thousand remain. Should we allow this persecution of our fellow hermanos from Mexico to continue? Stand together!
(You tell them, Angela! I remember you from church! I've had this clipping for ages, but I just haven't felt like doing much of anything. Nita, Carmen, Felly, Dolly, and I bought a little stone marker in town and placed it underneath the sugar pine tree a half-mile away from the ranch. The marker is cross-shaped and has the name "Jesse" scratched on it. We decided it would be a De Silva Sister secret unless every one of us agrees otherwise.)
* * * *
REPRESENTATIVES CHOSEN: ALL IS WELL IN CALIFORNIABy Daniel Hanagon
With the ratification of the constitution written in such a rush for California, Californian voters have already chosen their first elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Legislature, and members of the House of Representatives by November 13, 1849. The newly created state certainly has come a long way.
(Amazing how quickly these things occur.)
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CALIFORNIAN BEAUTY, ESTEFANA DE SILVA, MAKES HER DEBUTJuly 17, 1851
By Samantha Anderson
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. – Today marked an amazing new face in the art world. Miss Estefana Gloria De Silva, age 15, arrived at the National Art Festival in San Francisco, California. Miss De Silva presented beautiful landscapes of her home sixty-seven miles outside of the small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also in Miss De Silva's presentation were a stunning miniture of Miss De Silva's missing brother, Hector De Silva and a painting of her four sisters – Juanita, Dolores, Felicidad, and Carmen De Silva. Hector De Silva has been missing for one year
Miss Estefana De Silva is expected to be at the California Painting Exhibit in Los Angeles, Calif., in November, along with three other paintings. Even the tough critic, Madam Carlene Baker is looking forward to seeing more of Miss De Silva's paintings in the future.
(I'm shocked. Madam Baker? Really? Amazing. Simply amazing. The Art Festival was great to be at. San Francisco is gorgeous as well.)
* * * *
Diegos and De Silvas Unite in Matrimony
Maria Cristina De Silva, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo De Silva, was married on July 11th, 1851 to Felix Diego, the son of Mr. Julio Diego and his wife Adriana. Both the Diegos and De Silvas reside in the area surrounding Carmel-by-the-Sea. The wedding ceremony was executed by Father Julius Christiano in San Francisco. The couple plans to reside in San Francisco after their honeymoon.
(How could Maria marry that foul Diego one year and nine days after Jesse DIED?)
* * * *
THE AWARD GOES TO…
July 28, 1851
Written by Jonathon R. Carmichael
NEW YORK CITY, NY – This year's National Young People's Fine Arts Award was given to Estefana De Silva, 16, of California. Miss De Silva specializes in striking countryside views of her family's ranch through her paintings. Her most popular canvas artwork shows off the real power of the Pacific Ocean and the cliffs nearby.
Miss De Silva is rumored to be courting Mr. Pedro Morales, age 18, of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She grew up on a ranch with four sisters and one brother. Regrettably, the brother disappeared last year.
Critics are convinced we will be seeing much more of the rising beauty and her dazzling paintings in the future.
(The award is a big gold plaque that sits on the mantle in the sitting room with the miniatures of the family I've painted… I wish Jesse could see this. I hope Carmen tells him how well the other girls and I are doing. We could really use our hermano though…)
* * * *
BOOK REVIEW
December 17, 1852
By Megan Clay
This year's most controversial novel is by far Uncle Tom's Cabin. Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, it has sold over one million copies in under a year. Published March 20, 1852, it shows the truth behind slavery – including how horrible it really is.
(I have to buy this book next time I'm in Carmel! I'll read it and then give it to Carmen, our little bookworm.)
* * * *
Young & Creative
March 19, 1853
By: Wesley Jacob
Carmen Lucia De Silva, 9, became the youngest ever person to win the Los Angeles Junior Amateur Writing Competition (ages 9-12). Young Carmen wrote a grabbing short story about a dog helping people that can't walk or speak pull through life. The following is an excerpt of the tale:
"I was in a closed fenced in area inside a white building. My eyes – one blue, one brown – peered out through the fence at the lady coming down the aisle between the dog pens. I let out a nervous grunt as she passed, catching her attention. Studying me, the woman paused and asked one of the workers at the shelter a few questions about me. As a blue merle Shetland Sheepdog, I was small and capable of hard work. My ancestors had come from Scotland's Shetland Islands and reared to herd livestock.
I waited for some sign that this woman liked me. She was certainly curious about me, but I had no idea if she really, truly liked me. And then, my enclosure was being opened with a creak from the hinges. The woman with curly pale hair bent down and held out a hand to me. I leaned forward and stuck my nose into the palm of her hand, taking in her scent. When satisfied I would allow it, she took her other hand and rubbed my head."
Little Carmen received fifty dollars and a certificate for winning the contest. She claims she already has ideas for a story for next year.
(Great job, Carmen! Jesse must be proud. He used to read and teach you to write all the time before... Oh God, I can't bear to think about it.)
* * * *
THE WANDERING CAPITAL
December 2, 1854
By Duane Roshal
SACRAMENTO, CA – As California's time as an official state lengthens, so does the list of places its capital has been. The first capital was in San Jose on December 15, 1849, which soon became Vallejo in June 1851. The legislators moved back to San Jose, back to Vallejo, then Sacramento, back to Vallejo again, and then to Benicia. The legislators spent several months at the Benicia City Hall, but at last, this year, the legislators settled on Sacramento as their permanent headquarters.
(Not the most interesting of news, but the thought of a moving capital does seem strange to me.
More importantly, I was feeling rather put upon with all the plans for my wedding and Mami's meddling, so I visited the spot we dedicated for Jesse. The marker was still under the sugar pine, which was just as tall and green as ever, when I arrived at the site. I plopped down under the evergreen tree and looked up at the green and white needles. I decided right then that I would have to paint this spot. I just had to preserve the memory of this forever.
I was only there twenty minutes when I heard a rustle in the grasses, and my hermanas came towards me. I realized something then – as they all sat around me – we'd always been close, but the one thing that broke us and then fit us more tightly together was Jesse's death.
For that we owe you, dear hermano. You are our life. Nuestra vida para siempre.
But we will always miss you.
And always wonder what could've been, dear hermano.)
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A/N: A slightly depressing ending of a chapter if I do say so myself. I hope I got all my facts right. Let me know if I did or didn't, okay? ^__^
A/N 2: Next chapter: Nita! ^_- REVIEW! Sayonara.