DAY SIX
Diego woke up feeling better than he had in over a week. His arm was healing. His fever was gone. And Victoria loved him. She loved him! He had expected outright rejection. That expectation had been such a part of his life for so long; he hadn't realized what a weight he'd been carrying. And his relationship had never been better with his father, now that Alejandro knew the secret, too.
As he played over the previous day's conversation with Victoria in his mind, he shook his head in amazement. Knowing the Escalante temper, which he chuckled softly, rivaled the de la Vega temper, his hope was that she would not outright reject him. That she had pent-up feelings that just sort of erupted like a volcano yesterday was not a surprise. He might have been surprised if she had taken his admission without some sort of passionate response.
Her passion was one thing Diego loved about her. Her passion for living, her passion for justice – just thinking about it, made him smile to himself and shake his head in wonderment. She loves me! They had kissed, and nothing was held back in the kisses.
He knew what he had to do…start courting Victoria as himself…because he was pretty sure, now that she was in on 'his little secret' – that neither one of them could really 'act' like they were 'just friends' anymore. How this was all going to play out, Diego had no idea. If only De Soto would hurry up and decide what he was going to do about Zorro, and announce how he would govern.
It was the waiting…the not knowing…that was driving Diego crazy.
The one negative in all this was Gilberto Risendo. Diego was still in shock over that revelation, and he knew his father was too. But they had talked a bit about it, and after that, it was just a matter of each man dealing with the pain of the revelation in his own way. Diego knew that possibly later – emotions would surface, but for now, he could only be happy…Victoria loved him! And for now – that was almost all that mattered.
In the late morning, Alejandro and Diego hitched up a buggy and drove to the tavern in town. It was the first time Diego had been to town since "that day." Mendoza looked up from his nearly empty plate of tamales. He rose to greet the de la Vegas, and motioned for them to join him at his table. They acknowledged the salute and returned it, and headed towards Mendoza's table.
With a cheerful voice which reflected his sentiments, Mendoza put his fork down, grabbed Diego's hand and started shaking it. Diego grimaced a bit, returned the shake, and put his left hand over his right wrist to slow down the pumping action. His arm was healing, but it didn't like being jostled.
"Don Alejandro, Don Diego, it's so good to see you. Don Diego, how is your arm? I heard you had a fever. Are you all right, mi amigo?" Mendoza couldn't stop talking!
"Sergeant, it's good to see you too." Diego released Mendoza's hand and grabbed his right arm for a moment with his left, while trying to get his face to release the momentary discomfort and return to normal.
"Good to see you Sergeant Mendoza." Don Alejandro shook Mendoza's hand with a quick shake, and motioned for him to sit down.
Diego sat across from the Sergeant, next to his father. "To answer your question, Sergeant – yes – I am a lot better. My arm is healing nicely. I am taking good care of it. Father and Felipe are also taking good care of me…and Senorita Escalante has been a frequent visitor."
"Oh, that is good to hear. That is very good to hear Don Diego."
Alejandro knew of Diego's strategy in plying Mendoza for food for information. "Sergeant, I think you need another plate of tamales." He looked around and got Victoria's attention. "Victoria, could you bring our good Sergeant another order of tamales?"
Victoria acknowledged by giving a nod, but she was busy with other orders. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Diego looking at her, and for now, she purposely avoided looking at him until she felt more ready. But a small smile formed on her face. He saw it and half cracked a smile in response. No, he thought, now that she knows, this is never going to work, but I can't turn back.
Victoria said, "Coming right up! It will be just a minute."
Diego began his unofficial 'interrogation.' "So, Sergeant, how is the Alcade these days? We heard he's been to see Padre Benites every day this week."
Mendoza answered, "Oh, si. He has been to see the padre. And, the other day, the day after…I saw him put a coin into the poor box. I could hardly believe my eyes!"
Diego gave a small nod, then cocked his head to one side. "Has he said anything to you about plans he has to change the way he governs?"
"No, no, he has not, but he has been thinking an awful lot lately. He told me that there will be some changes, but he has not told me what they are yet." Mendoza took a sip of his juice, while waiting for his next plate of tamales.
"And how is his mood? Does he seem to be angrier, or happier?"
"Oh, I don't think he is angrier, but I don't think he is quite happier yet, either. But there is something…something seems to be going on inside him."
Diego looked at Alejandro – a look that said, 'Father, back me up, here.' Out loud he said, "Father, I think I'll pay our Alcade a visit. I want to thank him again for saving my life, as one old college 'chum' to another."
Diego got up from the table, and pulled his long legs one at a time over the bench where his father was sitting.
Alejandro looked at him with a nod. "I think that is a wonderful idea, Diego. I'll wait for you here. The Sergeant and I have some tamales to eat." He winked at Diego.
Mendoza finally got it. "Oh thank you Don Alejandro!"
"Yes, I know…it's my turn to pay. Victoria…more tamales please."
Victoria came across the room after tending other customers. "I'll get them right away for you, Don Alejandro."
She eyed Diego with a twinkle in her eye. "Diego!" And when he got closer, "Come back soon, Don Diego, for your tamales." She winked at him.
"I'll be back in a short while, Senorita." He gave her the Zorro two-fingered wave at first, with a smile, then quickly extended his thumb and other curled fingers, realizing he gave her a Zorro wave. He winked back as he left.
The exchange of winks was not lost on Mendoza, who turned his head to watch this exchange, then he turned back to Alejandro.
"Ah, Don Alejandro, it looks as if Senorita Escalante is beginning to 'appreciate' Don Diego more. I just saw them winking at each other. I wonder what Zorro will think about that."
Alejandro feigned surprise, but knew it's now his job to keep Mendoza distracted away from Diego and Victoria. "Oh, I think everything will work out the way it's supposed to. Tell me Sergeant, what is your favorite way to fix an empanada?"
Mendoza grinned from ear to ear – food is his favorite topic! "I like all kinds of empanadas. But I have some recipes – if you think your cook would be interested."
Z
When Diego left the tavern he walked across the plaza to the Alcalde's office.
Inside, De Soto was seated behind his desk with paperwork scattered in different piles all across the desk. The Emissary had left behind a mountain of "the little things" he didn't do that helped keep the pueblo running. He was reading, signing, sealing, and stamping when Diego knocked on the door, then peeked his head in the door.
"Alcade, may I come in? Is this a bad time?"
"Ah, Don Diego! Come in, come in. I was just trying to catch up on some of the mountain of paperwork Risendo apparently didn't see fit to deal with while he 'ruled.' But how are you, Diego? I heard you had a fever, and that your wounded arm got infected. Risendo's blade got you, huh?
Diego sat down across the desk from De Soto. He decided not to answer the last question. "I am much better, Ignacio – may I call you that?
"Have you come in an 'official' capacity or a 'personal' one?"
"Personal. I want to thank you again for saving my life. I took my eyes off him for just a second, and he pulled that pistol."
"Yes. I was watching. I couldn't believe what I saw."
"Nor could I."
There was an awkward pause, as both remembered the other day, and it replayed in their minds. The alcalde broke the silence.
"Well, thank you for dropping by, Diego. And – you're welcome. It truly was either Risendo or you. When faced with that choice, there was no other option."
"Thank you again. I owe you my life." Diego got up to leave, then thought of something, and turned back. "Oh – Sergeant Mendoza says you've been seeing Father Benites this week."
"Yes, yes, I have. He's been – very helpful."
"Helpful? In what way – if you don't mind my asking?"
De Soto thought a moment, trying to formulate the thoughts into words. "Well, really, all I can say is, he's helping me to see that I may be getting a second chance."
Diego sat again, so that they could be on equal footing. "A second chance? Yes, me too. And for that, I am grateful to you. But about your second chance - a second chance at what?"
"A second chance to become what I always thought I wanted to be – a great man." De Soto thoughtfully rubbed his beard.
"And, how do you see this second chance coming about?" Diego leaned forward to the desk, but didn't touch or lean on it. He held his hands together with his elbows on his knees.
De Soto snorted with a wheeze. "Why are you so interested? It's not like we've ever been close friends."
Diego sat back in his chair. "In the past, no. But maybe in the future – we could be – at least – friendly?
"You don't even like me!"
"Well, it may be that I just haven't liked what you've been doing."
De Soto leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Yes. Father Benites said that if I change my ways, the people might even like me.
Diego nodded and said in all sincerity. "That is very true, Ignacio. I for one – could grow to like you…if things were different."
"What things?" De Soto leaned forward a bit, listening. In the back of his mind, he is amazed that he's even having this kind of open conversation with Diego. He'd always thought Diego was a goody-goody weak sort of man of lesser intelligence, the spoiled son of a rich man who never had to work for anything because it was handed to him.
Gently, but with sincere boldness, Diego responded, "When you first came to the pueblo, I was excited for you. I thought you were just what we needed in an Alcade, strong, disciplined. I admired how you had worked your way up through the ranks. But when you locked us all up in our hacienda, and said you wanted to 'break' the people into serving you – well – that pretty well removed my excitement. That – and your relentless pursuit of Zorro, who only wants to help the people. You see, Alcade, it's the people that matter. They aren't here to serve us - we –should help and serve – the people."
De Soto answered thoughtfully. "Yes, Father Benites also said that. He thinks I can be a good Alcade. He even talked to me about Zorro."
"Zorro? What did the Padre say?" At this mention, Diego leaned forward until he did drape his elbow on the edge of the desk. He half expected the alcalde to brusquely tell him to remove it, but that didn't happen.
"He asked me what I would do if I saw Zorro again. Would I shoot him? Would I hang him?"
"And what would you do?" Diego's eyes narrowed with a bit of suspicion, but you wouldn't have heard it in his voice. Diego tried to respond as calmly as possible.
De Soto sighed. "I don't know yet. But I am growing tired of the 'chase' – as Father Benites put it."
"The 'chase?'"
"Yes, this cat-and-mouse pursuit of him – his identity, his foiling of my plans. I don't like to lose, but taking two lives this week has taken its toll on me."
Diego knew what he was talking about, but asked anyway. "Two lives? The Emissary…who else?"
"Well I hardly think that's any of your business, Diego." De Soto narrowed his eyes. He leaned forward in his chair, trying to gauge what de la Vega was up to, where this conversation was going. Is he really interested, or is he trying to get some sort of advantage? De Soto didn't know, but thought he would wait and see.
Diego recovered quickly and leaned back in his chair, trying to defuse any irritation. "I didn't mean to pry, Ignacio. But sometimes just talking about something – helps."
"Oh – well I guess it doesn't matter anymore, anyway." He sighed. "I blamed Lt. Hidalgo's death on Zorro, but it was my bullet that killed him."
Diego feigned shock. "Really? That is quite a confession, coming from you."
De Soto stroked his beard again, thinking. "I know. What does that mean? Could I really be changing? Can I really become what I want to be – a great man – through being kind…" He wrinkled his face in a bad taste in the mouth type expression. It was still an uncomfortable thought, but he bared his soul to Diego. "…to people?"
Diego rose with determination to leave this time. "I think you're on the right track, Ignacio. Just keeping going this direction and you may never see Zorro again."
It was De Soto's turn for shock, but his is real. "Really? What makes you think so?"
"Well…I heard a rumor that Zorro met the Emissary in Diablo Canyon. I heard it was a trap, and that Zorro got buried under a pile of rocks. He hasn't been seen since, has he?"
"No. No he hasn't been seen. So you think Zorro is dead?"
"Ignacio, I think if you rule with justice and fairness, Zorro will never have to appear again, unless he's pardoned, or requested by a fair and just Alcade who would like to work with him, instead of against him. At that point, it could be possible that Zorro could trust the Alcade to see who he really is, unmasked. Who knows, they could even become friends?"
"I will say that Zorro has been a worthy adversary. But I think I might like him to be a friend, rather than an enemy, even with our history. Do you think Zorro could get to like me as a friend, Diego?"
"I believe that's a distinct possibility, Ignacio. If you follow through on your end, I believe Zorro will hear about your change in behavior – if he's still alive, that is. And I believe he'll want to work with you, and not against you. His whole reason for existence was to fight for justice against oppression and lawlessness."
Diego turned to leave, then looked back. "And now, Ignacio, you should let the people know of your 'new' intentions for them. Let the people know you want another chance, and that you want to change. The people of Los Angeles are very forgiving, but you will, in all probability, have to prove, over time, that you've changed."
"Diego, it seems you have changed too…in the last few days. You're becoming a wise man, instead of…a fool."
Diego was genuinely touched and took no offense. "Thank you for saying that. Yes I'm changing too. As you have, I tasted of death, and I have decided I want to live. I know I have appeared foolish in the past. Now, I really must go meet my father in the tavern. And again, thank you for my life, Ignacio."
"You are very welcome, Diego."
As Diego walked to the door, De Soto called out.
De Soto looked a bit hesitant, this was definitely out of his comfort zone, but he decided to go out on a limb. "Diego, could we meet for a drink sometime?"
Diego smiled. "Absolutely. Just let me know the day and the time." As he turned away from De Soto, his smile remained. Yes, this could work out perfectly. Diego left and closed the door behind him. De Soto sat thinking.
"Z"
Meanwhile, back in the tavern, Mendoza munched on the next plate of tamales Alejandro ordered for him. Victoria took a break, and was sitting with them when Diego entered. She rose and went to the counter. Mendoza and Alejandro picked up on the 'chemistry.'
Victoria noticed Diego as he re-entered the tavern. "Diego, are you ready for your tamales?"
Diego walked to the counter. "Yes, I believe I am."
Victoria had a mischievous smile on her face. She said in a teasingly fashion, "Then I'll get them for you right away."
As Victoria went to the kitchen to get Diego's tamales, Mendoza, who had been watching this exchange, gave a Diego a look.
"Diego, is there something going on between you and Senorita Escalante?"
Diego squirmed a bit. "Going on?
"Si, mi amigo. It looks as if there is something, you know, going on."
Diego tried to play it cool. "Well, Sergeant, we've been lifelong friends.
Mendoza sensed something, and he went in for the kill, refusing to be put off. "Si, I know that, but this looks like something more. I saw you exchange winks earlier."
Diego laughed nervously. He was obviously uncomfortable, but tried not to show it. "Oh that! We've been doing that for a long time."
"I've never seen it."
Diego was really squirming with all this attention. Normally, Sergeant Mendoza didn't notice anything but food. It must be because his stomach is full; he can now turn his attention to other things, Diego thought. Alejandro saw his son's discomfort, and took command of Mendoza.
"Sergeant Mendoza, have you finished? Let's go for a walk."
"Oh, Don Alejandro, I did not mean to be offensive. Excuse me, Don Diego. I was just curious."
Diego let out a sigh. "No problem, Sergeant. If there is anything you need to know, I'll be happy to tell you – sometime."
Alejandro and Mendoza got up and exited the tavern into the plaza. Alejandro turned around to Diego and pointed to his head. Be careful, think son. Think.
Outside, Mendoza and Alejandro walked towards the armory. Alejandro took Mendoza by the arm to 'escort' Mendoza back to work.
"You see, Sergeant Mendoza, my son gets very uncomfortable when people talk about his 'love' life."
"It's just that I thought I saw something more…Oh…I didn't know Don Diego had a love life! Is he "courting" the Senorita?"
Alejandro carefully tried to help the sergeant understand the need for discretion. "Si, Sergeant, you may have seen something. But let's just see how things play out, shall we? I've learned a great deal about my son in the last few days. And I've learned enough to know when to quit teasing or badgering him about things which make him uncomfortable."
Mendoza cleared his throat nervously. "Oh, I would never want to make Don Diego more uncomfortable. I was trying to lighten the mood a bit, and when I noticed them winking – I may have made a hasty judgment."
As they reached the outside of the garrison, Alejandro turned to leave.
"Ah, but it is hasty judgments that create havoc sometimes, Sergeant. You get my meaning?"
"Oh, si, Don Alejandro. I get your meaning."
"Good. So I can count on your discretion?" Alejandro put his finger to his lips.
"Si, you can count on me." Mendoza smiled and put his finger to his own lips.
"All right then. See you later, Sergeant. Have a nice day."
Alejandro turned and walked back to the tavern. Alejandro thought to himself, I just hope Sergeant Mendoza can keep his mouth shut for a while. Of all people to have seen Diego and Victoria making eyes at each other..Ay-yi-yi!
Back in the tavern, Victoria took a break and sat with Diego. Although they tried to 'hide' their feelings for each other, they found it very difficult. They talked in hushed tones, not wanting anyone to overhear what they said. What they didn't realize is – that brought them more notice. Their easy teasing showed they seemed to be evolving into a little more than friends and the customers began to pick up on it. It's all in their eyes, the love, the tease.
'So, Diego, how are your tamales?"
"As always Victoria, they are delicious! And as the French would say, "C'est magnifique!"
Victoria laughed. "I hope that means what I think it means! I haven't brushed up on my French."
Diego smiled widely. "It does."
"Good, because you're going to have a problem if you don't like my cooking!"
"And just what sort of problem would that be?"
"Well – I supposed you'd – go HUNGRY!"
Diego smiled up to his eyes. "I'm always hungry – for you!"
"Working up an 'appetite' for love – are you?"
Diego said this very softly, tried to place his pinky discreetly over hers. "And only your cool sweet lips can quench my burning desire…"
Victoria lowered her voice further. Her head lowered with her voice. She looked up at him through her eyelashes. "And only your smile can quench my burning desire…"
Alejandro entered. With a lower voice, yet with a twinkle in his eye, he said, "Watch out you young folks. Diego, you're going to have to start courting Victoria openly if you keep this up." He sat at the table next to Victoria.
Diego smiled. "That is a worthy goal. Courtship, then marriage, and then all those grandbabies you've talked to me endlessly about."
Quickly switching the subject, Alejandro was dying to know. "Now Diego, the suspense is killing me. How was your conversation with De Soto?"
Diego tried to subtly move his hand away from Victoria's hand. She tried to do the same. Diego's demeanor became a bit more businesslike.
"Couldn't have been better Father. I believe it is truly possible that he is changing…the things we said to each other…the way things were said…if I hadn't been in the conversation, I'm not sure I would have believed it myself. We had our first open and honest conversation ever, I think."
Victoria had a look of alarm. "You didn't tell…"
Diego wanted to stretch his hand out to Victoria again to comfort her, but pulled it back. "No, no, no. Only in the third person. He is still thinking about how to handle Zorro. Padre Benites has certainly been a good influence on our 'esteemed' Alcade though. He definitely IS soul searching."
Alejandro eyed Diego with interest. "So – what do you think, son?""
Diego spoke quietly, his expression hopeful. "I think it's still a little too soon to tell, but things definitely seem to be moving in the right direction."
"Out of all these horrible things that have happened recently, maybe…"
Diego finished her sentence. "…Maybe something good will come out of it…"
Alejandro looked at the two of them with pride and a smile. "I think some 'good' things are already coming out of it. Diego, I think it's time we went home, son. You are recovering well, but you don't want to overdo it."
"I believe you're right Father." He took Victoria's hand and made a gallant caballero gesture of kissing it. "Until we meet again, Senorita."
Victoria blushed, but with a twinkle in her eye. "Until we meet again, Senor de la Vega."
ZZZZZZ
