CHAPTER TEN – Hiding & Misunderstandings

"What? I beg your pardon, Father?" Diego felt like he'd been caught red-handed again, and gulped.

"You heard me, Diego. You've split yourself in two. I don't know everything, but I know that it can't be healthy for a man to be two people."

"But – but – Father…" Panic began to rise. Bile came up to his throat. Diego eyes betrayed his emotions. He had to try to get control of this conversation.

Try as he might, Alejandro's frustration came out once again. "Don't 'but Father' me. You've changed since you came home from Spain, and I don't like what I've seen. You were always a young man of action and adventurous spirit, even from boyhood. But since you've been home from Spain, you've turned into someone I hardly know anymore. I know I said I would try not to do this – but I can't help but compare you to Zorro, when as a young man; you would have been a man of action like Zorro is now. He is the kind of man I want you to be…a man of action, of leadership, of justice. Now, Diego, I want to know why you changed. And please, tell me the truth."

Diego sat in shock. Things had so improved with his father – well – ever since the 'coward' incident – this outburst almost seemed uncharacteristic…and yet, Diego now saw that his father's feelings towards him had not really changed at all.

"Diego, I'm waiting for an answer." Alejandro stared at Diego. He saw the internal struggle going on inside his son. His tone softened. "Diego…please…please – tell me. Tell me – something! Tell me – anything!"

Diego shut his eyes a moment, trying to get control of his own emotions and allow his father's raw emotional display to roll off him, like water off a duck's back.

Z

Felipe was watching this whole conversation, if you could call it that, from the cave. He thought, I know Diego needs help – I need to distract Alejandro. But I'm inside the cave. What could I do from here?

Diego would be very angry with me if I came through the fireplace now. But that's what I want to do, Felipe thought. He'd watched as the relationship between Diego and Alejandro deteriorated almost from the moment Zorro was born.

It was to have been a great adventure! And it was! But now – now it was becoming a great burden…almost a never-ending bondage.

Felipe kept watching through the peephole.

Z

Diego sighed. "Father, what do you want me to say? What can I tell you that will make sense to you?"

Alejandro sighed as well. Tension was released. "Son, are you hiding something from me? I feel like you have been hiding yourself from me ever since you came home – and that's been years. I have tried to reach out to you – but you continue to be a disappointment to me, son, except for this incident – when – it seems – that you disappointed yourself. I know I raised you to be a de la Vega…not what I see in front of me…a shadow of half a man…half a man…If what I see is half of you – then where is the other half? Who is the other half?

"You know son, if you're keeping something from me – it hurts to think you don't trust me. If there's something bothering you – maybe I can help. But I just can't stand this anymore. I feel like you're a stranger to me. I don't know who you are anymore, son. I'm sorry. You're all I have…and when I saw you in the plaza…and I knew you were hurt…I just wanted to gather you in my arms and protect you from all harm, mi hijo… If anything serious happened to you… well…I would die…"

Alejandro's voice cracked at the last couple of statements. Tears came to his eyes. He growled in agony and frustration as he fled from the room.

Z

"You must tell him," Felipe signed. "You must! It's tearing him apart. He thinks…he said…"

As soon as Alejandro fled the Library, Felipe entered from the fireplace. He was in a panic. Never before had he seen Alejandro so upset with Diego. He knew something serious had taken place a few months before, when he had drawn the fire of the stagecoach bandits and he had spoken for the first time since he was a small boy. He felt the change in the atmosphere between the two men after he'd come home, but he didn't understand it. He asked Diego about it, but Diego just said there had been a serious disagreement.

"Amigo, we've been through this before. I can't tell him. You know that. It's for his own safety. You know he cannot control his emotions. One slip of the tongue, and I'm a dead man – in one way or another. He may suspect, he may wonder, but I cannot tell him. I just can't." Diego was practically whining. There was a desperate tone to his voice.

"But the longer this goes on, the worse your relationship with your father gets. You've got to do something. You can't continue to let him think…you've already shown him that you are a de la Vega. You're laid up because of it. Tell him something! Tell him anything! But tell him something!" Felipe's signs grew more and more desperate.

"Yes, Felipe, I do need to tell him something. I'm just not sure what yet. I'll think about it."

"Don't wait too long," signed Felipe.

"I won't." Diego went back to reading.

Z

The relationship between father and son remained at an impasse for the next few days. It seemed once Alejandro got his feelings off his chest, his mood improved, and his tone lightened. He also looked forward to the day when Diego got his splints off. Maybe that will free him to tell me something, Alejandro thought.

Today's the day, thought Diego. Dr. Hernandez was coming over to check the leg. Alejandro, Felipe, and Diego were in the Library when the doctor arrived. Diego was wearing a pair of his split-seam lace-up caballero pants, in anticipation of getting the splints removed. Diego knew it was healing well, and he felt rather confident that it had healed – but it needed to get back into shape. I know that it may hurt, but to be able to put weight on it and walk around with a cane instead of crutches…that would almost be heaven, Diego thought. And to wear long pants without one leg being seam-split with the fabric flapping around all the time, and a boot…ah…

When the white-haired, kindly doctor arrived, he unwrapped the bandages and took the splints off. He felt the leg and examined it thoroughly. It looked good, maybe still a bit swollen, but the bones had knitted well together. The bone felt strong. "How does this feel, Diego? For the break it was, this bone has set very quickly. In most cases it takes six to eight weeks, but you've done remarkably well. There will still be some strengthening to do, but it feels good."

"It's feeling pretty good. Only when you press in hard does it hurt at all – but not really that much. I'm thankful it's healing quickly."

"Yes, I imagine you are." Hernandez looked at him with a twinkle in his eye before continuing. "Let me see you put weight on it."

Diego got up and stood a moment. He was somewhat shaky because he'd gotten used to balancing with splints with and without the walking support sandal, and now to go back to no support at all, was a little strange. He wobbled a moment and Felipe caught his arm to help him balance.

"How does that feel, Diego?" Hernandez asked.

"Pretty good. No real pain, just weakness and stiffness."

The doctor continued. "Then I would say, start taking baby steps. Don't overdo it. Try not to be on your feet too long at one time, and don't lean on your left leg too long, or it may seize up. Try working the ankle every day to get your mobility back. It may take a few days before you get full range of motion back. I know you'll be glad to get into a pair of regular trousers again and boots…and get around with a cane instead of crutches. I understand you have a cane already, is that correct?"

Alejandro piped up. "Yes, I have that cane from when I fell off Dulcinea last year and broke my ribs. I've offered it to Diego."

Hernandez nodded. "That will be fine, but Diego is somewhat taller than you. Should it prove too short, Diego, let me know, and we'll get you another one. And if your leg hurts or needs more support, just wrap it up for a short while during the day or evening and use a couple of sticks if necessary. You'll have to explain to me the concept behind your sandal contraption sometime. It sounds promising."

"I'm sure this cane will be fine Doctor. I don't plan on using it for too long anyway, maybe a week at the most. It will be so good to be able to get around! And gracias, Dr. Hernandez – I'll take good care of it. Why don't you take the walking support sandal – my little contraption – with you – I won't need it. Then you can see how it will work with other patients."

"Gracias, Diego. Well, I'll see myself out." Doctor Hernandez picked up his bag and Diego's walking support sandal, and left.

Alejandro beamed. "I'll go get you that cane. And, I have an idea, Son. Let's have a few people over to celebrate your being on two feet again!" Felipe nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Sounds good, Father. I get to choose who to invite, though." Diego was thankful that he and his father could at least be mostly comfortable in each other's presence – as long as they avoided certain topics of discussion. Diego still wasn't quite sure what he was going to tell his father about being 'two people' – but he didn't think it would be the secret.

As soon as Dr. Hernandez left, Diego immediately limped to his room and changed his clothes, putting on a pair of his regular trousers. He changed his socks and sandals, and placed his right foot in a black boot. Yes! He thought. Everything fits. I'm all right. I still have a stiff ankle and knee to work out, but I'm definitely getting there!

Z

The first thing Diego did after changing his clothes was to go to the cave and check on Toronado. He hadn't been able to get down to the cave without difficulty since the accident. The crutches were awkward and difficult. Felipe had to help him about every time until last week when he could finally hold his crutch like a cane to hop through the opening, instead of it being under his arm.

As soon as he stepped into the cave, Toronado snorted a greeting. Diego worked his way over to the black stallion, getting used to the feel of the cane. He leaned on his left leg, cane in his left hand, while using his right hand to pet Toronado's nose, neck, and back. The touch felt good to both horse and master – to renew the relationship.

"Hey there boy, I've missed seeing you. Sorry I couldn't come more often. I know it's been difficult. Did you miss me?" The horse snorted and pawed at the ground in agreement.

"Well, I'm definitely well now, Toronado. Well, almost. I promise I'll get you out this week for a short ride."

Felipe came through the fireplace. He knew this would be the first place Diego would head. He pointed to Toronado and signed "missed you."

Diego replied, "Yes, the ole boy and I will be spending a lot more time with each other now that I'm free of the splints. You've done a great job taking care of him, Felipe. I know he appreciates it. I know I probably can't ride him for very long yet, and I'm going to wait until tomorrow before I ride him at all…we'll see how that goes – but I'm well now – and I expect to get back to full strength within the next week.

"The alcalde's back from his leave – and you never know what's going to happen with him around. He hasn't done anything yet – but I want to be prepared."

Felipe nodded his head and patted Toronado's nose. Things will get back to normal soon, he thought. Hopefully now that he's free of the splints, Diego will find time to talk to his father – and mend that broken relationship.

TBC