La Luna de Miel Chapter Fourteen: Miércoles en Hermosillo
Mano rose first the next morning and rang the bell for service. Three rings for breakfast in the room he read on the engraved card. Who knows what they will bring, but I don't want to disturb Carmen, still sound asleep. Look at her. Beautiful even in the morning. He slipped on his robe and edged out of the bedroom to wait.
Ten minutes later, a knock sounded. "Servicio," a voice called, and he opened the door to find a waiter carrying a tray laden with flatware, linen, and shiny platters topped with silver covers. Hard on the waiter's heels followed the young bellhop bearing another tray on which rested two tall jugs, a smaller third jug and a silver teapot. They bustled past Mano and arranged the items on the low table by the sofa. Their work finished, they retreated, closing the door behind them after they closed their fists on the pesos Mano tipped them, Chihuahua, look at this, Mano thought as he surveyed the repast: pastries, coffee, milk, tea, cups, saucers, plates, spoons, knives, and forks. Beneath the covered, dishes, quién sabe? As soon as I lift the covers, the food will begin to cool. Better see if my wife...he paused, the word still new to him...better see if my wife is awake.
"Good morning, beloved," Carmen's voice greeted him. She must feel better, he mused. At least she is not speaking with the voice of the Doña Dolores.
"Ah, you are awake! How are you feeling this fine morning, my love?"
"Is it a fine morning?" she sat up in bed and stretched. "I cannot tell. The curtains are still closed." He drew the draperies and the sun shone on her face. She blinked and squinted into the brightness.
"Oh, forgive me, Carmen." He regretted causing her discomfort.
She smiled up at him, "Ah yes, beautiful indeed."
"Would you like some breakfast, mi vida? There is a fine selection in the sitting room. I could bring you a tray."
"I am not an invalid, Manolito. I would like to sit next to you so that we may enjoy our meal together," she replied, pulling off the covers, swinging out her legs, standing, and slipping on her robe which Mano held. "You are very solicitous, mi amor. I could get used to this." Placing her feet in her slippers, she excused herself to freshen up, then returned to walk arm in arm with him into the sitting area where they settled beside each other on the sofa. "Oh, look at these trays," she cooed. Husband and wife grasped a silver cover, cut their eyes at each other, then removed the lids at the same time with a playful flourish.
"Mano...eggs, bacon, potatoes...is that steak? A feast! Ay, after last night, I shall weigh 200 pounds before this luna de miel ends!" she exclaimed as they began to eat.
"I do not care if you do, mi corazón," he smiled, although in actuality, he was fond of her slim figure. She seems more like herself today, he thought. Still, we should stay in the hotel all day, nevertheless. But her next words scattered all his ideas like buckshot.
"So where shall we go today, my love? I hear they are building a new cathedral. We might look at that, or visit the new governor's mansion. I have heard it has a moorish courtyard. What do you think?" He poured their coffee before answering.
"Ah, well, querida, I think we should stay in the hotel and not go out at all," he replied at last. His words cascaded over them both like bad rocks in a landslide.
"If you think I am staying in here, on our honeymoon, you are sadly mistaken, Señor Montoya," she responded, her voice not loud but determined. The words reverberated like warning gongs in his head. Her mother had warned him, hadn't she? He was supposed to keep his wife safe. He swallowed and paused a moment before displaying his most charming smile.
"Now Carmenita mía, por favor," he began in dulcet tones. "Let us just stay close to the hotel grounds today, for my sake?" She looked at him as she finished chewing and swallowing a mouthful of food.
"No, Manolo," she answered, emphatic. "I want to go out."
"You want to go out?" the voice of Don Sebastian again rose from Mano's lips. "You are not well! It is impossible! Impossible!"
"Impossible? I think not. See, I can move my arms. I can move my body. Even my legs," Carmen replied, rising from the sofa. "If I put all these movements together, the impossible becomes possible: I can walk. Astonishing, is it not?" Then, in a honeyed tone, she added, "And now, mi vida, I am going to walk further...to the dressing area, after which you and I will go out." She paused, tilting her chin up and throwing him a sideways glance. "Or I will go out by myself. But outside I am determined to go." She strode into the bedroom, her back straight and her steps firm.
Caramba, Manolito, that went well, he thought. Just as smooth as your Tío, no? No. Absolutamente no. He sighed. Oh well, if you can't beat them. He ate several more bites of breakfast, drank his coffee, and made for the bedroom himself to prepare for the day.
VKS & MJRod claim the creation of Carmen Navarro, although we took her first name from a David Dortort script proposal. We also are the creators of the Vargas clan , Rancho Navarro and its people including Delgado, and all of the characters in and around Hermosillo. We would have nothing to create were it not for our favorite western, "The High Chaparral," to which we pay tribute.