Golden Secrets

 “Can you make Nina stay?” Alicia’s problems overwhelmed her—how distant she and Nina had become since Dolores left and the trapper appeared. It had been months since her parents went to Laredo. Now the challenge of losing her best friend made her want to cry.

“Nina is free to go where she wishes now, Alicia. When we grow older, life changes. I’m so sorry you will miss her,” Tío Salvador said. “It is time for your parents to be here.Remember, they are bringing home a new baby. They will need your help.”

Alicia could not keep herself from worrying about her next problem. She knew she should be happy that her parents would soon return, but what would it be like to have an infant in their home? Life would not be the same. She sipped coffee with Tío Salvador in silence. Clara did not come down for breakfast.

“I’ll be on my way to the tax collector’s office. He opens early,” Tío Salvador said.

“Are you sure I cannot go with you?”

“No, you stay here and watch for Clara. She’s got to come downstairs sometime.” Tío Salvador gathered his bag filled with official records and land grant documents. He glanced up the landing toward Clara’s sleeping loft. There was no sign of her.

“I’ll be here for her, don’t worry. You don’t think she will do anything desperate, do you?” Alicia knew her sister felt abandoned by the departure of Captain Harris.

“I’m sure Harris used his letter to put the best slant on his sudden departure.” Tío Salvador moved toward the patio. “Whatever she says, just go along with it.” He started down the pathway toward the pueblo.

Alicia guessed Tío didn’t tell Clara the absolute truth about Captain Harris. Padre Romo did not give the tax collector the absolute truth about the taxes. Mama and Papa never told the truth about the Spanish gold hidden in their cave. Was this what grownups were like? Her sisters were already starting down a path of half-truths.