Twisted Cross

El Señor Duran prepared to greet his guests. The rancho sala was arranged with silver and candles. A place in the center of the table, set for twenty guests, was reserved for Maria Theresa’s flower arrangement.

“Pero, Señor Duran, what do you know about this man, this Salvador Tenorio?” an officer in a colorful uniform said. He hovered outside the dining room delaying El Señor Duran from his other guests.

Sal heard his name and paused on the patio where he could overhear the conversation. In this new rancho society, Sal was used to questions about his character. He longed to prove himself respectable.

“This Tenorio fellow is nothing but a delivery boy, nada. They say he travels with some filthy Indian.” Lt. Gomez hunched over a short round man with a bald head, El Señor Duran. “Inviting this ruffian into your home, with your daughter present, is unwise. I’d never forgive myself if anything ever happened to her.” Lt. Gomez continued his criticism of Sal.

“Calm yourself, Gomez. Tenorio proved himself. Even Capitan Portola invited him to join his expedition,” El Señor Duran said. “You’ve seen how the church honors him with special masses. The Indian sometimes goes with him too, tambien.”

“That only proves that Tenorio has fooled everyone. Remember, he is Spanish. Don’t let him make a fool out of you.” Lt. Gomez flicked bits of lint off his uniform and tugged at the hem of his jacket. He wanted to display his powerful position as a Mexican military officer tonight. His goal, to make Maria Theresa Duran his wife and her father’s property his own.

“It’s you who try to fool me, Gomez. ¿Verdad? True? You tell me you love my daughter, but I believe you love my Rancho, my land, even more. Can it be you desire my cattle more than my Maria Theresa?” El Señor Duran said.

“You are wrong, father.” Lt. Gomez leaned in closer to El Señor Duran.

“I am not your father. I have enough people to take care of as it is.” El Señor Duran stood, putting distance between himself and Lt. Gomez. “You have no idea how hard it is to run a rancho this large: take care of the people, the livestock, the government agents who have their hands in everything.”