Part 3: "The Posadas"
The morning that followed Guadalupe Day dawned cool and sunny. For the next two days, the de la Vega household was very busy.
Felipe helped Don Alejandro, Don Diego, and Don Rafael attach pine cones to wide red satin ribbons. The four of them tied other satin ribbons into bows. They lashed evergreen branches into clusters, then made ropes by affixing the clusters to long strings. Meanwhile, Felipe's fellow servants cleaned the hacienda and helped the de la Vegas arrange the Christmas decorations on the walls, doors, and ceilings. On Christmas Eve, the de la Vegas would set up an evergreen tree and decorate it.
"Diego has always loved Christmas," Don Alejandro said with a chuckle, in response to a comment by Rafael about Don Diego's increasing excitement. It was the day before the posadas were scheduled to start. "When he was just a boy, he would ask his mother and me every day, 'How much longer till Christmas?'"
As always, the elderly caballero stood erect, with his shoulders squared. Amusement creased his face as he spoke. The three gentlemen and Felipe assembled in the foyer, where they'd been putting up decorations. The mid-afternoon sunshine streamed through the stained glass window in the carved mahogany door.
Laughing, Don Diego pinned a sprig of holly to the doorframe, then scratched his head. "Christmas, for me, is--and should be--a joyous time." The others agreed.
Don Alejandro turned to Felipe. "My boy, Santa Claus will bring you your gifts on Christmas Eve. You will find them under the tree on Christmas morning. And on the night before Epiphany, the three Kings will bring you some more presents, and set them in the front doorway. So be sure to set your sandals there the night before, all right?"
Felipe nodded. The de la Vegas had told him about Santa Claus the day before. The little boy gazed admiringly up at the rope of evergreen branches looped across the top of the doorframe. The servants had helped their patróns loop the other ropes across the fireplace mantle and in several other places. They had attached the pine cones to walls and to mahogany doors. A wreath hung on the entrance door, facing the picket gate. A Nativity scene rested on the coffee table in the drawing room.
Diego turned to Felipe. "Well, amigo, I'm done for now. Shall we play a game of checkers?"
Nodding vigorously, Felipe followed the caballero to his suite of rooms. Don Diego had taught him to play checkers a few weeks before during a rainstorm, and they had played the game daily since. When the de la Vegas had taken Felipe to see the other California doctors, Diego had taken his ivory checkerboard along so that Felipe could keep in practice. At night, in the tavern room the three of them shared, Don Diego and Felipe would play a couple of games. Sometimes Diego would win, and other times, Felipe did.
That night, Don Diego and Felipe played three games in the caballero's sitting room. Diego won the first game, and Felipe won the other two.
The next morning, Felipe awakened with one thought in his head. Tonight's the posada! he felt like shouting, as he rolled up his sleeping mat. How long till Christmas? Nine days, right?
He counted on his fingers. Sure enough, Christmas Day was just nine days away. And for the first time in his life, Felipe was going to receive presents on Christmas Day as well as on Three Kings' Day. The little boy couldn't wait.
All day, Felipe helped his fellow servants and the de la Vegas make the final preparations for the first of the posada celebrations. When late afternoon arrived, everything was ready for the evening festivities.
"Well, Diego, Rafael, this is it." Don Alejandro sighed and rubbed his head. "Let's sit down and relax until the padre and the church orphans arrive. You, too, Felipe. You're going to wear yourself out before the posada even begins, if you don't calm down." He reached down to settle a fidgety Felipe.
Don Diego laughed. "Felipe, here, has certainly been excited all day." He rubbed the boy's back.
Felipe smiled broadly. He had not expected to be, but he really was excited. Hopping from one foot to the other, he scanned the room to admire the decorations. The pine cones, the red ribbons, and the ropes of branches looked so pretty! And the Nativity scene the maid had set up on a coffee table looked so polished and lifelike. Would their visitors never come?
Don Alejandro extended his arms. "Come here, amigo, and I'll tell you a story while we wait. How's that?" Felipe climbed into his lap and nestled in the elderly caballero's arms. Don Alejandro told the little boy a story about Saint Nicholas.
Minutes later, Padre Bernardo and his young charges arrived. Don Alejandro laughed as he, Diego, and Rafael welcomed them in the drawing room. "Well, niños, are you ready?" The aged don bent down to pat a little girl's cheek. "You look ready to break the piñata now, Rosita." The girl smiled shyly.
To Felipe's dismay, Paquito stood in the midst of the assembled children. Felipe had not expected him to come. The other boy crossed his eyes at Felipe, who pursed his lips and turned his back. If only Paquito had stayed behind!
Before Felipe had a chance to brood over his enemy's arrival any further, the posada ceremony began. Playing the roles of Mary and Joseph, Rosita and her brother, Pedro, bore the figures of the Holy Family on a small litter between them. Only the baby Jesus was missing; it would not be included in the posada procession until Christmas Eve.
Felipe and the other children followed in a procession, as Rosita and Pedro took turns knocking on door after door in the hallways. Even though Felipe couldn't hear what the "innkeeper" was saying, he knew from past experience at previous posadas that the boy behind the door was saying, "No posada! No shelter."
At last, Pedro knocked on the mahogany door that opened into the enclosed patio. Apparently, the voice on the other side must have said, "Welcome, holy pilgrims," because the door swung open and the two children trotted into the patio, followed by the others. Paper lanterns strung from column to column hung around the patio's edges, glowing with lit candles.
Two long tables, draped with glistening snow-white tablecloths and covered with snacks, stood end to end. A piñata shaped like a burro hung from the awning on the other side of the patio. Another Nativity scene rested on a round table near the refreshment tables. Red ribbons, pine cones, sprigs of holly, and ropes of tree branches hung everywhere.
"All right, niños! Time to break the piñata." Don Diego held up a handkerchief and a long, fat stick. "You may go first, Rosita."
After three other children had taken their turns, Don Alejandro blindfolded Felipe, turned him around three times, and gave him the stick. The little boy swung it two times in a vain attempt to hit the piñata. On the third try, he felt a jolt shoot through his hands. Before he could react, someone was untying the blindfold.
"You did it, amigo!" Don Rafael smiled at him. "You broke the piñata. Congratulations!"
Felipe rushed toward the candy and toys that now lay scattered on the floor. For the next several minutes, the assembled children crawled around, grabbing handfuls of the candy and stuffing their pockets. The centavo-size cobblestones left imprints in the kids' knees when they stood up.
Felipe grabbed a straw burro, smaller than his hand, and gazed at it for a long moment. I love it! he thought. I love it!
The rest of the evening flew by. The children gorged themselves on candy and other snacks. The de la Vegas took turns telling them the story of Mary and Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. When Don Diego played his guitar, the de la Vegas and every child except Felipe sang Christmas carols. Felipe did not interact directly with the other children; instead, he stuck close to the de la Vegas.
Once, as Felipe wandered around the patio, he saw a little girl leaning against one of the columns. A morose expression etched her elfin face, and tears streaked her cheeks. Paquito crouched next to her, a sullen expression marring his own face.
Sadness welled up in the servant boy. Why is she crying? he wondered. After a moment of hesitation, Felipe approached her.
The girl brushed back her long black hair and gazed at Felipe sadly. "I was wishin' our mamá and papá could be here." She took a long breath, glancing at Paquito. "They died a few months ago. A horse killed them. We don't have no other relatives, me and Paquito, so we have to stay at the church. Paquito's my brother."
She bit her lower lip and pressed her fingertips against her cheeks. "I wish Mamá and Papá was here!"
Felipe nodded his understanding. He knew just how she felt; he had yearned for the same thing countless times. How he wished he could make her feel better!
With signs, he asked her where her candy was. "I ate it," she said. "We didn't get much. The rest of you got to it before us." She glanced at her brother again, who just stared at the stone tiles at his feet.
Felipe winced. At that moment, a lesson his former priest had taught him in Mexico, the previous spring, came to his mind.
"You must learn to show your love for God and for others, by doing something that people don't naturally like to do." Padre Pablo's kind voice echoed in his mind's ear. "You must learn to give up something you like for the good of someone else, and to do something for someone else that you don't want to do."
Felipe pivoted so the girl wouldn't see the struggle on his face. He didn't want to give up any of the candy he'd collected. But maybe if he gave her half of it, it would make her feel better. She needed cheering up, and he felt sure that giving her some of his candy would do it. He could only hope that Paquito wouldn't cause any trouble.
Slowly, Felipe turned back to face her. He reached into his woolen sash where he'd stuffed his share of the candy. He grabbed a handful and handed it to her.
The little girl's eyes lit up as he poured it into her hand. "Gracias, Felipe!" She smiled broadly. "Look, Paquito!"
Her brother rose to his feet. "Si, Juanita. I see it." As Paquito gazed wistfully at the candy in her hand, Felipe sighed. Pity and resentment warred in his soul.
Suddenly, without thinking, he inserted his hand back into his woolen sash. Grabbing the rest of his candy, he held it out toward the other boy.
Biting his lip, Paquito took the candy. "Gracias, Felipe." He hesitated. "I'm sorry I tried to get you in trouble at the fiesta."
Felipe nodded. This time, he felt sure, Paquito meant the apology. With gestures, he asked if Paquito and Juanita wanted to play with him. "Si, si!" Juanita wriggled. Paquito nodded agreement.
With a happy grin, Felipe led them toward the other children. Contentment infused his soul. No resentment toward Paquito spoiled his fun now; he felt only a deep inner joy. Felipe raced around the edge of the patio with Paquito, while Juanita played with several other little girls. All four children gorged themselves on candy and other refreshments, as did the others.
At last, it was time to end the party. The adults herded the sleepy children into the front garden and toward the wagon that had brought them. Each boy and girl carried a basket filled with confections, and held a toy he or she had taken from the piñata. Yawning, Felipe glanced at the glittering stars dotting the sky.
"Well, Diego, Alejandro, Rafael, this has been a most fun-filled evening." The padre shook their hands. "And the children have you to thank for it."
Don Rafael nodded. "It did me much good to help sponsor it, Padre." He glanced at Felipe. "It was good for us both."
Fingering his beads, the priest nodded agreement. "I know. Helping others is always good medicine for a sick heart." He gazed at Felipe. "My son, that was a fine thing you did for Paquito and Juanita, giving them your candy as you did. Especially in light of what happened between you and Paquito the other day. I'm proud of you." He patted the boy's cheek. Felipe smiled, then yawned again.
Padre Bernardo blessed Felipe before approaching the wagon. "God bless you, my son. I'll see you again, tomorrow night." The de la Vegas helped the mission children climb into the wagon. The priest clambered into the driver's seat and drove the wagon back toward town.
The remaining group returned to the patio to clean it up. Don Alejandro glanced at his gold timepiece as it gleamed in the candlelight, then turned toward Felipe. "Amigo, it's time you were heading back to the Gomez hut. We have eight more days of this to go, and we don't want you getting sick for lack of sleep."
With a reluctant nod, Felipe extended his arms for a hug. Don Diego embraced him and kissed his forehead. So did Don Alejandro. Don Rafael ruffled his hair.
"See you in the morning, Felipe." Don Alejandro patted his back. Felipe scampered toward the hut he shared with Pablo and Juana Gomez. No sooner did he silently recite his bedtime prayers and lay his head on the straw mat than he fell asleep. His stuffed bear and straw donkey lay next to his head.
ZZZZZ
I can't wait! Felipe leaped to his feet, dressed himself, and rolled up his straw mat. It's Christmas Day! Visions of the last nine days flew through his mind.
Nine evenings of posada festivities had flown by, each one more joyous than the last. Felipe had accumulated eight more straw animals--a dog, a cat, a chicken, a horse, a pig, a fox, a cow, and a robin. Paquito had behaved himself at every one, and had even shared his candy with Felipe twice. Felipe hoped they would be friends. Felipe had not directly interacted with the other children, though, at any of the posadas. When he wasn't with Paquito, he had stayed with his patróns.
The final, most important posada had been held in the village plaza the previous night, and the de la Vegas had taken Felipe to the Christmas Eve mass before it began. That night, a figure of the baby Jesus had been included in the figurines of the Holy Family the children paraded from building to building. Caballeros, doñas, and soldiers had attended the party in the tavern, following the posada. Felipe had helped decorate a Christmas tree Victoria had ordered set up in the dining area. A Nativity scene had rested on display against the wall facing the tavern's front entrance during the festivities.
During the nine days, Felipe had made four presents with the cook's help--one for Don Diego, one for Don Alejandro, one for Don Rafael, and one for Victoria. He hoped they would like his gifts. By now, Maria should have put them under the tree for him, gift-wrapped. Meanwhile, she had probably cooked breakfast.
Felipe hastily ran a comb through his brown hair, then followed the Gomezes toward the de la Vega kitchen. He would eat breakfast and supper there as he normally did, but the noon meal, he would eat with the de la Vegas and Señorita Escalante. But first, there were presents to open.
Felipe couldn't wait to open his own gifts. What would they contain? What had Santa Claus brought him?
"All right, Felipe." With a laugh, Maria set a bowl of cornmeal mush and a glass of orange juice before him. "I know you're anxious to open your gifts, but first you're going to eat every bite of your breakfast. And don't worry; I set the gifts you made under the tree, first thing this morning."
Relieved, Felipe nodded acquiescence. Obediently, he bowed his head for the blessing, then dipped his wooden spoon into the steaming mush.
After breakfast, Felipe raced toward the drawing room. He wished he could speak, so he could holler the excitement welling up in his heart. The day before, the de la Vegas had set up a tree next to the piano, and Felipe had helped them decorate it. Diego had told him that the presents would be arranged underneath. The de la Vegas' Nativity scene now stood on the desk against the wall.
Felipe found his patróns assembled in the drawing room. To his joy, Victoria had already joined them.
Don Diego laughed as the boy scampered toward him. "I wondered how long it would take Felipe to join us this morning!" He caught the boy up in his arms and hugged him tightly. The familiar scent of men's cologne filled Felipe's nostrils.
As Diego set the little boy down, Victoria reached out. "Feliz Navidad, Felipe!" She kissed him on his soft cheek. Felipe hugged her.
Don Alejandro glanced at his timepiece. "Well, everyone, let's open our gifts!"
Felipe whirled around. A variety of packages wrapped in red-and-green paper lay in piles underneath the Christmas tree. He darted toward the tree and knelt on the smooth marble floor, next to the pile of presents. Little wooden figures hung from the branches, and red satin bows and wax candles had been attached to them.
Felipe squatted on the floor to examine gifts closely. As he took a close look at the packages, he noticed that each one had a square of parchment pinned on it, with a word written on the parchment. Since Felipe couldn't read, he didn't have the slightest idea what they said. To his delight, he also saw that the gifts Maria had helped him make were also there, just as she had said they would be. Someone had pinned squares of parchment on them as well.
Which ones are mine? he wondered. Which ones did Santa Claus bring?
Don Alejandro knelt next to him. "Each gift has the name of the person for whom it's intended. I'll read the name out loud, Felipe, and you take it to that person."
Felipe nodded. The aged don picked up the smallest package. "'Victoria,'" he read loud, facing Felipe so the little boy could read his lips. Felipe scrambled to his feet, accepted the package, and carried it to the innkeeper, who smiled and thanked him.
Don Alejandro picked up another package. "'Rafael,'" he read aloud. Felipe took the package to Don Rafael, who smiled and patted his shoulder.
Felipe darted back to the tree. Don Alejandro read aloud the next tag: "'Diego.'" Felipe handed Don Diego the package.
"'Felipe.'" Don Alejandro handed the little boy a small package. "This is for you. Let's wait until everyone has his packages, my boy, then we'll all open them together." Felipe nodded reluctantly. He didn't want to wait any length of time to open his gifts; he wanted to do that right then! However, he had to do as he was told.
"'Alejandro.'" The aged don set a package on the floor next to his feet. "'Diego.' 'Rafael.' 'Victoria.'"
Obediently, Felipe waited until he had given every de la Vega his presents and Victoria hers. Then he sat cross-legged on the floor to open his own gifts. The marble floor felt smooth and cold to his hands. The first package he unwrapped contained a wooden sword.
I love it! the little boy thought. I love it! A delighted Felipe held the toy sword up for the de la Vegas and Victoria to see.
"Yes, Felipe." Don Diego reached over to touch the sword's tip. "Now you have your very own toy sword to play with."
Grinning, Felipe waved the sword in the air, pretending to fence. The patróns and Victoria laughed. He then laid the sword on the floor by his leg and picked up another package Don Alejandro had given him.
A wooden top lay inside. It was painted bright red, with straight navy-blue lines that circled it. Felipe set it on the floor and twisted his wrist to set it in motion. The top spun for the next several seconds, then fell on its side. Felipe grinned at his patróns, who laughed again.
The little boy's next gift turned out to be a wooden toy soldier, wearing a private's uniform. Felipe laughed silently and held it up. For a long moment, he just gazed at the toy soldier.
He turned around just in time to see Don Diego unwrap the present Felipe had made for him. Felipe had woven a small basket out of straw and tied a red satin ribbon around the handle. A square of fudge Maria had helped him make the day before rested inside.
"Felipe, this is a nice present!" Diego held up the basket and sniffed the fudge. "Gracias, amigo. I shall save the fudge to eat at dinnertime." Felipe smiled.
Turning back to his own gifts, Felipe gently grasped the next one. To his delight, the package consisted of candy and a square of fudge. Maria must have made me this! he thought.
Felipe popped a piece of candy into his mouth. As he swallowed it, he glanced at the three remaining packages.
The first of the three consisted of a long rope, edged with wooden handles painted red. Felipe held it up, puzzled.
"That's a jump rope," Don Alejandro said. "Have you ever used one?" Felipe shook his head.
Rising to his feet, Don Rafael took the rope. Grasping it by the handles, he whirled it over his head and under his feet, jumping over the rope as he did so. He did that four more times, then handed it to Felipe.
The servant boy clutched the handles and whirled the rope over his head, as Rafael had done. However, when he tried to whirl it under his feet, it tripped him. Don Rafael grabbed him to keep him from falling.
"It takes practice, Felipe." The caballero patted his cheek. "If you'll stick it out and not give up, you'll be jumping like a pro in no time." He held up a basket of fudge Felipe had made for him. "Thank you for this fudge, Felipe." He bit into it and swallowed. "Delicious!"
"I thank you, too, my boy." Don Alejandro held up his own basket.
"And so do I." Victoria took a small bite out of her own square. "Don Rafael's right. This is delicious!"
Smiling, Felipe dropped the rope and squatted on the marble floor once more. The next package contained a hand puppet. It wore a king's royal robe and a gold-painted crown rested on top of its head.
Grinning, Felipe inserted his hand into it. He thrust three of his fingers into the head, and his thumb and index finger into the arms. He held the puppet above his head, waving its arms. Laughing, Don Diego shook the puppet's hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." Felipe giggled silently.
The last package was big and rectangular. The little boy tore the wrapping off, eager to see what lay underneath.
A smooth, polished, dark-brown mahogany box lay exposed. Pulling the lid off, Felipe gaped. Inside lay an ivory checkerboard. Red and black checker pieces rested next to it, in separate compartments.
Felipe stared at the checkerboard, then at his patróns.
"You've got your own checkerboard now, don't you?" Don Diego smiled.
Dropping the box on the floor, Felipe leaped to his feet and hugged the caballero. "De nada, my friend." Don Diego kissed his cheek. "Santa Claus suggested to me that you might like one, so I ordered it for you."
Diego drew the boy onto his lap. "After siesta, we'll play a game with your new checkerboard. How's that?" Felipe nodded vigorously. That would be fun!
I do thank Santa Claus! he thought, fidgeting with joy.
Perched next to his son on the couch, Don Alejandro leaned toward the little boy. "Don't forget--today and on January 6, you will eat the main meal of the day with us. This evening, you'll eat your supper in the kitchen with the other servants, as you usually do, but you'll eat the noon meal with Diego, Rafael, Señorita Escalante, and me." Felipe grinned in anticipation.
Don Diego wrapped his arms around the servant boy. "You know, Father?" He hugged Felipe. "This young man's been with us for nearly two months now. And he's been with me for the last four. It doesn't seem possible that so much time has gone by."
Don Alejandro nodded. "He's brought new life into our hacienda, hasn't he, son? Until you brought Felipe to Los Angeles, I hadn't realized how much life and joy had been lacking here all these years, since the death of your mother. It's going to be fun watching him grow up." His eyes twinkled again.
"It certainly will." Victoria's eyes shone. "That boy's a joy and a blessing to us all."
Giggling silently, Felipe relaxed. It felt wonderful to snuggle in Don Diego's lap, with Diego's arms wrapped around him. It had been such fun to take part in the Guadalupe Day fiesta and in the posadas with the other children.
Padre Bernardo said helping them would be good medicine, he thought. He understood, at last, what the kind priest had meant. Not only had the little boy thoroughly enjoyed the fun and excitement the posadas and fiesta had brought, but knowing that he'd helped make it fun for the church orphans, had cheered up two of them, and had made presents for his patróns that they liked had added to his enjoyment. He had even managed to make a friend out of a boy who had at first hated him.
Felipe wiggled out of Diego's lap and darted toward his presents lying in a pile on the floor. He could hardly wait to start playing with his new toys!
THE END