Chapter 20

"We will be stepping out, Papi."  Milagros makes sure the whole neighborhood can hear her announcement.

"I will make sure that she is safe."

"How safe?"  I ask blind and beautiful Huehue.  I begin to tremble.

"As safe as she is with you."  Huehue steps closer to me. She reaches out for the obsidian mirror.  "Here, this will help you."

"How so?"  I am dumbfounded at how carefree Huehue can be in this situation.  She's escorting my daughter out into the streets without the ability to see.

"When you begin to miss Milagros…and me…". She smiles at this. Frankly, considering how everything is going, I think I would miss Huehue.  "You can look into the mirror."

"But I don't see my reflection."  It's good that I can't see myself, but what should I see?

"You will see what you will need to see."  Her eyes glimmer equally in light or darkness.

"I'm not sure I understand, but I thank you for your concern, Huehue."  There is not much else I can say.  Like being given an unwanted and unexpected gift.  "And for all your help."

"Do not worry. When I return I will help you move around the room a bit.  For now, rest if you can."

"Thank you, kind señorita."  I bow my head slightly.

"I will see you for lunch, Papi."  I almost forget that Milagros is in the room.

"Will you be helping Elena when you return, mija?"

"With lunch? Of course.  It will be extra tasty.  We'll be making some chíle rellenos."

"Let's go, Milagros before I begin to drool uncontrollably."

"Huehue! You're a lady!"  Milagros remains as playful as ever.

"I'm a wild lady. I'm also getting impatient.  Now let's go."

The girls leave me in my room alone.  After a few minutes, my mind drifts back off into sadness and loneliness.  I think of Milagros mother. I think of that terrible event.  I think about raising Milagros since birth, without my precious partner by my side.  The accident left me with injuries and no eye but I managed to move forward.  Now, I am almost completely crippled.  My face is uglier than it's ever been. My limbs and torso tore up to shreds and my hand missing.  I look at my paintings near the floor of the room.  Many of them are about the legend of the very old coyote.  Am I the only one that sees the connection between Huehue and the legend?  No one pays much attention to her ears and tail.  Speaking of which, I forgot to mention to the girls to hide the appendages from the view of the common folk. Elena and Dr. Sepúlveda seem to be in on the secret but I don't think anyone else will understand.  Catholicism is so much a large part of the colonization.  Only the indigenous people are aware of the stories of our ancestors.  The Fransiscanos would alert the military and the Commandante.  We'd be back at the ostracization of the indigenous savages again. I wish I could paint again.  

I look over at the table near my bed and reach for the mirror.  Should I take it?  Or should I leave it be?  I decide to take it into my hands.  I look into the mirror.  It is dark.  Deep.  And I suddenly feel transfixed.  I go deeper into the mirror, almost falling into the abyss.  I close my eyes, feeling dizzy and nauseous.

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