Chapter Three: A Father's Fear

Mendoza and Marinche leave after a few hours of visiting. It is just time for Conchetta and Miguel to go to bed. Zia and I take turns tucking our little ones into bed, and tonight it is my turn. I carry Conchetta on my hip and hold Miguel's hand as we go to their bedroom. Once in I tuck them all the way up to their chins. (They love that!)

As I am tucking in Conchetta, she asks me, "Papa, don't you like Aunt Marinche? She's really nice."

I look at her sweet, cherubic face and try to put my feelings into the simplest terms that I can. "When Mommy, Uncle Tao, and I were children, Marinche was a mean woman. She would capture us and try to hurt us."

"Why?"

"She was after the Cities of Gold. She was greedy," I explained. "All she cared about was having a lot of money."

"But it's good to have a lot of money, Papa. People who have a lot of money can buy a lot of things."

I smile at her. So young, so innocent. "Yes, darling, money is good, but LOVING money is bad. We are to love Jesus and people, not money. But Marinche loved money, not Jesus and people. People who love money can do bad things to get it. It is good to work for money, but it is bad to steal."

"I see," said Conchetta.

"All right, darling. It's late, and you need your sleep. Good night." I kiss her gently on the forehead, kiss Miguel on his forehead, and leave the room. It is late, and Zia, Tao, and I are tired, too. Tao goes into his bedroom, and Zia and I go into ours.

I sigh as I lie down in bed next to my wife. "Zia, what do you think? Do you think Marinche has really changed for the better?"

"I don't know, Esteban. She seems like she has changed, but it is so hard to tell with her. Remember when we first met her? She seemed kind, but she was a traitor. And she hated us all. I never imagined Mendoza would marry her!"

"Nor did I." I sigh heavily and break down in tears. "Zia, I'm so scared," I tell her, trembling.

Zia takes my hand. "Oh, Esteban..."

"What if she plans to kill Conchetta and Miguel? I would sooner die than let our children die! If she is still the treacherous woman we knew her as, I couldn't put anything past her! I won't be able to eat or sleep! Oh, look at me! I'm breaking down when I'm supposed to be the protector of my family!"

Zia cuddles close to me. "Esteban," she says softly, "it's all right to be scared. Everybody, male and female, is scared sometimes. I am scared for our children, too. But don't worry. Mendoza is here again, and he has never let us down before. He won't let anything happen to any of us." She kisses my lips. "Besides, my love, being scared for someone is part of loving them."

I stare and stare at her. Now I know what made me fall in love with her. Zia is a person of true wisdom and encouragement. I wipe the tears from my face and kiss her.

Conchetta comes into our room. "I heard crying in here. Papa, you were crying. Are you all right?"

I sit up in bed and pull her onto my lap. I embrace her tightly. "Yes, my dear child. Everybody cries sometimes...mamas, papas, everybody. It's part of being a person, just like you and Miguel cry sometimes."

Conchetta looks into my eyes. "You stay with me when I cry," she says. "You'll sit with me to cheer me up. Can I stay in here and snuggle with you, Papa?" She rests her head against my shoulder.

I kiss her on the forehead. "Of course, my Conchetta." I am so happy, it's all I can do to keep from crying all over again.

Zia smiles at Conchetta and hugs her. Just then Miguel comes in. "Papa," he says, "I heard you crying. Can I stay in here with you to make you feel better?"

How blessed can I be! I have two wonderful children who love and care about me just as much as I love and care about them. Zia and I hug Miguel, too, and then we all lie down and go to sleep.