Nacre's Promise

Chapter IV : At the Pueblo

Cuevas-Blancas, 1890.

Ernesto Cazal was moving with a rapid step in the alleys of the Pueblo de Cuevas-Blancas. For the fourth time since his marriage he was going to ask the Padre, this spring day, to enter in his registers the birth of his last-born, little Concepción.

It was early, but day had long passed, and after declaring the birth, he would go back to work. Times were difficult for families who had no assets, absences and delays were badly tolerated, and even being the foreman, he had to be on time to avoid losing his job.

The Cuevas-Blancas estate was both his workplace and his home. He was born there, spent his childhood there with his parents and now he worked there with his family. Shy by nature, Ernesto was nonetheless a force of nature with his eighty and ninety kilos. Tough jobs did not scare him and he was considered a trustworthy man, able to take on delicate tasks as well as managing a job site requiring several people from start to finish.

With now one more child, he was going to have to work even harder and redouble his efforts, but that didn't scare him.

On the way, he passed Anton, one of the workers he was closest to. They never left each other since childhood.

— So, are you still a father? his friend asked him.

— Yes, and she's still a girl!

— I hope this time I will be the godfather! We've been working together for so long that I feel like family you know.

— Yes that's obvious, replied Ernesto, smiling. We are both like brothers.

And then thought Ernesto, we could later marry Concepción to Anton's youngest son which would strengthen the bond even further. It would also save me the trouble of looking for a husband for her and giving her a dowry.

Although he loved his four daughters dearly, he thought he would rather have had a little boy to help him with his activities on the farm. With several children, there was always a lot of work and more hands would be welcome to take care of the regular maintenance of the accommodation.

The chimneys had to be swept regularly and the wood stove often required him to intervene. Chopping wood, feeding chickens and pigs, taking care of the vegetable garden, in addition to his work on the estate, that had never been a problem for this athlete who is still active. Yet everything seemed a little more difficult to him since he had felt this fever and those pains in his chest. But for the moment, it was his wife and his youngest child who had to be the object of all his attention.

The day after the birth, which had been long and difficult, his wife Imelda could no longer bear to let him take care of her like a child.

— Come help me up, I can't be idle, she shouted at him after tucking her baby between the pillows. And, let me know what's going on in town.

Ernesto didn't want to worry her.

— Everything is calm for now, rest, he lied.

The news from the city was worrying, however. A very aggressive fever was decimating the surroundings and, in the nearby areas, many workers had not survived. When were they going to be affected too?

But seeing his serious and tired face, Imelda knew he was lying to her. She got up, got dressed and grabbing her basket, rushed out of the house before Ernesto could call her out.

There were many preparations to fight against the evil: going to collect medicinal plants, prepare root-based decoctions, put eucalyptus leaves to dry to let them burn slowly in the house in order to clean up the place. Everything had to be ready when evil touched their home.

She took Concepción to her neighbor, and asked her to watch over her while she did her picking.

— Can you keep it for me for an hour? I must go and find something to protect us against the bad air that will bathe our houses if the fever gets here.

— Of course Imelda, she is so cute. Has she eaten? I wouldn't want her to start crying because I ran out of milk and couldn't replace you! she exclaimed, laughing.

— Do not worry about that. I will also plan a double harvest so that you can enjoy it too.

Outside, the air was fresh and charged with the scent of the jasmine that grew in front of the house. Imelda was looking forward to going out. Followed by one of the village dogs, she went deep into the countryside to find her precious plants.

She enjoyed this escapade outside, especially after this pregnancy which had gone rather badly. She had been forced to stay in bed for almost two months, right at the end, so as not to risk losing the baby. Isabel, the eldest of her children, had helped her a lot during this period. At seven years old, she showed great dedication to her family and always offered to help when it came to bringing relief to her neighbor.

Some backbiters assured, speaking of Isabel, that her good heart would ruin her, and that was certainly true. Imelda realized that informing Isabel so that she was aware of it was becoming necessary. While remaining helpful and kind, she was not to go overboard as bad people might exploit her kindness.

Of course, Imelda was sure her daughter wouldn't listen to her. She did not seem very religious although she never missed a mass, but it was impossible for her to refuse her help.

What a great kid ! I hope she never suffers from it.

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[1] from the village of Cuevas-Blancas