September 1496
Antonio de San Miguel sat alone in the courtyard of his parents’ home, cheerlessly sipping the last of his wine left from the afternoon meal. He removed from his pocket, the letter he had received five days ago. Rereading it evoked memories of the past three years. Memories that washed over him like an icy hand.
Elena’s death had devastated his mother and father. His father, markedly. Don Miguel cursed Diego de San Gil endlessly.
Desiring nothing less than damnation upon him; but blaming himself repeatedly for the loss of his daughter. His mother, Donna Isabel, knowing somewhere in a mother’s secret heart, the true reasons Elena had left for the convent, still mourned.
She continued to wear black. Refusing invitations to joyous festivities; it seemed she prayed from morn to night.
Antonio suffered the most, since he knew of Elena’s bastard child, and how she really died. However, it was a burden he 160
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would carry to his grave. A secret he would not, could not reveal. The whole household was bleak and dismal. All pleasure and enjoyment seemed gone from life.
Now after all these years without a word, Juan Sanchez de La Casa had written asking if he might visit. For what reason, remained a mystery.
There was the possibility that Sanchez had been part of Colon’s second voyage to the New World. Which left the Canary Islands in October of 1493, not returning until June of 1496. A large expedition, many ships, men, horses, sheep and cattle. It was the Crown’s intent to colonize these new lands.
Admiral Colon, in ill health, returned from this voyage disappointed and confused. Still unable to confirm if he had found the mainland of China. The monarchs, confident that this new world would yield a healthy profit in gold, and converts, began to doubt Columbus’ abilities. They commenced issuing new licenses to other expeditions.
If de La Casa had been part of Colon’s second voyage, and was now returning, was it possible he was bringing word of Josh…Diego! Maybe Diego had returned with him. Aye de mi!
What a situation that would create.
Hearing Anna, the house-maid approach, he quickly returned the letter to his pocket.
“Pardone Señor. A gentleman, Señor Juan Sanchez de La Casa, calls. He asks if you are available. He is most anxious to see you.”
“Is he alone?” Antonio nervously asked.
“Si, Señor.”
“Then show him in. And make sure the patron and Donna Isabel are not disturbed.”
“As you wish, Señor.”
As he watched the servant leave, Antonio frantically searched his mind. He needed some excuse for his parents, to explain Sanchez’s visit. His father would certainly want to know 161
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the reason why he had come. Sanchez’s part in the episode at the convent had never been revealed to anyone.
Hopefully Sanchez will be gone by the time siesta is over, and my parents still asleep until he is gone, Antonio silently prayed.
Bracing himself for whatever was to come, he stood as Señor de La Casa accompanied by Anna made his way to him.
“Buenos dias, Señor, it is a pleasure to see you again after so many years,” Juan warmly greeted him.
Antonio, tense and ill at ease, again felt the terrible pain he had known the day he learned of his sister’s death. He mumbled his response, dismissed Anna, making sure she was unable to hear, then sharply hissed, “Why have you come, Señor, after all these years of silence? My parents know nothing of you, nor the events that occurred at the convent.”
Sadness replacing his initial joy at seeing Antonio again, Juan began his explanation. “I had hoped that after all these years, you might have reconciled yourself, and your family to what happened at the convent. To accept it.”
“I beg of you, Señor, do not speak of the incident at the convent. Elena’s death was hard enough on my parents. To reveal what happened now, would put both of them into their graves.”
“A thousand pardons, Señor, it was not my intent to open old wounds, I thought the passing of time might have healed them.”
“Those wounds will never be healed.” Antonio shouted,
“And Diego de San Gil, may his soul rot in hell, will pay for the sin he committed, just as my sister has.”
Checking his temper, at Antonio’s outburst, and not wishing to cause additional pain, Juan simply and quietly related the events of his second journey to the New World. Of Diego’s death, how well Antonio’s nephew Jesus was doing. Still living with the Cortes family, Juan asked whether Antonio had any wish to see Jesus.
“Maybe my sister would still be alive if he had never been born. No I have no desire to see the bastard child. But thank you 162
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for the small consolation you have brought, by informing me that Diego de San Gil… has paid for the sin he committed.”
Juan, saddened and crushed by Antonio’s words and hatred, decided to leave. Thinking, continuing in this manner would only bring additional resentment, he quietly said, “Forgive me, Señor, I will take my leave now. I apologize again for any distress I may have caused you. You have my word as a gentleman, the events we have spoken of, will never be revealed to anyone.” Bowing low, Juan whispered, “Adios—goodbye, Señor. No need to summon your servant. I can find my way out.”
“As you wish, Señor,” Antonio replied, turning his back on Juan.
Watching de La Casa leave, Antonio experienced a multitude of emotions, anger, sadness, relief.
Anger at Diego de San Gil. Sadness for the loss of his sister.
Relief his mother and father, not finishing their siesta, had remained in their room. He marveled at Juan Sanchez’s fortitude, traveling that vast ocean and surviving once more.
Thinking of Diego’s death, how he died…at the hands of wild savages.
His reverie was interrupted by the sound of his father’s voice, speaking to Anna. Entering the courtyard, Don Fernando called to Antonio, “Eh, Antonio. Anna tells me a fine gentleman paid us a call, why did you not waken me.”
“It was no one of importance, Papa. An old acquaintance who was on his way to Medellin, who decided to pay a call.”
“One of your wenching amigos, I would venture to guess.”
“Si, Papa, exactly; did you sleep well?” Antonio asked, hoping to change the subject.
“As well as I could, but I ache all over. Some wine is what I need now. Anna, un poca de vino por favor— Anna, a glass of wine please.”
“Si, Señor, pronto— yes, sir, right away,” Anna answered.
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Preparing the wine, Anna was puzzled. While Antonio’s visitor was here, she could have sworn she heard the words bastard child, sister. Yet Antonio said nothing to el Patron; just described the gentleman as an “acquaintance.” From the sound of Señor Antonio’s voice, the “acquaintance” was bringing very bad news. Why? Anna de Segovia thought, as she served the wine.
* * *
Sitting in the coach he had hired for the trip to Medellin, Juan Sanchez de la Casa again went over the events of the previous day. A sad turn of events for not one, but two families. The San Miguel’s loss of their daughter, their endless sorrow. Diego’s family never to know his fate, poor Jews wondering to who knows where. Ay di mi! Dear God, why have you chosen to punish them so?164