The Day of the Moon Read Online Free Page B

feet, knocking the chair onto the floor. He banged the table with his clenched fist with such force that plates, glasses, and silverware crashed to the floor. Two women servants ran into the room, not knowing what to expect. They cowered when they saw Don Flavio, feet spread apart, his face purple with rage and his hair sticking out as if he had seen the devil.
    â€œYou’ll hear from me tomorrow!”
    He stalked out of the room, but not before Brígida had the last word, her voice still tinged with derision.
    â€œYou’ll never marry me off! Never! Never!”
    The next day, still in bed, she received a letter from Flavio. The servant who brought it to her was careful to knock at the door, open the shutters and windows, and bow in respect to the sister of the
Patrón
.
    â€œBuenos días, Niña.”
    â€œ
Buenos días
.”
    Brígida stared at the young woman as she moved, folding clothing and picking up the room. She was captivated by the Indian’s graceful, quiet motions and the manner in which her bare feet slid on the polished hardwood floor.
    â€œWhat is your name?”
    â€œUrsula Santiago,
Niña.”
    She was a Rarámuri woman wearing the traditional cotton dress that reached nearly to her ankles. Her hair hung below her shoulders in two braids. She handed Brígida the sealed envelope and silently left the bedroom.
    Brígida, You will marry the man that I select for you when I order you to do so. If you do not obey me, you will find yourself on the streets of Ciudad Creel.
    The note was not signed. Brígida laid back on the pillows for a long while, thinking, the note crumpled in her left hand. Then she smoothed the paper and re-read the words. She got out of bed, called the servant, and instructed her to bring hot water for her to bathe in. After she did this, she dressed, asked for a cup of chocolate, and she drank as she gazed out the window.
    Brígida feared being destitute, but she dreaded being married even more. She had known from girlhood that she would do anything to keep from the condition that had turned her mother into a shadow. She had been very young when her mother had died, but Brígida remembered enough to see how her father disdained the woman who had given him pleasure. She was convinced that her mother had sickened and perished because of that abandonment, and she had determined then that she would never marry.
    Brígida closed her eyes; she was shaky, unsure of what to do. She regretted having mocked her brother, but it had happened thoughtlessly. His conversation about marriage had taken her by surprise and unnerved her. It had clearly been a threat on his part and something inside of her had leapt, fought back, and it had come out sounding scornful. She thought of apologizing to Flavio, but something inside of her recoiled at the idea. She then considered conforming to his wishes and agreeing to marry, but she was sickened by the thought.
    Brígida made her decision. She went to the desk at the far end of the bedroom, took a sheet of paper from a drawer and answered her brother.
    I will never marry because I was not born to do so. If you cast me out, I will see to it that the scandal is so enormous that you will be rejected by the Urrutias and all other such families.
    Flavio Betancourt was forced to allow his sister to remain in Casa Miraflores while he planned his wedding. He brought to the union holdings that, even though moderate, were among the most promising in Chihuahua. However, even though he was now wealthy, he was still a newcomer. No one forgot this, especially not Flavio.
    On the other hand, Velia Carmelita Urrutia brought herself as the main prize of the marriage dowry. She was the only daughter of Don Plutarco and Doña Domitila, one of the most powerful families of the region, owners of silver and copper mines as well as vast territories housing more mineral wealth. Don Plutarco had been part of the turn-of-the-century