It's Just Lola Read Online Free PDF Page A

said Juan.
    Lola went rigid.  “They ’ re coming here?”
    “Don ’ t worry, Señorita Lola, you can stay inside the house.  They ’ ll only stay long enough to let us know that the food and drink are a gift , and we should be grateful.”  Lola couldn ’ t understand the bitterness in his tone.
    The girls sipped the lemonade Juan’s wife had insisted on serving.  They watched as Juan’s sons and their nephews slowly approached each other, finally disappearing into the other room, followed by the voice of the mother reminding them to stay neat and clean.  Lola absently kicked her feet back and forth as she sat on the cane settee and looked around.  One end of the large room held a plank table and benches like the one in their own kitchen.  The furniture was mostly cane , and colorful pillows made the room look comfortable and inviting. 
    Lola was impressed by how clean everything was.  She glanced in the corners and under the furniture—places Maria used to scold Rosa for not cleaning.  Not a speck of dust was visible.  Even the leaves of the plant in the corner looked shiny and clean .   Why did everyone say Cholos were dirty?  Shouts came from outside.
    “They’re coming!” O ne of Juan’s sons ran into the main room and rac ed toward the door, with all the other children at his heels.  Enriqueta grabbed Ricardo’s arm just as Juan’s wife put her hand on Mateo ’s shoulder.
    “The treats are for the village children,” said Enriqueta.
    “Why can’t I have some, too?” Ricardo asked, struggling to get his arm away from Enriqueta.  His cousin was too intimidated by Carmen to move or say a word. 
    “Because your grandfather might not be pleased to see you here,” Lola said. 
    The boy stopped squirming immediately.  “But Mama said we could come. ”
    “Yes, to watch the dancing and listen to the music,” said Lola .  She , too, suspected t he ir father might be angry to see them in the village—especially without a chaperone. 
    Carmen smiled.  “El Patrón will be too busy to think about you youngsters today, but it ’ s always better not to call attention to yourselves.”  Lola nodded.  That was often the best way to deal with her father.  The four watched from behind the curtains as the village children came pouring out of their houses, followed by the older children and adults who stood stiffly and smiled.  Lola thought they looked like Cholo dolls with smiles pasted on their faces.
    “How beautiful , ” Inez said .  Everything else faded from Lola’s mind as she saw her father in all his wedding finery sitting tall in the saddle of his magnificent stallion.  Next to him, on a glistening black horse that Lola had never seen in the stables, rode his bride.  She was sitting sidesaddle with her wedding gown spread over the hindquarters of the horse.  Her own shining black hair reached the back of the horse.  It looked as though horse and rider were parts of a single statue, carved from black onyx and ivory.  Lola thought she heard the word diabla whispered behind her.
    The bride and groom rode slowly past the houses , the groom tossing small coins and the bride tossing candies while the children scrambled about trying to collect them. 
    “Congratulations . ”
    “Many years of happiness . ”
    “May you have good luck . ”
    Lola did not hear anyone wish God’s blessings upon the union. 
    Everyone at the window gasped as a small child raced toward an unclaimed treat—heedless of the sharp hooves around it.
    “ Ay , Dios m io!   Oh , m y God!” Carmen screamed as she raced for the door.  Lola was transfixed, unable to move or even breathe.  Time crawl ed as the black horse pranced nearer the child.  Lola heard a woman scream , and then she saw Juan moving like a blur toward the horse.  He jumped and slammed his own powerful shoulder into the shoulder of the horse, causing the startled animal to stumble slightly and move sideways.  As Juan landed ,