The Tower of Il Serrohe Read Online Free PDF Page B

night.
    “ It had been so real, not like an ordinary dream of vague shadows and irrational events strung together. She lay back down, but sleep did not return quickly and when it did, she did not dream or travel to Piralltah Steeples.
    “ Morning came with freshly prepared tortillas and roasted green chile. Teresa greeted her father and mother dutifully. After a breakfast uninterrupted by conversation, her father left to his part-time job at Wartman’s, the nearby feed store a German immigrant had recently opened. Her mother busied herself with the dishes and cooking a red chile sauce for the beans that had been soaking overnight.
    “ Wanting to escape the heat of the oven on a late summer morning, Teresa hurried to complete her chores of washing the dishes and making the beds. Dashing back through the kitchen, she stopped short, finding the door blocked by two women covered by what seemed to be the veils of widows.
    “‘ Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know Mama had company…’”
    “ The widows stood their ground without a word. Teresa’s mother turned from her boiling pot of beans and stared at Teresa, a frown furrowing its way across her forehead.
    “‘ Teresa, loca, what are you babbling about? There is no one here.’
    “ Teresa looked at the two women who swayed slightly but remained more erect than the viejas (old ladies) who usually wore the widow’s garb until their dying day.
    “ Mama, then who are these two viejas ?’ pointing to the two who still blocked her way.
    “ Her mother humored her by looking carefully in the direction of the door. ‘Teresa, go back to bed, I will fix you some Manzanilla tea to settle your nerves.’ Muttering something along the lines of, ‘I knew this would happen eventually! Twenty-one-years old and not yet married, mi hijita .’
    Mama stepped to her daughter and put her hands firmly on Teresa’s shoulders, guiding her to her bedroom.
    “‘ Mama! What are you doing? Who are these…’ And as she looked at the two mute figures, as if fanning away smoke, their ‘veils’ were blown away so she could see their faces clearly.
    “‘ Pita! Pia! Mi Dios! You are here in my home… in Peralta… in—what did you call it—my plane?’
    “ She turned to her mother. ‘Listen, last night these women…’
    And then a wisp of warm smoke traced itself across her lips. Pita’s face stuck itself between Teresa and her mother.
    “‘ No, Teresa, your mother cannot see or hear us. It is like last night when you visited us. Only we could see and hear you and so now, only you can know we are here. Shut up before your mother begins to believe you are possessed by a demon.’

“‘ But—’
    “‘ No! Do nothing. Do not look us in the eyes; do not say anything to us with your mother or anyone else present. Just go to your room, lie down, and be quiet until she leaves you alone.’
    “ With her mouth still open, Teresa stifled herself and allowed her mother to take her to her room.
    “‘ There, mi hijita, you have not been sleeping well, I can tell by those dark circles under your eyes. You have been taking this curandera business much too seriously. The health and lives of the people of Peralta do not depend on your healing powers. Leave it to God and get more rest.’
    “‘ Yes, Mama, you are right. I’m sorry. It was the shadows from the elm tree through the window in the door. I’ve been thinking of poor Senora Garcia and I just thought she was…’
    “‘ That’s my girl. Now close your eyes and pray the rosary to clear your mind. Buena. ’
    “ After several moments to make sure she was truly settling down, she left Teresa alone. Pita and Pia drifted in, silent until she opened her eyes.
    “‘ Don’t talk yet; your mother is listening at the door. Breathe deeply and regularly so she will think you’re asleep.’
    “‘ Finally! She’s gone back to the kitchen. Just listen and when you do talk, whisper gently.’
    “ Teresa nodded.
    “ Pita sat on the