When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

Author:Tess Uriza Holthe
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction:Historical
ISBN: 0609609521
Publisher: Crown
Published: 2002-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

WHEN IT CAME time to open our presents I was so upset, I was ready to pass and open them in private, but Corazón insisted. We sat in the middle of the courtyard, and the presents were brought to us. There were many colorful presents, and most of them were for us to share as sisters. Like the picnic basket we received, and the matching tea set made of porcelain. I wanted to throw the tea set on the floor and say, “This is to represent my break from this woman. She is not my sister.” Instead I smiled and we posed for pictures with each present opened. Do you know how it feels to be forced in a situation with someone you despise?

I felt I was walking barefoot on lava. When our mother came and stood behind Corazón instead of between us, it did not go unnoticed by me or our guests. She was punishing me for my earlier dissension, for coming down the stairs unannounced, but it only added to the fire. Mama was selfish that way. Once you offended her, you needed to crawl on your hands and knees to regain her favor. She could have chosen to forgive me, a rash young girl of seventeen, but she didn’t. She dug my wounds deeper, embracing Corazón and speaking only to her, showing everyone who the favored daughter was, as if I didn’t exist. My mother knew the pain she caused me. She knew the rift between Cora and me.

It was just one more thing to add to my feelings toward Corazón. I felt as if everyone had turned against me. I noticed how Jamie sat on Corazón’s side, avoiding me. I wanted to run to my room and shut my door at the whole party.

Even her gown began to annoy me more and more. My blue expensive gown had become wrinkled as the night wore on, and one of the sleeves kept slipping off. Corazón’s gown had kept its freshness. Each time I turned around someone was complimenting her on her talents as a seamstress. I ached to spill my glass of punch on her gown. I envied how the iridescence of the fabric caught the candlelight. I wanted to put out its brightness, so I did.

As the next card was read, the next present passed to us, I pretended to lean over at the gift as if I were curious. I could see Nene’s eyes grow large. She shook her head at me. I heard my name announced first and reached over and—“Oops!”—the punch spilled all over that remarkable gown. Corazón stood with her mouth open, brushing away the punch. Everyone rushed to help her. But funny thing, she wasn’t concerned. She was more excited about the present she held in her hands.

That was when I realized that the presents had ended and what they had saved for last, probably my mother’s idea, was our own presents to each other. What I held in my hands was the present Corazón had bought for me.

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