Lorenzo's Revolutionary Quest by Lila Guzmán

Author:Lila Guzmán
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arte Público Press
Published: 2003-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

“Well, this explains a lot,” Lorenzo said. “Why would you pretend to be a man?”

Miguel looked him straight in the eye for the first time. “It’s a long story.”

“Well, start talking. I want to hear this.”

“My twin brother, Miguel, inherited the ranch after Papá died. He had no desire to continue the cattle business, so he went to Spain to study at the university. I ran the ranch while Soledad tended house. She met an Apache brave named Bayé, and they got married. I was sorry to see her go, but glad at the same time. Bayé, was a fine man who had a way with horses.” Miguel paused. “You can tell a lot about a man’s character by the way he handles horses.”

Lorenzo nodded in agreement.

“Then one day, about four years ago, disaster struck. The king of Spain confiscated the ranch, and I had no way to support myself.”

“Did the king take the ranch for debts?”

“No. As punishment.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “My brother was part of a conspiracy against the king and was executed.”

“You assumed your twin’s identity when you joined the army.”

“Correct. I had no family left. I thought about going to Spain. I set out for Laredo not completely sure what I would do with myself. For reasons of security, I dressed as a man. Along the way, I met some soldiers guarding a supply wagon. They welcomed my company and treated me like a man.” Miguel half-smiled. “That was when I got the idea to join the army.”

Lorenzo recalled the day his father threw him out of the examination room. “Papá discovered your secret, didn’t he?”

“Yes. He was a very shrewd man. Soon after I joined the army, he ordered me to come to his office. In private, he confronted me. I confessed everything. Once Dr. Bannister discovered I was using Miguel’s identity, he falsified medical records.”

Lorenzo considered that. It sounded like something his father would do.

“Dr. Bannister showed me how to wrap my chest in this kind of bandage.” She lightly touched it. “It works better than the one I was using.”

“How did you manage to fool everyone?” Lorenzo asked, genuinely interested.

Miguel smiled. “It wasn’t that hard. I was raised around vaqueros. They taught me how to ride and rope and act manly. I was the son my father always wanted. Miguel was something of a disappointment. After Bayé died, Soledad moved to San Antonio to live with me. She knows about the masquerade, of course. Now that you know the truth, Captain, what do you plan to do about this?”

Lorenzo leaned back on his elbows and watched the sky.

Below ash-gray clouds, a hawk hovered on the air current looking for prey. After a moment, it flew away.

“Do about what, Lieutenant? I seem to have gotten water in my ears and have missed most of what you just said.”

Miguel’s worried expression melted. “You have much of your father in you.”

“I take that as a great compliment, Lieutenant.”

“I intended it as such. He was a special man and is sorely missed.

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