Page 56 of Vistaria Has Fallen
“This is what you eat all the time?” Minnie asked.
“Often. People cook here more than they do in the city. It is traditional and it is cooler. Nearly two thousand feet. We have bigger mountains in the north.” He did not hide his pride.
The call to Uncle Josh went through just as she finished her bowl. Calli sat at the bar and swiveled so the customers sittinga few stools away could not eavesdrop—even if they did know English.
“Calli? I got your note. You’re in Pascuallita?”
“Yes, we got off the train a while ago and we’re eating right now.”
He was silent for a moment. “I suppose there’s a good reason you’re up there?”
“Yes.”
“Should I worry, Calli? You left with no notice, in the dead of the night. And Pascuallita...I’ve heard rumors that Pascuallitais where the rebels would strike first.”
“Have you heard something might happen?”
“No. You be careful, anyway. Duardo is with you?”
“Yes.”
This time his silence was even longer. “Is he armed?” Uncle Josh asked, his tone awkward.
“Not that you’d notice, looking at him. Yes, he’s carrying a gun,” Calli murmured.
He sighed and she could see him in her mind, rubbing his hand through his hair.“Okay. Is Minnie there? Let me talk to her.”
* * * * *
After lunch, they stepped out of the tavern and looked around. The train station was directly in front of them. Because of the mountainous terrain, the platform lifted twenty feet higher than the road. Bright red, yellow and blue safety rails edged the platform and tubs of flowers sat beneath them, nodding in the little breeze that passedup the street. It was mid-afternoon, yet lots of people still moved about the street.
“No siesta?” Calli asked.
Duardo shook his head. “No heat,” he explained. “Why sleep away the day?”
Even though it was cooler at this elevation, there was still a mugginess in the air that reminded her they were in the tropics.
“We’d better be tourists,” Minnie said, dropping her sunglasses over her eyes,hitching her heavy overnight bag over her shoulder and looking around with interest. “Where are the shops, Duardo?”
“Ah, shopping, of course,” he said with laugh. “How silly of me to forget a matter of such importance.” He arranged his bags in his left hand, tucked Minnie’s hand under that elbow and turned her to face downhill. “This way,” he instructed. He waved for Calli to walk along besidehim, yet he did not guide her with a touch to her arm or back as he had done inel colinas. The reason, when she figured it out, took some of the pleasantness out of the afternoon. He was keeping his gun hand free.
The narrow, winding streets in Pascuallita discouraged any vehicles with more than two wheels. They had been constructed around the original buildings, sited on the flattest land available.The streets had been laid on the land that remained—the steepest land. Sets of steps and terraces broke up many of the streets, which further reduced traffic.
Bicycles were everywhere and many of the younger people used skateboards and skates. Most people walked. There was a lot of foot traffic and more of it the deeper they wound into the heart of the town.
At one intersection of three differentstreets, Calli heard her name being called from the street on her left. She looked that way, startled. At the far end of the street sat an open-topped Jeep. Nicolás Escobedo leaned against the front grille, his arms crossed, a black hat shading his face, sunglasses obscuring the dark blue eyes.
Calli controlled the first impulsive sound of delight that came to her. She brushed past Minnie andDuardo and hurrying up the narrow little alley. She stopped in front of him, her backpack slapping against her shoulder. “You came.”
“And you thought I wouldn’t.”
“I couldn’t see how. Never mind. You’re here. Althoughhowyou got here...”
“Later,” he said and lifted his chin. “Duardo.”
Duardo and Minnie had followed her up the alley. Nicolás held out his hand, and the younger man dropped hisbags and shook it. He didn’t smile.
“Anyone?” Nicolás asked.