The Sunshine Trilogy

Chapter 4: Many Names

Francesca had many names. Her uncle, Father Paolo Da Rimini christened her Francesca, her childhood friend Cecily called her Penny. Her mother's pet name for her was Frankie, but Abuela only knew her as Ha'Na Panai. Attending church services at the mission she was always Francesca, virtuous and devout. Times of mischief and misbehavior, Frankie the obstinate child would be present. She was all these personalities and she learned how to use them, to best fit her situation.

Her mother, as the years past, learned to accept Francesca, but offered little guidance in her maturation. Without a father figure in her life, other than uncle Paolo, men were a mystery to her. Although Paolo was a compassionate man, his priestly vocation was ill suited in instructing Francesca as to the ways of men and women. She loved Paolo. She admired the way he spoke with confidence and gravitas. She appreciated his slim masculine frame. She loved his melodic voice and dark eyes. The old Native men she saw at church would smile, but they were as foreign to her, as she was to them. Her seventh grade English teacher she admired, but other than to call on her in class, he treated her no different than the other children. But there was a boy that she liked very much; Chico Standing Bull.

Chico was a dark-haired boy with large cow like eyes. He was handsome with an honest smile that exuded kindness, but he didn't even know she existed, or so she thought. Daydreaming in class about Chico, the nuns would scold and force her to recite the Lord's prayer when caught inattentive. She began to have unexplainable feelings for Chico. It was confusing and scary. Being a diligent student, she wrote down her questions and asked her mother.

"How are babies made?"

"You'll find out soon enough Frankie. It isn't pretty and isn't worth the pain. Besides, men are pigs. I swear they'd have curly tails if you looked hard enough!"

Not satisfied with her mother's answer, she asked Abuela. Abuela, laughed and led her to the chicken coop.

"Come with me child. I will show you how the chickens make eggs." Abuela led the way. "Do you see how the Rooster is handsome with his waddle and red colors? His job is to attract the hens to come to him, so they can pleasure him."

"Pleasure him?" asked Francesca.

"Yes, your grandfather was just like the c**k. He would strut and crow when he was drinking. I would be working in the garden and it didn't matter. He would lift my skirt and bend me over the gate, so he would be pleasured."

"Why would you let him do that, Abuela?"

"I let him do what he pleased. It helped to keep the peace at home. This way I could take his money when he was sleeping and buy the things we needed."

"But Abuela, you didn't have babies. Mama said you aren't her real mother. Her real mother died when I was born. Wasn't Abeulo a good baby maker?" asked Francesca.

"No, No, child. Now, watch el Gallo and you will see how babies are made."

Francesca waited and witnessed the rooster climb atop a pretty orange and white hen and flap his wings and crow. She watched intently and thought to herself, there must be a better way.