August 15, The day after the Rescue
The morning dawned with the eerie sensation of impending life. The hacienda was in a suspended mode of activity. Everyone was praying for Señorita Austin’s recovery from her ordeal of the preceding day. Time does not go quickly this day. Toni was still unconscious. When the doctor returned to the hacienda early in the morning, he discovered she was running an extremely high temperature. After a thorough examination he determined that the bullet wounds were clean, with no infection, thanks to the quick action on Diego’s part. But due to the new circumstances of the high fever, the doctor decided to remain at the de la Vegas in order to monitor the fever. Having completed his examination, he said to Cresencia, who had been present in the room when he arrived, “Would you please stay with her. I don’t want to leave her alone at the present time.” Cresencia answered, “It is my pleasure, Doctor.”
Then the doctor went to the sala in search of Don Diego and Don Alejandro. Both men were there and when they saw the doctor enter, together they addressed him, “Doctor, how is she?” The doctor does not have a promising report to give them. He said, “She is still in a coma and is running a high temperature which I suspect is being caused from the dehydration and the overexposure to the sun. Don Alejandro, if you have no objection, I would prefer to remain here at the hacienda until the fever breaks.”
“Of course, Doctor, for as long as you need. Is there anything we can do?”
“Just be sure she isn’t left alone. I want someone with her at all times. Cresencia is with her now.”
“Doctor,” said Diego, “If you will excuse me, I will relieve Cresencia for awhile. She does have other duties to perform.”
“Of course Diego. Talk to Toni even if she cannot hear you. Sometimes the words get through.”
Don Alejandro and the Doctor watched Diego as he left the room. Don Alejandro said, “He is in such anguish over this incident. He blames himself for not being more forceful with Monastario. This whole arrest was apparently another one of Monastario’s schemes to catch that bandit Zorro. He is so obsessed with capturing Zorro he will go to all extremes to do so.”
“Alejandro, we all know how evil Monastario can be to male or female. If Diego had tried to push Monastario too far, he could have had him shot on the spot.”
“I know…he knows… but it doesn’t make him feel any better. Doctor, Diego is in love with Toni.”
“Now I understand the grief that is on his face. I will do all I can, but her temperature and the loss of blood are still the key at the moment. If the fever doesn’t come down, soon, I’m afraid we could lose her.”
“I understand Doctor. I won’t mention your concerns to Diego. Why don’t we go to the kitchen for some breakfast. You look as though you could use some.”
Meanwhile back in Toni’s room, Diego relieved Cresencia of her watch. Again he moved a chair close to the bed and was caressing Toni’s hand, softly talking to her, and looking at her sunburned face. He was saying, “Toni, if you can hear me, just listen. I’ve been so foolish not telling you how much I love you. Please don’t leave me. I know you have been through a lot since you came to California and if it is in my power I will make you as happy as I can. Please come back to me. We all love you and want to see your smiling face again.” The tears were building in Diego’s eyes and his emotions were ready to break down.
“Madre de Dios, protect her,” he uttered softly as he bowed his head in prayer. Then he softly kissed her parched lips. The doctor had quietly slipped into the room and stood watching and listening to Diego. He smiled when Diego leaned over to kiss her as he has done many times before. Diego stopped kissing her when he heard a noise behind him realizing it was the doctor.
“Don’t let me stop you. That could be the best thing you can do. Diego, your Father told me you Love her and that can be an asset, too. Keep telling her so. The power of Love can do many things.”
“I should have told her long before now, but there were circumstances that kept getting in the way.”
“I see,” said the Doctor, “Now, if you don’t mind waiting outside a few minutes, I’ll examine her again.”
While the doctor was examining Toni, she stirred a bit and opened her eyes for a moment. The doctor was smiling at her but she was not sure who he was. Then her eyes closed again and she was back to unconsciousness.
In the course of the next four days, Toni was in and out of consciousness. The fever was still raging within her and she was delirious at times. She called out Diego…Sally…Jeff…not guilty…Diego…love you…Diego and so on over the last four days. Diego was at her side as much as possible. Each time when she has called his name he would answer, “I’m here, sweetheart. I hear you. I love you. Don’t leave. I don’t want to lose you, my love.”
Finally on the fourth day after the rescue, her fever broke, her pulse was stronger, and she was breathing easier. She still hadn’t regained consciousness, though. But all life signs indicated a good possibility that she would.
Saturday, August 19
Five days after her rescue she finally regained consciousness. When she opened her eyes, they land upon that familiar sweet face she had come to love. Diego was napping in the chair next to the bed and was unaware that Toni was awake. Toni was coherent, aware of her surroundings, but very weak. He throat and mouth were dry and sore and she had trouble getting any words out. However, she finally managed to speak Diego’s name, but he was asleep and didn’t hear her. Bernardo entered the room to relieve Diego for a short time and noticed that he was asleep. Then Bernardo saw that Toni was awake and she smiled at him. With great difficulty she spoke his name. Bernardo’s eyes lit up, his smile was from ear-to-ear, and he went to her and caressed her face. He indicated that Diego was asleep and that he will wake him. She nodded. Bernardo tapped him on the shoulder. Diego opened his eyes and saw Bernardo grinning and pointing at the bed. Diego turned to look toward the bed, jumped out of the chair nearly knocking it over and exclaimed with joy, “Toni, Welcome Back Sweetheart!” She held out her hand to him and he was so elated that he couldn’t resist kissing her. But when he made the attempt, Toni didn’t respond as usual. He drew back and looks at her.
He asked, “What’s wrong?” Toni’s lips were so cracked and her throat so sore that every movement she made was agony. She spoke in a very low voice, “Diego, I’m sorry. It hurts to move my mouth and my throat is so sore.”
“No need to be sorry, Sweetheart. I was so overcome with joy at seeing you awake, I didn’t think. I just wanted to kiss you so badly.” Bernardo was standing behind Diego when Diego said without looking at him, “Bernardo, find the doctor and let him know she is awake.” After Diego spoke to Bernardo he realized he did it without thinking and wondered if Toni noticed. So what if she did. She will need to know eventually he commented to himself. Then he reached for the water and helped Toni to drink it. As he is doing so, the doctor and his Father appeared.
The doctor approached the bed and Diego, his father, and Bernardo wait outside the room while the doctor examined Toni. “Welcome Back, Señorita. You have had everyone so worried. How do you feel?”
In a whispery voice she said, “Like I have been trampled by a herd of horses.”
The doctor laughed and then said, “Your pulse is stronger and the fever seems to be gone. All are good signs. Your wounds are healing as expected. Plenty of bed rest is on your schedule for the next week. I don’t expect any argument either.” Toni shook her head ‘no’.
“Splendid. Take all of this medication. It will help you sleep. Your throat will clear. Give it time.”
She took the medication then looked at the doctor and asked slowly due to the soreness of her mouth and throat, “How…how long…have…have I…been unconscious?”
“Four days,” he said.
“Four days!”
“Yes! Now, I will let Diego back in for a few minutes, but you must get your rest and your strength back for a full recovery. Agreed.”
Toni nodded and answered, “Yes.”
The doctor opened the door and said, “Diego you can come in for a only few minutes. I have given her a sedative. She may fall asleep on you.”
Diego softly approached the bed and tenderly took Toni’s hand in his and kissed her fingers. She had already started to fall asleep but at his touch she opened her eyes to find Diego smiling at her. She smiled, back, closed her eyes, and was off to sleep.
A week passed since Toni regained consciousness. Her recovery seemed to be progressing steadily. She gained back a lot of her strength and was now able to walk around. Life at the hacienda once again returned to normal until one day when Toni’s state of mind turned to depression.
Sunday, August 27
The day was awakening to songs from the birds and the sky was ice blue with no clouds. The temperature was warm and there was a gentle breeze. The conditions were perfect for an early morning carriage ride to the pueblo for Sunday Mass.
Diego had been very happy this past week as he watched Toni progress back to health. Since Toni had been feeling physically better he was hoping that she would accompany him to Sunday Mass on this beautiful Sunday morning. He had something special he wanted to ask her after Mass.
He went to her room, knocked on the door, and received no answer. He knocked several times and still there was no answer. He tried the door to see if it was unlocked—it was. He proceeded to enter. Then the walls came tumbling down. He found Toni standing by the window staring at the view. He called her name. There was no response. He approached her and touched her shoulder. She turned and said in a strange way, “Go away—Leave me alone,” as she jerked away from his grasp. Diego was shocked. He tried to speak to her again. She said the same thing and again jerked away from him. Diego was mystified by her reaction, and this time he was not as gentle. He grabbed her by the shoulders, spun her around to face him, and then saw the far distant look in her eyes.
“Toni,” he said, “What has happened to you?” There was no response, just that far away look that he had never seen before. He made her sit in the chair and he knelt in front of her. He was now very worried. He was about to speak to her again, but there was a knock on the door.
“Diego, are you in there?” Don Alejandro asked.
“Si, Father, I am. Come in.”
When Don Alejandro entered the room, he was also shocked at the scene before his eyes.
“Diego, What happened?”
“I don’t know, Father. I found her in this state when I came to see if she would like to go to Mass.”
Don Alejandro said, “I’ll send for Benito and have him go for the doctor while we are at Mass. Bernardo can stay here and wait for him.”
“Bueno, you do that, but I’m staying here with Bernardo.”
Don Alejandro could see the distress on his Son’s face and did not argue.
After his Father leaves, Diego tried again to arouse her, but with no success. Diego was so confused and at a loss as to what to do next. Bernardo was coming up the stairs as Don Alejandro was going down. They stopped beside each other. Don Alejandro looked at Bernardo with apprehension, “Bernardo, Diego is very troubled. He is with Toni. Something has happened to her. I’m sending Benito for the Doctor. Stay with him, Bernardo, he may need you.”
Bernardo looked at Don Alejandro in puzzlement but nodded ‘yes’. Bernardo knocked on Toni’s door and opened it slowly. Diego saw him. “Bernardo, my friend, come in, please.” When Bernardo approached Diego, he then knew what Don Alejandro meant. He looked at Diego and then at Toni, who didn’t seem aware that anyone was present. However she is aware they are there. Tears came to Bernardo’s eyes as he tried to understand the situation. “Bernardo, I don’t know what is wrong. It is like she is in a far away place and is lost.”
The doctor arrived shortly after Don Alejandro left for Mass. When he arrived at the hacienda, he went directly to Toni’s room and knocked on the door.
Diego said, “Enter.” The doctor was stunned when he saw the situation.
“Diego, what is going on?”
“That is what I want to know, doctor.”
“How long has she been in this state of mind.”
“I do not know. This is how I found her an hour ago.”
“When you speak to her, what happens?”
“Nothing. She just stares. When I touch her she pulls away. When I try kissing her, she pulls away.”
“That tells me she is aware of your presence. Let me examine her. Wait outside. I won’t be long.”
The doctor finished his examination and went to seek Diego.
“Diego, I am not a psychiatrist, but it seems that Toni has, for some unknown reason, gone into a state of depression. I have no knowledge of treatment or how long it will last or what caused it. The only thing I can suggest is to keep trying to get through the mental block. If it goes on too long, other help may be needed.” Diego was angry and pounded both hands on the balcony railing. “I am sorry, Diego, there isn’t anything I can do. Please keep me informed as to what happens?”
“Thank you, Doctor. I will see you to the gate.”
After the doctor left, Diego turned to Bernardo with great sadness on his face and tears in his eyes. He said, “I thought everything was going smoothly, now this! Bernardo, I came to see if Toni would like to accompany me to Mass. Then afterwards I was… Let’s go to the secret room. I have something I want to show you.”
When they are in the secret room, Diego reached into the drawer in the table and brought out a small box neatly wrapped in blue paper. He unwrapped the box, opened the lid, and showed Bernardo an exquisite diamond engagement ring. Bernardo’s eyes opened wide in astonishment at the sight of the dazzling ring. He looked at Diego and signed, //When were you going to give it to her?//
“Today after Mass. I had thought this was going to be the best day of my life. Now it has been shattered!”
Diego was in a fit of temper which he rarely displayed. He picked up the box with the ring in it and was about to throw it against the wall when Bernardo grabbed his arm to stop him. Bernardo nodded his head ‘no’ and signed, //That won’t help any. I have faith that she will come out of this on her own.//
“Oh Bernardo, you are so wise sometimes, but I’m not so sure this time. Her recovery or not is questionable.”
Then Bernardo signed a “Z” in the air. Diego said angrily, “Zorro! What about Zorro? He can’t do anything more that I can.”
Bernardo shook his head ‘no’ and signed, //Are you riding tonight?//
“No Bernardo. I can’t ride as Zorro. Not with my emotions in such a turmoil. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate and that, my friend, could get us both killed. I would rather the people be without Zorro for a time, rather than putting us (you, me, and Father) in jeopardy.” Bernardo understood his patrón’s concerns and was very sad to see him in this situation. Bernardo then signed, //Do you still love her?//
“Yes Bernardo, I do. But I don’t know what I can do to bring her back.”
Bernardo then made the sign of a triangle. Diego caught his meaning.
“Yes, Bernardo, this triangle of love is slightly unconnected.”
Diego put the ring back in the drawer and they went to the sala to await Don Alejandro’s return from Mass.
When Don Alejandro returned he found Diego and Bernardo in the sala. He asked, “Son has the doctor been here?”
“Yes,” answered Diego, “The news is not good, Father. The doctor said she has gone into depression. He doesn’t have any means of helping her since he is not a psychiatrist. He doesn’t know what caused it. He suggested we keep trying to break through the mental block.”
“My God, Diego, I’m so sorry—and if we can’t break through—What next?”
“The doctor said that other help may be needed.”
“Then we are going to try our hardest to bring her back.”
Two weeks have gone by since that troubled Sunday morning. It was early in the morning of September 10 and once again a Sunday.
During the past two weeks, Diego’s heart was breaking. There had been no change in Toni. She had shut out the world. Every time Diego went to touch or kiss her, she still pulled away and stared out the window. She didn’t speak either. Diego felt she was aware of his presence, otherwise, why would she pull away if she wasn’t aware that he was there—this was most confusing to him.
Table of Contents
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Nine
