My dear Malka,
For the last three days, I got up early and sewed and sewed until I finished the dress for Manuela. I was able to sew faster because I knew what I was doing and Manuela and I are the same size. I also made hers with buttons in the front, but I experimented and tucked the pockets into the seams so they’re hidden.
“Can I go over to Manuela’s house and give her the dress?” I asked Papa after he was done praying. Papa agreed and said he was going to do some accounting and see how much we had earned from the sale of the sandals.
No sooner had I gotten beyond the town center and was walking on the dirt path that led to Manuela’s house than Señor Eduardo appeared on his horse. I kept my gaze down and moved to the edge of the path, trying to make myself invisible, but he turned his horse around and followed me. He didn’t say a word, but I could feel the heat of his horse’s breath on my back. Then when I got to the door of Ma Felipa’s house, he muttered “judía” and sped away.
Manuela greeted me with a hug and waved me into the house. I tried not to give Señor Eduardo any more thought as I followed her inside.
“Tengo un regalo,” I said. I have a gift.
I gave her the folded bundle. She opened it and was thrilled to find the dress. She kept turning it from front to back, looking at every seam and every detail, admiring the yellow buttons I’d chosen to match the flowers on the dress, and saying “bonito,” which means “beautiful.” Ma Felipa came into the room and she marveled at the dress too. When Manuela tried it on, I was happy to see the dress fit perfectly. She twirled around as I had and I could tell she enjoyed the breezy feeling of the light cotton fabric on her legs too. This dress was even lighter than the simple shift she usually wore, made out of muslin. “Gracias,” she said, and gave me a hug, and then Ma Felipa gave me a hug. Next I’ll surprise Ma Felipa with a dress—I already know what design I’ll make for her.
Ma Felipa wouldn’t let me leave without giving me a cluster of bananas. As soon as I went out the door, I checked to be sure Señor Eduardo was nowhere in sight and rushed all the way back home.
I was glad to find Papa in a cheerful mood. He added up our sales and said our savings under the bed were growing. Soon he’ll send money to Mama for food and put aside money for the steamship tickets for all of you.
We went out to sell sandals in the afternoon and I tried not to worry about Señor Eduardo appearing out of nowhere.
I wondered if I’d imagined it all. I hoped I had. I wish you could tell me, dear Malka, that I imagined it—didn’t I?
With all my love and still more love,
ESTHER