A Cradle in Question

 By Emma M.

Ugh, thought 14 year old Andrea Carter, Yet another rainy Saturday. Why does it ALWAYS have to rain on my one free day? Shaking her long brown braid vigorously, she tried to cheer herself. I guess it’s not all that bad. But the only thing I can do is spend the day inside...Andi screwed up her nose at that realization. As often as possible Andi was outside spending time with her horse, Taffy. 

Welllll, I could always explore the attic. They always say that rainy days were made to explore the attic. The impulsive side of Andi took over as she leapt off of her bed and dashed up the small staircase leading to the attic in the huge ranch house. 

Reaching the top of the long staircase, she glanced around and decided to start in the far right corner. Weaving in and out of dusty old trunks and ancient furniture, she came to the corner she had selected and knelt down in front of an old wooden trunk with a rusty latch. Andi reached out and tried to unfasten it, but the latch stubbornly held fast. 

Giving it a hard yank, it suddenly gave way and Andi stumbled backwards. Regaining her balance, she excitedly lifted the lid. She saw several different kinds of quilts. Carefully she pulled out the top quilt and shook it out. As a cloud of dust flew up from it, she hurriedly folded it up again, placed it back in the trunk and quickly retreated to the other end of the attic.

Suddenly she tripped on something and almost fell. Glancing down, she saw an old cradle with peeling white and blue paint. Hmm. I’ve never seen this before. She stooped to have a closer look. It was handmade and obviously was lovingly crafted. The painted sides had been meticulously carved into beautiful designs. But the thing that most caught Andi’s attention was the name hand painted in blue on the side. Oliver. Hmm. 

Andi racked her brain to remember if she had ever heard anyone mention that name before. She could not think of anyone named Oliver. Determining that she would have to question her mother about this new mystery, she promptly leapt up from her position on the attic floor.

Hurrying down both staircases, she reached the ground floor. Racing into the kitchen where her mother was usually working, Andi slid to a stop in front of the fiery little housekeeper, Luisa. Andi gulped.

“Oh hello Luisa. Do you happen to know where my mother would be?” No answer. Glancing down, Andi noticed that they, as well as her dress, were covered with dirt and grime. Luisa just stared. Andi, somehow, was very talented getting on the bad side of Luisa. And I did it again...She groaned inwardly.

Suddenly a small smile cracked on Luisa’s face. “¿Por qué estás tan sucio?” 

Andi grinned. If you only knew how I got this dirty. Andi again asked where her mother was. When Luisa told her that she had gone to the town of Fresno about an hours drive away, she was curious.

“Why did mother go to town in this weather?” Instead of answering, Luisa motioned to the open door. The hot sun beamed down from the clear sky.

 Oh, I figured it was going to rain all of today. I guess not. She’ll probably be home soon. “Well, thank you Luisa. I’ll have to wait to talk to her then.” Andi dashed out of the kitchen and onto the porch. Luisa’s shout to be careful brought a smile to Andi’s face. Luisa is always worried about all of us kids. She’s been the boss of the house ever since I can remember.

Clattering down the porch steps, Andi headed for the horse barn across the dusty yard. Reaching Taffy’s stall, Andi grabbed a stiff bristled brush, and started grooming her horse. Time passed quickly and soon Andi heard a carriage in the yard. Andi slammed the stall door, latched it and ran to where her mother was getting down from the carriage.

“Mother! You’ve got to see what I found in the attic! It’s a tiny cradle with the name…” At her mother’s hasty finger to her lips Andi silenced. 

Glancing worriedly at Diego she handed the reins to him and said, “Thank you Diego for putting Pal up. Come Andrea.” 

Andi quizzically looked at her mother. Following her out of ear shot, Andi quickly questioned her mother. “What was that about?”

Instead of answering Elizabeth asked, “You found the cradle in the attic?” At Andi’s silent nod, Elizabeth continued. “I supposed we should have told you a long time ago, but it just never came up.”

“What never came up mother? Who did the cradle belong to?”

Elizabeth answered simply, “Luisa and Diego.”

“Luisa and Diego? But mother, they only had four children and none of their names are…” Andi’s voice trailed off. “Luisa and Diego had another child, didn’t they?”

“Yes, Andrea. Oliver was the middle child. He caught scarlet fever and died. That was when Diego and Luisa started their jobs here.”

“How sad! That’s why Diego looked stunned when I shouted. I’m going right now and apologize to him!” Andi leapt up from the porch steps where they sat and ran over where Diego was watering Pal. “Oh Diego, I’m sorry for what I yelled! I had no idea about little Oliver.”

Diego’s eyes looked watery as he replied, “Senorita, you did not know. That is why Luisa and I care so much for you and your brothers. You were little then, and reminded us a great deal of Oliver. It really helped us heal from Oliver’s death.”

That’s why Luisa and Diego worry about me so. I remind them of little Oliver. Feeling a surge of love for him and Luisa, Andi hugged him. And I guess, in a way, we’ve helped them too.