Subscribe!A young boy was running down the street away from the brothel, his feet kicking up dust. Rosalia chuckled to herself. Probably just trying to get a peek in one of the windows and got caught again.
Rosalia was sitting on the porch, trying to enjoy what little bit of evening breeze had worked itself up. She was fanning herself with a Japanese fan given to her by one of the brothels richer clients. Of course he had just been passing through, but he thought Rosalia the kindest and sweetest woman he had ever met in such a place, and such a woman deserved the beautiful fan he had given her. He told her that she reminded him of the Geisha he had seen while in Japan.
Rosalia herself was not beautiful. She was not repulsive either, but there were plenty of women, even at the brothel, more beautiful in appearance that her. But there was a beauty underneath her physical appearance in how she carried herself and how she spoke. Her skin was clear and the color matched the desert in which she lived. With her brown eyes she followed the boy until he was out of site. She closed her eyes and sat back in her chair, her mind focused on how the breeze felt against her face.
She was wearing her favorite dress, a black house dress with a small white flower print. Although the original owner had worn it while performing daily chores, in her eyes it was the most beautiful thing she had found in the ready-to-wear store.
Just as she was beginning to nod off, a voice called out. "Rosalia!"
I wonder what they need now, Rosalia thought to herself.
"Rosalia, can you come here for a minute!" the voice called again. Rosalia knew it was one of the girls, one who typically never had any problems.
"I'll be right there." Rosalia replied, shaking off the drowsiness. The planks of the porch squeaked as she walked toward the door. Once she entered she immediately knew what the problem was.
"Isdel, what do you want this time? Did Sheriff Antonio send you over here, because we already paid him this month?"
"Rosalia, why must you always assume I have some sinister motive for coming here? Is there anything wrong with wanting to visit my true love and future wife?" He replied.
"I'm never going to marry you. You're a drunk, a cheat, and a thief."
"Now, Rosalia, you're too harsh. I'm sober now."
"No you're not. I can spell the alcohol on you. I forgot to mention that you're also a liar."
"Come now, my love. The house mother of a whorehouse really shouldn't be passing judgement," his voice showing agitation.
"Perhaps not. If all you really wanted in coming here was to see me, you've succeeded. Now please leave."
"Is Isabella available?"
"You have a lot of nerve!" Rosalia was disgusted. It was not the first time Isdel had dropped by to proclaim his love for her, only to then ask for one of the ladies.
"A man has needs."
"Yes, Isabella is available. Wait here while I get her." Rosalia left to go upstairs.
"I presume I'll get my usual discount." He yelled after her.
"I presume we have no choice." She yelled back down the stairs.
Isdel said nothing more because he knew it was true. As part of the arrangement that he, the sheriff, and the mayor had with the brothel, they could each visit anytime they liked at no cost. They spun it as a small price to pay for looking the other way and thus allowing the brothel to stay in town. Although, as often as they visited, Rosalia wished they would actually start looking the other way.
Five minutes later, Rosalia returned with Isabella. Isabella was smiling and flirtatious toward Isdel, even though she was revolted by his presence. It wasn't that Isdel was an unattractive man. He was handsome. Tall, black hair, and gorgeous brown eyes. What was revolting was the seedy aura around him.
Once Isdel and Isabella had gone upstairs, Rosalia went back to her chair on the porch. Her mind drifted to thoughts of how she very nearly married Isdel and then to Charlie.
Ten years earlier, she had been set to marry Isdel. She thought him a very handsome man who could provide a good life for herself and the children she dreamed of having. After her parents had been killed by a raiding Indian war party, he had been there to take care of her. He had always been good to her and she looked with eager anticipation toward their wedding day. That was until the night she learned the truth of Isdel's character.
She had gone for a walk one night as was her habit when she had trouble sleeping. She normally took a route through the entire town. As she was walking past the brothel, praying for the women and patrons inside, Isdel staggered out, drunk. Another patron ran out after him, yelling that Isdel had taken his watch and money. Isdel seemed to ignore the man, and started walking toward the salon without seeing Rosalia. The man ran toward Isdel, yelling. Once he was almost caught up to Isdel, Isdel turned with his gun drawn. The man stopped short, less than a yard away. Isdel shot him in the heart, turned, and continued walking. Rosalia watched the whole incident in stunned silence.
The next morning she called off the wedding, even though it meant gossip and controversy. She just could not marry Isdel. He stood against everything she believed. He protested and denied that he had been at the brothel, but Rosalia knew what she had seen. Isdel even had the mayor and sheriff vouch for him, but she stood firm. It was during this time that she learned of the corruption in her town. The mayor, the sheriff, and Isdel formed a corrupt triumvirate that lined their own pockets at the expense of the citizens. She also now doubted the story that he had told her about her parents' deaths.
A short while after ending her engagement to Isdel, a Mormon missionary by the name of Charlie arrived in town. He was deeply devoted to his faith and was very charismatic. Even though he and Rosalia shared different faiths, she was a devout Catholic, they became very close through their common faith in God and in doing good. It was for this reason that he stayed in Del Rio after his two year mission would have normally been completed. One day he surprised Rosalia by asking her to marry him. She happily accepted, knowing that God had sent him to her.
Soon after their marriage, it became apparent that they were having trouble conceiving. Charlie had always been strong in his faith and accepted what came his way, but the inability of he and Rosalia to conceive was very difficult on him. On top of that, he had suffered several setbacks in his mission. The temple that he and several of his converts had began constructing burned down. In addition, a few of his fledging congregation had mysteriously disappeared. Rosalia suspected Isdel in the fire and disappearances, but had no evidence or recourse. She only knew of Isdel's vow to marry her and the intense jealously he had for her and Charlie's marriage. She did not tell Charlie her suspicions.
The setbacks eventually become too much for Charlie and he began neglecting his mission, at one point declaring that God had forsaken him. He took to drinking and became belligerent toward the town residents, but remained faithful to Rosalia and never hurt her. She remained steadfast in her faith and believed that Charlie would eventually return to his old self.
One night after an especially pleasant dinner, Charlie and Rosalia made love. Afterwards, he left for the bar. He simply got dressed, and started to leave. She always caught him before he left and kissed him good by. They said their "I love you's". She had not seen Charlie since that night. The next morning she went to the sheriff, knowing it was likely to do no good, and asked if anyone had seen Charlie. The sheriff rounded up a posse that included Isdel and they went off in search of him. After a couple of nights away, they returned with a story that he had probably been killed by a gang of outlaws. Rosalia knew that wasn't true, but she held on to her hope that Charlie remained alive and would one day return.
Soon after Charlie's disappearance, Isdel once again attempted to court Rosalia. He told her she needed a man to provide for her, that she couldn't support herself. She always politely responded that she would rather starve homeless than live a life of luxury with a man the likes of him. However, she did realize she would have to find some way to support herself, and that is how she came to work at the brothel. It was the only place in town that would give her work, and she suspected Isdel was behind that as well.
The front door slammed shut, rousing Rosalia from her thoughts.
"Nice girl, that Isabella." Isdel said.
"Yes, she is." Rosalia replied.
"Very soft skin. Beautiful breasts. And that ass of hers . . ."
"That's quite enough. Why don't you go find somebody at the bar to harass now."
"Oh, don't be jealous, my Rosalia."
The young boy that ran down the street earlier walked up the steps and onto the porch.
"Why, hello there. Have you gotten yourself into any trouble today? Did you find your father yet?" Isdel asked the boy.
The boy remained silent. Even he felt a repulsion for the man that stood on the porch with him.
"Leave him alone. Weren't you leaving?" Rosalia said.
"Very well. Good night to both of you. And remember that my offer still stands."
Rosalia said nothing. Isdel walked away and toward the bar. The boy started to head back down the stairs when Rosalia spoke.
"Charlie, we need to have a little talk about what you were doing earlier today."
