For many generations, Maria’s family worked as tailors. Her father and mother were both tailors. Her parents and grandparents were tailors. Their reputation for quality and skill was renowned in the Ourense region of Spain. From time to time Maria’s parents would take interns, teaching their craft to new generations of tailors. Life could be harsh in this northern Spanish region, and work was sometimes very scarce. Families would plead with Maria’s parents to accept their children as apprentices teaching them the sought-after skills of a tailor or seamstress. Maria explained, “This chance encounter that occurred around the kitchen table would shake the very fabric holding everything dear in her family’s life.”
Late one evening as the sun was just settling behind the mountains a young mother quietly knocked on Cesar and Dorotea’s door. The young lady sat at the kitchen table as Dorotea offered her an evening expresso. Once the young lady was comfortable Maria’s parents listened as she told her story. Cesar listens intently to the young mother as she gave details on wanting to help her daughter with a career. Cesar, as were many in town, was quite familiar with the mother’s story having lived her whole life in the city of Ourense. The young lady had a very troubled life as she became pregnant with her daughter at a very young age. What was worst, she was an unwed woman. This damaged her reputation in town which would be disastrous for any young lady at that time. Soon, she and others became the talk of the Ourense community.
Everyone was very much aware of her promiscuous behavior having a child out of wedlock. If this wasn’t bad enough, matters worsen once it was found she was entangled in an even bigger scandal. Rumors spread as she was found to be one of three women who became impregnated by the same man. As the story goes, he was young, handsome, a very ambitious fellow. These traits were considered desirable qualities for an eligible gentleman. Unbeknownst to the three women, he was courting them all at the same time. He soon began to seduce them confessing his unwavering love promising each marriage. However, after having sensually romantic passion with the women on several occasions, he soon skipped town never to be heard from again. His folly was soon uncovered as all three young unwed teens gave birth within weeks of one another. Locally it became the story of the century. Two of the women moved away, however one stayed as she had nowhere else to go.
The young mother felt the burden and devastation of being shunned by much of the community at such a tender age. This circumstance was more than this young teen mother could handle. Depression got the best of her as her shame grew feeling doomed as she could not overcome what had happened to her. She endured the shame by isolating herself from everyone. This young mother, like that of the scarlet letter, would only wear black clothing for the rest of her life. She could never quench the shame she endured over one night of passion. After telling Cesar and Dorotea her story, she spoke of wanting her 17-year-old daughter to have a fresh start without being burdened by this cloud of shame. As she began to cry uncontrollably as heavy tears weld up around her eyes, she raised her head pleading with Maria’s parents to please take her daughter as an apprentice. She wanted her daughter to have a better life. She begging for them to, please accept her.
Cesar’s reputation was that of an honorable man well respected in the community. He and Dorotea looked at one another for a moment, then looking at the distraught mother decided to accept the daughter given the circumstances. They felt sorry for this woman and believed by helping the daughter become more skilled would also help the mother as well. She smiled as tears became joy, the young mother thanked them profusely for taking her daughter. Once the young mother left their flat, Maria’s parents let the family know a new apprentice would soon be staying with them.
Maria, was six years old when she began sharing her room with Carmen the new apprentice. Maria described her as a gorgeous young woman, with long flowing sandy blond hair just touching her shoulders, a flawless olive completion, voluptuous pouty deep pink lips with intense, alluring hazel eyes. She was absolutely radiant, with a cheery personality. However, like her mother, was a bit naïve about boys and relationships. She blended in well with the family showing respect to Maria’s mom and being thankful for the opportunity to become a seamstress. Carmen became an outstanding apprentice as she quickly learning the trade.
However, Carmen would soon find out beauty can sometimes be a curse. It was always a struggle when she would go into town with Maria’s family or friends. Being so young and beautiful she was always noticed by the local men who would turn a lustful eye. They could not help from watching her to the chagrin of Maria’s parents. Given all of Carmen’s beautiful attributes and intellect, she seemed to have a flaw when it came to making reputable friendships.
While in her apprenticeship, Carmen made friends with a young woman named Asuncion. She was an attractive dark-haired woman who was six years older than Carmen. She, like Carmen, was quite easy on the eyes always drawing attention from the fellows in town. The two young ladies would spend a lot of time together as Asuncion would drop by Maria’s flat, say hello to Dorotea, then the two of them would walk to the town square where they would meet up with friends while window shopping. One evening Asuncion came by unannounced to pick up Carmen. While finishing her chores, Maria overheard them talking about visiting with a young man at the university who was training as a seminary-priest. In Catholicism, this is considered a priest in training not yet ordained into the priesthood. As they left for the university, Maria thought nothing of it, although it was peculiar for Carmen and Asuncion to go without telling anyone.
As evening approached, Dorotea let the other apprentices go for the day. Soon, she began calling for Carmen to help in preparations for dinner. She searched for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Dorotea asked her children if they had seen Carmen. Maria, spoke up, “Yes, she went with Asuncion to see a seminary-priest.” Dorotea stared at Maria in utter shock. Frantically, she ran to tell Cesar what has happened. He became distressed as well, for he had learned a secret about Asuncion which could create trouble for Carmen and his entire family. So, Maria’s father and her uncle set out for the university to find Carmen and bring her back to the flat before this became a full-fledged scandal. Cesar, filled with great concern, quickly made his way to the university as he has a pretty good idea where she will be…
Next: Asuncion & the Seminary Priest
Source: Maria’s Story