Roy's Daughters in an Age of Despots

By Honor Mamath

This historical drama is about the experiences of sisters whose father works for the State Dept. during the cold war threats from Europe abroad and a South American revolution. Sarah travels to Germany, Rita meets Alejandro who was in one of the revolutions. But which one? Cuba's or Argentina's? Roy sees

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Jun 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781956780727

Honor Mamath

Honor Mamath lived in Europe for two years on a military base in 1962 and 1963, during President Kennedy's assassination. Since that shock to the world, she is interested in what history can teach us. Later, she earned her high school teaching credential and taught at a business college in the 1980s. Her interest in human relationships, as well as historical adventures, inspires her plots and stories.

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Roy’s Daughters in an Age of Despots

Copyright © 2021 by Honor Mamath

Published in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

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Cover design by Ericka Obando

Interior design by Renalie Malinao

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Image by: Chris6d.

Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge

Chapter One:

CASTLE ROCK NEAR LOS GATOS, California was a favorite park of the Sanders’ sisters. Since Sarah was fourteen and Rita ten, they’d often hiked there with their mother but not Roy, their father, as his career took him away to the Middle East.

On a cool winter’s day in March, Sarah was in her car waiting for her sister to arrive. A Trini Lopez tune ended on the radio when the disc jockey announced, ‘Our next song reminds us that one year and three months ago Cuba had its revolution. In 1959.’ The refrain ‘this land is your land’ filled the air with its catchy measured beat.

Sarah figured Cuba was too far from California to bother about. When father comes home, I’ll ask him if we have anything to worry about. Now, Rita, are you almost here?

An expected cold front was due and that meant rain could fall while they hiked. Sarah felt her patience leave her. She needed to talk to Rita. She’d promised their mother, LouAnn, she would do that. Rita’s behavior was causing their mother sleepless nights.

As if she read Sarah’s thoughts, Rita arrived. The rumble, clatter, rumble, bang of a motorcycle turning into the parking lot drew Sarah’s attention. Rita was perched on a back seat rest for a moment, then hopped off and pulled loose a hairband that kept her ponytail together in the wind.

She shook her head down and back and had a laugh with her driver before he kick started off. Clattering in staccato bursts like the poor relative of a smooth barking trombone, the cycle rocketed away.

Sarah frowned. He could have said hello. But no, he didn’t stay even a minute. He won’t meet me yet. She exhaled a frosty cloud of white. It had to be a cool fifty-nine degrees she figured in the chilly winter air.

Sarah put a water bottle into her backpack and walked towards Rita.

Hey there, Sarah, Rita spoke first.

Good morning sister. Are you ready for a visit with me?

Always. But I do want to get up on the ridge trail. We could see your waterfall first.

That works for me. Are you going as far as the drop this time?

For sure. Did you know it’s safe now?

How so?

The park put in a metal rope attached to the rock. You can hang on to it and walk on that narrow path over the drop.

Really. What if your feet slip and you swing out into space? Then you’d be hanging by your hands.

Rita’s answer was a scaredy-cat laugh, ‘ha, ha, ha.’

But Sarah. The adrenaline rush you’re gonna miss.

Uh huh, Sarah replied.

A forest of towering Douglas fir could be seen ahead of them. A sense of calm came over Sarah as they entered the serene shaded forest. She could see moss high above ground level. Sarah pointed to the moss growing on the tree trunks almost up into the branches.

That’s a healthy sign. It shows oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. It’s healthy for the trees, replied Sarah. Too much carbon dioxide though means the earth is warming up too fast.

If you say so, said Rita.

Rita led next climbing onto an elevated path. All of a sudden the sight of crystal clear air surprised them. The mist had evaporated. They took their first water break by a huge boulder on the next path which was rockier. Sarah jerked her hand across her thermos as a loud shot rang out.

Rita looked over the side of the boulder and saw nothing.

It could be coming from the opposite direction, Sarah. There is a new shooting range outside the park somewhere near here. Someone could be at target practice.

I hope that’s it. By the way, I heard on the radio that it’s one year since the revolution in Cuba. Did you know that Rita?

No. I don’t follow the news.

Sarah followed Rita next down into another grove of Douglas Fir. On a level stretch it was Rita who brought up the subject Sarah wanted to discuss with her.

Has Mom talked to you about Al yet?

She did mention the name of someone you’ve met. Alejandro.

He prefers me to call him Al, Sarah.

Mom said he was from South America from what you told her.

That was all?

No. Mom said that Alejandro, Al, was too old for you to date. You are just nineteen, and he is twenty-eight apparently.

Sarah, stop. Mom doesn’t like….doesn’t like him driving me around on a motorcycle. She’s such a slow pokey driver.

Mom is a careful driver and just wants you to be safe.

Rita raised her hands.

Lately she keeps using the responsible word with me. Whatever!

The sound of fast falling water ahead was a welcome distraction for Sarah.

The waterfall is near. Would you like to have lunch here?

Rita agreed and unpacked Tupperware from her backpack.

Mom made us some baloney and cheese sandwiches.

They ate. Rita finished half a sandwich before she was eager to hike on.

I’ll head onto the Gap trail, then take the bypass to Goat Rock. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Sarah finished a carrot stick, thinking how she’d like to return to the trail head.

I’ll see you back at the car then. I brought a book to read while you’re hiking, Rita. Be careful.

Sarah descended under the firs and was soon back to the parking lot. She opened the car trunk and pulled out the book she needed to renew her nurse’s license. Flipping to the chapter about naughty children behaving badly, she read about guidance strategies. It was quiet for another half hour until Sarah heard the sound of gunfire again. Soon she was reading anecdotes by parents reminding her that she and Jason could be new parents themselves the next year.

Rita returned in a light drizzle. She had navigated the drop off with other hikers.

Hope you weren’t too bored waiting, Sarah.

No, I don’t get bored. And you’re the climber in the family, Rita. I’m not training for El Capitan, thank you very much.

Rita laughed and changed the conversation to a question about how long Sarah and Jason would be in California.

We still haven’t heard where the Air Force is sending Jason.

If you go to Japan, Sarah, can I visit you?

Maybe. Let’s hope so, Sarah replied as she turned on the engine and windshield wipers.

Time for me to head home, but first I’ll take you back to San Mateo.

CHAPTER TWO

AS RITA WALKED to the campus bookstore on a cool April morning, she saw Al talking to a blonde-haired student at the turnstile.

Hi, Alejandro, the girl said.

He spoke to her before turning around to wave to Rita.

How do you know that girl, Al?

I met her at an off campus party.

Do you still see her around sometimes?

No, Miss Rita. You are going to help me find a book today, yes?

Rita was silent.

"My course is elective, but I need the units to graduate. You said you were going to type the paper for me,