Who
are you and where and when do you live?
I
am Gabriella Deza, youngest daughter of Florida Territorial Governor
Ferdinand Deza. I live in the village of St. Augustine, Florida
Territory. The year is 1739.
What
is your story?
I
haven't much of one yet, I'm only just 15, but what there is of it,
is told in Indian Summer.
Are
you the hero of your own story?
Me
a hero? Heavens, no. That would be Manuel Enriques, my father's aid
du camp and the love of my life.
What
is your problem in the story?
Quite
by chance, I found out a terrible secret. A British spy is trying to
overthrow my father, capture the fort and take over the town.
Do
you embrace conflict or do you run from it?
I've
never wanted to embrace conflict, but one must face it bravely.
Troubles are sent by God to test us. Am I going to argue with Him? I
never run when I can fight.
How
does the author see you? Do you think she portrayed you accurately?
Headstrong,
demure, capable, passionate, honest, loving. I am these things and
ever so much more. Dellani Oakes portrayed me very well. She seems to
have seen into my heart with great alacrity.
Do
you have any special strengths?
My
faith in God is my greatest strength. My faith has seen me through
very trying times. I would not be the woman I am without it.
Do
you have any special weaknesses?
My
passion for Manuel is nearly my undoing. All he need do is look at me
and I go weak in the knees.
What
do you need most in life?
I
need the wretched spy disposed of so that our town will be saved and
I may marry the man I love.
What
do you want to be?
I
want to be a wife and mother, what greater purpose is there for a
woman save to go into holy orders?
What
do you believe?
I
believe in God and I believe in the love of Manuel and my family. I
also believe in my own abilities to cope with any situation life
presents.
What
do you regret?
That
I with all my education, I never learned how to shoot a pistol. I'll
see to that soon, provided I live through this mess.
Has
anyone ever betrayed you?
Yes,
the man who spies on us, using our friendship against us. He betrays
me, my family and my home. I hope I have a hand in bringing him to
justice.
Have
you ever failed anyone?
I
hope not. I will only have failed them if I do not find the spy and
send him to God early for judgment.
What
was your childhood like?
Delightful
in so many ways, but also sad because we lost Mama when I was five
and Grandmama not long after. However, Papa and his new wife, Clara,
have provided a loving home for the four of us. My older sisters,
little brother and I have lived in relative comfort our entire lives.
Do
you like remembering your childhood?
Oh,
yes, very much. I have wonderful memories of my childhood.
Who
was your first love?
My
first and only love is Manuel. I never realized how much he loves me
nor I him, until he declared his love for me on my birthday. He is
the most magnificent man alive and I love him more than my own life.
What
is your most prized possession? Why?
My
peso necklace, because Manuel gave it to me. Though my parents gave
me pearls for my birthday, the peso shows Manuel's love for me. He
can't ask me to marry him yet, it wouldn't be proper, but that shows
each of us our promise to wed.
What
is your favorite scent? Why?
Sandalwood.,
because that is the scent of Manuel's soap.
What
is your favorite color? Why?
Apple
green, because it was Mama's favorite as well, and I am most like her
of all three of us girls.
What
is your favorite music?
The
flamenco I danced with Manuel.
What
is your favorite item of clothing? Why?
The
apple green dress I wore to my party. It is the first dress I wore
that showed everyone I am now a woman. And because Manuel and I
danced the entire night together when I wore it.
If
you were stranded on a desert island, would you rather be stranded
with, a man or a woman?
Do
not think badly of me of saying this, but I would want to be stranded
only with Manuel. I can think of no one else with whom I have enough
in common to spend any period of time. Only if we were married, of
course. Anything else would be scandalous.
How
do you envision your future?
I
see my future happily married to Manuel, having his children and
loving him for the rest of my life.
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
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