Hex of the Widow part 2: Widow and The Witch

March 04, 2025

Hex of the Widow part 2: Widow and The Witch

In Part 2: The Widow negotiates for her soul, and Gordo gives an unwitting lift to the Westchester Witch, Cha Cha Cabot -- soon to be the source of his misery!

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While the Widow Gonzales filled the role of villain in Gordo, Arriola was quick to define her character around a set of virtues -- she was elegant, intelligent, refined, as well as empathetic.

An unlikely storyline from 1945 sees the Widow welcome "Crazy Cave-Girl" Laura into her luxurious bachelorette pad on Widow's Peak. A former feral child who has emerged from the forest after twenty years away from human civilization, the wild and uneducated Laura is not only granted shelter under the Widow's roof, but also guidance and sympathy.

The Widow attempts to cheer a lovesick Laura

Laura and the Widow share something in common -- a deep, abiding, and irresistible affection for someone seemingly beyond reach. In Laura's case, this is "Little Jorge," Del Monte's handsome and usually-unflappable young doctor.

But, under the Widow's guidance, Laura picks up not just an improved facility with language, but is also reintroduced to the customs she vaguely remembers from childhood (specifically the celebrations beginning with Las Posadas), and learns the necessary discomfort of clothing. The end result? Well, it works out for Laura and Jorge, with much thanks owed to Artemisia Gonzales.

Little Jorge is hooked!

The admirable qualities of the Widow's character are all on display in the second chapter of Hex of the Widow.

Outraged to learn that a trusted employee has violated her ethical-if-ruthless principles of business, Artemisia summons the scurrilous subordinate for a dressing-down. Instead, she finds herself psychoanalyzed, philosophized, and outright tempted by a witchy WASP from Westchester County, Cha Cha Cabot! And Cha Cha knows the Widow's weakness!

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