River Town Box Set

by Grant C. Holland

  “So, I can think about tossing all of my problems and Alan’s, too? I can think about them swirling in that muddy water until they eventually drift downstream?”

  “That’s how it works,” said Rhea. “Let it all go.”

  Diego sat in silence for a few moments. He visualized the troubles drifting in the muddy water. He watched until they rounded the next bend south and were gone. Then he bit his lip when his mind conjured up an ugly gringo struggling to tread water with massive waves threatening to drown him. Diego lowered his head and sighed.

  “Something’s wrong?” asked Rhea.

  “I have an ugly imagination.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I think about my troubles drifting away, and then I see the perpetrators drowning in the river.”

  Rhea chuckled. “You do get emotional.”

  “Maybe I should go back to Mexico.” Diego rested his elbows on his knees and lowered his head into his hands.

  “Back to Mexico? Didn’t you say it’s dangerous in Veracruz?”

  “I wouldn’t go to Veracruz. Imagine this, Rhea.” He sat up and reached a hand forward sweeping it from side to side like he was unveiling a display. “It could be Puerto Escondido, Cancun, or even near the Mayan ruins at Tulum. I could purchase a home on the beach and hire cabana boys to indulge every whim. I have enough money invested from my family’s legacy that I don’t need to worry about an income.”

  “Living on the beach would be wonderful. I’ve dreamed about it sometimes, but if you move back to Mexico, Diego, what happens to M-Trak…and me? And didn’t you tell me that you called an architect about a new project?”

  Diego swept his hand through the sky again. “I could sell the business and let the building idea go. I might still need some assistance with my finances and my personal contacts. Would you like to live in Mexico, Rhea?”

  “Oh, would you do that? Would you take me with you to Mexico? I don’t know. I have family here in Minnesota. It would be a huge change. I don’t know if I can wrap my head around the idea. It doesn’t sound right to me either.”

  “Doesn’t sound right?” asked Diego as he turned toward Rhea.

  “It sounds like retirement. How old are you, Diego? Twenty-eight? That’s far too early to retire. You have a responsibility.”

  Diego smiled. “Thank you for the compliment. I’m thirty-one. You think I have a responsibility? To whom?”

  “Maybe I’m crazy, but I think we all have a responsibility to try and make the world a better place when we’re young. Living in leisure is too easy.”

  “But I would give money to charity. I wouldn’t shut myself in a barricaded house like a miser.”

  Diego’s musings were interrupted by the sound of laughter. He looked to his right and saw a pair of men walking along the path headed in his direction. One of them held a staring attached to a purple balloon in his hand, and the other was busy talking. The response to every comment in their conversation was peals of laughter.

  Rhea said, “They look so happy. I love to see couples in love. It didn’t happen for me, but I still believe in it.”

  “You’re such an optimist, Rhea.”

  “I guess I am.” They both watched as the couple drew closer.

  When the two young men reached the bench, one of them held the balloon out toward Rhea and asked, “Could we ask for a favor?”

  Without saying a word, Rhea took the balloon. “What do you need?” asked Diego.

  The other man held out his cell phone to Diego. “Could you take a photo of Levi and me? He’s been away for a year, and he just got back today.”

  Rhea grinned and said, “Of course he can.”

  Diego accepted the phone. He stood up from the bench and said, “Stand over there and look like you appreciate each other.”

  “That won’t be difficult,” said Levi. “I love this man.”

  “Then give him a kiss,” said Diego. “I’ll take a photo of that.”

  Rhea smiled from ear to ear as they embraced and kissed. Diego snapped five quick photos with the camera.

  Levi’s partner reached out for the phone while Diego asked, “Why were you apart for a year?”

  “Corporate nonsense,” said Levi. “I’m giving it up to be here with James. Some things are more important than anything else in the world. I wish we could hang around, but we need to get going. Thank you so much for snapping the photos.”

  “Of course,” said Diego as he handed the phone back. He turned and sat once more on the bench beside Rhea. As he watched the young men walk away, he whispered, “Corporate nonsense.” Turning to Rhea, Diego said, “That explains so much of the world.”

  Rhea laughed. “It does indeed. Those two young guys are smarter than most of my fifty-year-old friends.”

  25

  Lessons of the Past

  Alan took a second bite. The cabbage was crisp, and he let the sweet taste mingle with the sour on his tongue. “What did you do with this slaw, Auntie Erin? It’s delicious, but I don’t remember having it in the past. Is it a new recipe?”

  “You like it? I found the recipe in one of my magazines. It has pineapple with the cabbage. I thought it sounded good, so I gave it a whirl.”

  “Pineapple,” repeated Alan. “I never would have thought of putting that in cole slaw. It’s a creative idea.”

  “That’s why you should always stay open-minded,” said Auntie Erin. “You might discover something that you like.”

  “I’m impressed. I think most people assume older people are stuck in the past and never want to deal with anything new, but I look around your place, and you’re as up-to-date as me.”

  Auntie Erin lifted a glass of iced tea and sipped. Alan noticed her perfectly painted long fingernails while she enjoyed the tea. Alan loved the way Auntie Erin looked at him. He always felt like there were perhaps a hundred thoughts behind her gaze that she left unsaid. “Here’s the way I see it, Alan. Most of the new creations in the world are meant to make our lives easier or more fun. Since my body makes life a little harder as each year passes by, why wouldn’t I try something new to try and pull myself even? It’s the people that create new ways to destroy things that we need to avoid.”

  Alan laughed softly. “You are always so wise, too.”

  “Are you enjoying the house? And how is Boomer? You must take me into town so I can greet him. I feel a little claustrophobic some days now that my vision is too poor to drive.”

  “Oh, any time, Auntie Erin. Give me the word. You can join us for dinner. Yes, I love the house. It’s beautiful, and I wish the walls could talk. I’m sure there are many stories they could tell.”

  Auntie Erin leaned forward and whispered, “They know a few that nobody should ever hear.”

  Alan stood up to clear the plates from the table. He said, “I spotted a pie on the counter when I arrived. Is it apple?”

  “Of course. I know that’s your favorite. Slice me a tiny piece. I’m already full, but I can never turn down an apple pie. Those apples are from an orchard over in Wisconsin. My friend Gladys went with her kids and brought me back two dozen.”

  Auntie Erin watched closely as Alan carried the dishes to the kitchen. She saw slumped shoulders and clipped movements that lacked Alan’s usual youthful energy. She called, “There’s vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Add a scoop to your pie, but I don’t need any right now. I eat my ice cream before bed.”

  Alan brought the plates to the table and sat down. He was quiet as he handed Auntie Erin a fork. Taking his first bite, he said, “Oh my, this is yummy. You still make the best apple pie. I know Mom tried for years and years to do just as well, and she finally gave up. She buys her pies at the grocery store now.”

  Auntie Erin wrinkled her nose. “I’ll never understand that. You can’t get the crust right unless you make it by hand one pie at a time.” She took a bite and slowly chewed. After swallowing the morsel, she asked, “Is there something bothering you, Alan? Or are you feeling ill? You’
re not the energetic young man this evening that I’ve always known.”

  Alan sighed, and he struggled internally wondering what information he should share with his great-aunt. She was always sympathetic, and he was correct in pointing out her wisdom, but something made him hold back. He said, “Work is hard right now. I suppose it’s always complicated taking over from someone else. Some say it takes at least a year to learn a new job.”

  Auntie Erin took another bite and tilted her head slightly to the right. Alan knew she wasn’t buying the “tough time at work” strategy as the full explanation. “And there’s more…” whispered Auntie Erin.

  Swallowing a spoonful of ice cream, Alan blurted out, “I’m dating a man, and I don’t know if I should. It’s causing problems for both of us, and I guess I’m scared.”

  Auntie Erin smiled and reached one of her hands forward on the table. Alan looked at the aged fingers, the blue veins and the paper-thin skin. He reached his hand forward as well until they clasped together. “Life is scary,” said Auntie Erin. “At least all of the good things are.”

  “Marrying Uncle Henry was scary?”

  “Terrifying. I thought I would faint at the altar. It’s a good thing the skirt had so many petticoats. My knees were knocking underneath.”

  Alan grinned. “You didn’t faint, did you?”

  “No, and then there was the wedding night. I was a good girl, so you can imagine how frightening that night was.”

  “He’s Mexican,” said Alan. “Some people in Coldbrook Bend don’t like that.”

  “Who’s Mexican?”

  “The man I’m dating. Sorry, I’m still stuck thinking about me.”

  “I’m an old lady,” said Auntie Erin as she smiled. “It takes me awhile sometimes to catch up, but don’t worry, I always do.”

  Alan said, “Coldbrook Bend hasn’t been as friendly, as I thought it might be.”

  Auntie Erin sighed. “So many people never learn. I remember when Latin men were the best lovers in the movies. My girlfriends and I swooned over them. There was Anthony Quinn and Ricardo Montalban. He was handsome in the 50s before that silly 70s TV show.” She patted Alan’s forearm. “And the Puerto Ricans in West Side Story. My girlfriends and I whispered about what it would be like to date someone from south of the border.”

  “The guy who played Bernardo in West Side Story was actually Greek American,” said Alan.

  “But we thought he was Puerto Rican. That’s what mattered. Did you ever see Yul Brynner playing a Mexican in a movie? And he was Russian.” She fanned herself again.

  “Well, maybe it would be easier if Diego was a movie star.”

  Auntie Erin patted the arm again. She shook her head. “People never learn. Do you know what happened to German people in Minnesota during the great wars? It wasn’t so bad in the 40s, but they tarred and feathered in the first war. When we declared war on Germany after Pearl Harbor, Daddy talked to the neighbors that he knew were German and told them he would fight anyone who treated them poorly. He knew what happened the time before. Granddaddy told him those stories.”

  “But what should I do when they make threats, Auntie Erin? I don’t want Diego’s business to fail, and I don’t want to lose my job.”

  “Some things are more important than business and a job. Do you love him, Alan?”

  “I’m worried that I do.”

  Auntie Erin put her fork down. “You should never worry about being in love. Falling in love is one of the greatest gifts in life. Treat it that way. You wouldn’t return one of the best Christmas gifts you’ve ever received, would you?”

  “But what if something horrible happens?”

  “What if it doesn’t? Remember my story about marrying your Uncle Henry? I was frightened, but I knew that I loved him, and, as it turned out on our wedding night, well, that detail you don’t need to know.”

  Alan whispered, “And I already know about that part with Diego.”

  They both grinned. “When do I get to meet Diego?” asked Auntie Erin. “Don’t make me wait until the wedding. I might not be around that long.”

  “Can I ask a question?”

  “That’s what I’m here for. When you get to be my age, you have so much information and so many opinions. Answering questions is what I should be doing all day long.”

  Alan chuckled softly. “I love you, Auntie Erin.”

  “I love you, too, but that’s not a question.”

  “My question is this. You’ve never treated me any differently since you found out that I liked men. You mentioned me getting married just like that. How do you do that? How is it that easy for you?”

  Auntie Erin reached up and pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. She said, “I wish I could say I’m special in some way, but I’m not. I can tell you a short story.”

  “I’m all ears. I’ll finish my pie while I listen.”

  “You know that I worked as a secretary for over thirty years. I worked for a man down at Tar-Mor in Zephyr for ten of those years. One day, for some reason, he decided that he could trust me, and he told me about his private life. He was in love with a man.”

  “Wow,” whispered Alan. “You worked at Tar-Mor? Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  Auntie Erin shrugged. “Sometimes it feels like half the town works there. I didn’t think it was anything unusual.” Auntie Erin folded her hands in her lap and watched Alan take the next bite of pie. “I’m glad to see you enjoying my apple pie.”

  Alan swallowed the bite and asked, “So what happened?”

  “He was in love with a writer, a man who worked for the newspaper here in Coldbrook Bend. He told me about grand weekend trips to the Twin Cities. They went to movies, and they stayed in expensive hotels. They had dinners served by waiters in dark suits with cloth napkins draped across their arm. I suppose that’s what you did back then if you were in love with another man.”

  “Is he still around? He would be a fascinating person to meet.”

  “No,” whispered Auntie Erin. “I don’t know all of the rest of the story, but I know it wasn’t all happy. Even though his life was was hard, I’ll never forget the look on the face of my boss when he told me he had enough love shared with that man to last at least two lifetimes. They were so handsome together. He showed me Polaroid photos.”

  Alan said, “I’ll have to introduce you to Diego. He is handsome, too.”

  Auntie Erin pushed her glasses up once again. “There’s only one thing I regret about knowing the personal life of my boss.”

  “What is that?”

  “I wish they could have had a wedding.”

  26

  Decorative Arts

  Buoyed by the conversation with Auntie Erin, Alan decided to stop by the Corner Hitch on his way home. Before opening the door to the bar, he checked his pocket for his cell phone and made sure that he left his wallet in the car. He carried only essential identification and enough cash for two drinks. There was no sense in creating trouble by bringing his entire life with him into the bar.

  Jake leaned across the bar and stopped Alan as he stepped inside. “Good to see you! Can I offer a cold, foamy beer?”

  Alan wrinkled his brow. Jake’s greeting was a bit too friendly and forced. He knew that something must be up as he nodded yes to the beer. He laid cash on the counter and asked, “What’s going on?” when the icy mug slid across the bar.

  Jake pointed toward a table near the rear. The crowd was light enough that it was easy to see who Jake singled out. Jake whispered, “He’s been here for almost two hours already, and I’ve rarely seen a guy so down. You made friends with Ross, didn’t you?”

  Alan sighed. He was friendly to Ross, but he worked to keep a comfortable distance when Ross began to flirt. A thought occurred to Alan, and he grinned when he said, “I’ll make you a deal.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ll work to cheer Ross up, and you’ll give us the next round on the house.”

  Jake sighed. “Yo
u drive a hard bargain my man, but yeah, I’ll do it. I like happy customers. Cheerful customers are repeat customers. Go do your best.”

  Alan carried the glass of beer in his right hand and walked up behind Ross. He didn’t want to startle the man, so he cleared his throat as he drew near.

  Ross turned his head. He failed to smile and merely said, “Oh, hi Alan.”

  Alan looked back at Ross. “Should I leave and come back in again? I think I’d get a more cheerful greeting from a man on death row.”

  “Ah, man, I’m sorry.” Ross pointed at the chair on the opposite side of the table. “Have a seat. I guess I’m a little down. The mood was blue, and now it’s faded to grey. I hope you have an upbeat story to share.”

  Alan pulled the chair out, turned it around, and seated himself facing the back. “Did something in particular happen? You sound like the paperboy after someone stole his bicycle.”

  “I guess Coldbrook Bend is feeling really tiny is all. Zephyr isn’t much bigger. How do you meet guys around here?”

  Alan leaned across the table. “Well, you and I met here.”

  Ross shook his head. Alan felt pangs of sadness in his gut. Ross was handsome. He was blonde, blue-eyed and Scandinavian. Alan hated to see a nice guy so down. “That doesn’t count, does it? I didn’t have a chance with you. By the way, I heard about you and Diego. Congratulations. It sounds like he’s a great catch.”

  Alan wrinkled his brow and felt a cold sensation on the nape of his neck. “You heard about Diego? Where?”

  “Out at Home Pro. Brody knows you. He’s my boss. Didn’t I mention that when we met?”

  Alan relaxed and leaned back in his chair. He was relieved to hear the information came from Brody, but he still wondered about the context. “You did mention Home Pro before, but how did my romantic life come up in a conversation?”