THE BLUE STALKER

by BROWN, JEAN AVERY

  Juan put the ladder against the wall the two made their way back to the house with popper in hand.

  Ella put a little oil in the popper about half cup of kernels of corn.

  “Juan,” handing the popper to Juan. “You’re the man of the house so you are the official corn popper. My dad loved popping the corn. I would get out the official popcorn bowls. Mom had a special dish for every occasion. Guess I’m somewhat like her. I have most of her things. Mom melted the butter on the stove top. When dad filled the bowls mom poured the melted butter over the popped corn. I have so many good memories of my childhood. Oh my, I’m just rambling on. Maria would you like to melt the butter? You’ll find the pan in the cupboard next to the stove.” Ella said taking a big breath.

  “Sure Ms. Ella.” Maria said as she looked into the cupboard for the pan. Maria looked in the refrigerator for the butter.

  “Ms. Ella, I can’t seem to find the butter.”

  “Lord knows I can’t keep up with this house. I’m probably out of it. We can enjoy the popcorn without butter. I need to start a grocery list.” Ella grabbed a tablet and started jotting down items needed.

  Juan filled the ‘official’ popcorn bowl. They sat around the fire chatting about things they had been through the past few days. Ella didn’t mention her offer. She wanted to give them plenty time to think about it. The lights were low and the flicker of the fire streaked across the room. Juan and Maria snuggled on the sofa with an afghan Mrs. Ferguson made when Ella was young. The house was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. As the fire lost its sparks the three decided it was time to get some sleep. Juan and Maria made their way upstairs. Ella chose a good book from the library and took it to bed with her.

  Ella woke to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and bacon frying on the stove. The morning sun shined through the gaping drapes covering the large window. She slid her size ten feet into her slippers, scurried over to the window. Pulling the drapes to the side allowing the bright sun to shine through the room.

  Ella pulled her hair back in a ponytail, quickly washed her face, and downed a warm robe joining Juan and Maria in the kitchen. Maria was hurriedly putting the last touches on breakfast while Juan set the table.

  “Good morning. What a nice surprise. Everything smells so good. I’m starved, can I help with anything?” Ella asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “No, Ms. Ella this will be my job.” Maria said as she set the last plate on the table.

  “Are you saying you are accepting my offer?” Ella happily asked.

  “That will be Juan’s decision. I guess I spoke up too soon.” Maria said looking over at Juan.

  “Yes, Ms. Ella we talked about your generous offer into the wee hours of the morning. We feel you are being very generous to share you home with us. We have come to admire you. We know you are a good woman. Yes, we would like to accept your offer.” Juan pulled Maria close to his side.

  “This calls for a celebration,” Ella smiled wrapping her arms around two people she met only a few days ago. “Shall we have breakfast? We have so much to discuss.”

  Ella was so excited she could hardly eat for talking.

  “We have so much to do, first things first. After breakfast I will call my dad’s old law firm and get the papers started.” Ella said holding her napkin in front of her full mouth.

  Ella made the phone call to San Francisco. “Yes, you heard me right.” She told the attorney on the other end of the line. “I’m sponsoring a nice Mexican family. Let me

  Know when you have everything in order. We will fly up to take care of all the paperwork.” She told the attorney. Ella put the phone in its cradle and smiled.

  The following days were filled putting things in order. Ella’s home was now Juan, Maria and Jose’s home. It had to be made comfortable for them too.

  “Tomorrow let’s make a trip to Baker to pick up some much needed things.” Ella told them.

  Ella made a list of items needed. After Mrs. Ferguson passed on Ella being an only child acquired all her mother’s belongings. Ella wanted to keep the Linville home in the same condition as when her parents lived there and didn’t take but a few momentous to her home in Coopersville. She always thought maybe someday she would retire in Linville.

  Everyone was up bright and early making a trip to the hospital to visit Jose before heading out to Baker for a day of shopping. Jose got a good report and they were off to Baker.

  Ella pulled into the parking lot of a large mall. “First lets go find Jose a crib.” Ella threw the gear shift into park, cut the ignition off and away they went.

  “We don’t have money to buy a crib, Ms. Ella.” Juan told her.

  “Juan, I’m furnishing our home and a crib is needed for Jose. Jose can’t sleep in that box you made for him. He’s grown so much in the past few days by the time he comes home his feet will hang over the end.” she laughed.

  The store clerk escorted them around the nursery furniture department. Ella stood back allowing Juan and Maria to look at all the cribs. Maria kept going back to a dark mahogany crib with smooth lines.

  Ella walked over to Maria. “Is this the one you like?”

  “Yes, but the white crib over there where Juan is standing will do.”

  Ella summoned the clerk. “Are there other matching pieces?”

  “Yes, there are several matching pieces.” The sales clerk told her pointing out the other pieces throughout the baby furniture section.

  “We’ll take the set.” Ella told the sales clerk. “Including the rocker.”

  “The entire set?” The sales clerk asked.

  “We will need them delivered.” she told the sales clerk.

  Maria began to hyperventilate, finding a place to set she fanned herself.

  “Juan, we are so blessed.” Maria said as she calmed herself.

  “I know Maria, so very blessed.” Juan said.

  Next Ella asked Maria to pick out the bedding for the crib. After Maria chose a pretty blue with bright yellow trim bedding and curtains. Ella asked the store clerk to ring it all up. Their arms were loaded down when they left the nursery department.

  “Looks like we need to make a trip to the car before we do any more shopping.” Ella said.

  Ella opened the back of the station wagon filling it with baby bedding.

  “Baby bedding, my home with a baby. I can’t imagine how good that is going to feel.”

  “What else do you need Juan?” Ella inquired. I know you came to the country with the clothes on your back. The clothes I gave you certainly don’t fit. So, I want you to pick out a pair of pants you like to work in and a pair you like for dress.”

  “I’m overwhelmed I don’t know what to say. Like Maria I think I’m dreaming.” Juan told her.

  Juan found a pair of jeans for work; a pair of Dockers for dress. He also picked out some work shirts and dress shirts. Underwear was also added to the list of needed items. After determining Juan’s size and what he liked Ella picked out several garments and laid them on the counter.

  Next they visited the ladies department. Ella told Maria to pick out what she likes to wear daily. Maria showed Ella a few things and she tried on a few items. Ella filled Maria’s arms and headed to the lingerie department where Maria picked out some nice undies.

  “I can’t believe we forgot to get some clothes for Jose.” Ella told them.

  Back to the baby department they headed. Maria looked at all the nice baby clothes. She turned to Ella and said. “Ms. Ella would like you to pick out Jose’s clothes. I love everything. It will make me happy.”

  “You sure?” Ella asked.

  “I’m positive.” Maria said with a smile knowing she was making Ms. Ella happy.

  Ella took forever choosing perfect clothes for little Jose. You would think she was a new mother.

  Ella being without siblings and no children of her own feels she has a lot missing in her life. A large missing part of the puzzle of her life is being fulfilled. Ful
filled by stranger’s that came to her door in the middle of the night.

  Another trip to the station wagon was needed.

  “Ms. Ella, I don’t know how we can ever repay you.” Juan told Ella.

  “You don’t owe me anything. I want you and Maria to look nice and feel good about yourself.” Ella told Juan.

  “One more trip into the mall and we are heading home.” Ella said.

  Ella took them to a nice shoe store. Maria picked out a pair of sneakers and one pair of dress shoes. Juan got a pair of work shoes, sneakers and a pair of dress shoes.

  “Juan,” Maria said, “I know we must be dreaming. Please don’t pinch me.”

  Ella laughed and smiled at the two of them. On the drive home all they could talk about was Jose’s room. How beautiful it was going to be. Maria mentioned they hadn’t bought clothes since before they were married five years ago. She told Ella how very thankful they are for her generosity.

  FOUR

  When Ella was growing up in Linville her dad was away from home during the week. He commuted to San Francisco leaving early Monday mornings and usually returning on Friday evening unless he had a pressing trial be needed to prepare for. If that be the case he stayed in the city. The firm had a Cessna plane Mr. Ferguson used for his commute. Within a little over an hour from the time he left the office he could be landing at the local Linville airport in the small four seats Cessna. If something came up at home needing his input he usually had access to the plane.

  Mrs. Ferguson and daughter Ella made many shopping trips to San Francisco. Ella may have been a tall skinny lanky teenager but she was a stylish dresser thanks to her mom taking an interest in her looks. Everything bought for Ella had to be altered. The pants were never long enough for her five foot ten inch slender frame. Her long arms to match her legs were also hard to fit.

  Ella’s mother was very busy with her local women’s club activities. She was always going to meetings and was usually the head of a committee. She wasn’t concerned about her husband being away so much. As long as her checking account was full and running over. And that is was. Mr. Ferguson was a prominent attorney in San Francisco. He was very generous with his wealth. He gave to many charities. His wife’s cup was full and running over. She never wanted for anything.

  It was a cold foggy night when the local Sheriff Bill knocked on the Ferguson door.

  “Mrs. Ferguson, may I come in?”

  “Well, of course Sheriff is there a problem?”

  “Is Ella home?” he questioned.

  “Yes, she’s upstairs working on her studies. She’s very good at doing her home work. It sure seems like the teacher over loads these kids with home work.” Mrs. Ferguson said as she closed the door to keep the cold out.

  “Could you ask Ella to come downstairs?”

  “Well certainly I’ll get her.” She called Ella from the bottom of the staircase.

  “Ella can you come downstairs? Sheriff Bill would like to see you.”

  Ella came to the top of the stairs and abruptly stopped. She could feel something is seriously wrong. Her stomach tied in a knot.

  “Come on down Ella.” Her mother urged. Ella’s hand held to the rail; her legs trembled as she took each step down the long stairway. When she got to the last step Sheriff Bill took her by the hand leading both ladies to the sofa just inside the formal living room.

  “I don’t know how to start but…his voice trailed off. Sheriff Bill cleared his throat.

  “Mrs. Ferguson, Ella, Mr. Ferguson was flying over the mountain range this evening and,” Sheriff Bill took a deep breath, “they crashed into the side of the mountain. I’m sorry but…Mr. Ferguson and his pilot died on impact.”

  Both ladies were silent for a quiet moment.

  “No, this can’t be.” Ella screamed. “It wasn’t my day he’s not coming home tonight. The fog is so bad he decided to wait until morning. I stalked to him a few hours ago. It’s someone else, it’s not my dad.”

  “I’m sorry Ella.” Sheriff Bill told her.

  Mrs. Ferguson was silent. Tears began to stream down her face. She was in total shock. Ella noticed the sadness on her mother’s face. She wrapped her arms around her mother. They both sobbed wet tears of sorrow.

  Mrs. Ferguson looked into Ella’s eyes pushing her blonde hair from her face.

  “Young lady we have to be strong. We only have each other.”

  “I know Mommy, I know.” Ella sobbed.

  Sheriff Bill stood up wiping the tears he couldn’t hold back with his sleeve.

  “Mr. Ferguson was a well thought of man. Many in this town will miss him.”

  Sheriff Bill’s chin quivered.

  “You will need to identify the body tomorrow. Call me and I will give you a ride to the coroner’s office.”

  I can drive myself. Ella will go with me. We have to lean on each other now.” Mrs. Ferguson pulled Ella close to her bosom.

  “As you wish but if I or my office can do anything for you ladies please call on us.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Ferguson stood up and pushed her shoulders back trying to look as if she had her composure.

  Sheriff Bill showed himself the door and was gone. He made his way to the patrol car. Setting behind the steering wheel he began to bawl. His big fist pounding the steering wheel. This is the part I hate about my job. The bearer of bad news. He inserted and twisted the key starting the engine his patrol car slowly drove away from a home filled with happiness yesterday and this evening the rooms are engulfed in sorrow.

  The word was soon out and people were visiting the crash site. Ella couldn’t bear to visit the spot where her father drew his last breath. She would be glad when the crash site was cleaned up. A few of her classmates offered their condolences but only one knew what to say.

  Phil Young a handsome young man made his way to Ella’s locker knowing she would be there before her first class.

  “Ella,” he managed to get out. He took her in his arms consoling her. Phil was student body president. They had causally spoken in the halls but that was the existence of their friendship.

  “Thank you,” was all she could manage out of her choking throat.

  Ella was in the first quarter of her senior year at Lindvile High School. She buried herself in her studies. Life for Ella wasn’t happy. Her mother didn’t show interest in her social clubs. Ella’s young mind realized her mother needed counseling and persuaded her to seek help. Mrs. Ferguson was soon in therapy and seemed to be digging herself out of a pity hole.

  Months passed and Mrs. Ferguson and Ella were accepting the fact their husband and father was not returning. Ella began to make plans for college and Mrs. Ferguson dove back into her charity work. She realized Mr. Ferguson would want that him being a generous man.

  Senior Prom was just around the corner. Ella hadn’t dated in high school. She was inches taller than most guys. You know how that makes a guy feel. Except for one handsome young man Phil Young. Phil was about the same height as Ella and since the day he put his arms around her at her locker he took a liking to her. He would speak to her in the halls but that was about it. All the cute girls were after him and he had a date

  for every weekend. Ella knew he was well taken.

  About a month before the prom Ella was sitting on her front porch when she heard the rumble of a car coming up the drive. Low and behold it was Phil Young. She wondered what he was doing at her place.

  He turned the engine off and asked, “Be alright if I park here.”

  “Sure, not a problem.”

  “I was driving pat your place and thought you might like to take a drive with me.”

  “Let me check with my mom, just a moment.” Ella said as she ran into the house.

  “Mom where are you?” She called out.

  “Up here honey, who’s that good looking guy on the front porch?”

  “It’s Phil Young, remember I’ve mentioned him a couple times. He asked if I would like to go for a ride. Do you mind?” Ella a
sked.

  ”Of course not but I’ll have to come down to meet him. She jokingly warned.

  Mrs. Ferguson was down the stairs and out the front door.

  “Hello, I’m Mrs. Ferguson.” She said extending her small frail hand out to him.

  Phil grasped her hand and said, “Nice to meet you Mrs. Ferguson I’m Phil Young. I was driving by…well actually I drove out here to ask if Ella would like to go for a ride.”

  “Of course she can you two just don’t be too late getting back.’ Mrs. Ferguson smiled.

  She walked back to the house handing Ella’s sweater out the door. Knowing Ella wouldn’t remember to get it. Her mind was on only one thing, Phil Young.

  Phil drove a few miles and pulled over at a nice park.

  “How about we set over there under the tree” he suggested.

  Ella smiled an okay as Phil fetched a blanket from the back seat of his car. They each grabbed a corner and spread it on the lush green grass. Ella slipped her shoes off and sat holding her knees up to her chin. Phil lay on his side chewing on a piece of grass. They must have talked for an hour. Mostly about school and the plans they had for their future. What college they planned to attend, what career they would l pursue, on and on and on…

  “Let’s go to the diner for a milk shake, what do you say Ella?” Phil asked.

  Ella agreed that would be a good idea. She liked the thought of others seeing her with Phil.

  The small town of Linville was buzzing that evening. Cars were cruising up and down Main Street. Everyone was having a good time. Ella was having the time of her life. On the way into town Phil asked Ella if she would like to set beside him.

  “Of course, I’d love to set beside you.” Ella said as she slid over next to Phil. Heads turned as they cruised Main Street. After a couple sweeps of cruising Main Street Phil pulled into Carol's Diner.

  “What’ll it be Ella?” He asked.

  “What are you gonna have?” She inquired with a shy smile on her face.

  “I usually have a shake.”

  “A shake is good for me, too.” Ella at this point didn’t care she was enthralled just being next to Phil Young.