“I know I may come off bossy sometimes but I’ve been I the flower business for many years. No, I’m not going to tell you how many, don’t ask.” Alicia said.
Everyone listened as Alicia began to speak. “We have the biggest month in the flower business coming up. During the month of December people celebrate all month with parties, dinners and other occasions. We need to get this place looking like Christmas.
“That’s right.” Ella said. “We need Christmas decorating materials. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that when we were stocking the shop.”
“Alicia, can I count on you to get an order in to Fred’s Wholesale Flowers before noon tomorrow?” Ella asked.
“You got it Ella. I would be happy to make the Christmas order and the daily flower order.” Alicia said sweeping the debris into the dust pan.
“I have a catalog from the Floral Wholesale Supply Company in Baker. Would you go through it and order what you think we need for our Christmas floral designing.” Ella asked Alicia.
“Susan would you also go through it and order things to decorate the store? We want this shop to out shine the best of flower shops.” Ella said looking at both ladies.
“Do we have a limit on how much we can spend?” Susan asked.
“No, just think of it as your investment when you are making the order and we should be fine.” Ella told the ladies.
Ella handed Susan the catalog and said. “Go for it I want this store to shine and your are my merchandiser. You know what to do.” Ella said with a big smile letting Susan know Ella is aware of her talent.
“Ella, I’m used to spend…” Susan stopped in mid sentence.
“What were you going to say Susan?” Ella questioned.
“Nothing Ella.” Susan said shying away.
Ella knew what Susan was about to say she was going to say she was used to merchandising in up scale stores.
“Susan, the sky is the limit for decorating this store. Let’s see some of your decorating juices flow. You’ve got a blank canvas to work with and a blank check.” Ella said.
“Okay, Ella if you’re sure.” Susan’s eyes twinkled. Susan was ready to show some of her talent in merchandising.
“Alicia feeling left out announced. “Ella we are going to need a lot of Christmas designing materials, too.
”You purchase whatever you think we need. Just remember we have to store what we don’t use and old materials are not fun to work with. But you also have a blank check.” Ella said giving Alicia a big smile.
Ella headed out the door leaving Ron and the ladies to tend to the shop. She headed for the ‘do it yourself’ car wash. Good deal, she thought, this place isn’t busy. A gentleman was drying off his car and another man was vacuuming his vehicle. Ella dropped four quarters in the machine and the water nozzle flip flopped all over the ground spraying water in every direction. The gentleman drying off his car came running to Ella’s rescue. He grabbed the hot pipe protruding from the hose nozzle.
“Here you go ma’am.” The soaked man side as he handed Ella the nozzle. “These things have a lot of pressure and when you turn it on you need to have the nozzle in your control.” He said with a nice smile.
“Thank you, Sir.” Ella said as she put her hand out in a friendly gesture. “Ella, Ella Smith.” She said introducing herself.
“Larry Walters.” Drying his wet hand on his pants he put his hand out to make her acquaintance.
“I’m sorry about the shower. I probably got your car wet too.”
“That’s not a problem. I was afraid the hot water was going to hit you. There’s a lot of water pressure and it would hurt anyone it hit.” Larry said drying off with his chamois.
“Driving a station wagon you must have a few kids.” He inquired.
“No, actually no kids and I’m not married. How abut you?” Ella asked.
Larry was a little shocked at Ella’s upfront bluntness. He stammered though his words as he said, “I’m not married and but I have a daughter.”
They both laughed at the awkwardness of the situation. He handed Ella the nozzle and made his way back to drying his car.
The water stopped spraying. Ella took a dollar bill from her wallet. She made her way over to the change machine and put the dollar in the slot just as she looked over to the next stall. There was the green van. Ella’s heart jumped to her throat. Her hands were trembling. The dollar bill came back at her. She felt the presence of someone at her back. Shaking she tried again.
“Here let me help you.” She turned to see the ‘beast’ at her back. It was the guy in the drop-house. The man kicking the defenseless Mexican man. He took the bill from Ella’s grip and inserted it in the changer. Luckily the changer accepted the dollar dropping Ella four quarters.
Ella thanked the man and went about washing her car. The Mexican man continued to stand back and watch every move she made. Larry noticed the situation and walked over to Ella.
“Honey, you want to meet me at Joe’s Coffee House for lunch?”
“Sure, I’ll be there as soon as I get this wagon rinsed and dried off.” Ella said her voice trembling with fright.
“I’ll help you, throw me a towel.” Larry said as he smiled at the man with something not so good on his mind. Something that probably wasn’t in Ella’s best interest.
The green van pulled out and Ella was relieved.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue. That guy made me nervous.” Ella said as she as she leaned against her car.
“Ella, that guy was not up to any good. You could see it in his eyes. Are we still on for lunch?” Larry asked.
“I’ll meet you there.” Ella said with a smile.
Larry opened the door for Ella. The hostess showed them to a booth next to the window.
“Will this booth be okay with you Larry. The hostess asked.
“Is this booth okay with you, Ella?” Larry said as he checked with his lunch date.
Ella nodded yes and slide across the vinyl seat.
“This is fine.” Larry said to the hostess.
Ella ordered a Caesar Salad and Larry asked the waitress to make it two. They talked for over an hour. Larry shared he opened the Drug Store twenty years ago right out of college. His wife left him for the big city taking their baby daughter. She didn’t like living the simple life. She was a good woman we just didn’t have the same ideas and I suppose we married too soon out of college. Larry confided.
Ella told Larry she was the owner of the new flower shop.
“I know I was at the opening Friday night.” He said with a grin.
“So you knew who I was before we met at the car wash?” Ella said.
“I wanted to meet you Friday night at your Grand Opening but you were so busy greeting everyone.” Larry told her.
Ella told Larry she had been married but it didn’t work out and it wasn’t her husbands fault.
“It just wasn’t right.” She told him.
“I need to get back to the store. I have prescriptions to fill. It’s been nice talking with you.” Larry said as he picked up the check.
“Thank you for lunch and for helping a lady in distress.” Ella said as she scooted from the booth.
“My pleasure young lady.” Larry said with a smile.
Ella drove past the house on Ninth Street and the van was in the drive.
“Dang, why hasn’t the FBI rescued the Mexican men?” She said aloud.
Ella drove back to the shop. She made her way to her makeshift desk in the corner and called her attorney’s in San Francisco. She told them she wanted to sponsor one more person. They told her they would send her the paperwork and to get it right back to them. There shouldn’t be any problems.
Her next call was to Juanita. A lady with a heavy south of the border accent answered the phone.
“Is this Juanita.” Ella asked.
“No, Juanita here.” The lady said.
I must have written down the wrong number she thought to herself.
; “I’m sorry to bother you.” Ella said as she started to hang up.
“Wait!” She heard on the other end of the line.
“Do you want to speak with Juanita Garcia?” The lady asked.
“Yes, Juanita Garcia.” Ella said with excitement in her voice.
“Juanita lives next door I will get her for you.” The lady said as she dropped the phone.
Minutes later Juanita came to the phone. Ella introduced herself. Juanita started to cry.
“Thank you for taking care of my Maria and her baby.” She said between sobs.
“You are welcome, but they take care of me.” Ella said.
Ella asked Juanita if she ever thought of living in the United States.
“Oh yes, but I could never get there.” She said.
“What if I told you you could come to the states legally and live at my house with your daughter, Jose and Juan?” Ella asked
“I would think your are an angel sent from heaven.” Juanita said.
“Okay, can you move to the states around Christmas Eve?” Ella asked.
Juanita was speechless for a moment.
“How would I get there?” She asked.
“Is there someone there that can take you to Mexico City to the airport?” Ella asked.
“Yes, there’s a bus that goes to Mexico City once a week. But I can’t pay for the ride.” She said.
“What is the name of the bus company?” I will make arrangements. I will get you on the last bus leaving your village before Christmas. Everything will be paid. You just get on the bus and the bus will take you to the airport.” Ella told her.
“Do you understand what I am telling you?” Ella asked knowing Juanita’s English wasn’t too good.
“Someone will meet you and take you to your airplane. When you get off the airplane someone will be there to meet you.” Ella explained.
“Do you understand everything?” Ella asked again.
“Si, gracias.” Juanita said.
“I have things to take care of here and when I have everything taken care of I will call you.” Ella said.
Please don’t tell Maria you are coming. This will be her Christmas present.” Ella said.
“Do you have a pencil to write my shop number down?” Ella asked.
“Yes, I do.”
Ella gave her the shop number.
“If you need to call me use this number. Call between eight and five in the afternoon. Don’t call the home number asking for me. Maria will figure out our secret.” Ella cautioned her.
TWENTY-THREE
Maria looked out the kitchen window to see Juan mowing the lawn with the new riding lawnmower. He looked like he was enjoying doing his chores. Maria fixed a big pitcher of iced tea. She and Jose carried a glass of iced tea out to Juan.
“How about a glass of iced tea?” Maria called to Juan.
“That would be nice. Thank you, Maria.” Juan said as he gave her a big hug and a kiss. Juan took a big drank and handed the glass back to Maria. He took Jose from Maria’s arms and held him high above his head.
“Jose you’re getting to be a big boy.” Juan said with much pride.
“Juan, Jose started crawling this morning. I laid him on the carpet and he rolled over trying to get to his toy. I put the toy in front of him and he rocked on his hand and knees and fell forward. Before long he was crawling to it.” Maria excitedly shared with Juan.
“His growing up so fast. I wish my mom could see him.” Maria said with tears filling her beautiful brown eyes.
“Maybe someday Maria we can go to Mexico to visit your mom.” Juan told her but in Juan’s mind he couldn’t see going back to Mexico even on a vacation. Juan has too many bad memories. Juan’s parents were both deceased. Juan didn’t have any family except for his mother-in-law. Maria only has her mother.
“I wanted to ask you to take me to town Monday.”
“What do you want to buy in town?” Juan asked.
“What do you think about me painting a portrait of Ms. Ella to give to her or Christmas?” Maria asked questioning her talent.
“Maria, that’s a good idea. You’ve painted many portraits in Mexico and everyone was well pleased.” Juan told her as he sat Jose on the freshly mowed lawn placing his cap cocked on Jose‘s little round head.
“Maria, look at daddy’s boy.” Juan proudly said.
“I’ll take you to town tomorrow and after you purchase your paints we will go by the Motor Vehicle Department and get Jose’s fingerprints for his green card.”
“Ella never comes upstairs so I think maybe you could put an easel up in the spare room. This way Jose won’t smell the fumes from the oil paints.” Juan suggested.
“That’s a good idea.” Maria said agreeing with Juan.
“After I finish with the portrait maybe I will paint landscapes. This country is so beautiful. I want to capture it on canvas.” Maria said as she picked up Jose from the lawn. She danced in circles to the house.
Juan finished with the mowing and started washing down the driveway. He felt like he was the master of this place but he knew he was only dreaming. But living in this house was a dream he never thought would come true.
Maria put Jose down for his afternoon nap and sat on the porch watching Juan spray the debris from the driveway. Juan turned off the faucet.
“Maria, tomorrow we will go to Sunday Mass. It is time we start going to Mass. We have much to be thankful for.” Juan said as the head of the family.
“What a wonderful idea. I will get our clothes ready this afternoon. I wonder what time they have mass.” Maria said.
“I checked last week and it’s at ten o’clock on Sunday’s. Juan said as he turned the hose sprayer on to finish his job.
Maria prepared a nice Mexican dinner. After dinner Ella, Juan, Maria and Jose sat around the fireplace talking and snack on popcorn.
“Juan, I would like for you to get started on painting the walls and the timbers in the ceiling. Then I will have new carpet installed. I’m thinking about having a New Year’s Eve party. Do you think we can have the living room finished in time for the party?” Ella asked.
“Sure we can Ms. Ella. There’s nothing structural so it won’t take long.” Juan said as he picked up the popcorn that had fallen on the floor.
“I wanted to give you a heads up so you can start thinking about purchasing the materials you will need.”
Maria and I plan to go town on Monday. I will pick up the paint if you can tell me the color you want.”
I’ll go by the hardwood store first thing Monday morning and leave my choice with the sales clerk.” Ella said.
“Ms. Ella, when you walk in the front door this wall is big and blank. Do you plan on doing anything to make it interesting? Juan asked.
“I hadn’t thought about it. Do you have any suggestions?” Ella asked.
“What do you think about having a mural painted on the wall?” Juan suggested.
“That’s a great idea but I don’t know of an artist in town.” Ella said.
“May I introduce to you, Maria? She’s one of the best mural artists in Mexico.” Juan said as he pointed to Maria.
“Maria, I didn’t know you had this talent.” Ella said amazed.
“I’ve been painting all my life. But it was hard to get my own paints so I painted for other people. I have pictures of my work but I left them in Mexico.” Maria told her.
“Let’s do it. What kind of scene should it be?” Ella questioned.
“That’s up to you but many people had me paint something that makes them feel good. A memory from your past. Do you have any pictures of when you were young?” Maybe your favorite place to visit?” Maria asked.
“I have just the picture.” Ella said as she ran to the bedroom and brought back a big picture album.
Ella flipped through the album stopping along the way to point out her parents and some of her friends and funny pictures of Ella when she was in her awkward stage.
“Here it is!�
�� Ella said as she pulled the picture from the album.
“This is a picture of my favorite swimming hole when I was a teenager. The river ran through Farmer Ray’s farm and there was this big oak tree. See here the tree.” Ella said pointing at the tree.
“Can you see the rope hanging from the tree limb and the tire tied to the end of the rope?” Ella asked.
“We would swing far out to the deep water and drop off. A few of my friends are in this picture. I haven’t seen them in years but I hear there’s going to be a twentieth class reunion in the spring and I plan on going. It’ll be so much fun seeing everyone.” Ella was so excited she kept running off at the mouth.
“Ella, we are going to mass tomorrow at ten would you like to join us?” Juan asked.
“Thank you for inviting me but I think I will stay close to home tomorrow. Ella said as she picked up her empty popcorn bowl and headed for the kitchen.
TWENTY-FOUR
Sunday morning the drop-house was dark except for the streak of sun shining in from the slit in the shade. The Mexican man was lying on the floor. Where he had been for days. His throat was dry from lack of water. The other captives were in as bad or worse condition.
The Mexican man thought of his family. How he wanted so badly to reach this great country with plenty of work and send his family money to have a better life. His body ached from the torture he had been through but he came from strong stock and he would fight for life to the end.
The Mexican beast kicked the door open and grabbed the young captive by the throat pulling him to his feet.
“Get up you sorry bastard. It seems your lousy family doesn’t care enough about you to pay a ransom for your sorry ass.” The beast said with anger in his voice.
“You are going for a ride, a ride to hell.” He said as he pushed the Mexican captive through the bedroom door. The Mexican captive saw other men lying in their own filth. Their clothes were stripped from them. They had been beaten beyond recognition.
The captors gave the men one glass of water a day and one hot dog. Just enough to keep them alive. Stray rabid dogs shouldn’t be treated like this.
THE BLUE STALKER Page 18