Paint It Yellow

by López, Andrés G.

  Sal tossed Paul a tape of Queen’s A Night at the Opera and told him not to be afraid to crank it. Then he sat back down and looked into Gabriel’s face with a lion’s ferocity.

  “You didn’t see shit!”

  Gabriel wasn’t afraid to be playful because he knew Sal would never hit him. “So that was you?”

  “I said, you didn’t see shit,” Sal almost screamed. “Or didn’t you hear me the first time?”

  “I heard you. I didn’t see shit. So why don’t you tell me what I did see?”

  “You saw nothing.” Sal folded his shaking hands on the table in front of him.

  Three long minutes passed. Through the closed window, the two friends could hear a thumping bass as Paul blasted Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the Caddy. Finally Sal looked up at his old friend.

  “Julia can’t know about this. If she finds out, I know she’ll leave me. So what I’ve got to say here you can’t repeat, not even to little man.”

  Gabriel nodded.

  “Do you remember Nancy Camino? From Crescent Street? The sweet girl I dated for a couple months early summer of ’73? Her brother drove that red ‘65 Vette.”

  “You mean the blonde who hung around the Park when we practiced?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. She wore those really short skirts and teased the crap out of me by bending over and flashing me when I went up to bat.”

  “Oh yeah, now I remember.”

  “Well I ran into her at 112 Park.”

  “What were you doing there?”

  “Detective work,” Sal said, annoyed. “Trying to find out something about Mandy’s disappearance, so I could ease your fuckin’ mind. I also talked to Mandy’s older brother Doug.”

  “What’d he say?”

  “That the real detectives are still on the case, but it’s not going anywhere. Said they hadn’t given up hope of finding her alive.”

  Sal related the details of his meeting with Nancy and his run-in with Tommy.

  “I couldn’t believe it — he was this big fat shit in a filthy Kiss T-shirt and dungaree jacket, just fuckin’ taking up space. You know how I hate assholes like that.”

  “Oh shit, Sal.”

  Sal shrugged. “I kicked his fuckin’ teeth in. I was so pissed I almost killed the fuck, almost stuffed his fat face through the fence. You should’ve seen the bloodied penitent scumbag beg for mercy. Told him if he ever touched Nancy again I’d kill him. I can’t stand it when a man hits a woman. That drives me nuts!”

  “Well, how’d you wind up downtown?”

  “Looking for Janie.”

  Sal explained their suspicion that Janie was perhaps working as a stripper or prostitute somewhere in the city.

  “We snuck out after midnight and drove into Manhattan. That’s how I wound up on 38th.”

  “What’d you find?”

  “Nothing. Not a trace of her. The prostitutes hadn’t heard of her or Luz. Janie fuckin’ disappeared from the face of the earth!”

  “Just like Mandy.”

  “I did find out one thing, though. Apparently, that big fat shit I scrubbed the ground with put out a contract on my life. He supposedly has mob connections. Nancy heard some Julio guy’s after my ass.” Sal chuckled. “I’m a wanted man.”

  “Are you scared?”

  “Of that shit? You kiddin’ me? I’ll kill the fuck next time I see him, and his friend Julio. Fuckin’ contract. I’m just worried about Julia’s wrath if she ever finds out what I’ve been up to — sneaking outta the apartment, especially with all the crap we’ve been through. I know she’ll leave me. I don’t want to lose her. So keep your trap shut, you hear?”

  Just then, Paul walked in to tell Sal what a kick-ass system he had. Sal was elated. “How ‘bout lunch and some Christmas shopping boys? You guys hip?”

  CHAPTER 32

  While Sal cleaned up and called Julia to let her know his plans for the day, Gabriel went across the driveway to his apartment. He gathered some shirts, pants and underwear and stuffed them into a garbage bag, then rifled through his wad of cash and took out a thousand dollars. He wanted to have some big money on him to buy Christmas presents, but also to get a plane ticket at LaGuardia should Helene invite him to Minnesota. He looked around the apartment at his few possessions — a table and chair set, a new mattress, three posters — items he planned to let Sal have. The only things he’d return for were his guitar and some boxes of books, things he knew he couldn’t live without. As Gabriel was locking up, Sal suggested they take his Caddy.

  “Great,” replied Gabriel. “Follow me. I’ll drop off the Dodge at my father’s.”

  “Where’re you going with that bag?” Sal inquired.

  “To my dad’s place; I’m outta here by month’s end. Already gave Jigs notice.”

  Sal looked bewildered; he felt his good friend was making a mistake giving up his own apartment.

  At his father’s, Gabriel took his clothes inside, told Daniel he’d explain later and jumped into Sal’s Caddy. Sal had the car stereo cranking and as they cruised over the Queensboro Bridge, they belted out the chorus of Elton John’s “Love Lies Bleeding.”

  In less than twenty-five minutes, Paul, Gabriel and Sal perused lunch menus at Carmine’s, happy in one another’s company, talking about the gifts they’d buy. Sal told them he was going to buy Julia a gold necklace at Bernstein’s Jewelers.

  “Good deals?” asked Gabriel.

  “The best. I know Mr. Bernstein personally. We had a nice long chat on the way home from Kennedy earlier this month. He’s giving me a forty-percent discount.”

  “What’s in it for him?” asked Gabriel.

  “A cab whenever he needs one, even during rush hour. He’s called me through my dispatcher four times already. Says he doesn’t like the limo service — get this — because it’s too expensive!”

  The three cracked up laughing.

  “The man knows how to save a buck,” said Paul.

  “That’s why he’s a millionaire, little man,” said Sal.

  “And what do you charge him?” asked Gabriel.

  “Nada, zero,” replied Sal, making a big goose egg with his fingers. “He pays whatever he feels each ride’s worth. So far, he’s been very generous. And as bonus, when it comes time to get a great deal, he’s promised to take care of me.”

  After ordering a pizza, Gabriel asked Sal more about his talk with Mandy’s brother.

  “Doug and his family have gone through a tough three years. Said he had no idea she was depressed. Said nothing’s been the same since Mandy walked out that night.”

  Gabriel nodded. “I ran into Matt Jones at Parisi’s yesterday and he told me the same thing. Said that afternoon, everything seemed fine. He just wished he’d walked her home.”

  Sal lit a cigarette, took a deep drag and exhaled waves of smoke rings.

  “You know, running into Matt really helped,” Gabriel said. “He said the thought of her still brightens his life. And he hasn’t given up hope. And neither will I.”

  “If you ask me, that’s a damned good plan.” Sal took another drag and pointed his cig at Gabriel. “I was fuckin’ worried about you. Looked like you’d fallen into a depressing funk or something. Now you’re dealing with this.”

  Gabriel nodded. “It’s also nice to know others who love her haven’t lost hope. Think I should stop and see Doug sometime.”

  “We’ll all go.” Then Sal added with deep feeling, “The more love shared, the better.”

  “Amen,” Gabriel said, recognizing Sister Beatrice’s favorite saying, the one she’d share with students before dismissing them from class every day.

  “Amen, amen,” Sal and Paul parroted, as they looked at the attractive waitress who had arrived with their pizza.

  “Thank you sweetheart. This pie looks lovely, just like you.” The young woman smiled for Sal.

  CHAPTER 33

  Sal drove to Bernstein’s Jewelers and double-parked between delivery trucks. He told Paul to mov
e the car if a spot became vacant or circle the block if the police asked him to move. Paul was thrilled.

  “Just watch the far right bumper little man. There’s a lot of car there.”

  Paul smiled. “I’ll be careful.”

  Sal and Gabriel went into Bernstein’s and were greeted by an attractive woman in her late twenties. She wore a necklace of large pearls, which seemed out of place on a young woman, and several rings on her left hand — a gold band, a diamond behind it and a bright ruby on her pinky.

  “Mrs. Bernstein?”

  “I’m Mrs. Goldfarb, Mr. Bernstein’s daughter. May I help you?”

  “Is your dad around?” Sal asked. “Ah, he said I should stop by when I was in the market for the finest jewelry in New York. I drive him to the airport sometimes.”

  “Oh, one of his drivers?”

  “You can say that.”

  “Well, he’s not in at the moment, but please take a look around and if you find anything suitable, I’ll put it aside and ask Mr. Bernstein to price it for you when he comes in.”

  “Thanks. Where are your best deals on diamond necklaces?”

  Mrs. Goldfarb pointed to the back and Sal, motioning Gabriel to follow him, strolled to the display case. It didn’t take Sal long to find exactly what he wanted — a thin gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant outlined with bright tiny diamonds, and a hefty price tag of eighteen hundred dollars.

  “That’s it. Julia would kill for that necklace,” Sal said.

  “It’s beautiful.” Gabriel was thinking of how nice such a piece would look on Helene. “Pretty expensive though.”

  “Yeah, but just what she needs. Let’s see what can be done.”

  As Sal waved Mrs. Goldfarb over, Mr. Bernstein walked in and recognized Sal. He approached them with a broad smile of welcome. He had the look of one who did not fret or worry much, a man devoid of anxiety and brimming with self-confidence.

  “James, how are you? I’m glad you’ve decided to visit. What have you found?”

  Gabriel grinned; it was funny to hear Mr. Bernstein address Sal by his first name. No one ever did that and Gabriel knew Sal didn’t like it. But around Mr. Bernstein, Sal behaved as if he were around royalty.

  Mr. Bernstein examined the piece Sal showed him with the magnifier hanging from his neck. “Fabulous piece. About one and a quarter carat when we add these diamonds up. Nice Christmas present, James. Good, good choice.” Mr. Bernstein paused. “For you …” He leaned over and whispered in Sal’s ear. Sal’s reaction was instant, his voice full of elation.

  “I’ll take it,” he said, reaching for Mr. Bernstein’s hand. “Thank you.”

  “You are very welcome,” Mr. Bernstein replied. He spoke to his daughter for a moment as he headed toward the back of the store. “I will call you soon, James; have a nice Christmas. I hope she likes it.”

  Gabriel couldn’t believe it when he heard Mrs. Goldfarb ask Sal for only six hundred dollars. Mrs. Goldfarb wrote no receipt for the purchase. She found an elegant case for the necklace, wrapped it in satiny golden paper and just before leaving, shook Sal’s hand and thanked him for keeping her father safe.

  “Don’t ever worry, Mrs. Goldfarb. He’s always safe with me.”

  Gabriel and Sal rejoined Paul. There was no street parking to be found near Rockefeller Center, so the boys parked in an open lot near Tenth Avenue and 49th Street and walked up a few blocks to join the busy holiday shoppers. On the way, Gabriel couldn’t resist dropping by Manny’s on 48th to try out a few guitars. While Gabriel strummed bar chords on a black Gibson Les Paul, Sal entered the drum booth to unleash some fury on a Pearl drum kit and Paul fiddled with a fancy Fender bass. For over an hour, the three were lost in their rock-and-roll dreams.

  After leaving Manny’s, they strolled around St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Gabriel reminiscing about Helene and the beautiful experience they’d shared there days earlier, and then purchased a few presents at Saks. With the nine dollars he had left, Sal bought black stockings for Julia (his “warm-up gift,” before surprising her with the necklace). Gabriel found some cotton pajamas for Daniel, and Paul bought him a pair of black leather gloves.

  “So why didn’t you buy anything for your new girl, Gabe?” Sal asked as they sat down to more donuts and coffee.

  “I’ve only known Helene two weeks.”

  “Well, a pair of black stockings like what I got Julia, or some fancy panties would get you places.”

  Paul laughed and Gabriel blushed, hoping customers nearby were not listening in.

  “It’s too soon for that. Besides, she’s in Minnesota and I don’t know when she’ll be back. I’ll think of something. There’s plenty of time.”

  “So can we see her place?” Sal asked. “So we know exactly where you’re hiding these days?”

  “You could drop Paul and me off there before you pick up Julia. I need to see if Helene’s left a message about her dad. I’m going to stay at my father’s for the holidays though, so if you need me that’s where I’ll be.”

  Sal declared Helene’s apartment the perfect pad. “You’re the luckiest guy I know. This is some find. Only you can find Helene of Troy one night, have her fall for you the next day and leave you the keys to her castle in a week, which conveniently, is only three blocks away from your job. It’s just incredible the stuff that happens to you. Please don’t blow this.”

  “I’ll try not to,” Gabriel said, realizing the truth of Sal’s words, but uneasy about his future with Helene nevertheless. “I really like Helene. She’s perfect.”

  “And she’s real!” exclaimed Sal.

  When Sal left to pick up Julia, Gabriel went into the bedroom to listen to the answering machine. “Hi, Gabriel. Hope you’re being careful driving nights. Dad’s operation is set for the twenty-eighth. He’s in good spirits. Mom’s nervous, but everyone’s been wonderful to us. Oh, and Edward loves his elephant. Hope you don’t mind me giving it to him before Christmas. I’ll call as soon as I have news. Have a great Christmas with your family.”

  Gabriel kneeled by Helene’s bed, closed his eyes and said an Our Father for Helene’s family. Then he kissed the picture of Helene and Edward James. “Come back to me soon. I think I love you, Helene Hansen.”

  CHAPTER 34

  The next few days were quiet and peaceful. Gabriel’s sister, Mary, stayed at Daniel’s on Christmas Eve, and they went to dinner at a Cuban–Chinese restaurant in Astoria. This was a rare place indeed, serving all the Chinese dishes imaginable, as well as Cuban sandwiches, heaping plates of rice and black beans with tasty pork chops and plátanos, and even thin Cuban-style steak, smothered in garlic, onions and green peppers (Daniel’s favorite dish and the one that he ordered this evening and every other time he’d ever entered El Jardín Chino). The slim Chinese waiter, Juan, took their order in Spanish and relayed it in Chinese to those in the kitchen.

  While they ate, Mary spoke openly about her life. She was dating a kind and generous man she’d met at the corner grocery, where he worked. At Macy’s, she’d just been promoted to department manager and received a significant salary increase. Gabriel could see how proud Daniel was. At one point, he declared jokingly that Mary was the only one of his children who’d taken after him. He was thrilled that she loved clothing and got along so well with others at work, as he had back when he worked at El Incendió in Cuba. Gabriel understood Daniel exaggerated not to slight his sons, but rather to elevate Mary and express his love; she was his only daughter and the apple of his eye. As a sophomore in high school, she’d once performed Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” with her band and received a standing ovation and date offers from several senior boys. In fact, she looked like Stevie Nicks, with her long dirty blonde hair and black opal eyes. But it was her bright smile and confidence that defined her. Gabriel had been so proud seeing Mary on stage pouring her soul out in song. Though she was much closer to Paul than Gabriel, he admired her daring and resolve and the energy with which she tackled daunting tasks. They had a str
ong friendship, even after Gabriel had marched off to college.

  As usual, Daniel left Juan a big tip, shook everyone’s hand before leaving and told them he’d see them soon, which Juan and the staff knew might be in six months, a year or maybe even two. Gabriel knew that when Daniel did return, regardless of how long he’d been away, he’d be greeted the same friendly way. Gabriel admired the warm way people behaved around his father. No matter where he went, he was welcomed affectionately.

  On Christmas Day, the three siblings exchanged presents with Daniel and each other. As always, Daniel seemed surprised when he got pajamas and gloves from Gabriel and Paul, and Fruit of the Loom T-shirts and black socks from Mary. And the three children acted equally surprised when they each received their father’s envelope and Christmas card with his familiar greeting in big sweeping script: “Te deseo mucha felicidad, tú padre” — “I wish you much happiness, your father” — and a one hundred dollar bill from El Banco de Ponce in Jackson Heights.

  After presents, Daniel made everyone his famous ham sandwiches with toast and cheese, but no mayo, then he reminded the children to call their mother in Florida. Later that afternoon, Gabriel said a prayer of thanks for his father’s surprising health and for his mother, sister and brother — thanks that though they were often far apart, they were still so close. This would be one of the haunting truths for Gabriel on this day and far into the future — that his family members got along much better apart than together and that, though broken in so many ways, they each continued to see their family as a loving, working entity.

  During these peaceful days, Gabriel meditated on all that was good in his life. He was glad Gibbs had given him time to spend with family and thrilled that he’d spoken with Mercedes and expressed his love. And he was proud of his brother. Paul had inherited his father’s kindness, and though nearly a man, he still had his boyish smile and innocent look that stole girls’ hearts. Gabriel was also happy that Mary had found someone to love, that she was successful and appreciated at work and that Daniel had gotten to spend time with his children — he hadn’t seen his father so jubilant in quite some time.