THE BLUE STALKER (9 page)

             
“Tomorrow we will start on the work tables.” She told Juan as she took a big bite from her greasy hamburger.  Wiping the grease from her face as she licked her fingers.

             
“I’ll draw up the work tables tonight.  You’ll need to let me know the dimensions.” Juan told Ella.

             
“Okay, Juan I will think about it and give you some measurements before the day ends.  We’ve completed the shelves and that’s what I wanted to accomplish today so let’s take off early.”  Ella removed her work gloves laid them on the counter.

             
Juan unplugged the power tools, put the tools in the tool box and slammed the lid shut latching it.  They headed out with Ella closing and locking the door.

             
Ella noticed a man leaning against a post across the street.  She was suspicious of him.  Okay, she said to herself, don’t get paranoid.  That’s the owner of the jewelry store.  He’s just catching a breath of fresh air.  She waved as they drove past the jewelry store owner.

             
Kelly’s Used Car lot was on their way home. As for a matter of fact most retail establishments were located on Main Street.  Ella pulled into the car lot shutting off the engine.

             
Looking over at Juan, Ella said, “Young man we need to buy a truck for you.”

             
“What, Ms. Ella?”  Juan said as he turned to her in amazement.  “A truck for me?”

             
“Yes, you need a truck to haul stuff when you are working on the house whether it be hauling lumber or hauling off shrubs.  I’m going to be busy with the flower shop.  You’ll be on your own, savvy?”  Ella told him.

             
“Yes, I savvy Ms. Ella.” He assured her.

             
Mr. Kelly swaggered out the door that was barely wide enough for him, cocking his cowboy hat to the back of his head. 

             
“Howdy folks, you lookin’ for a good used car cause if you are I got some good runnin’ rigs.” Holding out his big hand with his usual greeting.

             
They shook hands Ella introducing themselves.

             
“We are looking for a good running truck.  Where’s the best one you have on the lot?”  Ella looked around the lot for the trucks.

             
“Follow me.” Mr. Kelly said as he started walking with long strides.  Ella and Juan double stepping it to keep up.  Seems Mr. Kelly is used to running all over the lot.  He showed them a nice looking truck with an extended long bed.  This would be good for construction work.  You could haul a lot of materials and men with the extra seat.

If you plan on doing construction this one will fit the bill.”  Mr. Kelly said as he slapped its hood.

             
“Juan, do you know much about an engine?”  Ella asked knowing they needed to be sure it was a good running vehicle.

             
“My uncle is a mechanic. I worked in his shop when I was a boy.  In fact my uncle said I had the knack for fixin’ cars.  I can tell pretty well if it’s a good running rig.”  Juan assured her.

             
Juan started up the truck listening to the motor shaking his head he lifted the hood.  He noticed the engine had been steam cleaned.  This was a sign the motor was probably throwing oil or had in the past.

             
“I don’t think we want this one.”  Juan told her.

             
“What do you mean young man this is a good truck.”  Mr. Kelly said with a disgusted look on his face.

             
“It’s just not the one for us, Sir.  Do you have any more in this price range?”  Juan asked.

             
“Come over here and I will show you a winner.  I was keeping this one for my boy but what the heck if you want it it’s yours.  It’ll cost you but it’s your money you’re spending.”  He said pushing his cowboy hat to the back of his head exposing his balding forehead.

             
Juan started up the engine, looked under the hood, checked the carpet under the accelerator and brake. It was only slightly worn.  A good sign the odometer at 35K is accurate. 

             
“You wanna take it for a spin?”  Mr. Kelly offered.

             
“That’s a good idea Mr. Kelly.”  Juan and Mr. Kelly hopped in the truck.  They drove around a few blocks and Juan fell in love with the truck.

             
“Juan, is it a good running truck?”  Ella asked as she walked around it looking for any dents.

             
“Ms. Ella it’s a good running truck and it’s red.  I love red trucks.”  Juan told her grinning from ear to ear.

Ella laughed at his young innocent behavior.

             
“Mr. Kelly what kind of warranty do you put on your vehicles?”  Ella inquired.

“Six months or ten thousand miles which ever comes first.” He informed her.

             
“What’s the bottom dollar on this vehicle?”  Ella asked with offering much less on her mind.

             
“It’s right there on the window Ma‘am.”   Mr. Kelly stated as a matter of fact.

             
“Oh, I see the numbers but what I asked is what’s your bottom dollar?”

             
“Damn, lady if I didn’t need to make a sale I wouldn’t come down on the price but you got me between a rock and hard place.  I’ll take five hundred off the sticker.”  He told her shaking his head as if he was loosing money on the deal.

             
“I tell you what I will give you one thousand cash off the window price and drive it off the lot tonight.”  Ella pulled her checkbook from her purse slapping it on her leg.

Mr. Kelly almost fell over. 

             
“Your taking food outta my kids mouth Ma’am but I need the sale so it’s a deal.” Mr. Kelly double timed it back to the office. 

             
Mr. Kelly’s secretary wrote up the contract, signed over the title and Ella gave him a check.

             
“Juan you drive the truck home.”  Ella said as she handed Juan the keys.

             
“Okay, Ms. Ella I’ll get right home.  Maria is going to be so happy.”  He said hopping in the driver’s seat.

             
Ella knowing the law made her way to the Department of Motor Vehicles and registered the truck.  While there she picked up a couple booklets for Juan and Maria to study for
their driver’s license exam. 

             
Juan drove up and parked in the circle drive.  Got out and yelled for Maria.  Maria came running out of the house dressed in her new jeans and top.  She almost tripped as she jumped over the last two steps.

             
“Juan, where did you get this truck, its beautiful?”  Maria asked as she hopped in the front seat.

             
“There’s a back seat.”  She jumped out of the truck running around it.  “I’ve never seen anything so pretty.  Where did you get it?” she asked trying to catch her breath.

             
“If you’ll stop for one moment I will tell you.”  He said smiling like a kid with a new toy.

             
Ms. Ella bought it for us to use.  Like hauling things for construction.  I will be hauling stuff to the dump.”  he told her.

             
“Do you think we can use it to visit Jose and maybe go to Sunday Mass?”  Maria asked.

             
“We’ll ask her, Maria.”  Juan said.

             
“I need to get back in the kitchen I have dinner almost ready.”  Maria told Juan.

             
“How about you get a shower before dinner’s ready?”  Maria suggested.

“I’ll do just that, Maria.”  Juan said looking down at his dirty hands and sweaty clothes.

             
Juan made his way up the long wide stairs to their bedroom.  As he entered he looked around.  He couldn’t believe this was his and Maria’s own room.  He planned to live in a tent on the farm when they left Mexico.  He shook his head as he turned on the shower water.  Pulled off his sweaty clothes, climbed in the shower and let the hot water spray his tired body.

             
“That shower sure made me feel good.” he said as he was walking down the stairs dressed in new jeans and shirt.

             
“Juan, Maria called to him Ms. Ella is home and looks like she needs some help.”  Maria called to him as she wiped her hands on her apron.

             
Juan rushed to the door as Ella was climbing the steps with a load of groceries.

             
“Let me help you with those.”  Juan said as he took the bags from her arms.

             
“Maria has dinner almost ready.”  Juan told Ella.

             
“That sounds good to me.”  Ella said as she slumped down in a big chair flopping her feet on the hassock.

             
“I’ll wash up in the laundry room and get a bath after super, I’m famished and dinner smells so good.”  Ella pulled her tired body off the chair. 

             
Maria finished setting the table. She filled the serving bowls and placed them on the table. They each pulled their chairs up to the table.  Ella again reached for their hands. 

             
This time Juan said, “Ms. Ella, may I?”

             
“Of course.”  Ella replied.

             
Juan began, “Thank you for Ms. Ella and for all she has done for us.  Bless the food Maria has prepared.  Dear God bless little Jose and bring him home soon, Amen.

             
“Did you check on Jose today Maria?”  Ella asked as bowls were being passed around.

             
“Yes, Ms Ella, I called three or four times.  I think they are getting annoyed with me calling so much but I can’t help myself.”  Maria told them.

             
“It’s okay for you to call.  It’s not good for you to worry.  I think we can finish up here and get to the hospital by the time visiting hour starts.”

             
They finished with dinner and Maria cleaned the kitchen while Ella took a quick shower. Maria loved cooking and cleaning in her new kitchen.  She wanted everything to be perfect and was getting possessive with her new found home.  Juan offered to help with the clean up but Maria didn’t want any help. 

             
“I’ll do as much as possible while Ms. Ella is getting ready I can finish when we get back home.” she told Juan.

             
It didn’t take long for Ella to get ready.  Soon they were off in the station wagon heading for the hospital.  Again Ella noticed the blue sedan just outside her drive.  She felt a chill go up her spine.  She wondered why she was being watched.  She shrugged it off and away they went to the hospital Ella made sure she parked under a parking lot lamp.  She didn’t want to walk back to the car in the dark.  Again she told herself not to be paranoid.  Paranoid is one thing but safe smarts is another.

Little Jose was gooing and laughing.  He looked as if he has gained more weight.  The nurse informed Maria and Juan that the doctor would be in tomorrow and wanted to see them.  She made the appointment and Juan stuffed the appointment card in his pocket.

             
“Ms. Ella we have an appointment to meet with Dr. Burnett tomorrow morning at eight. Will it be okay if I make it to work a little late and will you go with us?”  

             
“Of course, I will go with you.”  Ella said.

             
“You see Ms. Ella, Maria and I may not be able to understand all Doctor Burnett has to tell us.  We will feel better if you are with us.”

             
“It would be a privilege and an honor to be with you.”  Ella said with a smile.

             
Maria gave Jose his bottle and rocked him to sleep.  She dreamed of how nice it would be when he was home and their family was again whole.  As she sang a lullaby she thought of all changes in their lives.  She thought, if I’m dreaming, please don’t pinch me.

             
Maria laid Jose in the small bed on rollers surrounded with windows.  Everyone that walked by smiled at the happy baby boy.  They did not know the serious condition his fragile little body was in.  They only saw a smiling little boy.  Maria’s lullaby soothed Jose to sleep.  Juan told the nurse they would be back tomorrow morning.  Juan and Maria didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. 

             
Ella told Juan and Maria she would fetch the car so they could be with Jose a few more minutes before the switch board operator’s voice announced an end to their visiting hour.  Ella in her haste forgot to attend to her surroundings.  She hurriedly walked out of the hospitals front door.  She looked up just in time to see the same blue sedan she noticed earlier at the end of her drive as they were leaving the house.  Again she said to herself.  I can’t understand why I’m being watched. Is it something I’ve done or something he plans causing this person to stalk me.  Should I tell the authorities?  Or, should I keep this to myself.  I don’t know who I can trust.  For now I will keep a close watch out for the blue sedan.  Just to be safe tonight I will wait inside the hospital and walk out with my friends.  Safety in numbers. She thought.  When the three of them walked to the car Ella didn’t see the blue sedan lurking in the dark.