THE BLUE STALKER (27 page)

             
“Alicia, here’s an extra key.  I will plan on you opening the shop every morning.  This way I won’t worry if I’m late.”  Ella told Alicia and everyone else heard.

Alicia proudly took the key and dropped it in her brassiere.  Ella blushed and giggled to herself.

             
Everyone headed home.  Alicia in her sedan, Ron and Susan in the shop van and Ella in her station wagon. Sunday was a day of rest and they could all use some. 

TWENTY

             
             
Ella woke to a loud noise coming from the front yard.

             
“What could that be.” She murmured to herself. It sounds like a freight train making tracks across my front yard.

             
She grabbed her robe and tied it at the waist as she slid her feet into her size ten slippers.  She ran to the window almost falling as she stepped on a run away bead.  She pulled the drape back and saw Juan pushing a lawnmower across the yard.

             
Ella managed to raise the window and yell.  “Juan, what are you doing?  You and the family are suppose to be on your Sunday drive to the country.”

             
“I know Ms. Ella but the lawn needs to be mowed an Maria said we could go this afternoon.”  He answered wiping his brow on his sleeve. 

             
“Do you plan on mowing this acre with that mower?”  She questioned him shaking her head.

             
“Yes, Ms. Ella “  Juan told her as he made another  sweep.

             
“Shut the mower Juan, shut the mower off.”  Ella tried to yell over the noise.

             
Juan shut the motor off and asked,  “Ms. Ella why can’t I mow the lawn?”

             
“First of all it’s too noisy and second you will never get the lawn mowed using that piece of junk.  Where for Christ sake did you get that excuse for a lawnmower?”

             
“It was in the shed out back.”  He said apologetically.

             
“Come in the house and let’s talk about this.” 

             
Juan put the mower in the shed and made his way back in the house with his head down like a little boy that had been caught looking at his big brother’s Playboy magazine. 

             
“I’m sorry Ms. Ella.  Juan said as he looked up from under his brow.

             
“You don’t have to apologize. I should apologize for being so abrupt.”  Ella said holding her hand out in a gesture of apology, “friends.”  She said smiling.

             
Juan laughed and grabbed her hand.  “Friends.”

             
I know you and the family were planning a drive in the country but how about we load up the old lawn mower and take it down to Baker and buy a riding mower?”  Ella suggested.

             
“We will have a nice dinner while we are there.”  She added.  “This will give Maria a much needed night away from the kitchen.”

Jose’s out growing his clothes and needs some warm winter clothes.  He also needs a new coat. 

             
Maria was in the kitchen fixing a nice Sunday morning breakfast.  The aroma from the kitchen smell of ham and eggs and freshly brewed coffee. 

             
Ella poured herself a cup of coffee.  As she walked to the table she smell the coffee and tried to take a sip.  She poured milk in it and stirred it in a figure eight motion. 

             
“Maria, I know you have family  plans to take a drive in the country but Juan needs a riding lawn mower, Jose, Juan and you need winter coats.  And Jose is growing out of his clothes.  I thought all of us could do some shopping and have dinner in town at a nice restaurant.  What do you think?”  Ella asked Maria. 

             
Maria looked at Ella and said. “You want to take us to Baker to shop and have dinner?”

             
“Yes.”  Ella said wondering what was on Ella’s mind.

             
“I’ve been wanting to go shopping. Juan’s birthday is coming up and I want to get him a gift.  When you gave him the money he gave me half.  So I have money to get him a watch. Could you help me pick out a nice one?”

             
“Great, Ella said, “let’s get breakfast over with and get ready for a day of shopping.  I miss the days of shopping with my mom.”

             
Maria told Juan the plans of the day were changed. Of course, he was pleased.  He was getting a new riding lawnmower. 

             
Breakfast was soon over and everyone headed to their rooms to get ready for a day in Baker.  Juan walked downstairs looking handsome and made his way out back to load the old mower while the ladies finished getting ready.

Out the door came, Maria, Jose and Ella.  “We’re ready.”  They yelled in unison.

             
They belted up and were off to Baker for an afternoon of shopping.  Jose slept all the way down the canyon road.  The hillside marked the landscape with hues of gold, red, orange and purple leaves.  The trees were shedding their foliage in preparation of winter.  The hills and the valley floor was turning green.

             
“Ms. Ella, this was a good idea, we get to see the changing of the colors in the hills and in the valley.”  Maria said. “It’s so beautiful.

             
“What store do you want to go to first, Ms. Ella?”  Juan asked.

             
“First we should go to Sears and purchase the riding mower.  They will have time to get it ready and loaded while we shop in the mall.

             
Juan parked the truck at Sears service area and they entered the store.  He set on a few mowers and looked at the blades.

             
“Juan, which one do you like?”  Ella asked

“They are all good machines Ms. Ella but I like this one best. I guess because it’s red.” Juan said as he ran his hand down the red pin striping on the mower.

             
The salesman made his way over.  Ella asked him to show Juan the mowers and to show them the best they had.  Ella wanted to know about the warranty and if they would take her old mower in trade.

             
“Yes, we can take your old mower as a trade in.”  The salesman told Ella.

             
“There’s a two year warranty on parts and labor. 

The red mower was the most efficient riding mower.  Ms. Ella purchased the mower and asked if they could have it ready for them and load it in the truck while they shopped.  The salesman  agreed to have it ready by six.

             
Ella and Maria took Jose and headed for the baby department in Macy’s while Juan made his way to the men’s department to pick out a winter coat.

             
Maria choose a nice blue hooded jacket for Jose.  While Ella picked out a few winter outfits and winter pajamas for Jose. 

             
“He’s growing so fast I don’t want to buy anything he will grow out of in a month.”  Maria told Ella.

             
“That’s good thinking Maria.  It won’t hurt if they are a little loose on him.  Ella agreed with Maria as she put down the small size and got one size larger.

Ella took care of the purchase and they headed for the jewelry department.

             
“Let’s look at the watches before Juan finds us.”  Maria told Ella.

             
“Ella showed Maria some of the better brands and Maria decided on a Bulova watch.  One can wear to work and for dress.

             
Maria counted out the money while the sales clerk wrapped it in a nice box.

             
“I’m so happy to be able to buy Juan a gift. This is the first gift I’ve given him since we got married five years ago.”  Marie told Ella as she put the package deep in her purse, one of Ella’s designer hand bags she had given Maria.

             
Next they were off to the ladies department.  Maria found a nice coat for winter.  A camel color double breasted coat belted at the waist.  Maria tried it on as she looked at her image in a three way mirror.  She turned looking over her back. “Ms. Ella this is beautiful. The most beautiful coat I’ve ever seen.”  She told her.

             
They ran into Juan as they were making their way to the men’s department.

             
“I found a jacket I like.” Juan said.

             
“Let’s see it.”  Maria said as they walked toward the coat department.

             
Juan held up a dark blue parka.

             
“Ms. Ella the lining comes out for days that aren’t so cold.  See here you can zip out the lining.  Juan said as he zipped and unzipped the lining.

             
Ella handed the credit card to the sales clerk and took care  of the purchase. 

             
“Ms. Ella, I think I have enough money to pay for the coat. You don’t have to buy the jacket for me.”

             
“Juan I don’t do things for people because I have to.  I do things for people because I want to.”  Ella told Juan as she signed the sales slip.

             
All the time they were shopping Jose was gooing and enjoying being carried around.

             
“There’s a nice steak house on Broadway. I saw it when I bought the van.  Does that sound good for dinner?”  Ella asked.

“That would be nice it’s your choice, Ms Ella.”  Juan said as he took the bags from the ladies hands.

             
They stopped back by Sears as the mower was being loaded on Juan’s truck.

             
“I tied it down good. You shouldn’t have any problems getting it home.”  The salesman said as he stood there with hands on hips.

             
Ella wrote the check and they were on their way to dinner.  Juan kept looking back at the mower making sure it was riding solid. Just like a kid with a new toy.

             
Dinner was delicious.  They ordered steak and lobster as Ella suggested.

             
“Ms. Ella, we’ve never had lobster. I hope we like it.”  Juan told Ella.

             
“Believe me, you’ll like it.” Ella showed the two how to eat the lobster and they had fun trying to crack it.

             
Jose slept through dinner.  Maria asked the waiter to warm his bottle so it would be ready for the drive home.

             
Their tummy’s were full and it was time to get home. Tomorrow was another work day. Ella thought to herself.  This is like having a family.  I’m glad they came my way.

             
They arrived home without any problems.  Juan carried Jose in and Maria took him up to bed.  Maria changed her baby putting pajamas on him.  She sat in the big rocker singing Jose a lullaby.  Jose soon fell asleep.  Maria slowly walked him to his crib and gently laid him down.  Maria laid her hand on Jose’s chest feeling the beating of his tiny heart.  She quietly tip toed to the door looking back smiling at her son as she opened the door and slowly closed it.

             
“Ms. Ella do you have any two by sixes I can use for a ramp to take the mower off the truck?”  Juan called from the breeze way.

             
“I think you will find some in the shed out back.”  Ella said as she looked at the mower.

             
Juan managed to get the boards placed on the truck and slowly rolled the mower off the truck.  He jumped in the seat, turned the ignition on and took it for a spin down the driveway.