by Clay, Verna
Max puffed a breath. "Wow! What happened next?"
"Princess related that the old man got tears in his eyes and tried to speak, but his words were unintelligible. And then, Gator suddenly popped out and said in his good ol' boy voice, 'Dad, if Hank can forgive you, I guess I can, too. I'm your other son, Gator'."
Max and Pilar just stared at each other with astonishment, and then laughed.
The music ended and the lights came up. Max blinked and leaned back in his chair. Across the room, he saw Gator laughing with his dance partner. He asked, "Is that his girlfriend?"
"Yes. Sally Sue. She owns the second hand store."
Max chuckled. "That's her name, for real?"
Pilar grinned. "For real. And she's just as much of a redneck as Gator."
"So how does she deal with Hank?"
Pilar turned until her lips touched Max's ear and whispered, "She said the geek turns her on as much as Gator and she's in love with both of them."
Max laughed so loud several people turned to look in his direction. He joked, "Only in Oasis."
Pilar agreed, "Yep, only in Oasis."
The front door opened and Kade walked in. He spotted Max and Pilar and dangled a car key on a chain in front of him. Pilar jumped up and rushed to meet him. Max followed and the two men exchanged knowing glances. She reached for her key and hugged her cousin. "Thank you, Kade. You've saved my bacon once again. Maybe the car will behave for awhile. I'm saving for another one, I promise." She glanced from Kade to Max and blushed. "Sorry, I'm rambling."
Kade winked at Pilar. "I think the car might have a few more miles before it bites the dust again. I fixed it pretty good this time."
"Wonderful. Just send me the bill."
Before Kade could respond, Max distracted Pilar by inviting her to dance. She looked at him with a surprised expression, and then accepted, waving goodbye to Kade as he walked toward the refreshment table. A lively tune filled the rec room, and Pilar asked Max, "Are you ready to learn the Country Two-Step?"
Max grinned. "If you're ready to get your toes stepped on." Pilar grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor. After a brief lesson, she complimented him on being a fast learner, and he rolled his eyes in disbelief at the same time he accidentally stepped on her toes. She pursed her lips and joked, "Maybe I spoke a little too soon."
Max loved her sense of humor and didn't want the dance to end. Sadly, after it did, she parted ways with him to dance with several gentlemen, young and old, but Max was always aware of her. Pinky cornered Max and asked him to "cut a rug," which encouraged several older women to follow suit. Max hadn't the heart to turn the women down and was surprised at how much he enjoyed their company and flirting. When Vera Hightower shyly asked him onto the floor, he couldn't believe it. While they danced she shared more about her dead son, and he could see that talking about him helped her deal with her grief. Max left the party feeling pretty damn good about himself.
* * *
Pilar searched for Willie and found him and Caleb sitting on the porch of the rec room talking about horses. Caleb was as much into horses, as Willie was into baseball. Willie said, "Hi, mom. Caleb's staying the night, remember?"
"Oh, I wouldn't forget something that important. Looks like you boys are having a great time. I'm glad you're back, Caleb. Do you know how long you're staying?"
The boy scratched his ear. "I think Dad has about two weeks before he has to report for work in the Grand Canyon. Maybe you and Willie can join us again and ride the trail."
Willie exclaimed, "Yeah! That'd be great. Can we, Mom?"
Pilar patted her son's head. "I'll see if I can arrange it. But I'm not promising anything. Now, you boys head back to the trailer. It's late and I'm sure you have a full day planned for tomorrow."
"Okay, Mom."
"Sure thing, Mrs. Armstrong."
Pilar watched the boys run toward her trailer and smiled. Her son was happy, healthy, and had wonderful friends.
"A penny for your thoughts," said Max as he walked out the door.
"I was just thanking God for my wonderful life."
* * *
Although Max couldn't understand Pilar's love of living in a small desert town, he wasn't about to voice it. Whatever makes you happy, he thought. And then he heard a voice in his mind ask what it would take to make him happy. You are happy, he assured himself.
Instead of responding to Pilar's confidence, he asked, "Can I walk you home since we're going in the same direction?"
"I want to help with cleanup."
"Management has postponed cleanup until tomorrow morning at nine."
"Is that right?"
"Yep."
"Well, for once I'm not going to disagree with the manager."
Max reached to grasp Pilar's elbow. The half-moon, bright and beautiful, looked like a large jewel amongst stars that glittered like diamonds. "Why don't we walk the trail," he suggested.
Pilar said, "Hmm. I think it will be okay. The moon is bright enough to lead the way and the creepy crawlies are all in bed." She chuckled and added, "I hope."
Max had a sudden vision of the two of them sharing a bed and stumbled as he stepped off the porch.
"You okay, Max?" Pilar asked.
"Fine. I'm still breaking these shoes in," he offered as an excuse. Pilar glanced at his loafers. "You really should buy a pair of cowboy boots for desert living. Cowboy Haven on Second Street has a decent selection."
Max said, "I'll check it out." Reaching for her hand, he placed it in the crook of his elbow and they walked past their homes and to the trail. After several minutes without talking, they stopped to stare at the silhouette of distant mountains. Before he could rethink his act, he bent and lightly brushed his lips against Pilar's. He said softly, "I've wanted to do that since the first day we met."
Max listened to Pilar's quick intake of breath and then pressed his lips more firmly against hers. She made a sighing sound and reached to grab his shoulders. Stepping in front of her until they were chest to chest, he enfolded her in his arms and deepened the kiss. She was soft and pliant, and oh, so sexy. He wanted to touch her intimately, but held back, something new for him. Of her own volition, she opened her mouth and allowed him access to its sweetness. Max groaned and somehow managed to keep his hands away from enticing body parts while kissing her passionately. Just when he felt it was okay to move his hands to caress her breasts, she placed her palms on his chest and gently pushed away from him. She turned so that her back was facing him.
In a strangled voice, she said, "I can't do this, Max. We're from worlds so diverse we'd never work out. You only have five months until you leave, and I'm here for the long haul. I'm not your type and you're not mine. And I'm not into having flings. I'd rather be lonely than have my heart broken again."
Max calmed his libido. "I understand."
Pilar turned to face him and he almost couldn't keep himself from pulling her into his arms and promising her anything.
She inhaled deeply of the dry desert air. "So, Max. I think we should have an understanding upfront that we are friends, and only friends."
Max repeated, "Friends and only friends. Are you ready to walk back?"
Chapter 14: Invitation
A week after the hoedown, Pilar sat outside Desi's trailer on a hot summer evening. She'd worked until five and the two fans Desi had set up to cool any guests, felt delicious. The lowering sun cast streaks of red and yellow over the mountains and Pilar sighed at the beauty stretched before her.
For the thousandth time, her mind wandered back to Max and his kisses. Her traitorous body got all kinds of hot just thinking about him. He was one sexy package and if she was anyone but Pilar Armstrong, mother of William Armstrong, she would have cast caution to the wind and had an affair with him. Women did it all the time. Why not spice up her life with a few nights of passion with a rich, handsome, unavailable man.
Disgusted with herself for her prudish ways, so unlike the women of today, she turn
ed her attention to Willie and Caleb unwrapping the baseball packs she'd picked up at Dotty's Dime Store. The boys laughed and joked and exclaimed over the cards. It warmed Pilar's heart to see her son so happy and well adjusted.
Down the road she could see Max walking toward them and her heart rate accelerated.
"Howdy, Max," called Desi. "Do you have time to join us this fine evening?"
Max stepped toward them. "I do. I just got Gator lined out for tomorrow and I was wondering how I'd spend the rest of my evening." His eyes sought out Pilar's. The intensity of his gaze made her glance quickly away.
Willie and Caleb invited Max to join them and go through the baseball cards, but he declined. "Boys, I think I'll just sit and converse with the adults for awhile."
"Sure thing, Mr. Rutherford," Willie said easily.
Caleb nodded.
Max chose a lounge chair across from Pilar and stretched his long frame into it. He said, "Ahhhh. Just what I needed."
Desi laughed, "Been one of those days, has it?"
Max nodded. "Yes. One of those days. The plumbing busted in the laundry room and Hank and I spent an hour trying to repair it before Gator showed up. He made short work of the problem." Max stared at Pilar as he spoke.
Remembering their conversation about Hank and Gator, and the kisses that followed, Pilar blushed and hoped Max couldn't see it.
Another figure approached. "Looks like a party. Can I join you?"
Desi answered, "You sure can, Silas. Pull up that chair over yonder."
Caleb said, "Hi, Dad."
Pilar and Willie greeted the cowboy and Desi slowly stood, his bones creaking. He said, "I'm going to warm my coffee and bring the pot out. Max, Silas, can I bring you cups?"
Max jumped up. "I'll get it Desi. You sit back down."
The old man thanked Max and reseated himself. Silas said he'd like some coffee and Max entered the trailer. A few minutes later he returned carrying the pot and two cups. After pouring refills for Desi and Pilar he poured for himself and Silas.
Pilar joked, "Max, you're pretty good at that, maybe you should apply for a job at the diner."
Max laughed, "I've got my hands full managing this park." He winked at Pilar and she thought about his confidence of being a corporate man overseeing billion dollar companies. She didn't know if he was being serious or facetious about managing the park.
The sun finally disappeared behind the mountains in a blaze of rosy glory and the friendly group enjoyed the cooler evening. Desi switched off the fans. Occasional night sounds of the cries of bobcats broke the silence, and sometimes a gust of wind flung their voices into the air. Stars twinkled and the moon cast light beams, as it had on the night Max kissed Pilar.
Max tossed a question out. "How did Oasis get its name?"
Desi said, "Any of you want to answer that?"
Silas said, "I haven't the faintest idea."
Pilar said, "You go ahead and tell the story, Desi."
Desi shifted in his chair and stretched his legs out. "Well, the way I heard it, back in the early part of the 1900s, a man by the name of Manfred Schneider, who had worked the goldmines in Goldfield, Arizona—once a thriving town in the late 1800s and early 1900s—got the idea that he could get rich by mining for gold here. He wanted to recreate another Goldfield, and in order to entice people, he advertised the area as an 'Oasis in the desert' because of the small spring north of town. Of course when folks got here, it wasn't anything like they thought it would be. As for the mine, it played out after a couple of years and Mr. Schneider and the miners moved on. A few people stayed, however, and decided the name Oasis was preferable to Schneider. I guess they fell in love with the area just like we have. Some of the descendents of those first settlers are still here. Dottie, who owns the dime store, is one of them."
Pilar said, "Kade's grandmother is too."
"Where was the mine located?" asked Max.
"North of town not far from the spring. It was boarded up long ago," replied Desi.
Willie said, "I heard it's haunted!"
Caleb said excitedly, "Really?"
Desi laughed. "Boys, I think that rumor got started to keep kids away from a dangerous place."
Willie and Caleb slumped and looked disappointed.
The group lapsed into silence.
Silas broke the mood of contemplation when he said, "Pilar, I keep forgetting to let you know I have free passes for the mule train to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It's–"
Willie broke in, "Oh, wow! Mom, can we go again?"
Pilar decided not to mention Willie's discourtesy in interrupting Silas. He was just excited and normally would not have done so.
Caleb said, "We had a great time last year!"
Pilar grinned, "You're very generous, Silas, but I'd feel guilty not paying my own way two years in a row."
Silas shook his head. "Nonsense. Like I said last year, I've worked with these folks so long it’s a perk of my job."
Willie anxiously watched his mom.
She smiled. "What dates do you have available?"
Willie and Caleb shouted and gave each other high fives.
Silas said, "Do you think the last weekend of this month would work for you?"
Pilar tapped her chin while she thought about it. "Yes. It gives me plenty of time to find a replacement at the diner. Is it the same as last year—a day down, a day at the bottom, and a day back up?"
"It is." He turned to Max. "How about you? Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?"
"Once, as a kid with my dad."
"But have you seen it from the ground floor?"
"No. I haven't."
"Well, Pilar and Willie will have a cabin, but there's room in the dorm if you want to join us."
Pilar held her breath waiting for Max's response.
* * *
Memories squeezed Max's heart. His dad had once promised him that when he was older they would travel to the bottom of the Grand Canyon together. Max was about to decline, but suddenly the child in him said, "I'd like to join you."
Chapter 15: Green Team vs. Red Team
Willie dreamed all night about riding mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Judging from the fun he'd had last year, the way he figured it, this trip was going to be as exciting as attending a big league baseball game. He'd never attended a big league game so he was just guessing.
He sure hoped the wait until the end of the month wouldn't drag on forever, but then he decided that with Mr. Rutherford playing catch with him, and Caleb to pal around with, it wouldn't be so bad. And then, the most awesome thing happened. A week before the Grand Canyon trip, Mr. Rutherford organized a baseball game. A baseball game! He invited all the people in the trailer Park and the people living in Oasis and they all met up at the school to use the playing field.
It was the most fun Willie had had in a long time. There were two teams, a green team and a red team. Mr. Rutherford made Willie the captain of the green team and Hank the captain of the red team. After the fifth inning, Gator decided he wanted to join the fun. He told everyone that he was going to let Hank come back for a few minutes so they could give him Gator's apology for breaking in. Hank was a good sport and said, "Tell him to hit a home run."
Mr. Rutherford had chosen the team members for both teams and there was a mix of kids and grown ups. Willie's mom was on Hank's team, well actually, it was now Gator's team, and she hit a ball that took her to second base in the fourth inning. Gator was up and he hit a home run, which now gave the red team two more runs and tied the score, five to five. The teams stayed tied until Silas, also on the red team, stole home base at the bottom of the eighth inning.
Going into the ninth inning, the score was six to five, with Gator's team in the lead. Willie's team was up to bat and Desi bunted the ball and made it to first base when the pitcher fumbled and dropped the ball, and then the first baseman dropped it, too. It was a lucky break for Willie's team. Kade was up next and he walloped the baseball all the wa
y to the fence. Aggie was playing right field and it took her a long time to reach the fence. Desi sort of walked fast and made it to home plate. Kade walked in behind him for a home run. Now the score was seven to six, with Willie's team ahead and no outs. Pinky struck the first out. After that, Hank's and Gator's girlfriend popped a fly ball to center field where Willie's mom caught it in the new mitt Max had surprised her with because he said her old one was too big. She did a victory dance and Willie saw Mr. Rutherford, who was standing on the sidelines, cheer and give her the thumbs up sign. Willie grinned. He sort of got the feeling they liked each other—a lot. Caleb was now up to bat and he slammed what looked to be a home run, but Willie's mom came to the rescue again and ran after the ball, throwing it to third base and scoring the third out.
Willie ran to the pitcher's mound. It was the bottom of the ninth inning and his team was ahead, but he knew things could change in the blink of an eye. He needed to focus on the job at hand—strike out the first player. The cook at Desert Princess Diner walked to the plate. Mr. Lopez was a good hitter and Willie closed his eyes to focus, seeing himself strike out the batter. He turned and scanned the backfields, inhaled a calming breath, turned back around, and stared Mr. Lopez in the eyes. He threw the ball hard. "Strrriiiccckkke one!" yelled Mr. Delinsky, the mayor of Oasis. Kade was playing catcher and tossed the ball back to Willie. Willie caught it, rolled it around in his glove, and cut loose with another pitch. "Strike two!" Willie again caught the ball from his catcher, eyed the crowd, and envisioned himself at Chase Field. He wound up and tossed. Mr. Lopez swung and missed. "Strike three! You're out!" The Oasis crowd went wild, but in Willie's imagination he was listening to the roar of thousands of baseball fans.
