Authors: JEAN AVERY BROWN
“Manuel and Charlie from the truck stop picked the deep freeze up from your shop. Of course, you’ve already figured out Parker intercepted Franks call to the FBI to report the deep freeze? Manuel will be shown some leniency because he was an informant for the FBI. He will be sent back to Mexico after serving his time here. As for Charlie, he didn’t know anything was going on. He was asked to help haul a deep freezer to the dump and he obliged.”
“Do you have any questions, Ms. Smith?” Agent Peterson asked her.
“What about the Agent Harris in charge of the Coopersville area. Is he clear of any wrong doing?”
“Agent Harris is working undercover and doesn’t show his face often. He‘s one of the FBI‘s top agents.”
“I think you’ve covered it all.” Ella said as she walked from the office. Hoping she will never again be involved in anything this bizarre.
Ella called Frank sharing her plans with him.
“Let’s keep in touch.” Frank told her.
“Of course we will. We will always keep our promise.” Ella said as she rested the phone in its cradle.
Alicia and Ella finalized the sale of the shop to Alicia. As they were walking up to the shop coming from the escrow office. Alicia stopped in her tracks. Looking up at the shop sign she read. “Ally’s Flower Shoppe……did you have this planned all along?” Alicia questioned.
“Maybe, it was in my subconscious but it wasn‘t planned.” Ella said with a big smile.
“You know everyone’s gonna call me Ally. I like Ally.”
“I like Ally too.” Ella said smiling as she handed Alicia the keys to the van.
“Treat the shop like it’s your baby you just gave birth to. And it will be good to you.”
The truck van would be at the house tomorrow morning and Ella wanted to get all the final packing taken care of tonight. This was a day of good-bye’s.
Maria had a wonderful Mexican dinner on the table when Ella arrived home.
“Oh my, I’m going to miss the wonderful meals you and Juanita prepare.” Ella opened her nostrils and took in the aroma floating throughout the house.
“I wanted to fix you a good Mexican dinner for your last evening with us.” Maria said quickly turning away to hide the tears she had been fighting all day.
“Thank you Maria, you are always so thoughtful. Now don’t you go crying, I’ll come to visit often and you and the family is always welcome to visit me in Linville.”
They all gathered around the table and joined hands and said the last family blessing until they meet again.
“I want to tell you all you have enriched my life. You are an inspiration to me. I didn’t know where my life was going when you came to my door and I still don’t have a clue but I know one thing there are good people in this world and I want to touch as many lives as I can.” Ella said with a knot in her throat choking out the last few words.
Juan spoke up. Ms. Ella, you taught us to be thankful in all things. You have taught us to give is better than to receive. We plan to give as much as we can. It may not be money but we can give of ourselves. Without you I wouldn’t be starting this business. We are more grateful than you can ever imagine.”
“My heart is overwhelmed with all you have done for us. You saved our lives not only the night we knocked on your shop door but in so many ways. Jose would have died that day if you hadn’t noticed how ill he was. My mother would be living alone in Mexico if you hadn’t arranged for her to be here with us. No one would know of my artistic talent if I hadn’t painted the mural on your wall. I have so much to thank you for.” Maria said trying to hold the tears back.
Juanita spoke up. “I too want to thank you. I missed my Maria, my Jose and Juan. After my sister died I had no family in Mexico. You made my life happy.” Gracias Ella.
“All I ask is you help those in need. Now let’s enjoy this wonderful dinner.”
Ella woke to the sun streaking across her bed. Again she forgot to close the gap in the drapes. She sat up in bed stretched her arms to the ceiling and thought about the new day and the world waiting for her. Ella placed her size ten feet into her slippers and walked over to the window. She pulled the drape to each side holding it tight in her fists. The sun was rising above the mountain, not a cloud was in the sky. She took a deep breath and thought this is the last time I will gaze out this window in anticipation of a new day.
Ella’s fist loosened and the drapes met leaving a gap. She made her way to the bathroom and ran a hot tub. This will be the last bubble bath in this old bear claw tub.
Ella clipped her hair on top her head as she looked in the mirror. Twisting and turning her face pulling the few wrinkles tight she thought about her mother. “I’m becoming my mother.” She said giggling.
She stripped her gown from her slim frame and sashayed over to the tub. Putting her big toe in to check the temperature she pulled it back as fast as it dipped in.
“Sheesh, that’s hot.” She said immediately turning on the cold water. Ella made figure eights in the bubbles as she waited for the cold water to cool her bath. When the water cooled she stepped in and slide down to her neck. She laid back and reminisced about the days in Coopersville.
Breakfast was welcoming her when she stepped in the kitchen. Juanita poured her a cup of coffee and remembered Ella like milk in her coffee.
“Thank you, Juanita.” Ella said as Juanita sat the coffee in front of Ella. Ella took her spoon and began to make her figure eight swirls. Looking around the room at everything remembering all the good times they shared.
Everyone joined Ella for breakfast. They laughed and talked about the good memories of the past year.
Juan saw the van truck coming up the drive.
“It looks like the truck is here. Ms. Ella” Juan said. “I hate to see it. But it’s what you want and that makes us happy.”
Ella ran out front and gave the driver directions on where to park. He got the truck situated and Ella showed him the boxes she needed loaded. The driver and his partner worked for a couple hours loading.
“There’s just one more thing” Ella said pointing at her portrait hanging over the mantel. “My portrait needs to be professionally packed.”
The movers brought packaging material in and carefully wrapped and carried Ella’s portrait to the truck.
“Maria. I want you to paint a portrait of your family and hang it over the mantel. A portrait of your family belongs there now.”
Hugs were in order. The truck drove away heading for Linville. Ella jumped in her Corvette, waved good-bye and headed down the mountain to a new life.
FORTY
Ella settled into living in the old home place in Linville. She took the guest bedroom downstairs leaving the upstairs as it was when she was a child. Other than dusting, the upstairs would stay as her mother left it.
It was a couple weeks before the class of ‘62’ Reunion. Ella was invited to meet with the reunion committee. Mandy Harrison was in charge of the reunion.
Ella was greeted by Mandy. “Well, Mandy, I wondered if it was the Mandy Gordon, I remember. How delightful to see you.” Ella said giving her a hug.
“Good to see you Ella. It’s been forever since high school.” Mandy said showing Ella to the room where three ladies awaited Ella’s entrance. They each introduced themselves. It wasn’t necessary as Ella remembered each of them. She remembers they were never very nice to her. They were the high school elite. The cheer leaders, the home coming queen, the pretty girls all the guys wanted to date. My they had changed. Some gained a few pounds to put it mildly and some were wrinkled as a prune. Ella couldn’t believe these beautiful teenagers had changed so much. But then again Ella had also changed. The ladies seemed shocked to see Ella. Tall, thin, beautiful and quite graceful. They couldn’t believe this tall lanky teenager would become such a beautiful woman. The ladies looked at each other and whispered just like in high school. This time it didn’t bother Ella.
Mandy disappeared and shortly returned from the bedroom handing Ella a cashmere sweater.
“I will never forget the evening you and Phil Young were on a date. I was working as a carhop on skates when I tripped spilling your chocolate shake all over me. You took your cashmere sweater off and handed it to me to wear for the rest of my shift. It covered my stained uniform and saved my job. I’m sorry it took me so long to get it back to you.” Mandy said.
“That’s okay Mandy, I haven’t missed it.” Ella said as she laid the sweater across her purse.
“Speaking of Phil Young, whatever happened to him?” One of the ladies asked.
“I heard he married someone in college and she was killed in a head on collision, that was years ago.” One of the ladies said. “He’s probably remarried by now.”
“Is he coming to the reunion?” Someone asked.
“I couldn’t say.” Mandy said as she changed the subject.
Ella, are you planning on being at the Home Coming football game Friday night?”
“Yes, I thought I would be there. It will be fun to see the team play and to possibly see some of our class.” Ella answered.
“Where do you live Ella?” A lady asked.
“I moved back to the home place recently. Both my parents are gone and I got homesick. So, this will be home for now.”
“Is there anything I can do to help with the reunion?” Ella asked.
“Everything is in order. We just had this last meeting before the reunion for an excuse to get together. I’m glad you called and could join us.” Mandy said as the other ladies joined in agreement.
Just like high school they wanted to see how fat I’d gotten since high school. Ella thought to herself. Same ole’ clicks.
Friday night Ella drove up in her Corvette to the football game. Everyone was looking to see who was
exiting the car. Ella noticed some of the ladies poking their husband’s ribs when they took a second look.
A couple of the guys came over and introduced themselves. Guys that wouldn’t take a second look at Ella in high school. Ella was polite and shook their hand. Ella noticed a few whispering but didn’t pay any attention. She started up the bleachers looking for a seat. It was very crowded. One nice couple asked her to set with them. They scooted over and gave Ella enough room to fit in. He extended his hand.