Ten to zen, p.7
Reservations Required, page 7
“I’m glad you’re okay and I don’t care what Pedro says, but I hope you stay in touch every once in a while.”
“Thanks, Tía. I just wanted to check in with you.”
“Your buddy Patti called. She sounded very disappointed when I told her you’d left and I hadn’t heard from you.”
“Did you give her my number?”
“No. I figured you’d call her if you wanted to talk to her.”
“I do and I will. Talk to you again soon.”
Patti would want to know where I was and what I was doing. I’d have to call her later when I had time to answer all her questions.
I hit the snooze button when the alarm went off at six-thirty the next morning. A half hour later, I stumbled out of bed and stuffed my clothes in one pillowcase and the linen in another. After a quick shower, I grabbed them both and headed to the laundromat.
Late that afternoon, I took a long walk in the outskirts of town and got a closer look at the different kinds of cactus plants, scraggly shrubs and stubby trees that grew in the area. Maguey was exactly the kind of town I’d been looking for, although I hadn’t realized it until then. It wasn’t exactly what I’d dreamed of, but I could learn a few things about working in a restaurant and save money for when I finally made it to LA.
I waited until ten-thirty that night to call Patti, hoping that she wouldn’t talk too long since she had to be up early for school the next day. I got a busy signal the first two times and assumed she was talking to Fernando. On the third try, I got through.
“Your ears must’ve been buzzing,” she said. “Me and Fernando were just talking about you. You didn’t send me an address, so I called your aunt. She wouldn’t tell me anything, except that you weren’t there anymore.”
“Actually, she didn’t know where I was.”
“What happened? Did you run away again?”
I laughed. “No. I just didn’t see a future there.” I tried giving her the same spiel I’d given Delia about my job and my whereabouts. But Patti wanted details.
“Wait! So where are you now?”
“In a tiny town somewhere in Arizona, working at a Mom and Pop restaurant.”
“Have you met any cute guys?”
“You kidding? I haven’t met anybody other than the people I work with. I’m kind of working under the radar for a couple of months.”
“Don’t let them take advantage of you just because you’re …”
“Don’t worry. They’re great people … well, most of them, anyway. Has Fernando heard from Mario?”
“He got an e-mail from him a couple of weeks ago. He was someplace in Virginia. He’d called your aunt’s number, but didn’t get an answer and didn’t leave a message because he was shipping out the next day.”
After she gave me Mario’s e-mail address, I only half-listened while Patti told me all about the dress she’d worn to Fernando’s sister’s wedding and how they’d danced until one in the morning.
She suddenly paused mid-sentence and switched gears. “Oops! I guess Mom’s right. I’m so full of myself I don’t know when to stop talking and just listen. Now, tell me everything you’ve been up to.”
“I already have. Work takes up most of my time right now. I figure I’ll get a little experience while I save enough money to get into a culinary program. I just wanted to let you know I’m okay. Since you have to go to school tomorrow and I have to go to work, I’ll call you again next weekend.”
“Does that mean I can’t call you?”
“Sure you can. Sunday’s the best day to call, though, because I really can’t talk while I’m at work.”
As soon as I got off the phone, I started thinking of setting up an e-mail account so I could send Mario a message. I wrote it out long-hand and stuck it in my backpack.
Dear Big Brother,
By now you’ve heard I was able to escape the looney bin soon after you left. Delia proved to be a lifesaver. I owe her big time.
Although I haven’t yet made it to culinary school, I’m working at a restaurant in a little desert town called Maguey.
I think of you every day and can’t wait to see you again. In the meantime, take good care and write whenever you can.
Lots of love and hugs,
Lulu
I added my phone number at the bottom.
I’d just started loading the dishwasher the following day after dinner, when Berta burst into the kitchen. I was surprised to see her because she and Meme usually took off as soon as the last customer left.
“Beto, I hate to tell you this, but you made a big mistake when you hired that kid.” She looked at me as if I were a cockroach she’d just found in her guacamole.
“What’re you talking about?” Mr. Flores said.
Mrs. Flores shuffled in and stood at the door, trying to catch her breath.
“What is it, Berta?”
“Your new dishwasher’s started swiping tips off tables when she’s supposed to be clearing away the dishes.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Was she serious?
“Go ahead and search her. She must have at least fifty dollars. She took it from the tables where the soccer team always sits.”
Mr. Flores turned to me.
I pulled my pant pockets inside out to show they were empty, then slapped my back pockets to show that, except for my apartment key, they were also empty.
“Bet you stuck it in your training bra. God knows there’s nothing else for it to hold in.”
I patted my chest. “Go ahead and see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
“Pshhhhh,” Guerrero said, “it’s been a long day. I’m sure the money will turn up in the morning.”
Mr. Flores gave his wife one of his I-told-you-so looks. She probably didn’t see it because she was looking at me, sadness clouding her eyes, disappointment making her lumpy body sag.
Berta spun around on her heel and walked out of the kitchen, her footsteps pounding the floor like a judge’s gavel: guilty, guilty, guilty.
“I swear I didn’t take her money. If it isn’t found, you can take it out of my pay.” Then, remembering I wasn’t getting paid, I said, “Or I’ll pay for it out of my own pocket.”
“It has been a long day,” Mrs. Flores said. “Let’s go home. Things will be much clearer in the morning.”
After everyone else left, Guerrero helped me dry the pots and pans.
“I don’t know what really happened to that tip money, but I can’t believe you’d risk everything for a few bucks. I’m sure Lola and Beto know that, too.” He threw the towel over his shoulder and turned to me. “Berta’s always been kind of moody and a little vain, but I was hoping she’d be nicer to you.”
“Until now, she’d mostly ignored me. I’d rather she kept ignoring me than start accusing me of things I would never do.”
“Don’t let her get to you. You’re doing a great job. I’ll finish here and lock things up. You go home and rest.”
I went home. But how could I rest while Berta came after me with such vicious lies?
CHAPTER SIX
Saguaro
I lay on the couch playing and replaying the scene in my head. Did Berta really believe I’d taken the money or was she just trying to get me fired?
I tossed and turned all night. At six, I got up and went to the bathroom. When I saw my bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids, I filled the basin with cold water and stuck my face in it, like I was bobbing for apples. I resurfaced for a breath before dunking my head again and again, looking more rumpled and raw each time. I took my time showering and dressing, dreading going downstairs. Then it hit me. I couldn’t hide out like a thief. My employers needed to hear my side. They needed to see that I’d been sideswiped by Berta and her lies.
Meme was there earlier than usual. He pulled out the chair next to him and gestured for me to sit.
“Thanks, Meme.” I looked around the table at all of them. “I don’t know why Berta accused me of taking that money. I may be young, but I’m no thief. I like working here and really need the job, so why would I do such a stupid thing?”
“So far, you haven’t done anything to make me doubt your word,” Guerrero said. “Berta, on the other hand … well, let’s just say she tends to jump to conclusions.”
“There’s no way we can be sure what happened,” Mrs. Flores said. “The money hasn’t turned up, but you’ve proven to be a hard worker and you’re doing a very good job.” She pushed the pastry plate toward me, but even sweets didn’t wake up my appetite that morning.
“Thank you. I just wanted you to know.”
I shot a quick glance at Mr. Flores before I got up to leave. For once, he was keeping his thoughts to himself. Still, it was good to know Mrs. Flores, Guerrero and Meme were on my side.
Meme was walking toward the exit when I reported for work that afternoon. I walked out behind him and saw Berta getting into a truck driven by the creep with the mustache.
I followed Meme to his car.
He saw me as he was unlocking the door. “Hey! You need a ride somewhere?”
“No, thanks. I just need to ask you something. Do you know why Berta hates me so much?”
Meme laughed and made a sucking sound with his teeth. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, like the sidewalk was burning his feet.
“Whatever’s going on with her, it’s got nothing to do with you. Just ignore her.”
“I try to stay out of her way, but …”
“How old do you think she is?”
“Huh? What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Look, Lucy, don’t worry about it. Just … don’t worry about it.”
He got in his car and started the engine. Before he backed up, he turned to look at me. “The bosses are happy with your work, and that’s what matters.” He waved and drove off.
I stood there watching his car until it was out of sight.
The following week, I decided to take Meme up on his offer of a ride to Saguaro. I really needed to buy a few more work clothes and find a bookstore. I’d already read and reread the books I’d brought with me.
“We usually do our shopping, catch a movie or both, but we don’t really need an excuse to go to Saguaro,” Meme said when I asked if they were planning a trip there soon. “Besides, Elena’s looking forward to meeting you.”
“And I’m looking forward to meeting her. I, uh, also need to set up an e-mail account. Maybe I can do that …”
“You can do that while we’re at the mall, but you’re always welcome to come over to use our computer.”
On Sunday, I was waiting in the parking lot when they drove up.
“You’re so tiny!” Elena said when Meme introduced us. “Shopping for you must be a breeze. I love to shop. Meme’s dreading the day I deliver this baby. Not that we’re not excited. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that after the baby shows up, once I get back to my normal size, I’ll be making up for lost shopping time. Of course, I’ll be lucky to get back into a size ten. What size do you wear?”
“Size six jeans and medium tees. I need to buy a few of each for work.”
Elena talked non-stop all the way to Saguaro while Meme drove and I sat in the back, watching the desert landscape whiz by. Saguaros stood, like disembodied hands, among spiny shrubs and clumps of weeds. One of them looked like it was flipping us the bird. Every once in a while, I saw a few small trees with skinny branches and dry, straggly needles that made them look like they were having a bad-hair day.
As we neared the town, I noticed a cluster of buildings and trees set a short distance from the highway.
Elena had finally stopped talking while she looked through her purse for a tissue. “Darn allergies.”
“Is that a school?” I asked while I had the chance.
“Saguaro Community College,” Meme said. “It’s a nice campus. You should check it out sometime.”
I can’t wait to do just that.
A few minutes later, he dropped us off in front of a mall and said he had some errands to run but would be back to pick us up in a couple of hours. When we got out of the car, my eyes zeroed in on Elena’s enormous belly. She looked like she was ready to explode.
“Are you going to be okay?” I asked when I saw her swollen ankles.
She let out a big laugh. “Don’t worry. I’m not due for another couple of months.” She took my arm and started walking toward the mall entrance. “Did you have a particular place in mind?”
“I noticed there’s a Target in the mall. I should be able to find the clothes I need there. Do you know if there’s also a bookstore nearby?”
“I’m sure there is. Do you mind if we stop by The Fashion Spot along the way? It’s a little pricey, but they always have such cute stuff.”
Elena couldn’t have been more than ten years older than me, but she acted like she was my mother. At the Fashion Spot, she took a dress from a rack and held it up in front of me.
“Check this out.” She turned me around so I could see myself in the mirror. Good thing I didn’t need a dress because I could see her taste in clothes, like Patti’s, which was very different from mine.
We managed to finally walk out of the shop without buying anything. A few shops away, I spotted The Book Nook.
“I’ll just pop into Babies and Tots while you shop for your books. Take your time,” Elena said as she disappeared into a children’s clothing store.
The Book Nook wasn’t much bigger than the library I used to go to in El Paso. I walked around until I found the children’s section. I grabbed a copy of Goodnight Moon thinking I’d keep it handy for when Elena’s baby arrived. For myself, I got The Catcher in the Rye, which I’d never gotten around to reading since my English teacher had assigned it right before I left Las Nubes. I also picked up a copy of The Living. I’d tried to check it out from the library in El Paso, but there was a long waiting list for it.
From a display of desert postcards near the checkout counter, I picked out one of a roadrunner standing on a rock next to a bush of yellow flowers and another of a Saguaro in a big sombrero wiping sweat off its brow. I remembered Patti’s birthday was coming up, so I got a silly birthday card for her with a naked mannequin looking through her closet, unable to decide what to wear.
After I’d paid for my books and cards, I connected to the store’s wi-fi, set up my e-mail account, and sent Mario’s message.
Back at the baby store, I found Elena sitting in a rocking chair with her eyes closed.
“May I help you?” the saleslady asked.
“No, thanks. I’m just meeting a friend here.”
Elena opened her eyes. “Back so soon?”
“I can go finish my shopping while you rest.” I turned to look at the saleslady to see if she had a problem with that.
“You stay as long as you want, dear,” she told Elena. “You’re doing us a favor by showing shoppers how comfy our little store is.”
“Thanks,” Elena said. “My feet are starting to complain, but I need to go sit near the entrance, where my husband agreed to pick us up.”
“I’ll only be a minute,” I said.
Twenty minutes later, I’d picked out two T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, underwear, socks and even a hat.
When I returned, Meme was already there.
“How did you do that so fast?” Elena asked.
“I knew exactly what I needed—just a few more work clothes,” I said. “Is anybody hungry? Lunch is on me.”
“You’re not even getting paid yet,” Meme said.
Mrs. Flores must’ve told him about our little arrangement. Did Berta also know? Was that why she’d accused me of taking the tips?
“I will be in another month. Besides, I haven’t spent any money until today and I have enough left to pay for lunch.”
“In that case …” Meme started to say.
“How about that new Chinese place we’ve been wanting to try?” Elena said.
“Do you think your ankles can handle the MSG?” he asked.
“Poco veneno no mata, honey,” she said.
I winced. A little poison might not kill her, but how much more swelling could those ankles take?
The menu was pretty thick. Good thing it said No MSG right under the restaurant name because Elena ordered wonton soup, potstickers, Chinese greens, chow mein, sweet-and-sour pork and walnut prawns.
“I think you just ordered for all of us,” Meme said.
After we’d placed our order, Elena turned to me and put her hand on mine.
“I don’t want to spoil your day, but let me just say one thing. Don’t take any crap from Berta. She’ll keep trying to trip you up, but just steer as far away from her as possible and you’ll be fine.”
I looked at Meme.
He shrugged. “Sorry. I had to tell her. She could see I was pretty pissed the day Berta made that big scene.”
“I’m just glad Mrs. Flores and Guerrero don’t seem to believe her,” I said.
“Beto’s being a little cagey, but he knows Berta and he’s not swallowing her story either.”
Although Elena had second helpings of everything she’d ordered, it was no surprise that we needed carry-out containers for the leftovers.
“Good thing you’re eating for two, babe!” Meme kidded her.
“You mean good thing Lucy’s picking up the check.”
“Well, that too.” Turning to me, he said, “You had no idea what you were getting into when you made your offer. Sure you still want to pay?”
“It’s the least I can do in exchange for the ride.”
“Chinese food, like pizza, is even better cold, so don’t worry about any of this going to waste,” Elena said.
Wasted leftovers were the least of my worries.
The following night, Meme and the Floreses left as soon as things quieted down after the dinner rush. I was picking up the last of the dirty dishes when the guy with the bat mustache reached over and grabbed my butt. In my panic, I tried to run and, instead, stumbled into the wall like a drunk. Somehow, I managed to not drop the tray, but silverware went flying in all directions. The noise reverberated throughout the restaurant. Guerrero was in the kitchen and Berta was nowhere in sight.
