Ella Read online

  Chapter 11

  Ella’s old shoes wore out after walking back and forth to work and being on her feet for 12 hours a day. While she was getting ready for work at the end of her third week at Mueller’s, she hooked her finger through a hole in her shoe and held it up, saying, "Mama, just look at this shoe. I’ve tried to path it with cardboard, but cardboard doesn’t last very long in the rain.”

  Her mother frowned."Oh goodness, both you and the boys need new shoes. The ones they have are too small."

  "You're right, but we don’t have any money and old lady Mueller won't pay me until the end of the month. She said they pay once a month to reduce costs, but I think she just wants to squeeze every nickel as long as possible.”

  “Maybe you could ask for an advance.”

  Ella fitted a patch into her shoe and pulled it on with a yank, replying, “That’s exactly what I intend to do! While the old skinflint is away this morning, I'm going to ask Mr. Mueller for an advance. John said we could borrow his car if we need it for shopping."

  Frances refilled their cups and asked, “What about John? You haven't mentioned him lately."

  Ella took a sip of coffee and flicked her fingers, replying, “He comes into the restaurant all most every night. He's friendly enough, and he wants to take me out again, but that stuff about marriage scares me."

  Frances pushed a stick of wood into the stove, replying, "I can't blame you for being cautious."

  Ella reached behind the door for her coat. “I better get going. I’ll see you tonight."

  When she arrived At Mueller’s resort, she found her employer on his knees, restocking shelves. She held up her foot, saying, "Mr. Mueller, just take a look at this shoe! I need an advance so I can buy a new pair."

  He got up and brushed the dust from his pants. "How much do you need Sweetheart?"

  Oh good, the old fool is going to pay me, she thought. "I need $15 from my wages. Tomorrow is my day off. If I had the money, I could go to Sebastopol to get a decent pair."

  He furtively looked over his shoulder and removed three five dollar bills from his wallet. "Here, consider this loan to be a personal favor, Sweetheart. Just don't tell my wife. By the way, how will you get to Sebastopol?"

  "John Nelson said I could borrow his car."

  When she reached for the money, he grabbed her hand, saying, "You know, John isn't the only man around here. It wouldn't hurt to show me a little appreciation."

  She yanked her hand free, indignantly saying, "Mr. Mueller, I don't know what you're talking about. John and I are just friends."

  He caressed her arm. "Come on, Honey. You know what I'm talking about."

  The back door slammed. He immediately dropped to his knees and began to stock the shelves, whispering, “Oh damn, she's back already. We can talk later, but don't tell her about the money."

  That night, John took his usual table. Ella handed him a menu, saying, "Hello John, what’s wrong with your face?"

  He touched his swollen jaw and replied, “Hi, Ella, I've got a toothache. I guess I'll just take a bowl of soup."

  "Ouch! I know how that hurts,” she said, touching her own cavities with the tip of her tongue. “Sometimes sucking on a clove helps."

  When she returned from the kitchen with his soup, she handed him a clove, saying, "Here John, this might help you." Under her breath, she whispered, "Mr. Mueller advanced me the money to buy new shoes, but he doesn't want his wife to know. If your offer is still good, I would like to borrow your car tomorrow."

  He dropped a key in her apron pocket, saying, "Here you go, Ella, you can take the car tonight."

  "Thank you John, I appreciate your generosity."

  He rubbed his swollen face, replying, "Look Ella, it makes me feel good to help you. You can ask me for anything."

  On the following morning, Ella was preparing for the trip, but Rico dawdled over breakfast. When he Climbed down from his chair and asked, "Mama is Kenny getting new shoes like me?" she put him back in his chair, replying, “Yes, both you kids will get new shoes, but only if you eat your oatmeal!"

  After they finished their breakfast, she put the boys in the back seat and joined her mother in the front. she began the trip slowly at first, driving through dense fog, but a few miles inland, she came into sunshine, blue skies and green meadows. She sped up, exclaiming, "Mama, just look at this beautiful day! What a difference a few miles make. All that fog back there gets me down.”

  Francis unbuttoned her coat and fanned her face, replying, “Lord, yes, Honey. It feels good to be warm again."

  "By the way Mama, did you bring the shopping list?"

  Francis opened her purse and removed a list, but she let it flutter to her lap, biting her lip and pressing her hand to her heart.

  "Mama, what's wrong?"

  Frances took several deep breaths and replied, "Oh, nothing. It's just a little pain now and then. It's nothing to worry about. All this sunshine will fix me up just fine."

  When they arrived at Sebastopol, Ella had to wait for a freight train moving slowly down the center of Main Street.

  Rico held his nose. "Mama, this train stinks!”

  She laughed, saying, Rico, this train is loaded with rotten apples. They’re going to be use for vinegar.”

  When the train finally cleared the intersection, two hobos riding on the top of the caboose gaily waved at them. Kenny waved back excitedly, but Rico didn’t see them.

  Ella put the car in gear and continued to drive until she arrived at Gallon Camps Shoes. After she parked, she carefully studied the rows of shoes displayed in the window, saying, “Mama, I like those brown and white oxfords for the boys and those black pumps with sturdy soles for myself."

  Well, those pumps are practical, but are you sure you want to buy something white for the boys? They would have them dirty all the time."

  “Oh Mama, you worry too much. Let's get you a new pair of slippers. Your old ones are worn out."

  Francis held up her hand. "No, dear, my old ones are good enough. Let's not waste the money."

  "Darn it Mama, you never want anything for yourself."

  When they entered the store, Ella tried on the black pumps and wiggled her toes, saying, "Mama, these feel comfortable. I think I’m going to take them.”

  After the clerk fitted the boys with new shoes, Ella noticed her mother’s scowl of disapproval, but she bought the shoes anyway. When both boys were wearing their brown and white saddle oxfords with button latches, they marched up and down the aisles, proudly chanting, "We've got new shoes! We’ve got new shoes!"

  Ella paid for the shoes and said to her mother, "Now we’re ready to buy groceries. I prefer Purity Stores over Safeway."

  After Ella finished her shopping, she counted her money, saying, "Mama, we still have a dollar and a half left. Let's go to the Creamery and treat ourselves to chocolate milkshakes."

  Frances wiped the perspiration from her face and replied, "Well, all right. I guess we could afford a little treat."

  When they were at the creamery, Ella noticed the ice-cream chairs with hearts designed in the wrought iron backs, recalling when she and Rico used to share chocolate malts. As she savored her milkshake, she inexplicitly yearned for the gentle touch of a man, but she immediately dismissed any romantic thoughts about Rico. Remembering John, she thought, I know he's different, but he's been so sweet. I guess it wouldn't hurt to treat him a little nicer.

  On their way back home, the children fell asleep. Francis was softly snoring, but Ella was wide awake, ready for fun. Francis suddenly jerked awake, saying, “Oh, I guess I drifted off to sleep."

  Ella laughed. "Yes, you’ve slept most of the way home. After I unpack the groceries, I have to return the car to John. If you wouldn't mind looking after the boys, I would like to have a beer with him."

  Francis sat up and rubbed her left arm, saying, "Sure, Honey, It's your day off, but I thought you weren't going out with him anymore."

&n
bsp; "I know I said that, but He's just done us a big favor by letting us use his car. Besides, I would like to go somewhere for a drink and relax."

  "Well, I guess you know what you're doing. I’ll feed the boys and put them to bed. I'm going to turn in early myself. I'm feeling a little pooped."

  Ella quickly unpacked the car and drove to Jenner-By-The-Sea where John was waiting impatiently. She honked, waved and called, "Hey stranger, do you want a ride?"

  He picked up his lunch pail and quickly walked over to the car, saying, “Hi, Ella. Did you get your new shoes?”

  As he climbed into the car, she smelled the tar splattered on his trousers. Playfully tapping his knee, she held up her shoe and replied, "Look, I'm wearing them. Would you like to go for a drink somewhere?"

  He smiled. "You bet; if you don't mind waiting while I change my clothes. My cabin is real close; just up that road."

  After Ella drove up a narrow lane, she parked by a one room cabin. When John unlocked the door and let her in, she exclaimed, “Why John! Your place is spotless. The bed is made, the dishes are washed and your clothes are neatly hung. Most men make messes and expect a woman to clean up after them. I'm glad you're not a slob!"

  He chuckled. "If nothing else, the Navy taught me how to take care of my things. I'm going to take a quick shower. Would you like a beer while you wait?"

  "Sure. Why not? It's my day off.”

  As she drank her beer, she could hear the hot water drumming on John’s naked body. Putting the empty bottle aside, she thought, I better think of something else before I get in trouble.

  John presently returned in a cloud of steam, wearing blue slacks and a checkered shirt but barefooted. “Oh John, what happened to your poor foot,” she cried, staring at his mangled foot.

  He quickly pulled a soc over the damaged foot and replied, “When I was a kid, a horse stepped on my foot, but the old quack doctor didn’t set the bones right. He just put a wire cage around my foot, and the bones grew together all messed up."

  “Doesn’t it hurt?” she asked, thinking of her own aching feet?”

  "No, I’m used to it. How would you like to go to Dunkin's Mills for dinner? They’ve got great salmon."

  Suddenly feeling adventuresome, she replied, "That sounds fun. I’d love to go!”

  They drank a second beer and began their trip. When they were approaching Dunkin’s Mill, Ella noticed several burned-out houses overgrown with weeds. “John, this place looks like it nearly burned down,” she said motioning to blacken ruins.

  “You’re right, but the restaurant was spared,” he said and pointed at a run-down Victorian hotel.

  Ella read the sign on the old building. "Dunkin Mills Grand Hotel, since 1856.”

  “Yep, that’s the place all right,” he said, slowing down the car.

  After they entered the quaint hotel, they sat at an old fashion bar with faded photographs of ladies dressed in long gowns and men wearing high-collared shirts reflected in the back mirror.

  An elderly bartender wearing a mutton-chop hairstyle greeted them, saying, "Howdy, folks. What would you like tonight?"

  “She’ll have a pink lady and I’ll have a whisky sour," John replied and offered Ella a cigarette.

  When the bartender returned with their drinks, he launch into a patent spiel. “Yes sir, this used to be some place all right. A long time ago, this town have hundreds of vacationers who rode the narrow-gauge trains all the way from San Francisco, but after the '24 fire, the rail service was discontinued and the town went to hell."

  After they finished their drinks, they went in to an empty dining room, formerly the grand ballroom. They sat down at a corner table, and a sallow-skinned waitress wearing open-toe sandals, stifled a yawn, asking, “Okay, what do you want?"

  John replied, "For starters, I'll take another whiskey sour, and she'll have a Pink Lady. Then we'll have your salmon special."

  Eventually, the waitress returned and put hot platters of sizzling salmon on the table. Ella, who was famished, immediately tasted the fish, exclaiming, “John, This salmon is delicious, just like you said it would be, but could I have another pink lady?"

  He smiled and touched her leg. "Sure, drink up; I got paid today."

  After her fourth cocktail, Ella envisioned the former grand ballroom through an intoxicated haze, imagining the sagging velvet drapes, the smoked-stained fireplace and the dusty chandeliers with missing crystals, Transformed back to their original splendor. As a Viennese Orchestra played, she pictured herself dancing, whirling, spinning, moving in flaring skirts while the ostrich plume on her hat gracefully swayed.

  John said something, but she shook her head and blinked. "John, I'm sorry. What did you say?"

  He gently squeezed the top of her thigh, saying, "Don't worry. I said we're going to my place for a nightcap."

  With a slur in her speech, she replied, “All right, John. Whatever you say."

  After leaving a niggardly tip, John pained the bill and quickly escorted her to the car. Back at his cabin, he opened two more beers, saying, “Here you go; they’re not too cold, but they still taste good."

  She sat down on his bed and began drinking her beer, but he put her bottle aside and roughly pulled her down. When he tried to give her a kiss, she resisted at first, but her longing for affection overruled her caution. She kicked off her new shoes and submitted to his hungry lips and her own desperate yearnings. At the moment of penetration, she cried out with pleasure and with anguish.

  Later that night, as John drove her home, she saw ragged patches of fog drifting across the highway in the twin shafts of headlights. She attempted to smooth the wrinkles in her dress, thinking, my God, it must be late! What will Mama think? Will she guess what I've done? I didn't intend for that to happen. How can I explain my behavior to Mama? How can I explain it to myself?

  John, unaware of her concerns, squeezed his lower lip and whistled his customary tune," The Missouri Waltz," a tune played every night on the deck of the U.S.S. MISSOURI when he had been a young conquering sailor.