Chapter 29

There was banging on the patio door. I woke up, slipped on some shorts, and went to find out what was up. Glenda was there.

"Steve, come over quick, Martin is feeling sick, and he's got pains in his chest. I've called 911, but please come stay with us until they get here."

"Let me put on a shirt. I'll be right there."

I went back to the bedroom to find both Sue and Mercy putting on clothes. Missy came into the bedroom and said she would stay with Stevie.

The three of us went to Martin and Glenda's to find Martin lying on the couch. I asked Glenda if she had given him anything and she had not. I had Sue get Martin some aspirin and some water then I took his pulse. It was a little fast but that could be from fear. Martin said he had pains in his arms and chest.

Mercy called 911 again to find out their ETA, but didn't get any information. I called back and asked for a supervisor. When I was given some lip by the operator, I told her that I would personally see her get terminated if I did not get a supervisor right that instant.

When a supervisor came on the phone, I said I had a critical person and gave him my location. When he began to give some kind of runaround I said that the next person I called would be a Major in the county Sheriff's department.

I hung up and called Mickey to ask her to call her Dad so we could get an ambulance. Mickey said she didn't need her dad for that and she would be right over with an ambulance. A fire truck and paramedic truck was pulling up just as Mickey walked in the door. The trained people went to work on Martin immediately. They were going to transport him to University Community Hospital because they had a heart center there. Glenda said she wanted to go with him, but I convinced her to get dressed then we would all go.

Meanwhile, Mickey had called the 911 control room to hear that they had better things to do than to worry about some loser at a trailer park. That was the wrong thing to do. Mickey called her dad and told him to meet her with the Sheriff at the control room, it was an emergency. Mickey was smoking when she left.

Mercy stayed with Glenda to get her dressed while Sue and I went home to dress to go to the hospital. Sue switched with Mercy, as Mercy said she should go as well. Missy and Beth were both up now and would watch Stevie.

The four of us arrived at the hospital emergency room about twenty minutes after Martin. A nurse said a cardiologist was with Martin at that moment and would be with us in a few minutes.

A man in a white jacket came out saying, "It looks like Martin has some clogged arteries and will need angioplasty. He is being x-rayed right now, but they should have the results in a few minutes." The doc took a minute to examine Glenda, recognizing that she was in distress. He told her that her heart sounded fine, but he wanted to give her a mild sedative to relax her a little.

Over her objections, Sue and Mercy convinced her to take the pill. By the time the doc came back, she was much more relaxed. "Martin will be fine, but we do need to open up a couple of arteries. One area may need a stent, but we can do this right away to lessen the chance of a major heart attack."

Glenda was nodding her understanding, so I asked, "Can Glenda be with Martin until it's time to take him for the procedure?"

"Of course, come with me, Glenda, you can help Martin relax as well." The doc looked at Sue and Mercy then said, "Would one of you like to go with her? She might need some support too."

Sue went with them leaving Mercy and me together. Mercy patted my hand saying, "Martin and Glenda will be alright, I know it. The doctor felt that way too. Relax, our friends will be fine."

We waited for about thirty minutes before Glenda and Sue came back in. We were told that the procedure would take from forty-five minutes to up to two hours depending. The nurse at the desk had given Sue a pager that would summon us back to the ward when Martin returned.

We went downstairs to have some coffee. The cafeteria was open, so we decided to have some French toast too. The whole time we were eating, Glenda kept saying how she had always tried to feed Martin good food so he wouldn't have heart trouble. She said, "I've feed him good everyday for fifty-seven years and I know what my man eats. He eats right."

Hearing how long she said, I asked, "How old are you and Martin? I know you two ran off to get married when you were young; what were you two, five?"

Glenda smiled at me and said, "No, Steve, remember, we were both eighteen years old. That makes us both seventy-five now."

Sue exclaimed, "Glenda, I can't let you do all that housework you do around my place. My goodness, I should be doing yours."

Glenda became alarmed, "Oh no, Sue, I need to do that stuff for you and Steve. You two are like my kids. I don't need the money but I do need to keep busy. Doing for you two, and now you four, is the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Sue hugged Glenda, "You do what you like, but you will have some help around the place. Between our place and yours, it's like trying to take care of several families in several homes."

"But you feed Martin and me a couple of times a day and we've been drinking Steve's beer since he came. Martin and I want to contribute too. We love being a part of all of the S&S stuff, and your clothing company is just another reason for me to help out."

"Okay, Glenda, just promise me to take it easy and teach someone else to help us as well."

When we went back up to the waiting room, we were greeted by half of the trailer park. The place was packed with our crew, plus many others who know the older couple. One after another, people would hug Glenda and tell her they were there for her. Even Star and DeDe were there, telling Glenda they were always home during the day and could help her take care of Martin. Sue gave both of the girls a hug, thanking them for coming for Glenda.

The doctor finally came into to get Glenda. He took Glenda and Sue with him and they left, apparently to see Martin. After a while, Sue came in and said that Martin was resting and Glenda was going to stay with him. The doc said there was nothing else we could do for him tonight and for all of us to go home to get at least a little sleep.

We did all go home, but since I couldn't sleep, I was sitting on the patio looking over toward Martin and Glenda's trailer. As I sat there, I was thinking without Martin, who would feed all the songbirds in the area? Who would keep the weeds and grass trimmed around all of the trailers? Who would do all those little repairs for people that Martin did? Some of the people he helped couldn't afford the repairs, but they would get done anyway. The park probably didn't pay Martin near what he was worth for his landscaping responsibilities. He and Glenda lived simply. They didn't need a lot and did not live high. I said a silent prayer that he would be all right.

As people woke this morning, I fixed coffee, thinking how the first person here most mornings was Glenda. She was always my good morning lady. Just as I was thinking that, Missy came out of the house, asking if I had heard from the hospital. I told her that I had not and didn't expect to hear for a while. Sue would go in to spell Glenda for a while so she could get some rest and we would find out more then.

Missy said, "I felt you out here by yourself last night. I didn't bother you or come out. I knew you needed some time alone to consider your friend. Your Mercy felt you too, but did not want to intrude either. You know, Steve, there are some things in life you cannot do anything about. You have to accept them as they come. Relax and do something for those things you can control."

Missy sat next to me and gave me a hug.

Mercy came out to the patio and sat on the other side of me. She didn't say anything, but hugged me while she sipped some of her green tea.

My day became all-better when Sue came out in a sexy gown and sat Stevie in my lap. My son cooed and jabbered at me for a minute, then leaned his head on my chest and seemingly hugged me. That will make anyone's day.

Sue said she was going to get ready and go in to let Glenda come home to rest and clean up. I said I would go with her so I could drive Glenda home. More and more people came onto the patio as Sue and I prepared to leave. Mickey came home in her uniform. She said that her dad, the Sheriff, and her had walked into the 911 control center and immediately pulled the tapes of the time period the calls had come in. When they heard the voices of two different operators, then the supervisor, the Sheriff suspended them, pending charges for intentional neglect, and for risking the life of a citizen.

Mickey felt they would probably just be terminated, as even though it had been a willful act, the only thing they could charge the people with was a hate crime.

Mercy took Stevie while I cleaned up quickly to go in with Sue. When we entered Martin's semi-private room, no one was in the adjoining bed, but Glenda was sitting in a chair with her head lying on Martin's stomach. Martin was awake, stroking Glenda's hair. The love in his eyes was very touching. When he saw us he put his finger to his lips in the timeless signal to stay quiet. Glenda was sleeping.

Sue went to Martin and told him that I was to take Glenda home and Sue was going to stay with him. Martin nodded then began running his finger around Glenda's ear lobe then around her lips.

Glenda moved and said in a hushed voice, "Martin, I can't do that here." Martin grinned then said, "Steve is here to take you home. Sue is going to stay with me. I guess we'll just swap for a while.'

Raising her now blushing head, "You scoundrel, waking me up like that in front of others."

"I knew that would wake you up, Honey. I didn't want to startle you," Martin said.

"Well, if you're feeling that spunky, I guess I could leave you with Sue. You can't do any harm to her, she's already pregnant. I know I could probably use a young stud like this one for a few hours," Glenda teased.

Sue commented, "Just leave some for me, Glenda."

I took Glenda home and told her to shower and lay down. I would wake her after noon so she could eat and go back to the hospital. She went inside but came right back out, "I need something to eat. I hope they left something for me."

I sat her down and quickly made her some bacon, eggs, and toast. I gave her milk to wash down the breakfast, telling her it would give her more energy. She was soon home, washed, and in bed. All of her friends waited for me to get her down before they inundated me with questions about how Martin was doing and when they could go see him.

I told them all to wait till noon then they could probably visit him a couple at a time.

I woke Glenda about noon promising myself she would not stay at the hospital this night. She called the hospital, and when she talked to the nursing desk they said she should be talking to Martin, because he wanted to go home immediately because he missed his wife.

Glenda talked to Martin and told him to visit with his friends for a while and she would be in to see him in a little bit. I left Glenda to shower again and dress. She came to the patio in time for some soup and sandwiches. Beth was being domestic, and with the help of Mercy and Missy, had made some homemade vegetable beef soup and some warm roast beef sandwiches.

The babies were in the living room playpen that Martin had made. It was a low fenced in corner of the living room that had two sides of wall and two sides that were fenced with an eighteen-inch high fence. Sue had installed a thick pad and heavy stainmaster carpet in that corner just for the purpose of housing some rough and tumble babies. CJ, Robbie, and Stevie were buds from the start, playing together in baby fashion. Hanna's little girl, Mia, was almost too little to be put in with the little boys, but was always holding herself up, drooling at the boys. We all figured she had stated cutting teeth earlier than the boys had.

I drove Glenda into the hospital, confirming with her that she would not stay that night. I promised her that we would be there first thing in the morning so Martin would not feel neglected.

Folks from the park were visiting Martin two at a time with Sue acting as the moderator. She was the constant, the person always in the room making sure each couple of folks had a few minutes with Martin but didn't stay too long to wear him out.

Glenda gave Martin a hug then she hugged Sue thanking her for staying with Martin. I told Martin that either Sue or I would be back this evening to pick up Glenda. The nurse came in to have Martin get up and walk up and down the hallway to get some exercise. They told him, the more he could do, the faster he could go home. Martin and Glenda, with some more visitors, were slowly walking up the hallway when Sue and I left.

Beth, Nancy, and Missy had been to the grocery store to get a few roasts for Sunday dinner. Since the kitchen was so big, they were not in each others' way as they prepared dinner. They were only figuring on twenty or so people, as it was unusual to have a Sunday dinner together.

Tiny was on the patio with a beer in his hand, talking to Henry. About the time I went to say hi to them, Henry became so excited I thought he was going to kiss me. "Steve, Steve, thank you, damn this is the best opportunity I've ever had. Thank you for asking me to come down to Florida to work for you, I mean with you. Tiny has already cautioned me about that. I am a good worker, Steve. You won't find anyone more careful with your numbers than I am. You'll see, you and Tiny will find out I am a good accountant. Damn, I'm so excited I need to pee. Excuse me a second."

Tiny looked at me a little sheepishly, "I couldn't wait any longer. He wasn't hinting, but he kept discussing different aspects of your business with me, until I just asked him if he was ready to move down here and work with you and me. When I told him that I wanted him to oversee the three kid accountants, I thought he would burst. He's never had people other than secretaries work under him."

"Steve, I offered him what I thought was a low starting salary, and I thought he was going to pass out. That guy has been making nothing up there. Either they have a real low cost of living in Cincinnati or he is being grossly underpaid."

I told Tiny, "Don't start him too low, but do leave some room so you can show him that we like his work."

"No problem, Steve, I'll make sure he's taken care of. The two of them can move right into Nelda's old house next to me until they find something they want. They might even want to build a house. We'll see."

"Tiny, what do you think about paying for their move? It isn't unusual for a company to pay for an employee's move, is it?"

"Not at all, Steve, that would be a good starting benefit. I'll talk to Henry about it. See, I told you he would want to come down."

"Well, Tiny, Sue said that if Henry comes down, Susan is going to want to come too. What would we do with Kevin?"

Tiny smiled at me then said, "I've already thought of that. Kevin is a dispatcher and vehicle manager for his company's truck delivery services now. With his experience, we could use him at S&S for our delivery service, or I'm sure Crystal would be happy to have an experienced truck man to work with her. The body plant could use some help with coordination and you know the golf cart manager is thinking of retiring. There is no end of places for him. Will you have a problem with them back in your life after they ignored you for so long?"

"No, Tiny, I know they were busy with their lives when I was in grammar school, junior high, and high school. Since I was the youngest and still at home, it fell on me to take care of Mom when Dad died. It just happened to be that I was living with Mom when she passed away, so it fell on me again to take care of the estate. They had kids and were busy and I wasn't."

Henry came back and said, "Can I tell Nancy? Do you mind?"

I told him, "Bring her out here and we'll break out some champagne for the occasion."

I found a chilled bottle under the bar and opened it for us. I poured six glasses, sincde I knew Sue and Mercy would come out as well.

Henry came out with Nancy and pointed at Tiny, "Meet my new boss. I'm starting to work for S&S Enterprises."

Nancy's mouth opened with a stunned appearance. She looked at Tiny, then at Sue, then at me. Instead of running to her husband she almost tried to jump into my arms. She gave me a bone crushing hug and a big wet kiss on the lips. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Steve. This is wonderful. You're going to get Henry away from those vultures. This is wonderful."

"I didn't hire him, Nancy, Tiny did," I said.

Nancy repeated the action on Tiny. She grabbed the giant Tiny and pulled him down for a kiss and gave him a big hug. "Thank you, Tiny, Henry will make you a great employee. We'll be good neighbors too, if we can find a place to live right here in this park with you."

She looked at Henry and said, "See, aren't you glad I saved up that extra money. We can use it to move with. We can get the house ready to sell while we are packing."

Tiny began picking up the glasses of champagne and passing them around. Sue's and Mercy's glasses only had a swallow in them, but they were going to be a part of the toast. "To Henry and Nancy's new life in Florida, to Henry's new career with S&S Enterprises."

We joined our glasses together with a clink and sipped the golden liquid.

Tiny then said, "I don't think you understood me, Henry, I hired you to work down here. That means the company pays to move you down. The company is responsible to get you the appraised value from your home. You only have to figure out whether you want to live in the park or in the new housing area that we are building."

Nancy said, "I want to live as close to all of these people as I can. I want us to come out here in the morning for coffee and to have supper with them too. We've lived in that hateful neighborhood where we live for over fifteen years and we still don't know everyone on our block. I want to live right here."

Tiny told her that his dad would help them find a place. There were still a couple of places on the back fence area available for doublewides if they wanted.

Henry became excited and wanted me to fly him home so he could turn in his notice tomorrow. I told him to take his vacation first. To not screw up his bosses' opportunity to give him a nice severance package if they were going to let him go anyway. It took him a while to settle down but finally agreed saying, "I just want to begin helping out here and working with your company, Steve. I want to show you how much of an asset your brother can be."

"I'm sure you will be good for me, Henry, but right now, you have some fun to attend to. This evening you and Nancy are going to Mickey Mouse world. We have reservations for you to spend three days, then to come back here for the weekend again. Next week you will spend the week on the beach in St. Petersburg. You'll love the Don Caesar hotel. It is a real treat.

After dinner, Sue and I had Henry and Nancy pack up to leave for Disney. We took them to the Holiday Inn where they picked up the car we had reserved for them. My happy brother and his wife drove off with maps and directions to spend some time celebrating together.

Sue told me on the way home, "Nancy is beautiful. She is going to be a model for me and she can help with design. She already has several neat ideas we can use to make some new designs. This will be a great to have your brother here. You now have family here too."

"Sue, I already have family here. I have you, Stevie, Mercy, your mom, and Ben. Martin and Glenda are family. Tiny and Ruth, Shawna and Charlie, Jim and Hanna, Debbie and Hank, Sandy and Mandy with Drew and Bob, Tom, Al, Betty and Joan, Nelda and Ernie, my goodness, I have a huge family here."

"You really do, don't you, Honey? Your family is just going to be bigger. Now, how are you going to get your sister down here?"

I told her of Tiny's plan for Kevin that she thought would be a great idea. She said that her company used mostly UPS and FedEx to ship, since most of the shipments were current fashions shipped in small quantities. Sue had shipping departments, but not a delivery service.

That evening Sue and I went in to get Glenda and spend a minute with Martin. He was very tired, but still wanted to come home. I promised him that Glenda would be there early, before eight. He said he would probably sleep till then, as tired as he was. The three of us left Martin lying back on his bed, ready to fall asleep.

Glenda came home, had a snack and went to bed, equally tired from the night before.

Mercy, Sue, and I were very tired and as soon as everyone began going off for some quiet Sunday evening togetherness, Mercy, Sue and me were in bed, leaving the locking up to Merlin, Missy, Ben, and Beth.

My morning began nicely. Sue and Mercy both woke me with kisses and lips to my ears, saying in stereo, "I love you."

That is something special. I pulled both women onto me and kissed both repeatedly. Then all three of us seemed to remember that we had a busy day ahead. The girls headed toward the bathroom and I stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee.

Once back in the bathroom to use the throne, I could see the forms of the two girls in the shower. In just seconds, I joined them to help wash all those beautiful curves. Neither would let me get too far this morning as we did have much to do.

As the patio filled with the morning revelers, I was able to catch Terrell for a second. "It's possible that Martin will come home today and I'd like to surprise him. He wanted to remove the wheels on his home to make it lower to get in and out. Since he might have to use a wheelchair in the future, how about getting the mobile home people down the road to remove his axle and lower the trailer while you have a couple or ten carpenters come over and build a ramp to his door? Even if he doesn't have to use a wheelchair, it will be easier for him to get in and out."

Terrell answered with a smile, "I'll make it a priority. Let me get on the phone and get some men over here right away. It will be done by noon, Steve."

Sue went over to make sure Glenda was okay. She was up but was a little disoriented from being so tired. Sue decided at that moment that we were going to have some kind of alarm for either or both of our seniors, so they could signal us if they needed us.

Once Glenda was sitting at the table with me, I told her we were going to lower her trailer while she was gone. She happily agreed that it would be a nice surprise for Martin. Nelda was hovering over Glenda, wanting to help her too. It is very sweet to see how these older people looked out for each other.

Sue took Glenda to the hospital so Martin would have company for breakfast and for Sue to find out how Martin was doing. She would call me later to tell me how they were. Mercy and Missy were in charge of Stevie, CJ, Robbie, and Mia this morning, as Debbie and Shawna had been talked into leaving them at home instead of taking them to the day care.

At breakfast, I had asked Nelda to look within the park for someone that could help Glenda with the housekeeping and the special help that Glenda gave Sue and me. Nelda figured the easiest way to find that person was to corner Charlie and Matty and get their opinion. Matty said she had just the right person. Matty and Nelda went to visit a lady in her fifties that lived at the far end of the park, near the cypress swamp and lake.

Matty knocked on the door of an older trailer. A grey haired lady came to the door. She had a dark complexion that was not tan but natural. She had the flashing dark brown eyes of her Latin heritage. "Hi Matty, what can I do for you." She turned to Nelda and said, "I know you, you're Nelda, the lady who recently got married. Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed your reception. Won't you both come in?"

The inside of the older trailer was clean and neat with the smell of coffee in the air. Matty got right down to business. "Juanita, I know you are hard-headed about charity and I want you to know this is not charity. You know Steve and Sue Sharp, the two who own that big home where the wedding was. The lady who helps them with the house and patio is getting older and could use some help. Her husband just had a heart problem and will be coming home from the hospital, so Glenda is going to be busy taking care of him. Nelda has been asked to find someone to help Glenda and to take over as much of the work as she can for a while. The couple will pay you very well, and if you want to become a part of that group, you will have more fun than you could ever believe. Just ask Nelda; she moved here because Steve brought her here and what do you know, she even found a husband. Would you consider it, Juanita?"

Juanita sat there sipping her coffee looking first at Matty then at Nelda. "You know I get just enough from my husband's pension to pay my lot rent and utilities. I get food stamps and do some odd sewing for some people. I like to pay my own way and do. Is this another of your 'take care of Juanita' schemes?"

"No, no, Steve told Nelda to find someone. Nelda came to me and the first person I thought of is you. I can't let just anyone take care of my son's boss and our very good friend. That person must be honest, caring, and friendly. When you meet all the people that are there you will see what I mean. I really want you to do this. It will get you out of the house and it would be good income for you."

Juanita paused then asked, "Martin is the man who takes care of the grass in the common areas, isn't he?"

"That's right, that's him," Matty said.

"I really do owe him. He's fixed so many things for me over the years since Jorge died, I can't list them. He won't take money for even the materials. He comes by at least once a month to see what he can do for me. He is such a nice man. If Glenda and Martin need help, I'll do it."

Nelda said, "How about coming over to the house so you can meet a couple of people now. Steve and Sue almost always have extra people staying with them and they almost always come home for lunch. It will give you a chance to meet them too. Come with us, Juanita."

"I will, Nelda. You make it sound so warm and friendly, I will," Juanita said.

Nelda and Juanita walked back to the big house with the patio, leaving Matty at the park office. Nelda said she would lend Juanita her golf cart to use to go back and forth as it was a pretty long walk. Juanita said she needed the exercise and walked twice that far almost every day.

When they went into the patio, Beth and Missy were having coffee. Nelda introduced Beth and Missy as both being Steve's mother-in-law. Juanita looked puzzled but Nelda said to be patient, it would be clear to her eventually. Inside, Mercy had the four little ones in the play area while Hanna was in the kitchen area putting ingredients into a big pot. Mercy was introduced as Steve's special wife and Hanna as a neighbor and one of Sue's employees.

When Juanita asked, "Special wife?" Mercy said, "I found Steve and Sue when they were in San Francisco. Our minds said we were meant to be with each other. Sue welcomed me into their life and now I share Steve and Sue."

"Oh my, this is a strange house," Juanita said.

Hanna said from the kitchen, "When you meet Steve you will see how easy it is to like him. When you first meet Sue, you will be jealous someone can be so beautiful. But she is even more beautiful inside. You'll find out, they are easy to like."

Nelda gave Juanita a tour of the office area then took her back to the master bedroom suite with Stevie's room. Juanita couldn't get over how big the place was. "That's why Sue needs the help to keep it up. Glenda is beginning to be too old to do it all, especially since they made everything so much bigger."

When they went back into the kitchen, Hanna called Juanita over to ask her if she was good with Cuban cooking. Juanita smiled, "I am Cuban and yes, I am a good cook. I just don't get to cook for many very often."

The two were instantly into what they were doing. Hanna had a large pork roast in the oven and was making her special black beans to go with either white or yellow rice. Juanita said they needed bread for this as well, but asked why such a big pot of beans and the two huge roasts.

"This is for tonight's supper. We'll probably have around thirty to thirty-five people. To make sure, you have to have enough food to feed at least forty. Even then, more show up, so we have to make everything stretch. What we need is to roast an entire pig in a fire pit. That way we could be sure to have enough. We can always have leftover meat for sandwiches the next day."

Hanna made an exclamation in Spanish and this caused Juanita and her to degenerate into a rapid discussion of the food in their native language. Hanna looked up at everyone and said, "The next time I interview people for jobs, I have my helper right here."

By the time Steve came home, Juanita had become friends with everyone at the house, including Merlin, who pulled a spoon from Hanna's ear then acted as if he pulled a finger from the beans. He had everyone within sight of the kitchen laughing.

Steve came with the news that Sue would be bringing Martin and Glenda home around three. He looked over toward Martin and Glenda's trailer then went over to look at the other side where the door was. He came back around, through the patio, into the kitchen. "The guys did a good job on the ramp. That will make it perfect to get Martin in and out while, and if, he uses a wheelchair."

Steve was finally introduced to Juanita. As Nelda told him more about Juanita, Steve said, "Perfect. You are probably the best person to help Glenda. Do you have any children?"

Juanita sadly shook her head no, "Jorge and I could never have any. We don't know why, but we never did. After we came during the boat lift, our families were jailed in Cuba and we never heard of them after that. We have assumed they are all gone. Very few ever came out of jail when Castro put them away back then."

"Well, Juanita," Steve said as he scooped up Stevie, "Meet your new best friend, Stevie." Steve walked up to Juanita and held him close to her.

Juanita's eyes almost watered as she took the baby offered to her. Stevie did his cutest thing. With both of his little hands on each side of Juanita's face, he gave her a sloppy baby kiss the way his mother and Mercy did it to him every time they picked him up. Two big tears rolled down Juanita's face as she said, "Oh, you are my new best friend, aren't you?"

Mercy said, "These others are just as loveable. You'll have fun playing with them."

Hanna said, "The lunch stuff is in the fridge, Steve, will you take it out to the table with the tray of bread?"

"Sure, Hanna, as soon as I wash my hands," I said.

Soon, not only the tray of lunch meat and bread was on the table, but bowls of warmed up chili were placed in several places. Ernie showed up to eat with Nelda. Charlie and Matty came to have lunch with everyone. Ryan and Michelle did not leave this morning, so they came. Of course, there was Merlin and Missy, Beth, and the two other ladies who worked in Sue's office. Juanita was surprised at how many people there were, and this was just for lunch.

After lunch, I changed clothes and headed to the gym with Mercy. A little over an hour later, we were back, put on our swimsuits and headed up to the pool for a swim and some sun. Mercy was becoming a tanned beauty, a California beach bunny in Florida.

When we returned, Juanita was busy with Missy straightening up the patio. Missy said it needed to be dusted almost daily since it was outside. Juanita couldn't get over that it was air-conditioned as well as most homes.

A little after three, Sue drove up in the Expedition with Martin and Glenda. Martin refused to go inside his house right away. He wanted to visit with people out on the patio for a while first.

As soon as Martin was pushed into the patio, he smiled brightly and said, "How are you, Juanita, I'm glad to see you. Do you need some help?"

Juanita smiled warmly and "No senor, ' I'm fine. I'm your wife's new helper. Nelda came for me today."

Glenda came over and hugged Juanita saying, "My Martin always speaks so nicely of you. You and I will make a good team. Thank you for coming."

Martin was looking at the two ladies, "Juanita, you live a long way from here, I'll have Steve get you one of those little golf carts for you to go back and forth. You can even use it to go grocery shopping. I've seen you with your little cart many times on the way to and from the store."

Juanita just smiled, without understanding that if Martin said it, it would happen.

Sue introduced herself to Juanita and took her through the house again. They disappeared into the master bedroom for a long time, and came back with Juanita smiling broadly. Sue motioned me aside.

"Can you take your truck over to the cart shop and bring one of the little ones back over here. You know, one like Nelda's?"

"How about I take Merlin and let him drive the truck back. I'll drive the cart back to make sure it runs right. We'll be right back."

Merlin and I drove over to the cart shop where I pulled a small red cart from the production area and signed for it. The manager laughed, saying, "You guys are always stealing my inventory. We can't make enough lately. Tiny told me we were going to add onto the building for both manufacturing and repair, is that right, Steve?"

"That's what I heard this weekend, so it must be true. It's good to hear your group is so successful. Keep it up."

I drove the little cart back to the house. I would get Shawna to paint Juanita's name on the cart for right now, but I knew that it would soon be adorned with at least one comical cartoon.

Soon it was the evening gathering, with the hordes coming into the patio for refreshments and companionship. Juanita was introduced to all and was made to sit and enjoy a Cuba Libre made by Sue. Sue told Juanita that as soon as she had this baby, she would be joining her as it was her favorite drink. Before long, Juanita felt as if she belonged. She did belong as she had become an instant friend.

That evening, long after supper was over, Sue and I accompanied Juanita as she drove her cart back to her house. She said it was nice as she was very tired. Sue said she didn't need to stay all day but to come and help Glenda out a little then come home or stay and visit. Sue told her that she could come for breakfast, lunch, and supper anytime or everyday. She was now a part of us. Juanita said she wanted to see what breakfast was like, as the evening had been so much fun.

Sue and I walked back, happy to have gained help for Glenda, and to have gained a new friend. Sue commented, "She is a dark Latin beauty. I'll have to watch her, or you'll be dragging her off to the bedroom before I do." We laughed at her comment and joked about it all the way home.

Mercy said, as we came into the patio, "You two are being naughty. Steve is barely keeping up his husband responsibilities and you're trying to farm him out? No, no, no, we get him first and often. There won't be any left for anyone else. And you, little Miss Sue, I think Steve and I can take care of that itchy thing between your legs."

Later Mercy proved that there would not be anything left for anyone else.