Chapter 33

I was sitting in the kitchen of the Hotel Restaurant with Hector and Ramona the morning after Howard was arrested for showing his ass over in San Elizario. We were drinking coffee and kibitzing about how to heal the rift that was growing between El Paso's Anglo and Mexican communities. During this time, as it was in my future, the rift was caused mainly by two things. The first was that many of the Mexican-Americans did not feel a need to assimilate; they continued to act as if Texas and New Mexico were still part of Mexico.

The second problem was the bigotry that people like Charles Howard brought with them when they settled in the El Paso area. To men like Howard, Chicanos were second class citizens and beneath their contempt. The actions of each group fueled the animosity of the other and reinforced their negative attitudes. I had no patience for either group.

We were talking about throwing some kind of community event that would bring everyone together like Independence Day, when Anna came into the kitchen. Anna was there to tell me she had arranged an appointment for me with Louis Cardis. Anna grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down with us. She filled me in on Cardis' story between sips.

I was surprised as hell to learn that Cardis wasn't even a Mexican. Actually, he was an Italian immigrant who had settled in the area about twenty years ago. Cardis had learned the language, married a Mexican girl and quickly became the most influential man in the Mexican community. He parlayed that influence into a stint as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. At one time, he and fellow Democrat Charles Howard were political allies. In his own way, Cardis was just as responsible for the split in the community as Howard.

I went to the stables, saddled Melosa and rode the three miles over to the center of San Elizario. Cardis was waiting for me, holding court with some of his cronies at Shultz's General Store. He was sitting in a rocking chair near the front entrance when I walked in and introduced myself. We shook hands and he told me to grab a seat. The other fellows he'd been talking to drifted away as I sat down.

My conversation with Cardis was pretty much a waste of my time. The man was stubborn, egotistical and his hatred for Charles Howard blinded him to anything else. I did give him the idea of having Howard sign a document relinquishing his claim to the mineral rights for the salt flats, and he jumped at the idea of collecting a surety bond from Howard that would guarantee his word. However, Cardis vehemently resisted my suggestion that we work together to improve relations between Mexicans and Anglos. Cardis grudgingly allowed me to visit Judge Howard in the slammer.

The San Elizario jail still existed in my future. It was a historic site by then, but it had held prisoners until the 1940s. The jail had been built when San Elizario was the county seat of El Paso County. El Paso only became the county seat when Charles Howard's machinations enticed the railroad to run through El Paso and bypass San Elizario. As soon as the rail line was complete, Howard convinced the County Commission to make El Paso the county seat.

The jail's claim to fame was that it was the only jail Billy the Kid ever broke into instead of out of. Billy came to San Elizario from Mesilla, New Mexico one night in the fall of 1876, and busted his friend, Melquiades Segura, out of the jail.

Howard was just as obstinate as Cardis, I expected nothing less. Howard first started berating me for obtaining the warrant for his son's arrest, and then he launched into a harangue about me being a dirty Mexican lover. I stood outside his cell and let him wind down. His vitriolic speech didn't bother me at all; in fact, it almost made me feel sorry for him. When he ran out of invectives, I spoke for the first time.

"As an officer of the court, I thought the right thing to do would be to ride over here and try to get you out of this mess. After listening to you cuss me out for the last five minutes, I guess you don't want any help from me."

I had turned around and started for the door, when Howard called me back. In a normal situation, after the abuse he'd heaped on me, I would have kept walking. This wasn't a normal situation, though, because I was trying to steer Howard toward the path history says he took. I turned back around.

"I haven't even been told the charges against me, Counselor," Howard said when I was facing him again.

It was a pleasure for me to recite the litany of charges Cardis had the constable slap Howard with. They included: inciting a riot, assault on a lawman, disorderly conduct, communicating a threat and the topper — mayhem. Howard was purple with rage when I wound down the list and told him the constable recommended no bail be set. I let him vent for a couple of minutes, then told him what Cardis' conditions were for dropping the charges. The conditions set Howard off again. For a supposedly devout Baptist, the judge sure could swear. I left him to think about it, and told him I'd drop by tomorrow.

I had a late lunch with Belle and Connie, then held training for the women who would be working in the club. I wanted to try to emulate the level of service that I'd experienced at the Playboy Club in Las Vegas. The training did not go even the slightest as I had envisioned, as the women kept breaking out in laughter as I demonstrated the Bunny dip (where the waitress picks up or puts something on a table without leaning over, but by bending her knees to the side with her body erect) and the runway model walk. It took them about ten minutes to stop laughing, and all of two minutes to demonstrate that they could do both things flawlessly.

I gave the women a pep talk about staying informed on current events and perusing the books in the library anytime they wanted. After my little pep talk, I told them that I would personally inform every club member on how I expected the women to be treated. I had a zero tolerance policy toward any disrespect shown them. I told them that I wanted to know immediately if a member stepped out of line. I was serious as a heart attack about that too, any pawing, groping, or lewd language towards the women would get a member a warning; the second offense got him tossed out on his ass. My proclamation drew a round of applause, and earned me some serious hugs and kisses.

I then turned the class over to Belle, so she could start passing on some of her finishing school training to the women, and walked downstairs. I went to the restaurant to talk to Anna. I needed to fill her in on my visit to San Elizario, but mostly I just wanted to talk to her. For those few of you that haven't figured it out by now, I seriously loved Anna Lopez. I loved her enough to let her go so she could maybe start a life with Joaquin. I was doing the noble thing, but it still sucked pond water.

As we sat talking, Anna gave me a look and reached over for my hand.

"What is the matter, Charro?" she asked me.

I leaned back in the chair with a sigh, as I thought about how to answer that. Since the truth had been serving me well since I dropped into this time, I told her how I felt.

"I love you Anna, and I miss spending time with you. I know it is selfish of me, but I think that I acted rashly by pushing you towards Joaquin," I replied.

Anna's eyes opened wide in surprise to that. Then her look softened and she squeezed my hand.

"I love you too, Tyler, but you and I can't be. I am many years too old for you. It is best we keep things between us as they are. I care for Joaquin and he loves me, I must think about both of our futures, yours and mine, and do the right thing, no matter how I feel."

Yeah, that's what I figured. I nodded my head glumly and returned the conversation to events in San Elizario.

Thursday morning found me back in San Elizario, visiting first with Judge Howard and then with Louis Cardis. Another night in jail had changed Howard's attitude considerably, because for much of the night, a very vocal group of Mexicans stood outside the jail, demanding that he be hung. Howard reluctantly agreed to Cardis' terms, and told me who to see about his bail. It didn't surprise me that William (Riverboat Bill) Braxton was first on the list.

I relayed Howard's acceptance of the terms to Cardis, and headed back to El Paso. Dealing with those two slime balls sure left a bad taste in my mouth. It was just as distasteful having to visit the Longhorn Saloon and see Braxton. Braxton was furious that Howard was being held for what he considered ransom, but said he'd have the money by two that afternoon, and that he'd go with me to collect Howard.

After dealing with my third asshole in a row, I yearned for some sweeter company, so I ambled over to Rosa's. Feleena was up and about now, so she came downstairs to greet me. I don't know who in the cantina was the most shocked, when she stepped into my arms and planted a smoldering kiss on my lips. I found out later that I was the first man anyone there had ever seen her kiss. When she finally broke the kiss, she gave me a dazzling smile and led me over to a table. She sat me down and almost gave me a heart attack by hustling over to the coffee pot and pouring me a cup. She put the cup in front of me, sat down, scooted her chair close to me and grabbed my hand.

"I am so happy to see you," she gushed.

I looked at her for a few seconds, trying to figure out if there had been some sort of reverse demonic possession. I mean this wasn't the Feleena anyone in town knew. Even the other girls lounging around the cantina were gob-smacked. I told her I was happy to see her too, and asked how she was feeling.

"I feel very good, but I will feel even better when these bruises finish fading." She said brightly.

We made a little more small talk before she stood up and asked if we could talk in private in her room. I agreed, and soon we were sitting side by side on her bed, her still holding tightly to my hand. The way Feleena was acting had me off balance since I'd walked into Rosa's front door. She kept me that way by what she said next.

"Your woman, Belle visited me yesterday," she said out of the blue. "We had a very frank discussion concerning you. She loves you very much."

It was nice to hear Feleena confirm it, but I already knew that Belle loved me. What kept me off kilter was that Belle had visited Feleena and never said a word to me about it. I nodded and Feleena continued talking.

"She asked me point blank if I thought I could accept living as only one of your women. I told her I might, but that I was going to try to claim you all to myself first. She shocked me when she just laughed and wished me good luck."

Feleena squeezed my hand, then pulled my head down for a kiss. It was as good a kiss as I'd ever gotten. While her tongue was darting around in my mouth, she placed my hand on her breast. Even constricted by her corset, Feleena's breasts were up there in Big Liz territory. She finally broke the kiss, but still held my hand on her breast. She gave me a sloe-eyed smile and started her sales pitch.

"Your Rubia (Blond) is very beautiful, but am I not also?"

I had to nod in agreement. Her smile grew bigger.

"Good, I am glad you think so. I can also be a very passionate woman for the right man, and I think you are that man. I could make you very happy, Tyler, and I am a woman who could help you become rich. With me, you would need no other women."

Before I could say anything else, she put an exclamation point on what she said by kissing me again. When she broke the kiss and looked at me expectantly, I didn't even have to think for a second before answering her.

"You are beautiful, Feleena, and I don't doubt for a minute the truth of what you say. My life would be better with you in it, but it would be worse if Belle and the others weren't. Being a part of all of us would be good for you, because with us, you'd find more love than you ever imagined."

I saw the anger flicker in her eyes before she clamped down on it. She moved my hand off her breast, stood up and walked over to the door. She opened the door then turned to face me.

"Think about what I said, Señor Abogado. I am offering you what every man within fifty miles of here would die for. In return, I will consider what you said."

I walked over to her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"You've got a deal," I said as I exited her room.

I walked into the Longhorn Saloon at exactly two o'clock. Braxton was waiting for me at the bar, nursing a beer. When I walked in, he drained the mug and picked up a satchel that was sitting on the floor by his feet.

"Let's get this over with," he said gruffly.

We rode the three miles to San Elizario without exchanging a word. I led Braxton to Shultz's General Store, where he handed Cardis the satchel. Cardis counted the money, and satisfied it was all there, motioned to the store's counter, where a pen, ink and paper sat.

"Write up the agreement, abogado, one copy in English and one in Spanish."

It took me two tries before Cardis and Braxton approved what I wrote. Braxton's problem with the first draft was that I hadn't specified how long Howard had to live by the agreement. After some wrangling between Braxton and Cardis, Cardis agreed that the bond could expire in two years, but the claim to the salt flats had to be relinquished for twenty. As we started towards the jail with the documents, he handed me the satchel full of money.

"Anna Lopez said that you could be trusted completely, so I will leave this in your care."

Braxton heaved a sigh of relief that his money would at least be in El Paso with someone he knew.

It took less than fifteen minutes for Howard to read over the papers and grudgingly sign them. Cardis took the Spanish version and walked out onto the porch of the jail. Cardis had sent someone from Shultz's to alert the citizenry that he would be making an announcement, so a good sized crowd was gathered in the street.

Cardis gave one hell of a speech, in which he claimed that he had put an end to the Anglo stranglehold on the salt, and forced Howard to resign his judgeship. It was interesting to me that Cardis never mentioned the bond money.

It took another twenty minutes to retrieve Howard's horse, but by four-thirty in the afternoon, we were on our way back to El Paso. Cardis and the constable led us out of town as the crowd hurled curses and catcalls at Howard.

I parted ways with Howard and Braxton in front of the hotel. I told Braxton that the bond money would be in the big Diebold safe in my office at the hotel anytime he wanted to confirm its safety. Braxton shared a few choice words with me about my heritage and lack of honor for siding with the 'stinking Mexicans', then he and Howard rode off, probably to plot revenge against Cardis.

Once Howard and Braxton were out of sight, I carried the satchel of money into my office and neatly stacked the bills on the bottom shelf of the safe. The safe was a Diebold like I said earlier, and a top of the line model to boot. It was big, heavy, fire-proof and bolted to the floor. I'd read the manual for the thing and changed the combination on the day I took over the office. All that, meant that Braxton's money was as secure as it would have been at the bank.

Once I'd secured the money, I went upstairs to find Belle. I wanted a word with her concerning her visit to Feleena. When I arrived at the piano bar, Belle, Connie and Naomi were putting these different colored glass spheres on the tables. The spheres were open at the top and each one held a scented candle. The women looked up and all flashed me a smile when I walked in. After kisses for everyone, I asked Belle if I could talk to her in private. She gave me an appraising look and shocked the shit out of me by saying no.

"What on Earth could you possibly have to tell me that can't be shared with the rest of the family?" she asked exasperatedly.

I knew right then that the conversation was not going to go the way I wanted, but I plunged ahead anyway.

"Why didn't you tell me you went to visit Feleena?" I asked.

"Must have slipped my mind," she replied nonchalantly.

Her attitude was starting to piss me off, but I clamped my jaws shut and controlled my voice. Meanwhile, Connie and Naomi's eyeballs were jumping back and forth between us as if they were spectators at a tennis match.

"How could it have slipped your mind when she told you she was going to try to win me for herself?" I gritted out tersely.

Belle looked at me mildly and put her hand on my cheek.

"Relax, Sweetheart. You are blowing this out of proportion. I didn't say anything to you, because I wanted her to get your honest reaction to her proposal. We all knew what you would tell her, so we weren't worried about her succeeding. We love you Tyler McGuinn, and we know you love us. If Feleena can live with that, she's welcome to join us, if not, it's her loss. Now take us down to supper and tell us about your day before the crowds get here."

I stood there flummoxed for a few seconds, then burst out laughing. I should have known that Belle had a reason for not telling me, and that reason was probably for my own good.

"I love you, Baby," I said, as I swept her up in my arms and kissed her soundly.

Belle was right again when she suggested we go to supper early, because the restaurant was nearly full already and it was only five-twenty. Anna kissed us all on the cheek and sat us at a nice table near the outside patio. I reckoned we were about the kissingest folks on the planet but, since I was on the receiving end of most of those kisses, it was fine with me.

While I was sitting there looking out the window, I had the thought that some tables and chairs for outdoor dining would be perfect for at least nine months out of the year. I was betting that ten or fifteen tables outside would be easily filled most evenings. Hell, I'll bet we could fill them at breakfast too. The only time I couldn't see anyone sitting out there was lunchtime because of the heat. I ran the idea by the three women with me, and they all agreed, so I walked back to the kitchen to discuss it with Hector.

Hector was six different kinds of busy, supervising his two chefs and preparing food himself, but he heard me out as he scurried around. He stopped what he was doing for a minute as what I said soaked in, then he enthusiastically indorsed the idea. I said I'd have someone scare up some tables, chairs and big umbrellas, so we could start as soon as possible. I was betting that Anna knew enough people so that we'd be serving patrons on the patio within the week.

That Thursday night was the last work night I saw having free for the near future, so after dinner I asked the ladies if they wanted to go down to the Toro and cut a rug. That was the second stupid question I'd asked that evening, as they all excitedly chorused not just yes, but oh hell yes!

We had a blast down at the Toro as we danced and had a few drinks. I was King Tut sitting at a table with Belle, Connie and Naomi. I danced until my poor old feet were sore as someone grabbed me for every song. When the women from the other clubs dropped by for their break I was coerced (you know how hard that was given my shy and retiring nature) into singing a few songs. I'd had just enough to drink that when I did the Alley Oop sing-a-long, I formed the women into Conga line behind me and led them around the saloon.

The next morning was Friday, the seventh of September, the day slated for the grand opening of the El Paso Gentlemen's Club, The El Paso Ballroom and Restaurante de Ramona. I was nervous and slightly hung-over, but confident that the great bunch of people I had working for me would make the night a success. The town was abuzz with anticipation of the opening, thanks to the hundreds of flyers I had distributed or plastered on every vertical surface in town.

I was mulling all that over when I sat down in Clem's barber chair. When I asked Clem what was new, he gave me an ear full, all of it involving Charles Howard...