Chapter 10 – Big Red H

Did Trish and Ralph attempt to tell me I was impatient. Oh my! What can I do to make this right? I went to apologize to him and listen. I proceeded to his hothouse. His dark blue quad truck occupied the spot where he usually parked, and a little white Jaguar seized the space next to it.

I entered the glass building and discovered him separating and replanting strawberry seedlings. He smiled and said, "I am elated you came. I assure you that I ceased caring about you. I thought I adored you. You loathed me when you sent me away from your classroom. I kicked a hole in the wall. That enlightened me of the futility of pursuing you. My heart ached for you. Forgive me for chasing you."

Ralph nuzzled his nose into my right hand. He chided and encouraged me to tell Hector I love him. He said, "Do it now, before it's to late."

"I am sorry I misjudged you. Fear blinded me. Only my Mom, Dad and Brother ever expressed love for me. Terror took control of my mind."

"Are we OK?"

"Yes."

My 'yes' betrayed me. I expected a different solution. Especially with what he revealed next,

A girl with a glossy grin erupted from the stairwell. She radiated gorgeousness. I emerged as a skinny scarecrow. She wore tight white shorts and tee-shirt with a big red H and the words Humboldt High printed underneath, Hector sported a similar smile and said, "This is my new girlfriend, Sarah Ann Fielding. Her father is a new partner in twenty of my vineyards and wineries. He distributes to Italy, Spain and France."

Ralph warned me. I failed to tell Hector in time. I m a dunce at this love thing. I spieled when I should have kept quiet, or I maintained silence at a time when honest dialog required venting.

I faked an interest. "I didn't know you had wineries."

"That would have been revealed, but you bolted before I could tell you. There were many things I wanted to share with you. It's too late now. Yesterday is gone. We can't agonize over the past."

Sarah strolled through the aisles inspecting the plants. It gave Hector and me an opportunity to converse. "Again, I'm sorry I snubbed you."

"That's perfectly alright. It gave me time to notice Sarah. Her Dad introduced us months ago, but I did not pay attention to her until this week. She goes to a rival school.

"I hope everything works."

"It will."

He spent the next ten minutes reminding me how simple and exciting life is without me.

My stomach trembled. I almost puked when I fibbed and said. "Hector, I am happy for you and Sarah. I wish you two the best. May you greatly be blest."

Ralph waited by the truck when I meandered from the greenhouse. He said, "I can't stand Sarah or Poo Poo.

"Who is Poo Poo?

"Sarah's Poodle. Both stink of arrogance but bankrupt."

"How do you know?"

"I heard Sarah and her Daddy talk about it. They didn't realize I translated human. He wants her to marry Hector to save their mansion. Also, she will lose her car along with her lifestyle. Hector is very rich and on a rebound from you. He loves you, although he claims he doesn't. Both of you need a whipping. You avoid what is obvious."

"Hector wouldn't believe me, and he doesn't comprehend dog."

"We? He can't interpret dog, and he is still angry. Intervene, before it is to late. He might marry her just to spite you. Do you love him?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe is inadequate, and it is insufficient. Maybe lacks commitment. What do I know? I am just a dog. We either love him or we don't."

"I never thought of it that way. I do love him, but he infuriates me."

"Your anger indicates that you love him. You desire him. Otherwise you would ignore him."

I said, "How did you become wise?

"Watching you."

This is serious. I do love him. A dumb mutt goaded me to see what alluded me.

"Sorry Ralph for my thoughts,"

"That's OK."

I picked up Joey at the house. He said, "Did you know Hector has a new girlfriend."

We went to Mama McGhee's Café and General Store. Joey and I sat at our usual booth. Amber and Henry joined us.

Horace said, "Hector has a new girlfriend. Her Daddy is in the wine business. I met her this morning. I'm sure she'll be an angel."

"Just met her. She is a fake blond."

I scrunched a grinned with my lips closed.

Amber said, "My Daddy said her Father is having is having money problems in his business. Do you think we need to tell Hector?"

"Not me. He hates me. He would believe I fabricated the story. If you consider it's true, he probably got word already. Everyone tells me how smart he is."

Ralph growled, "You know better."

Hector walked into the café with Sarah. Henry went to the table where they sat and whispered in Hector's ear. They moved to the store where their voices were muffled. Their mouths and heads shook. Both flapped their arms. Henry pointed his fingers at us and pointed at Sarah, Henry came back to our booth and sat. All at the table were quiet, Hector whispered to Sarah. A few seconds later they left Momma McGhee's. Beth and Trish came in and told us Hector sped out of the parking lot. Amber explained the circumstances to them.

Henry said, "Hector is going to make some calls and corrections."

"What kind of corrections?"

"He did not say."

Thirty minutes later Hector returned. He found no room in our booth. He scooted a chair close to us and sat down. He peered at group without speaking.

Then he said, "I appreciate your intervention. I was about to make a mistake. Sarah admitted she liked me as a friend, but she had a boyfriend with whom she cherished. Her dad needed this arrangement. She intended to sacrifice herself to help to move the transaction to completion. I ripped the contract in many pieces."

All at the table smiled. Amber whispered, and my face glowed. Then Hector continued.

He said Sarah Dad's plan about the business was sound with some major modifications.

I said, "What do you mean."

"That's a good question, because of your help I negotiated a superior exchange. We dissolved the merger of our two business. I bought his company permitting him to pay his debts. I hired him as my distribution manager for Europe. His commissions and bonusses will allow him to maintain his lifestyle with one exception."

"What concession?"

"He needed to modify and limit Sarah's purchases. She was the reason for his debt. She understands her spending caused the dilemma. I do appreciate all of you especially Angelica. I hope we can be friends. I understand you don't want to be my girlfriend. I respect you and promise not bother ever again on that matter."

My inside churned, and a sour taste developed in my mouth. My mind went blank. I could not respond. I forced a smile but hid a frown. This was my fault. I did not comprehend how to reply.

Ralph said, "Girl, you blew it. A simple comment of encouragement toward Hector would have made a difference. He gave you the opportunity. You may be the smartest girl in school, but you flopped in romance. You can go to your room and cry. Open your heart to love. It will guide you. What do you and Hector have in common? What can you learn that will bring both of you closer?"

"Do you believe things will get better between Hector and me?"

"What do I know? I'm just a dumb dog. You are the smart one."

Rodney's Threat

Horace and Amy strolled through Momma McGhee's front door holding hands. They plopped themselves in the booth behind us. Henry and Amber joined them permitting Hector to move next to me.

Amy blubbered, "I am sorry. I treated you guys like horse dung. You regard me with respect. Friends like you never existed in my life."

Trish said, Horace is our friend. You make him happy. We accept you because you have changed, and you are going to be the first mother in Beth and Angelica's class." You will have a large supply of free babysitters.

Amy bawled louder as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. "I love you guys." Her howls deepened and hiccups surfaced. Rodney ripped open the door with three other hoodlums holding pistols. He spoke to Amy saying he was suing for custody unless she gave him five thousand dollars. Her tears and hiccups vanished.

She said, "You got to be crazy. Even if I had that much money, I wouldn't give it to you."

Hector, Henry, Horace and Joey arose, and slapped the hands that held the guns. The weapons fell to the floor. The McGhee boys encircled the ruffians, wrapped their left arms around the arms of their opponents and right arms around their necks. The movements were transmitted with the precision of a musical choreographed scene.

I jumped up, flipped, and kicked each assailant in their manhood.

The girls cheered,

Amy said, "You are a big show off."

I said, "You are right. I waited till the boys had these maggots captured before I demonstrated a simple little girl can whip these thugs. How about it 'rat-droppings,' should I have the McGhee boys to let you go so I can kill you myself."

Rodney soaked his pants and a puddle gathered on the floor. Amy said, "Look at you, a pitiful reflection of a coward ready to pounce on the weak and defenseless."

I said, "Boys, if you notice a signet ring on left hand of each of the boy holding you in captivity. They are part of the society of McGhees. Rumor informs us those who defamed or threaten a McGhee woman, wife, sister, daughter, or related female will succumb to extinction and dissolution. The body shall be blended with earth, corn and compost. The combined elements shall be spread upon the fields to enrich the crops."

Rodney's voice quivered as he asked, "What does that mean?"