Excerpt
It was a little after daybreak when he stopped for breakfast on the north edge of Oklahoma City. After breakfast, he tried the only number he had, hoping it was still good. A surprised Louie answered. He had caught him just as he was leaving for work.
"Hey Buddy, I'm on the road to El Paso and I'd like stop by and see you. I think I can be there sometime tomorrow afternoon. If it is convenient for you, Id like to see you tomorrow night?" John was uncomfortable at first, as he hadn't had any contact with Louie for over twenty years. Maybe he wouldn't be interested in seeing this northerner whom he had only known briefly in the army. But as soon as Louie started talking, John knew it was the same old Louie, and he sounded really happy to hear from him.
"Sure, sure, and you come here and stay with us, Amigo. Come to my house. We will be happy to see you, Amigo," a surprised and happy Louie said seemingly trying to reassure him. After giving him the address Louie told him to come directly to the house.
It was just turning dark when John arrived in Albuquerque. He was tired, as he hadn't slept well the night before, so he checked into a local Super 8 Motel just off the Interstate. After a good night's sleep, he was back on the highway early the next morning.
Driving probably faster than he should, it was the middle of the next afternoon when he arrived at the north edge of El Paso on Highway 54. Louie wouldn't be home yet, so John checked into a motel and took a nap before he called Louie again.
As Louie answered the phone, he said, "Hey, where are you, Amigo? We have been looking for you." John told him he had gotten in earlier than he had expected and checked into a motel on the north end of town.
"Why did you do that? I told you we were expecting you here. We are anxious to see you. Come now! We have been planning on your being here for supper. My wife is a good cook and you will have some good Mexican food, Amigo."
As John drove up to the address Louie had given him, Louie was outside, eagerly watching for him. John jumped out of the car, and Louie threw his arms around him.
"You have certainly held up well," John said as he stood back and looked at Louie. "You look almost the same as you did the last time I saw you over twenty years ago. Aha, I see a little gray there at the temples, and that mustache . . . it makes you look very distinguished."
"Yes, that all comes with the years!" Louie said with a smile. He was a little taller than John remembered but slim and handsome with the same great smile. In the army, Louie had been subjected to criticism for being "Latino," and had indulged himself in rigorous exercise. John had always tried to make Louie feel comfortable and show him he was proud to be his friend. Now, John could see he had matured with great dignity.
"Come in, Amigo," Louie said proudly guiding him through an immaculately kept front yard. The beautiful adobe southwestern style home was set back with two large oak trees, one on each side of the walk, shading the comfortable front porch. Louie's slow, confident manner put John at ease and as they walked to the house.
"Johnny, it's been a long time. What did you say? At least twenty years? This is a wonderful surprise. I have thought about you many times; wondered how you were getting along. Come in, meet my wife, Sofa. She has heard me talk about you so much I think she feels like she knows you."
As they walked in the door, an attractive, dark-eyed, middle-aged lady, approached with her hand extended in a friendly manner. "Welcome to our home, Johnny. You are an old friend and a most welcome sight." Looking through the open door in the direction of the street in anticipation, Isn't your wife with you?"
"No, I lost my wife a couple of weeks ago and my daughter a month before that, so I am alone."
"Ah . . . qu lastima," she said. A sad look of concern replaced her warm smile.
Louie reached over and put his arm around John's shoulder. Squeezing it affectionately he said, "That is a great pity. I'm sorry to hear that old friend. Cora was a beautiful girl." Turning to Sofa he explained, "I enjoyed knowing her in San Francisco when John and I were both in the hospital there. Here, Johnny, sit down and tell us all about it."
"Well, I guess it is one of the reasons I am here, I just had to get away. There were too many memories at home, and it was too lonely with both of them gone." John tried to maintain his composure.
"Johnny, we understand, and we are overjoyed to see you. You are welcome here for as long as you want to stay," Louie gave him a reassuring smile.
John was a little embarrassed and he tried to lighten the mood. "You look good, Louie. Sofa must take good care of you. Do you still work for the Immigration Service?"
"Yes, for the Border Patrol, for over twenty three years, and yes, Sofa does take very good care of me," Louie answered with a wink and a smile at Sofa." Then he continued, "You will stay with us. We have a spare bedroom. It is only the two of us here now. The children are all married and have their own homes. So, we would enjoy your company."
"Thank you Louie, but . . . I'm on my way to Chihuahua. My daughter was shot and killed in Chicago . . . by a man from Chihuahua, and he got away."
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