In a few instances Spanish phrases appear to add drama to the story. Incorporated into the story, as part of the dialog, are simple translations to help the reader understand.
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"What time do you get home?"
"Yesterday was early, so today is late. I'll be back, about dark, sometime after eight."
"Do you eat supper in town or do you want me to fix something? That's the least I can do. Tell me what you want, it might be the only thing I do all day."
"I'll wait until I get home, just surprise me. I'll eat anything that doesn't eat me first."
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As the sun was setting, Gail mixed crushed, dried garlic with some butter and spread it on the inside of the tops and bottoms of her hamburger buns then filled a pot with water, putting it on a burner to boil. When she heard Howard's truck rattling down the road she put the spaghetti in the boiling water and was still trying to get the gas burner to light so she could use the broiler to toast the bread when Howard walked in the door.
"Show me the trick to this broiler."
"Yum, I smell spaghetti." Howard walked over to the stove and lifted the lid on the meat and sauce. "That ol' thing doesn't work half the time. That's why I cook the steaks in the fireplace. If that's garlic bread, just turn it butter–side down in the skillet."
"Oh, I didn't think about that. I love pan toast, at least that's what Tincha called it."
Howard looked around, "Gail, not that I don't appreciate it, but my goodness, you've been busy today."
She laughed, half–heartedly and said, "Well, I pulled my food box inside. I usually just put it in the truck before I start filling it. It was too heavy to carry. I pulled leaves and dirt inside and, well, one thing led to another. I didn't have anything else to do, and I wasn't going to sit around all day and feel sorry for myself. So I swept the floor."
"Yeah, I see. And you dusted everything. And you polished the tops of the tables. Hey, you even washed the kitchen window."
"Yeah, I told you, one thing led to another. Go wash your hands. Supper's almost ready."
During supper, Gail asked about the trail she followed and was not surprised to learn the trail was made by people illegally entering the country, coming across the Mexico border and going farther inland. Most were looking for jobs.
"Gail, I don't want to frighten you, but don't go anywhere near those trees again. I'm not the Border Patrol or Homeland Security, but not all of the people who cross the river are looking for jobs."
"Yes, okay, I know. I just wasn't thinking. I won't go that way again. Maybe I should just leave tomorrow."
"I think you need to stay. I have a lot of venison in the freezer. I'm ready to see what else you can make out of it. No, I'll be serious. You're fine here, unless you don't like my company."
It was one of those blushes she could not stop. She felt it rising, going all the way up to her hairline. Trying to hide her pink cheeks, she looked down at her lap, "I like your company. I just don't want to intrude. I enjoyed myself today. I felt good about everything I did and I guess like everyone else, I appreciate that you noticed."
Howard looked at her, knowing he might make her embarrassment worse, but he had to say what he felt, "You aren't used to that, are you?" Instead of answering, she just shook her head, so he added, "That's a shame. When someone does something nice for me, I want them to know I appreciate it. I'm sorry I embarrassed you."
"Oh, well, a grown woman shouldn't blush like that. You'd think I'd get old enough, eventually, so it wouldn't happen any more."
"I don't know. It's attractive, in a cute kind of way. Your cheeks get pink and that dimple shows. Any man who sees it would probably be encouraged to try whatever he has to, to make it happen again."
"Oh, please don't. Men do it to me all the time."
"You can't blame me. I'm a man, too. Come on, let's clean up the kitchen. I'm taking you to meet my brother."
"Your brother? I don't ... I'm not here to ... why?"
"In case you didn't notice, it's Saturday night. Frank and Melanie are going to meet us in about half an hour and we're going to drink a couple of beers, dance a few dances, and I'm going to get down on my knees and apologize for making a stupid fool of myself for hitting a loudmouth bully."
"But I'm not dressed ... I didn't bring ... Howard, I don't know how to dance."
"Great, I'm not very good at it myself, so we can just have fun. And if you were dressed any better, I'd have to wear my gun to keep the other guys away from you."
"So, you think if you apologize to the bully, he won't press charges."
"Yeah, I talked to the Sheriff today. He thinks it might work. I didn't really tear up anything at the beer joint, so maybe I can get off with no charges. It's worth a try."
"Okay, I'll help."
* * *
When they walked out of his house, Gail gave Howard her keys, saying since he knew where they were going, he could drive instead of trying to tell her how to get there.
Frank and Melanie had a table staked out, and after the introductions Frank and Howard started telling stories about the tricks they played on each other when they were younger. Melanie kept telling Gail not to listen to their stories–they would tell them again next week. The two couples drank a beer while the musicians warmed up and played a few songs. They started encouraging the patrons to fill the floor or they would go sit with their wives and let the jukebox take over.
Howard took Gail's hand and pulled her out to dance. He put his arm around her, pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Put your head on my shoulder and just hold on. The first step you take is your left foot backward. After that, the rest is easy."
He kept her on the dance floor through the first three songs before he would let her go sit down. By that time she was tired from the unaccustomed exercise. The next one was a waltz and Howard said, he would teach her to waltz after she had at least two more beers. By that time she would be relaxed enough to follow a wooden stick.
Halfway through her third beer, a big man walked up to the table and said, "Josie," pointing toward their waitress, "said you wanted to talk to me if I came in tonight."
Howard stood up to talk to the man, "Yeah, Billy, I'm sorry about punching you the other night. I just wanted to apologize. I guess I had too much to drink and I didn't like you trying to beat up my brother."
"Yeah dammit, that Sue Ann, she shouldn't have said that to Frank. She was just trying to make me jealous. Tell ya what, you let me dance with that pretty little thing you brought tonight and I'll accept your apology."
Howard turned to Gail and grinned, "Hey man, that's up to the lady. Gail, do you want to dance with this man?"
Billy turned to Gail, gave her a gallant bow and asked, "Gail, may I have this dance?"
Shaking, as she had never shaken before, she took Billy's hand and followed him, telling him she was just learning and he responded, "Then you have come to the right place. I'm the best dancer in this joint."
When Billy took her back to the table, he leaned over and said to Howard, "Man, you better marry this 'un, or I'll have to ask her myself."
