Stranded in Oasis Page 7

  For the rest of the month, Max kept busy assisting Gator, and sometimes his alternate personality, Hank, with repairs around the park. On the last Friday of the month, he made the mistake of entering the clubhouse, only to be recruited into decorating it for the evening's "hoedown" as Lilac called it. Goody was already there handing strands of lights to Hank to tack near the ceiling, and Mrs. Hightower was arguing with Lilac about how large the dance floor should be. Lilac turned to Max. "Well, we'll let you decide. Do you want the chairs aligned around the dance floor here?" She pointed, and then stepped two feet out. "Or here?"

  Max glanced at Mrs. Hightower's dour expression and sighed. "If we have a big turn out, it's better to be safe than sorry. Let's go for the bigger dance floor."

  Before Mrs. Hightower could voice her opposition, he rushed to the other side of the room. He'd let Lilac deal with her. Over the past few days, after gaining Goody's insight, he'd come to the realization that altercations had brought Mrs. Hightower out of a deep depression. According to Goody, the woman had retreated into her home and rarely left it after the death of her only child a few months back. He'd been a military lifer and suffered a heart attack while at his desk at Camp Pendleton in California. Max remembered seeing pictures of a man in military attire when he'd visited the woman. The pictures had been placed so as to showcase the soldier over many years. The first ones were of a fresh-faced military graduate, and the last, a middle-aged, distinguished gentleman in full military dress posing in a salute for the camera.

  Before he could dart out the door, Goody called and asked for his help in untangling some lights. Sighing, Max joined the older man, accepted a strand, and set about helping the motley crew of workers. While he disentangled lights, he thought about Pilar. Her cousin had towed her car to his shop the day after it "gave up the ghost" as Pilar had phrased it, and Max had secretly gone to visit. When he'd inquired about the vehicle, Kade had given him a questioning look and then shrugged. "It's a pile of crap and should have been sent to its final resting place in the junkyard a year ago."

  "What does it need?"

  "Everything, but Pilar doesn't have the funds for that and neither do I. If I did, I'd have replaced the motor and transmission already."

  Without hesitation, Max said, "Replace whatever it needs and send me the bill."

  Kade leaned against Pilar's car. "I can tell you right now she's not going to go for it."

  "That's why I'm asking you not to tell her. By the time she figures out why her car is running so well, it'll be too late for her to do anything."

  Kade studied Max's face and asked, "You and her got something going on?"

  "No. We're just friends."

  Kade looked skeptical, but didn't respond. "Okay. She's going to give us both hell, but if this piece of shit car ends up in my garage one more time, I'm going to light it on fire."

  Returning his attention to untangling light strands, Max suppressed a grin while thinking about Pilar's ire when she discovered her car was permanently repaired. Just that morning, Kade had informed Max that the repairs on her vehicle were complete and he was going to deliver it during the dance and surprise her. Max must have let his anticipation show because Goody commented, "You're lookin' like the cat who found the cream, Max. Want to share what's up."

  Max patted the old man on the back. "No, but let's just say it makes me feel good."

  Goody handed Max another ball of lights to untangle. Willie entered the room and Max called him over. "Son, I have a job for you."

  "Yes, sir!"

  He handed him the lights. "Untangle these for Goody." Max winked at Willie and escaped outside. After checking the status on a few more repair projects, he headed to the diner.

  The smell of this week's lunch special, chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, both smothered in gravy, with green beans and fresh baked bread, greeted him. Slipping into his favorite booth, he waited for Pilar to take his order.

  The diner was busy and he leaned back, enjoying a few minutes relaxation. He closed his eyes.

  "A penny for your thoughts," said a familiar voice.

  He opened his eyes and grinned at Pilar. She had her hair stuffed under a pink ball cap turned backwards and looked cute as hell.

  "I escaped the preparations for tonight's dance so I could enjoy that chicken fried steak. What's the special next week?"

  Pilar's eyes lit and Max's heart somersaulted. "It's roast beef, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. And the bread is Princess's famous cornbread."

  "Sounds heavenly. So she used to work here?"

  "Yep. Back in the day. She still helps out now and again. She's quite the go-getter. It's only been a couple of years since she stopped working fulltime. She said she wanted to experience new things. I've watched her take up sketching and painting, writing, gardening, pottery making, and various marshal arts."

  Max gave Pilar a questioning look. "Not many marshal arts studios around here."

  Pilar laughed. "She's done everything through DVDs. However, I think she's finally decided to experience life first hand, and that's why she hired you."

  "I think there's more to her hiring me than meets the eye. Somehow my grandfather is involved."

  "I love a good mystery. Maybe they were lovers. But perhaps the best way to solve the mystery is to come right out and ask Princess when she returns."

  "I've already tried. She told me to ask my grandfather."

  Pilar shrugged. "Well, secrets have a way of not staying secret."

  Max thought about his part in repairing her car and grinned.

  She misunderstood his grin and said, "Now, Mr. Rutherford, I'm guessing that smile is because you're about to order the lunch special."

  "Very astute, Ms. Armstrong."

  Chapter 13: Country Two-Step

  At seven-thirty, Max knew he couldn't forestall his appearance at the How Do-Ya-Do Mixer any longer. He wore dress slacks and a pale blue pin-striped shirt that he'd rolled the sleeves up on. He wanted to appear casual and he figured the rolled sleeves did that. He wore Prada loafers with a matching belt.

  Sighing, Max wondered if Pilar and Willie had already left for the dance. He decided to knock on their door. There was no answer. The sun had almost set when he reached the recreation room located in the center of the park. Muffled laughter could be heard above the whirring of an ancient air conditioner.

  Bracing himself, Max reached for the doorknob, but it was suddenly burst open by a boy Max had yet to meet. The boy was followed by Willie. Willie grinned. "Howdy, Mr. Rutherford. This party was a great idea!"

  Max smiled at the child's enthusiasm. "I can't take credit for it. You need to express your thanks to Lilac, Goody, and Vera."

  "I sure will. But Mom said it was your idea to have get-togethers once a month. So I think I should thank you, too."

  "I appreciate that, Willie."

  Willie glanced at the boy waiting for him. "Mr. Rutherford, this is my friend Caleb. He just got here from Texas. His dad works as a wrangler in the summertime and Caleb travels with him."

  Max stuck his hand out toward Caleb. "Nice to meet you, Caleb. What's your dad do when he's not wrangling?

  "Oh, he's a teacher."

  Are you and your dad going to stay in the trailer park?"

  "No, sir. We're boondocking just off the wilderness road. I come over to say hi to Willie and he invited me to the party."

  "Well, enjoy yourself, boys."

  Willie said, "I'm takin' Caleb back to my place to see all the baseball stuff I got since last summer." Willie grabbed Caleb's arm. "Come on." He called over his shoulder as they ran away, "See ya, Mr. Rutherford."

  Max chuckled at the boy's fixation on baseball and entered the rec room. He almost rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing clearly. The room had been transformed by colorful streamers and tiny white lights. The overhead fluorescents were off and a magical atmosphere surrounded the dancers moving to the notes of a slow country tune. Young adults snuggled, while older ones did
some fancy steps and dips. Just about everyone wore jeans, cowboy shirts, boots, and cowboy hats. Max chuckled when he thought about his greenhorn attire.

  "There you are," said Vera. Max inwardly groaned. What was the woman going to complain about now? She smiled and said, "So far, the dance has turned out to be better than I expected. My boy loved western dances, and what a fine figure he always made in his military attire." She reached to brush a tear at the corner of one eye.

  Max said with sincerity, "Thank you for making this night a success, Vera."

  The old woman smiled sadly and then pointed across the room. "Oh, there's Lilac. I told her we needed more sherbet for the punch, but she wouldn't listen. It's a good thing I bought extra and stored it in my fridge. I think I'll just mosey on over and let her know she needs to take my advice for the next gathering." She started to walk away, but turned back around. "Oh, and one more thing; when do I get paid?"

  Max hid a grin. "The first of every month, Mrs. Hightower; when rent is due."

  She winked. "You're one smart business man."

  Max watched her strut toward Lilac. He could see the other woman's ire when Mrs. Hightower started talking.

  Max scanned the crowd for Pilar. Finally, he saw her in the midst of the dancers. She was being twirled by the cook of Desert Princess Diner. The two of them were laughing and Max chuckled. For being so rotund, Manuel was certainly agile.

  The song ended and the couple Lilac had hired as emcees moved from the dance floor to a small platform. Clyde Cooper picked up a microphone and said in a resonant voice, "It's time to get this party rolling and cut-a-rug with a line dance. You lovebirds can snuggle again, later." He made a motion across the room and Max turned to see Clyde's wife, Cora, flip on the lights.

  The garishness of florescent tubes lit the room. A few people groaned, but others laughed and began forming two lines. Max felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Pilar pulling him toward the dance floor.

  He protested, "Ah, I have two left feet, and I know nothing about country western dancing."

  Her cheeks dimpled and his heart kicked. With those dimples, he'd do anything for her.

  She replied, "That's what makes it all the more fun!"

  Max allowed her to lead him to the center of the closest line and then she took a spot directly across from him. On his right, Gator was paired off with a gal Max had seen occasionally eating in the diner, but had never met. Farther down the line, Goody and Pinky took their places. Several residents nodded or smiled at Max and he felt a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced since his father was alive. He shook the feeling off. There was no way he would allow himself to become attached to this town and its residents.

  Cora joined Clyde on the platform and he called out in a singsong voice, "Yee Haw. How about a dosey doe?"

  Pilar laughed. "Just follow what the caller says. That's the basics of line dancing."

  Max grinned. "What if I don't understand the language?"

  "Just imitate me. I'll teach you as we go."

  Cora punched a button on their portable sound system and upbeat country music blared forth. Clyde yelled instructions and Max fumbled through the dance by copying Pilar, and then laughed when Clyde yelled, "Ace of Diamonds, Jack of Spades, meet your partner and all promenade."

  Everyone suddenly turned and the partners held hands in a strange configuration. Max finally got the hang of it when he grasped Pilar's left hand that she held palm down in front of him, and he put his right hand on her right hand that she held near her hip. Of course, by the time he'd figured it out, the line was moving away from them and toward the outer edges of the dance floor. The dance ended with everyone laughing and clapping, and when Cora called, "Ready for an encore!" Max grabbed Pilar's hand and pulled her toward the refreshment table.

  She giggled. "Don't tell me that Ruthless Rutherford has met his match in country and western dancing."

  Max grinned. "Ruthless Rutherford? Now who might have coined that phrase."

  "Why me, of course."

  "And is that how you still think of me?"

  "Not so much. But I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of your wrath."

  "That will never happen. Now, may I pour you some punch and offer you a cookie?"

  Using a southern belle accent, Pilar said, "That would be right kind of yah, surh."

  Max bowed gallantly and then ladled punch for Pilar. He handed her a plate of cookies. She said, "I hope we're sharing these cookies, Max, because I don't need more pounds added to my backside."

  Max wanted to inform Pilar that she had a great backside, but refrained. He didn't want her thinking he was checking her out, which, of course, he often was. He pointed across the room to a couple of empty chairs. "Would you like to sit there?"

  "Yes. Lead the way, surh."

  Max and Pilar skirted the dance floor to the chairs. Munching cookies and sipping punch, they laughed and commented on the dancers who had now formed circles and were doing some fancy footwork. Gator and his partner were very adept and Max said so.

  Pilar laughed, "Yep, Gator is an expert dancer, but Hank trips over his own feet."

  Max's curiosity got the best of him. "What's his story? Don't get me wrong, they're both great guys and appear harmless, but it's a little disconcerting to meet Gator one day and Hank the next."

  "Or Hank one minute and Gator the next. That happened to me once at the diner. Gator didn't like what Hank ordered."

  Max leaned back and eyed Pilar with incredulity.

  She sighed. "I don't know the whole story, but from what I've gleaned, Hank is the original personality and Gator came into being to counter Hank's horrific childhood. His mother died when he was a kid and he was raised by a super intelligent father. His dad worked for the military in designing stealth systems. According to Princess, the boy never had the smarts of his dad and his father severely beat him because he was average. You may have noticed he walks with a slight limp. Princess said it's from a fractured leg that never healed properly."

  Throughout Pilar's explanation, Max had remained silent, but now he cursed. "Damn, I had no idea. What kind of person would do something like that?"

  Pilar said softly, "I don't understand it myself, but wait until you hear the rest of the story."

  Max wasn't sure he wanted to hear it.

  Pilar continued, "When Hank was eighteen he ran away from home and somehow ended up in Oasis. Personally, I think it was divine intervention because Oasis isn't exactly on the radar of most folks."

  Max silently agreed.

  "Anyway, he came to Desert Princess Diner and applied for a job. Princess said she could see right away that the young man, still a boy in some respects, was hungry, scared, and lonely. She told him she'd try him out as a busboy, and if he worked out, she'd hire him fulltime. The way Princess tells it, Hank was so clumsy he dropped about as many dishes as he cleaned off the tables, but she didn't have the heart to let him go." Pilar smiled. "That woman's heart is pure gold."

  Max was on the edge of his seat waiting to hear the conclusion of the story.

  Pilar glanced across the room at Hank/Gator. "Anyway, the second week of his employment, Gator showed up. Of course, at that time, Princess didn't know about his duel personalities and tried to fathom the change in him. She said he was the friendliest and the best worker she'd ever hired. That lasted a few days and then Hank returned. After a month of this, she confronted Hank, who was really Gator, and asked him what the heck was going on."

  Pilar paused in the telling of her story when the lights suddenly dimmed. Over the microphone, Clyde told everyone to grab a partner because he was about to start another snuggle tune. He said he and Cora were going to cozy up on the dance floor, too. Pilar sighed, "Clyde and Cora have been married for over forty years and still act like newlyweds."

  Max wanted to hear the conclusion to Hank's story. "So what happened when Princess confronted Gator?"

  In the muted light, Pilar turned back to face Max and smiled s
adly. When Princess demanded to know what was going on, Gator just laughed and said, "I'm helpin' Hank out. That boy couldn't find his head if he was holdin' it in his hands. That's what his daddy done to him'."

  Max saw a glint of tears in Pilar's eyes. He waited for her to conclude her story.

  "Princess said she'd read about multiple personalities and she wondered if that's what was happening to Hank. She said she'd suspected the boy had been abused. At the time Hank arrived in Oasis, about ten years ago, there was a retired psychologist living here—he's dead now—and Princess approached him about Hank. He agreed to meet if Hank was willing."

  Max reached to hold Pilar's hand. "Was he?"

  "Yes." Pilar tightened her hold on Max's hand. "Princess told me that according to the psychologist, Hank had been the victim of such terrible physical agony and emotional anguish that Gator was created to help bear the load. Seems Gator has access to Hank's mind, but Hank doesn't have access to Gator's. With Princess's help, the doctor revealed to Hank that he had an alternate personality. Princess said Hank was tickled by it."

  "What?" Max exclaimed softly.

  "She said Hank told her and the doc he was beginning to think he was crazy 'cause he kept losing track of time. Sometimes he couldn't remember the previous day."

  Max chuckled, "Well, that's a new take on multiple personality disorder—being happy with the diagnosis."

  "Yeah. Hank said his alternate personality doesn't bother him at all. He just wishes he could communicate with him."

  "So, he's been here for ten years. It looks like he's found his home."

  Pilar blew a breath. "I haven't told you the entire story."

  Max bent his head until he could stare into Pilar's eyes. The room was dim, but he could see compassion radiating from her expression. He waited for her to continue the saga.

  "About the time I moved here—five years ago—Hank went to Princess and said he wanted her to accompany him in locating his father. He wanted to tell him he forgave him."

  Still staring into Pilar's eyes, Max frowned.

  She puffed another breath. "Princess agreed, but Gator didn't. He became very vocal about it, but Hank was persistent. Finally, Gator relented and off they went. The father wasn't difficult to find. Hank returned to the house he'd been raised in and it was boarded up. A neighbor said the man had suffered a stroke and was in a convalescent hospital, but didn't know which one. A few phone calls located him and Hank returned to his only family member, someone who had abused him terribly. Princess said that when they walked into the hospital room she could tell the man was in a bad way. He could move his eyes, but he couldn't talk. She said Hank pulled a chair up to his bedside and reached for his father's hand. While holding it, he simply said, 'I forgive you, because if I don't, you will always have control over me, even after you die. So, Dad, you are forgiven'."