Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:43:45 -0800 (PST) From: John Michaels Subject: Filipino Love - Chapter 39 FILIPINO LOVE BY JM Email: mmanlookin@yahoo.com Disclaimers and other info: see chapter one This story is my personal intellectual property and, as such, may not be reproduced in any form without my written consent. This and subsequent chapters are dedicated to my own Filipino Love! CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Once we were all past security and inside the store, Lorenzo once again took over. He knew what I was looking for and led us to the phone section. They had quite an array of just about every type of phone imaginable, but we zeroed in on the satellite phones. Even here, there was a fair selection with all kinds of different calling plans available. Some were rather bulky, obviously meant to endure the rigors of hiking and exploring in very remote regions of the world, and some were so ridiculously priced that it made you wonder if there was anyone in their right mind who would even buy one! Lorenzo and I looked over the display, and he pointed one out that looked like it would be just what we needed. It fit comfortably in the hand, and didn't have an overabundance of buttons and gadgets to confuse the user. It was reasonably priced, considering, and had several available calling plans, one of which seemed to me would be perfect for Ronni to be able to call me anytime he needed or wanted to. While Lorenzo went off in search of a salesperson, I pointed out the phone to Ronni. "Why do you need a cel like that?" he asked, clearly not realizing yet that this was for him. "One of these other phones is much cheaper and will work anywhere in the country." "I need one of these, my clueless love, because it's not going to be for me. It's for you." "But one of these others will work just as well," he argued. "I don't need a fancy phone like that to talk and text with my friends." "You're right, if that was all you were going to be using it for," I said, stringing him along. Then I decided to end the agony. "But you will need one like this so you can call me any time in the US." His eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas before realizing the reason for needing such a phone. Wrapping his arms around me he started to cry. I held onto to him for dear life, my tears joining his. "I don't want to have to need this phone," he sobbed. "I want you with me always so I never need this." "I know, Darling," I said, stroking his back. "I don't want to need this either, but we both know I have to go back to the US for a while to finish my school and pack so I can move here to be with you always." He hugged me tighter, realizing the reality we'd soon be facing, but his sobs slowly diminished, although we didn't break our embrace. "I see he knows why we're here," said Lorenzo compassionately, putting his hand on Ronni's shoulder. He had returned with a salesman, who was standing a few feet away, respecting our private moment. Lorenzo must have told him what was going on, and he was giving us our space. Just for that consideration, I knew I'd be giving this guy a generous tip. We stepped apart a bit but kept our arms around each other, and looked into each other's eyes. Taking the thumb of my right hand, I gently rubbed the tears from his cheeks. "Everything will be ok, Love," I told him. "It's going to be hard for both of us to be apart after this wonderful time we've had. But remember, you waited four years for me to come along, and during that time, you prepared yourself for what you knew and what I now also know is going to be a long and happy life of love together. Both you and I can use this time to do all the final things we each need to do to be able to devote the rest of our lives to each other. In a way, we both need to be able to close out our old lives to be able to live our new life together. When I come back in a few weeks, we'll never again have to be apart unless one or the other of us needs it, and I can't really see that ever happening. You have your wonderful family, who I know will take extra special care of you. You have two great friends in Mario and Paulo who love you like a brother, and you also have people like Lorenzo, here, and Josie who also care a great deal for you and will do what they can to make things easier while I'm away. You'll also have school and your friends there, your soccer...sorry!...football to help take up your time. You'll see. The time will go by more quickly than you think. And with this phone, we can talk every day, and I'm also getting you a computer you can use not only for school, but we'll download Skype so we can have a video chat and see each other. I'll do anything I can to make this time apart better for both of us." "You take such good care of me," he said with a sigh. "I know in my head that all you say is true. It's just that my heart doesn't agree with my head. Even with all my friends and family, I know I'm still going to feel all alone. I won't feel like a whole person until you come back to stay. I don't know how much of a friend I will be to those here. I'm going to be too busy feeling miserable and sorry for myself, but I will try my best." He gave me a small smile that I noticed didn't quite reach his eyes, but God bless him! He was trying so hard. I hugged him again, then said we'd better get on with what we came here for. The salesman was looking on with a sad smile that indicated he knew a bit of what was going on, and he had made no attempt to interrupt or walk away with impatience. His tip was growing by the minute. We were finally ready and called him over. He was very kind and started off by saying he knows how hard it is to be apart from loved ones. He told us that his wife was a nurse who was currently getting training in the US, and that she'd been gone for three months now, leaving him with their three small children while she pursued the training that would increase her income and standing in her profession when she returned. He then got down to business and pointed out all the features of the phone that we were interested in. He showed Ronni how to operate it and the several features it had. We discussed calling plans, and I finally settled on one that had unlimited calling and texting both locally and internationally for a very reasonable price, all things considered. We selected the needed accessories and headed off to look at computers. Our salesman excused himself, saying that each department had their own specific salespersons, and even though he was quite knowledgeable about them, his area was phones only. I thanked him profusely and slipped him a 1000 peso note when I shook his hand. He started to protest, but I insisted, and he finally yet with genuine reluctance accepted it. He said he would meet us at checkout with our purchase when we were ready. I thanked him again, and we turned our attention to getting a computer. Lorenzo guided us to the computer section, and I was blown away! I had never seen so many different brands and kinds of computers in my life!! This section appeared to take up more than half the store! There were instantly recognizable brands and even more with names I had never heard of that were probably only found in this part of the world. I knew basically what I wanted to get for Ronni, so I told Lorenzo. He went off scouting for the ubiquitous salesperson while Ronni and I continued to look around. We both zeroed in on the laptops and were each looking at one when Lorenzo returned with a saleswoman in tow. She looked like a no-nonsense type with an apparent personality of a bowl of plain rice and a face like a bagful of assholes. First impressions can be wrong, so I decided to hold judgment until meeting her. The first words out of her mouth before even reaching us were to tell Ronni to get his hands off the computers and to stop pawing them. Immediate alarm bells in my head! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lorenzo scurry off, hopefully to locate the manager. In the meantime, I decided to deal with Ms Bitch. "Do you have a problem with the customer checking out something he intends to buy?" I asked, my voice very tight. "Not at all," she replied tersely. "But these are sensitive and expensive machines and are not to be pawed by children." "Is that so?" I retorted. "Even when the child is the one the computer is for?" "I only sell to adults," she huffed, clearly not liking to have her perceived authority rattled. "What happens to the machine when it leaves here is none of my concern. While they are still in the store, it is my concern." At this moment, Lorenzo returned with a harried-looking man I assumed to be the manager. "What seems to be the problem here, Ms Zafra?" he asked the clerk. "This child was mishandling some delicate equipment, and I put a stop to it," she said smugly, squaring her shoulders, feeling that support had arrived. "Is this so?" he asked me. "That is definitely not true," I replied, trying like hell to keep my anger in check and from bitch-slapping this harridan. "We were simply checking out the features of the model we were interested in buying for my young friend here, and she started accusing him of...what was the word you used? (this to the Ms Bitch)...Oh, yes. Pawing the machine. She told me she only sells to adults, not children. I was frankly seriously considering going elsewhere where we could find more respect!" With a heavy sigh, the manager turned to her. "Is what this gentleman said correct?" he asked icily. Bitch Lady began to look decidedly uncomfortable, realizing that she may not be getting the managerial support she thought she would. "Well, umm," she stammered. "Is what this gentleman said correct or not?" said the manager, his voice getting louder. "A simple `yes' or `no' is all that is required." "Well, yes, but you see..." she began, but got no further, as the manager cut her off. "This is the third time this week something very similar to this has happened," he said, through clenched teeth. "Go to my office immediately and wait for me." "But sir, this child..."she started to say before being cut off once again by the manager. "Not another word from you!" he seethed. "Into my office, NOW!!!" He was clearly pissed at this point, and gathering as much of her shredded dignity as she could around her, Ms Bitch slunk off to the office. Once she was gone, the manager turned back to us. "I can't apologize enough for the way you were treated by one of my staff," he said sadly. "And as you heard me say, this is the third time this week she has caused a problem. She has been nothing but a major headache since she transferred in here from another of our stores a few weeks ago. I assure you that I will deal with her severely. No business can afford to loose paying customers, and her actions have caused several to walk out, and those are only the ones that I know of. It sounds like would have left also. I'm so sorry, and would certainly not blame you if you did." "Thank you for helping us," said Ronni, jumping in first once again while I tried to get my seething anger under control. "This is the second unpleasant incident within the mall today, and each time, the managers have been very kind and helpful." "Oh, God!" moaned the manager. "I received an email from the mall manager just a short while ago telling about a very unpleasant incident that occurred between a mall entertainer and a young man. We've been asked to extend every possible courtesy to him and his two adult companions. Please tell me that isn't you!!" "I'm afraid it is us," I finally managed to say. "Other than your salesman in the phone department, our total shopping experience here today has not been very pleasant. He, at least, knows how to treat his customers." I was still pissed, and as manager, he should have better control over his clerks, although he was at least trying to make things right. "Oh, shit!" he exclaimed, softly but very clearly, wiping his hand across his face. Realizing his slipped expletive, he blushed and looked at me apologetically. "Sorry for that slip-up. I'm not someone who usually uses those words, but having to deal with Ms Zafra after your horrendous ordeal earlier, I feel terrible that you had to deal with her abusive mouth in my store. The memo I received, and, according to the cc addendum, every store in this mall has also received, has ordered us to offer every courtesy to you. It also mentioned the debit card and that it was to be honored without question. Because of all you have had to endure today, I want you to have whatever you planned to purchase free of any charge, including any and all software and accessories. Please accept this, young man, along with my deepest and most sincere apologies. And my apologies to you two gentlemen as well." I was expecting some sort of restitution, but this man's offer blew me away. And yet again, before I found my voice, Ronni was there before me. "Thank you, sir," he said politely, "but that isn't necessary. We already have the card from the mall manager with way more than we need today. Your most sincere apology is more than enough." Incredible!! This kid is just fucking amazing!! "I agree with Ronni," I said. "You were most sincere in your apology and will be dealing with Ms Zafra on our behalf and the behalf of others. That is more than enough." "I'm sorry, but I will not back down on this one," he said with a warm smile. "I stand by what I said, and to make sure that it is taken care of as I said, I will meet you personally at checkout. End of discussion! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll find you a salesperson who will treat you right. I also need to have a few words with Ms Zafra." Shaking hands all around, the manager walked off hurriedly while we just all sort of looked at each other and shrugged. "You know," said Lorenzo, "it amazes me to see the different levels of personalities in this place. In just a short time, we've seen the very best and the very worst, but it looks like there are more good than bad here." "You're so right," I agreed, putting my arm around Ronni's shoulder and pulling him to my side. His arm immediately went around my waist, and he rested his head on my shoulder. Just then, who should appear but the salesman from phones who had been so helpful and pleasant. "Small world," I said to him, smiling. "It is indeed," he said, smiling back. His smile faded as he continued, "My manager told me briefly of your unpleasant experience with one of the staff here and asked if I would assist you. All the other staff in this department are busy at the moment, and since I know this department well, he asked if I would help. So, in my best sales voice, ahem, how may I assist you today?" I really like this guy, and both Ronni and Lorenzo were laughing at his antics. He winked at both of them before turning back to me. "We're here to get a laptop for Ronni," I explained. "We would like one that he can use for school work and research as well as social networking, including Skype, so it will obviously need a built-in cam and microphone as well as a headset with mic. I'd also like it to be powerful enough to run business programs and spreadsheets, and be capable of a power point display plus the usual gaming capabilities young people are into as well as built-in WiFi." Ronni looked at me in amazement. "All that, just for me?" he asked. "Yep," I replied. "But I admit that I'll probably be using it some too. That's why the business programs. Plus, since you're my partner, you'll be learning to use those too eventually. But my main reason now is so you can use it for school, and we can have that Skype connection." "There are several models here that would suit your needs and even have room for expansions and upgrades as you find you need them beyond whatever you select today," explained our salesman. I finally got my act together and looked at his nametag, which said `Roberto'. "That sounds good to me, Roberto," I said, using his name for the first time. He seemed pleased by this and turned to point out three different machines that would meet our needs. There were two brands I recognized as having reliable reputations, and one, which I'd never heard of before. Roberto explained the merits and shortcomings of each, and it looked to me as though the unfamiliar one had the most of what we needed. My biggest concerns were possible issues with product continuity and service since it's a brand I'd never heard of. He assured me that this particular machine was one of the best-kept secrets in this part of the world, but that the company was planning to go global within the year, so that took care of those concerns. It was also helping the sales pitch that Ronni had his eye on that particular model and seemed to be quite taken with it, and it looked as if Lorenzo was in full agreement. He was practically salivating over it. "Ok," I said. "It looks like we've found our computer. Let's talk software and immediate upgrades. Lorenzo, can you think of anything I forget in my list of requirements?" "The only thing I could think of would be a memory upgrade to the maximum limit and an external hard drive for back-up," he said. "With your business just getting started, it will be important that you don't lose any vital information." "Good thinking," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. It was obvious he was eating up my praise. He's such a genuinely kind-hearted young man. I'm going to make sure to stroke his ego every chance I get without being maudlin. "By the way," I continued, tossing out what seemed to be a total non sequitor, but I had my reasons. "I don't think you ever mentioned what it is you're getting your degree in." "You're right. I don't think I did either," he replied, clearly puzzled by this change of topic. "I actually have a split major in Business Management and IT. I'm finishing up my junior year in a few weeks." He had a worried look on his face. "There's something bothering you, isn't there?" I asked. "Can you tell me what it is?" "Well, it's kind of embarrassing," he said softly. "But the money I will get driving for you will just about cover my expenses for the rest of this school year. My family doesn't have much money, so I've been paying all I can to help out. I plan to work between the end of this semester and senior year, but I don't know if I'll be able to earn enough. There are just not that many jobs that will pay what I need to earn. I may have to take off an extra year to work." "I think I may be able to help you, if you'll let me," I said. "As you know, I'm building a hotel business, and I'm going to be looking for bright, talented people to help me run it. Your course of study is exactly one of the things that I'll be looking for – two, actually. If you're willing, I'd like to hire you full time as of right now. For now, your duties would be as my driver and as local contact person if Ronni needs something here while I'm away. I don't expect you to let your studies suffer for any of this. Your school work will always come first." "That's very generous of you Phil," he replied, "but there is no way I can accept so much. Besides, you hardly know me." While Lorenzo and I had been talking, Roberto had been showing Ronni some of the basic features of the laptop. He had clearly also been keeping an ear open on our conversation, and, at this point, jumped in. "Phooey!!" he exclaimed, turning to face Lorenzo, hands on hips. "We know you plenty well! You are good and kind, and I know you care for us, especially after everything that happened today. And you always seem so happy when you're with us too." "You are correct, my friend," he said, placing his hand gently on Ronni's shoulder. "In the short time I have known you, I have become fond of all of you. You and Phil are such a joy to be around, and you have some very nice friends. But I can't accept Phil's offer. It would feel like I am taking advantage of our new friendship, and I simply will not do that or anything that would harm the friendship." "All right," I said, in my best businessman mode, putting my arm around Ronni's shoulders. His arm went immediately around my waist. "Let me present it to you this way and see if we can change your mind. I will pay all your expenses, including school, if you will continue as our driver for now and as local go-to man for Ronni while I'm away. When I get back, you will continue as our driver as your school time permits, and I will begin working with you to transition into at least a middle management position for our business. In exchange, you will promise to work exclusively for me when you graduate for a minimum of three years in whatever capacity we feel will best suit your talents and expertise. At the end of the three years, we will evaluate where things are at that time to see if you wish to continue working for me or move on to something else. Is that acceptable? Do we have a deal?" "Of course it's a deal," piped up Ronni. "He'd be an idiot for not accepting. I don't make friends with idiots, and since he's my friend, then he's not an idiot." Teen logic. Go figure! I hope it works. Lorenzo looked at Ronni and me with tears in his eyes. "How did I ever get so lucky to find such friends as you," he said. "Yes. I will accept your offer, but only on those terms." "YES!!" hollered Ronni, causing a few heads to turn in our direction. He withdrew his arm from me and threw his arms around Lorenzo. "See? I knew you weren't an idiot!" Lorenzo laughed and hugged him back. "You guys are just too much! Thank you! Thank you!!" he said. Roberto was standing aside through all this and had a bemused smile on his face. But, his time was money, so turning to him, I told him we would take two of the laptops with all the upgrades and software for both, including two external hard drives, at Lorenzo's suggestion. Realizing what I was doing, poor Lorenzo almost hit the floor in shock and probably would have if Ronni hadn't still had his arm around him. "Phil!" he exclaimed. "You can't do this! This is way too much!" "Of course he can, `cuz he's my Phil," Ronni interjected with his infallible teen logic again. Roberto started laughing, which set us all off, and it took us a few minutes for everyone to get themselves under control enough so we could conclude our business. "There's just one thing, Roberto," I said. "Your manager has made it very clear that anything we were to buy here today was to be a gift from the store after that incident with Ms Zafra coming on top of everything else that had happened to us earlier. While I will accept getting the phone and one laptop on his conditions, since that had been my original plan, I simply can't ask that the additional laptop be included, as that was not in my original plans when we came in here. That I fully insist that I pay for." "I understand what you're saying, sir," he replied, "but my manager made it very clear that even if you wished to take half the store, that there was no way we would accept money from you. He wants me to call him when we are ready to check out, since he wants to be there to be certain that his wishes are carried out. I hope you understand, sir." "Very well," I said, with a heavy sigh. "If he's that insistent, then I guess there's nothing I can do but do as he says." With that, we went about getting everything we needed to load into the computers. Roberto said it would take about an hour to complete all the upgrades and downloads, so we decided to head to the food court for something to eat while we waited, as it was now lunchtime. As we passed the checkout by the front door, we noticed Ms Zafra behind the counter. Evidently, she's taken quite a demotion and definitely didn't look too pleased. She scowled at us as we passed, and I simply smiled at her and nodded my head pleasantly. I hope that got her panties in a twist! It was almost noon as we walked into the food court, and it was fairly crowded. We saw one table being cleared toward the back and hurried to claim it. After telling us what he wanted, we left Lorenzo to hold down the fort while Ronni and I went to get our food. We had all opted for pizza, since the lines were blessedly short in that store, and we were in and out with our order quickly and went back to join Lorenzo, who appeared to be in an argument with a couple of teens. We placed our trays on the table and sat down, much to the dismay of the teens. Evidently, they felt they had more right to the table since there were two of them and only one of Lorenzo, not believing him when he told them that there were two others who were bringing the food. The boys slouched off in search of another table as we started to dig in. I didn't realize how hungry I was until taking that first bite. I had to fight with myself to not just wolf it all down. It seemed Lorenzo and Ronni were the same way, but Ronni, being a teen eating machine, couldn't seem to find the brakes as he gobbled his food ravenously. I suddenly remembered our meeting with Josie and knew we were going to be late due to the events of the morning and having to wait for the computers. Pulling out my cel phone, I called her, and she answered almost immediately. I explained about running late, and she said that it was ok, as she hadn't yet had time for lunch. This would give her time to run across the street and get a sandwich from the deli. She also reminded me that her time was free until her 4:00 appointment, so we should still have plenty of time. I disconnected and filled in the others on the slight change of plans before turning back to my pizza. We finished at a somewhat more leisurely pace than when we started once the initial carb cravings had been satisfied, although Ronni did go back for another helping, and we had 15 minutes until we had to return to pick up the computers and phone by the time we finished. After taking care of our trash, we took our time on the way back to the electronics store. One of the stores we passed was a pharmacy and Ronni stopped just outside it, and he seemed to be thinking. Then he turned to me and put his mouth close to my ear. " I think we need to get more lube," he whispered, blushing furiously. I chuckled, and gave him a quick hug. "I think you're right," I whispered back. "Now that there are two more using it, we'll be running out soon." Poor Lorenzo couldn't figure out what was going on, but neither Ronni nor I were about to enlighten him! "I'll be right back," I said to him and went into the store. I'd been buying lube for years now and was no longer embarrassed by the purchase. Hell! They sold the stuff, so they must know what it's used for and expect people to buy it. It took less than five minutes to get what we needed, pay for it and rejoin them outside the store. Ronni gave a cheeky grin when he saw me emerge with the bag in hand, and Lorenzo just kind of shrugged, as we headed back to get the electronic goodies. The one thing I'd forgotten about is having to go past security on our way in. I had to show the guard the contents of the bag, and this time, I did get embarrassed as the guard looked in the bag, chuckled and sent us on our way. We noticed Roberto and another clerk coming up to the counter with a load of boxes on a dolly, which, I can only hope, are our computers and other items. Must be, since Roberto noticed us, smiled and waved his hand at the dolly with the boxes. Ol' Sweetie Pie was still behind the counter, and the store manager was right beside her. The look on her face was one of someone who'd been sucking lemons, and it was evident she was not a happy camper, especially when she saw us approach the counter. The manager had been talking quietly to Ms Zafra, who definitely looked like she'd rather be having a root canal without anesthesia - anywhere else but here. Roberto alerted him of our approach, and when he saw us, he smiled. Noticing the sour look on the old bag, he whispered something in her ear. She looked at him with a shocked expression, and he nodded his head. She turned to us, and the corners of her mouth quivered with her effort to form a smile. She finally succeeded in creating a sort of grimace, and it looked like it was taking all her strength to do even that. The result was hilarious, and I had a hard time maintaining my composure. Ronni and Lorenzo weren't quite as successful as I heard a giggle from Ronni and a snort from Lorenzo. My stomach actually hurt from the effort not to burst out laughing, but so far, so good. Roberto had to turn his back, and I could see his shoulders shaking with silent laughter, and even the manager looked as if he was struggling to contain his mirth. I saw him gently elbow Ms Zafra in the side. "Welcome back, gentlemen," she said with obvious great effort through her tight, false smile. "Your order is ready." It looked like that was all she was going to say, but I saw another subtle nudge from the manager. She gave up all pretense of a smile and glared at him. He simply nodded his head in our direction and turned toward us, his smile still in place. But I noticed this time, his stomach was jiggling as he, too, tried to keep from laughing. With what appeared to be an enormous effort, Ms Zafra cranked on the corners of her mouth into her grimace and said, "I wish to a..." She looked at her manager in near panic. He jerked his head emphatically in our direction, and she turned to us again. "I wish to apologize for my behavior earlier. I ask your forgiveness." This was said a most rushed and stilted manner, without any attempt at sincerity, and obviously caused her enormous effort and distress. "Thank you for your apology. I know how much that must have hurt," said my boy, with a smile intentionally as insincere as hers. "While we all know that if you had the choice, you would never have apologized, I will accept it. I hope you will learn to treat other customers much better than you did us." He was really putting the screws to her, and it was too funny seeing her seethe and shake in anger to be spoken to like that by someone of Ronni's age and knowing she could do nothing about it with her manager standing right beside her. At this point, poor Roberto lost it completely, and he had to quickly walk away followed by his howling laughter, while the manager openly chuckled and Lorenzo and I both also let go. Bitchy Poo was quaking in anger, her face taking on such an angry shade of red that she looked as if she was about to stroke out. "That is it!!" she screamed. "I will not be insulted and treated like this by a snot-nosed kid and be so humiliated in public with my own manager a part of it!! I QUIT!!" With that she stormed off, presumably to get her belongings. At this, the manager was actually laughing out loud and clapping his hands with glee. "Thank you!! Thank you!!" he all but shouted, running around the counter. He grabbed Lorenzo's hand and began pumping it furiously before turning to me and giving my arm the same treatment. He paused when he got to Ronni, shrugged and gave him a huge bear hug. "You have no idea how happy you have made me! I have been wanting to fire her almost from the first day she arrived, but because of her seniority with the company, that was not possible. The only way to get rid of her was if she quit, and she did, all thanks to you! And since there were so many others around to hear her say it, there is no way she can deny she said it and keep her job. She has made our lives miserable here, and you have our undying gratitude for helping to make this happen." Just about then, the newly unemployed Ms Zafra came storming from the back of the store under a full head of steam with her coat and purse, not even acknowledging any of us as she huffed out the door and out of sight. Suddenly, we heard clapping that got louder and louder as, what looked like just about every employee in the store came toward us. Even the manager joined in! Roberto managed to work his way through the crowd with a big smile on his face. He had obviously been the one to pass the word about what was transpiring up front, and he now came to us and shook our hands. It almost turned into a receiving line as all the employees wanted the chance to shake our hands and thank us, but finally, everyone went back to work, and we finished up the paper work for our purchases. My biggest concern was that since we were essentially being given all this stuff for free, that Roberto wouldn't get any commission for a sale. The manager assured us that he would get full commission on every item, and that made me feel better. Once all the paper work was completed, Roberto followed us out the door with the dolly. Lorenzo had run on ahead to bring the car up to the loading ramp by the front door, and once he had pulled up and parked, we managed to get everything loaded into the car with little room to spare for us. When I slipped Roberto another 1000 pesos for his help, he hugged me and the others and thanked us again before heading back inside. I realized that we were going to have to drop all this stuff off at the house before going to see Josie, so I gave her a quick call to fill her in, and we headed home with spoils of our very traumatic day. At least it ended on a brighter note. This has been quite a day for the guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It took me the longest to write of all of them as I tried to create something as realistic as possible. If you're enjoying the story, please let me know. It's the only reward I get for writing it, and the only way I know if I'm doing a good job. And ladies, I'd like to hear from you too. What do you think so far? And if all of you want to continue to enjoy this and other stories for free, please help out the folks at Nifty keep it that way with your contribution in any amount. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Thanks!!