The crying woman.. Chapter one to three.

 A story found in a dream. For Cheryl. Dear lady midnight. You are not forgotten. 

                                The crying woman- Chapter one.

I was a soldier for almost 15 years. I saw everything a man could see. My feet touched four continents and I drank in forty countries and danced the fool, in most. This isn’t my story. The Devil dance, I knew and I did. This is a story about a woman, this is her story.  I met her six times in Reno, Nevada in a three year period. I called her the crying woman. On my first trip from Michigan to Monterey, I stopped in Reno and I found food and the Best Western hotel. I remember the first time I met the woman. The darkest eyes, the saddest face and she was crying quietly into a Bloody Mary. I sat next to her and I asked her. Are you alright honey. She turned to me  and she had perfect ginger hair flowing freely to her deep shoulders and she wore a black dress. Her skin was pale and her voice unsteady. She answered me. I am okay kind soldier and she reached over and she touched my high and tight haircut. She asked me. What are you doing in the Devil’s den? What are you doing in Reno. I told her. I am on my way to Monterey, California. I left the war and I got lucky. I have the sea and California now to see. She laughed at my words and she whispered. I wish I could touch the California soil again. I left Sacramento three years ago. Reno had my soul now.
I asked her. why can’t you go to Sacramento now. Just over the mountain. She smiled and she told me. If you are lucky, I will tell you the saddest story ever told. Once I was too brave, too foolish and I thought life would be okay for me. Soldier, in the Devil’s den. Please don’t listen to the quiet whispers in Reno and if you hear a crying woman, leave her be. If you find her. She would give you everything and she will take everything from her. My name is Carolina and what is your name? I told her Johnnie from Michigan. We drank till midnight and she followed me to my room. She stripped down to bra and panties. I laid with her fully dressed and she fell asleep. I held her closely and I caressed her face. She was a beauty once, now lifelines on her face and neck told her story. I fell asleep and when I awoke. She was gone and she left me with 13 pages written on the table near the door. I begin to read the words.
Page one.
I came to Reno in 1991. I needed to rest. I left my daughter and family in Sacramento to find a new job in Ohio. I saw the bright lights of the Best western and I got a room. I had bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker and I was so damn sad. I drank the whiskey and I watched the late night television. I was almost asleep and I hear someone crying. I went to my hotel door and I opened the door. I followed the voice and I saw. A young woman, maybe 25 years old. She was crying alone and I went to her. I asked her. Are you okay? She looked up and she told me. Please honey, don’t listen to the Devil’s promises. He will promise you everything and make you believe. He is the savior of your life. In the Devil’s den, Reno. You can find hell fire and sin only. Please don’t leave your room till the morning sunrise. The woman stood up, her red dress and tearful black eyes slowly walked away from me. I yelled to her. Where are you going? I received a silence answer.
I went back to my room and I was hungry. I found snacks and booze in the small fridge. I took four cheese and crackers packages out. I slowly ate them and I thought of the sad face and the feeling of misery in the crying woman. I wonder why she told me to stay away from the Devil? I didn’t believe in God or the Devil. I knew life was hard and my life is getting harder. I left my baby girl with her grandmother to seek a good paying job in Ohio. Maybe I made the wrong decision? I couldn’t sleep and I decided to wander into the city of Reno. It was low seventies and the stars were so many in the sky tonight. I pray to the moon. Please allow me to do one thing right in my life. I found a coffee house open, the Lestat’s cafe. I went in and I ordered a black coffee and I sat alone in the corner. The coffee house was empty and I watched the night people walking the city. I wondered where they were going? I almost fell asleep and I felt eyes upon me. I looked-up and I saw a man with the bluest eyes and tall. He asked me. Why is a beautiful woman sitting alone in Reno? That is a sin in this city. No-one is alone in the Devil’s den. I laughed at his words and he smiled and he told me. Be careful for what you wish for. No gifts given, no wish received don’t demand payment. Promises made are promises made to be broken.
I laughed at his words and he asked me. What are you seeking dear Carolina? I smell the odor of disappointment and confusion. Maybe I can help?

 You don’t find hell. Hell find you. 

                          The crying woman.. Chapter two…

I put down the first page and I wondered why Carolina left the 13 sheets of paper for me to read. I noticed on the second page. She wrote a note for me in the left-hand corner. . She wrote. If you read the first page, I appreciate. I know who you are Johnnie. You have seen the Devil face often and he disliked your face and mind. I felt the strength in you and I saw your writer’s journal. I need someone to remember me. I wasn’t strong enough and I hope you read my words. Maybe show someone and save them. Tell the people. No free money and no free gifts. We will pay for everything we received in threefold. The Devil loved weak people. With love and kindness- Carolina. I read the second page.

Page two….

I wondered how he knew my name and I was afraid. He was a large man and his eyes stared through me. I felt he was adding me up and I didn’t like it. I asked him. Who are you? How do you know my name? He smiled and he pointed at my coffee cup. I read your name on your coffee cup and I relaxed some. He told me, my name is Marcello, part time writer and full time recruiter for a large company. I am always seeking talent. I remembered the crying woman warning me about the people in Reno. I  told him, that is very cool and I must go. I must leave early in the morning and I have many miles to travel. He gave me a twisted smile and he told me. Nice to had met you dear Carolina. Enjoy your time in Reno. He walked away from me and I felt safe again. I went back to the hotel and I fell asleep very quickly. The Hotel clerk gave me a 10 am wake-up call. I wanted to be on the road by 11 am. I wanted to drive 8 hours, at least today. I dressed quickly and  packed my bags. I wandered to the free breakfast, drank some coffee and some donuts. I went to my car and I loaded my bags and I tried to start my car. The car starter struggled and the car stayed silence. I begin to cry. I didn’t have the money to repair the car.

I left the car in the parking lot and I walked to the coffee shop. I ordered a black coffee and I didn’t know what to do. My mother was struggling and she was taking care of my child. I had no-one to call. My ex-husband left me for a new woman and I hadn’t talk to him in years. I felt eyes on me again. Marcello was near and he asked. Are you okay dear Carolina? I looked at him, knowingly, he knew I was desperate. I asked what kind of jobs are you recruiting for? He gave me a devil grin and he told me. We are looking for pretty women, who are fearless and strong. They must have confident and can control any situation. We want women, who will do what is necessary to get things done right. She remembered the crying woman and she asked. What must I do? Can I make a living and survive? Not be killed or hurt? He whispered. No-one hurt my women. I told him, I have a degree in business. Please allow me to think about it. He smiled and he told me okay.

I  had enough money for another day at the Best Western and I went to my room undressed and showered. I stood nude in front  of the mirror. I told the mirror. I still look good. My eyes wandered my face, my long legs and my full breasts. I don’t want to sell my soul, my body. I don’t. Marcello was scary and I knew. In Reno, more dirt than clean people. I read the want-adds. No jobs with proper pay. I thought of my daughter and my mother. I sat on the bed and I cried. I told the white walls. What do I do? I took a four hour nap and awoke hungry.  I dressed in my best dress. I loved the black dress and I put on my red shoes. I didn’t need make-up and I lightly coated my lips with some red lipsticks. I stood in the front of the mirror and I smiled. I told myself. I still look good. I left the hotel and I went to the coffee shop and I ordered a black coffee. I knew he would come.

The crying woman

I put down the second page and her words took me back to a kind woman I knew in 1986-1987. Her name was Cheryl, she came to Reno in late 1987 and they found her dead body. Murdered. No-one knew Cheryl story. What she been doing and how she was living. The Reno’s police department saw a nude whore and they didn’t investigate. Few cried tears for her. I cared for her once. She was in a hell-bound marriage and she would find me. I could make her laugh and smile. We would fine hidden motels. Dance, kiss and make love. She asked me often. Johnnie, do you love me. I would answer her. Can I? She left Michigan in late 1987 and she left no good-byes to anyone. I knew she gave-up. She had nothing to lose. I did pray for her and I hope she found a better place to be. I came to Reno in 1988 and no-one knew her name. The address of her home, no-one knew her face, her voice or her appearance. She became another lost soul in the city of sin. Maybe the crying lady Carolina saw?

I begin to read page three.

He was timely and he was well-dressed. His face seem larger and he held a solid smile. He asked me. Dear Carolina, did you decide to accept my offer? I looked at him hard  and I told him. I can’t accept a offer where they isn’t one to accept. You told me, a job opportunity? His smile faded away and he told me. I need women who have little to lose and a lot to gain. Here in Reno, The Devil’s den. People want everything and they want nothing. What do you want Carolina? She thought of her daughter and her mother. The broken down car and she told him. I need everything. He handed her a envelope and he told her. There is money, description of need and safe place to meet. His name is written and please check his I.D. Many liars in the city of sin. You will learn women and men are odd. They want what they can’t have and they are willing to pay heavy money to know and taste pleasure. A lonely and desperate world we live in dear Carolina. I shook my head in agreement and he tossed twenty down on the table for payment of my coffee. He smiled came back and he told me. You are young, beautiful and a innocence still in your voice, your walk and in your mind. You will fit in Reno, properly dear Carolina. I feel your strength and your willingness to succeed. He took my hand and he held my hand firmly. He asked me. Do we have a deal Carolina? I told him, yes we do Marcello.

I ordered more coffee and I opened the envelope. It held ten hundred dollar bills, a address and a man name. Marcello wrote he want conversation. Be on time, six pm and  be well-dressed, smell good and be happy. Your room is paid-for at the Best Western, same room and you will receive a daily assignment. Please enjoy the your stay in Reno. A pleasure to have met you.

Johnnie/Coyote