Highway 40 west stories. Chapter 11-12.

Highway 40 west stories. Chapter 11.  New friends

Lana sat quietly for awhile. I like that she was thinking things over. She pushed the empty pie plate away and she told me. After our grand adventures today. I want us to go dancing. I want to have some fun. I have been going to school for 16 years and I need a break. I left my father five years ago and I didn’t know he was fighting cancer till the end. I didn’t have enough time for him. He worked and saved for me, sis and brothers to have degrees. Why didn’t I notice him dying?

I told her. I would do the same. Some sickness hit you quickly and fast. You do not want pity. I like the old Native American way. I would built be a bridge between two trees and wait for death. Lana gave me a look of “I was crazy.” She said. You don’t live in ancient times where there are no cures or medicine for healing. I smiled at her gentle rage and told her. Don’t worry honey. I don’t plan on dying  today. Only the good die young. Old Soldiers will live forever.

She asked me. How do you know people in Europe? Did you go to school there? I told her. “I was station for almost four years in Germany. I met many good people who I befriended. I would recommend a long vacation in Europe. I wished I had more time to see the now free countries of Europe. She smiled and said. Time for the biggest bookstore and church.  I smiled and agreed.

We found the Family history library. It was amazing. Lana roamed the library and I sat and read books trying to research  some names.  She came to me and asked for a real bookstore. She wanted to buy some books today. I saw a bookstore down the road and we drove to the Barnes & Noble bookstore. I bought the series of Carlos Castaneda  and I begin to read them. My stepfather had the series on his book shelf and I tried to read them before the Army. I had no time to read. I worked two jobs and had only concern was money. Thank you US Army. 30 days off a year and weekends off. Being stationed in Europe and the coastlines of the USA. Nothing could be better. President  Clinton  had the USA going in the right ways. No wars going on and he knew how to communicate with other leaders in other countries.

Lana returned with five books. Three books about the California coastline, Hemingway’s book”The old man and the sea” and Steinbeck book “Cannery row’.  I told her. Do you think I’m a rich man? She gave me a sly smile and told me. Don’t concern yourself poor soldier. I will pay you for your services. So far I owe you not so much. Just a ride and a bodyguard. I gave her a shit-eating grin and told her. I’m charging by the mile. The New York city rate. I could be a rich man when we reach Reno. She came to me and wrapped her arms around me and whispered. Please Johnnie, stay with me awhile.  I told her. Johnnie had no place to go. You are my best and only offer. I will hang around as long as you need me.

 We returned to the Westerner. The couple Jack and Cathy was there. They waved us over. Jack introduced us to his son Danny and his son wife Sarah. He said my son is a real Mormon. I brought him to live in Salt Lake city and now he is going to be a saint. I’m safe from sainthood. No sainthood for old Soldiers who have seen hell and back. Maybe heaven is too far away for us? I shook the hand of Danny and his young wife Sarah. Danny held my hand tightly and he said. Thank you for your service Soldier and he looked at Lana and said. Nice to meet you and how did you like the temple? Lana gave a sweet smile and told him. It was beautiful and big. Danny laughed and he agreed. He told her. I’m sorry for the loss of your father. I wish I had words to make you feel better. I believe he is in a better place. Lana looked sad and thanks him for the kind words.

Cathy said. Enough talking. We need to drink, dance and laugh. Danny and Sarah will drink soda pop. Us young folks will dance and drink whiskey till the bar closes down. My father told me. Can’t drink in heaven. We better do it here.? “We danced, laughed and did drink. Lana held me tightly on the dance floor an she whispered. You ain’t going to leave me in Reno Johnnie? I ain’t ready to be alone.  I told her. Johnnie will take care of you honey. You are stuck with me. I don’t have too much. I have only what is stored in the back of the truck. Before the war. I gave everything away. We will need to rent a furnish apartment near Monterey. Won’t be cheap. Down the road about 30 miles. One of the best colleges in Santa Cruz. If we take our time, maybe we can be okay?” Lana gave me a real smile for the first time today and said. You have been making plans. I’m very happy. She kissed me hard and laid her head into my chest. I saw happy tears on her cheeks. I kissed her forehead and I whispered. Time is all we got. Let’s forget and begin together.

We left Cathy and Jack. They had treated us like we were their children. Cathy told Lana. I saved my husband once. He had saved me many times in return. Good men are like brick houses. They are solid and we need them to stay strong for us. Jack took me aside and he told me. Johnnie, death will come soon enough. Don’t look for it. Take care of the pretty lady. Sometimes Soldiers must slow down and enjoy the kind gifts of life. I shook his hand and I gave Cathy a bear hug. Cathy gave me a kiss on the cheek and told me. Be a good Soldier. Don’t leave our new friend behind.  Danny gave me a bible and his phone number. He told me. Brother, if you need a friend. Please call me. No-one can walk alone. All of us need to find some sort of peace. The book is good too. Could teach you a few things.  I thanks them all. Lana gave hugs to everyone.

We arrived at the hotel.  Lana stripped  down to panties and bra, fell upon the hotel bed. She smiled and told me to come to her. I went down to my boxer short and sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. I told her. I never seen someone so beautiful. I know you believe me foolish. If I took you now. We will miss too much. Love take time and I have enough sex for the body. I want to to know when we go to the next place. Was for the heart. I want to remember you as my friend and partner in life.

I stood up and picked her up. I moved the blankets aside. I laid her upon the bed and I joined her.  She wrapped her warm body around me and told me. You are right. Slow and easy lover. I need time to digest you. I know sex is good but love is better.

We fell asleep. Lana didn’t have bad dreams. I tried to close my eyes and rest. I knew next stop is Reno. Time for decisions.

 Long ride to Reno. Chapter 12.

I awoke early. The heat was on and the room too hot. Lana had kicked off the blankets. She  held me tightly.  I looked at perfect slender body.   She have woman curved and valleys. She did make me crazy.  But I knew if I had sex with her. I would be just another greedy man using and abusing a young woman body. I had lived with five woman in my life. I know woman change when you create the need of the flesh. Easy to forget, woman are people who need conversation and friendship. I have known her a week.  She would need to make her sister believe Monterey was okay. I wanted her with me and I wanted to escape from her. I didn’t know if I had the emotion or ability to take care of a young energetic woman.  I decided to date this woman and hope for a good landing.

I felt her eyes looking at me. She knew I was thinking of her. I caressed her hair and face and told her good morning. I moved my hands down her back encircling her skin gently. She asked me. Johnnie, will we make it? I know you are strong and wise in many things. I see the fear in your eyes. I promised to be honest with you and stay with you. I have been dating for eight years. I know good people from bad. You look good to me.”  I brought her closer and whispered. “I want us to be old school. I want us to date. I know we have shared the bed. Love and friendship need time. I want us to grow together slow and easy.  I want us to know dancing, traveling and long talks.  I have learn when the purpose of a relationship is the bedroom. Won’t last.

Lana give me a sexy smile and said. I guess that means I ain’t getting lucky this morning.  She got up and ran to the bathroom door. She stopped and asked. “Could we take a shower together? I promise to be good. I shook my head in agreement and waited. I heard the water being turned on. I knew I was lucky. Woman have the power if they want to make a man feel complete. I like being with her. She made me feel young and wild again. I walked into the bathroom and allowed my boxers to fall. I joined Lana in the shower. She pressed against me and kissed me. I like the feel of her. She made me want life again. I got the soap and begin to wash her back. She turned her body around. Pressing her breasts against me. She whispered. In Monterey, I want everything. You will be mind and I will be yours, Johnnie. I told her yes.

We took the free hotel breakfast with us. I told her. We will be in Reno tonight.  A long drive today. We will stop and spend $100 at the first place to gamble in Nevada. $100 limit is the most I will lose. My daddy gambled all his life away. I have  limit.  Land asked. What if you win? Would you keep going till the money is gone?  I reached over and kissed her and told her. Casinos don’t make money by giving it away. Old wise words. A fool is born every second. Nevada casinos are a good place for a fool to be born. She smiled and agreed.

She told me. My daddy had ribbons on the wall. He was proud of being a Soldier. He had many friends who were old Soldiers. He would of liked you. You like whiskey and you are polite. You treat be like a lady. He didn’t like the guy you try to kill. He was like you. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt his daughter. I have talked to my sister already. She is glad I’m okay. She knows we are staying one day and off to California. She was pissed off at first and I told her, you were a saint. She told me. At long as I’m okay. She would be fine.  I turned to her and told her. That is good. Maybe will be less problems.  Remember honey. We been together for a few days. You may not like me in a month. I’m Army trained. I roll-up my socks and underwear. I like a clean house and I may be a a drunk?  Lana gave me a big smile and said. “That is good. I don’t like mess either. I can’t cook too good. Only steak, pork chops and hamburgers.  Nothing healthy.  I’m thinking of becoming a drunk too.   I looked at her and said. “My three favorite meals. I have fallen in love already.” She laughed and watch the snowy Highway 40 going by.

I saw the sign for Nevada. I asked her. I hope you are hungry. It is break time coming soon. We will eat and gamble a little bit. The Nevada border is near.  She told me. This is a good thing. My legs need a walk. I’m tire of being in the truck and I’m hungry.  A few miles into Nevada. Many signs for the casinos. I took the first exit off in the state of Nevada and we stopped at the second one. Wasn’t too big or too small. It had a free food bar. It was my kind of place.  We walked in. Many machines for the quarters and the table for black jack and twenty-one in the back.
We went into the food area and sat down.

Lana sat next to me and told me. Thank you Johnnie. These are the best days of my life in a long time.
 I like traveling with you. You don’t rush me. You take me dancing and you like to stop at every tourist spot. Just like my father would have. I know I have known you a short time. My Grandmother told me a long time ago. Few good men in this world. If you get one. Don’t let them go. If I’m too much trouble. I can stay in Reno with my sister?

I brought her closer and told her. “Dear Lana. You ain’t no trouble. You are like maple syrup on morning pancakes. I want to eat you alive. I decided Monterey with you would be mighty fine. You make me want to be alive. I want us to fall in love by the sea. Drink coffee and talk about your travel and your school. I’m not holding you prisoner either. If you feel we are wrong.  I will drop you off in Reno and be content I spend time with a beautiful Boston girl.

Lana gave me her sweet and angelic smile and said. A beautiful Boston girl won’t let you go Johnnie. I just need to hear you say you need me.  The Boston girl fell in love with the suntan beauty the day you put down my so-call boyfriend.  I want to thank you.

                                      Coyote/John Castellenas