A dark tale. The crying woman. Chapter1-4

The crying woman

A Chapter by Coyote Poetry

 First chapter of a dream. 

                                The crying woman..

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?

The crying woman- Chapter two

A Chapter by Coyote Poetry

 You don’t find hell. Hell find you. 

                          The crying woman..

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

Page three..

I went back to my room and I called my mother. I told her, I would send her eight hundred today to the western union. She was happy and she asked. Where did the money come from? I told her. Good luck at the casino. I was twisted-up. I was given a thousand dollars for what? I remember the crying woman and I wondered. Should I run or stay? I decided to stay. I wondered was I falling into a end-less trap. I left the room at noon to send my mother the money and I went to the hotel female clerk. She knew my name and she told me. Miss Carolina  Your room is paid for till the end of the month and someone picked-up your car. He left a card. The card had “Joe’s repair and toll”.  On the card he wrote. One week, the car will be fixed. Thank you Joe. I left the hotel and I found the Western Union. I send eight hundred dollars to my mother and I would check later to ensure she received. I found good food to eat and I watched the busy city move and go somewhere. I went back to the hotel at three am. I read the note again. Casino, conversation, well dressed and smelling good. I took a long shower, shaved my legs, washed my hair and I brushed my hair for twenty minutes. I stood-up in front of the mirror and I told myself. I am still looking good. A young man hope and a old man dream.

I found my knee-high red dress and my red shoes. I put on my silky low cut-bra and my red thong panties. I left my legs bare and the red shoes. Low-cut and easy to wear. I stood in front of the mirror and I smiled. I told myself. You are worth a million dollars honey. Still looking good. I put on the red dress silky dress and my red shoes. I looked at the mirror again and I saw a different woman. Something was changing in me. I wondered was I doing the right things? I had no option now. I made a deal with Marcello. The devil never lose and I knew he was a bad man.

Page four.

I arrived at the El Dorado at six pm. It was filled with many people. Most were busy using the slot machines and playing blackjack. They did notice me, I was glad. I was waiting for a man name Lawrence. It was very noisy and I wanted to leave as soon as possible. I felt a soft touch on my shoulder and I turned. I saw a good looking, well-dressed middle age man with a smile. He told me my name is Lawrence and he handed me his I.D. I read his name Lawrence Castillo from Mexico city. I read the license and I reached-out my hand and I told him, my name is Carolina. He took my hand and he told me. Marcello said you are beautiful and he told me the truth. I don’t gamble Carolina but I wanted us to meet in a busy location. I wanted you to feel safe. I told him, thank you Lawrence. I don’t like loud places either. He smiled kindly and he told me. I know you are new and I like this. Marcello said you were smart and confident. I like woman who talk, laugh and are still alive with hope. Tonight some good food, a show and some dancing. I have been marry for thirty years in a dead marriage. I decided better to find someone who can make me smile, even if I must paid for. Love isn’t free, friendship isn’t free. I need someone to enjoy life with, even if is a short time only Carolina.  It this okay Carolina? 

I smiled and I felt safe with him. I told him okay. He had a car and a driver. He asked me, what is your favorite food? I told him, anything spicy and hot. He took me a Asia restaurant and the food was so delicious. I didn’t remember eating a good meal like this in many years. He said little and he asked me. Dear Carolina, what music do you love? I do him, I love the Jazz. We went to a Jazz club. The drinks were so good and the music so good. I told him. Thank you Lawrence. This is one of my best nights in a long time. He told me. I love the happiness in your eyes and I feel happy that I can make you smile. I know life is hard. We feel like we cannot win. Are you ready to dance? What is your preference tonight? I told him. I like the country music. Easy to dance to and we can get close. He smiled and he told her. Tonight we will waltz and Texas two-step till morning. I laughed for the first time in years. We found a dance hall and we danced till twelve pm. Lawrence told me. You smell good, you feel good  and I love the feel of your dress again my skin. I had the best night ever my beautiful Carolina. He kissed my forehead and a soft kiss on my lips. We left the dance hall and he took me back to the hotel. He kissed me on the forehead and my lips and he asked. Can I see you tomorrow? I told him okay.

Dancing Coyote