Johnson Junction Page 3

  “You haven’t met Mr. Waverly yet, eh?” she said.

  “No. I’ve heard Evelyn talk about him, and I know they’re divorced.”

  “Well. You got a real treat in store.”

  “Meaning?”

  “You’ll see, mija. As you gringas say, he’s a real piece of work.” She laughed again as we reached the end of the long porch in front of our rooms. The kids were ahead of us and headed into Donna’s apartment. “Let’s get another beer and sit and I’ll tell you some stuff.”

  I trailed her to the rooms.

  6

  I want to tell you about the House, before I get further into this story. The structure itself was not built with tools that lent it an evil air, the materials it was constructed of were not inscribed with blackened symbols, the ground upon which it sat was not blessed by a sinister being. What went on inside the house by its occupants is what gave it its own peculiar aura.

  Construction of the House was begun in the 1930s, that depressed era, by two sisters from the Midwestern United States who inherited their father’s landholdings and fortune. Designed by a reputable and well-regarded Southwest architectural firm, the House seemed to rise from its location as a natural formation, blended with its high desert setting. It was constructed of concrete with thick walls, deeply set windows, colored of the desert ocher. The roof was handcast terra cotta tile. Two Italian Cypress trees were planted at its christening, and eventually grew three stories tall to frame the house with two green spires. The front entrance was a graceful carved arch, and the entry door within was hand carved and flanked by leaded glass windows. It was symmetrical in balance and shape, perfectly flat across its front, yet all of the rooms upstairs and down possessed their own curious bank of differing window shapes and configuration.

  The House had six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, as well as a full basement, library, enormous living room, formal dining room with built-ins, a large kitchen, and servant’s quarters. At the time of its construction one of its most unique (and expensive) features were two large iceboxes adjacent to the kitchen, forerunners of today’s SubZeroes. All of the flooring in the two above-ground floors was oak – certainly considered an imported luxury in the middle of the desert where tile floor was the mainstay. The bathrooms were sumptuous for their time – each completely tiled in its own color scheme, custom made and shipped from a factory in the eastern US. The light fixtures in the baths were made from tile, the pedestal sinks unique, the towel bars, brush holders, soap dishes, and even clothing hooks all made from the same porcelain and set into the walls. Everything matched.

  All of the rooms were oversized with high ceilings. The downstairs areas were separated by handcrafted archways. The ceilings in many of the rooms were arched and coved, a special feat of craftsmanship given the fact that all of the interior work was plaster and lathe and constructed without the benefit of more modern and pliable building materials. Both the living and dining rooms featured custom cabinetry with beautiful carved wood cabinets.

  The oak staircase to the second floor offered a couple of landings as it turned, and the handrail was custom-designed cast iron filigree.

  The basement secreted the large laundry and utility area, and the original boiler that serviced the steam heaters which warmed the rooms. The balance of space remaining in the basement was later divided and used for other purposes.

  The sisters inherited the property from their wealthy father – a large tract of land in that part of the state. At the time of the building of the House the highways crossed nearby were unimaginably narrow by today’s superhighway standards. Their father however had left them with plans for a travel and refreshment plaza – forward and progressive thinking led to their construction of the Junction within a decade of the House. The business was creatively expanded and transformed as times and traffic required. The spinster sisters lived in the House for many years, and it was flawlessly maintained; when they eventually passed on without heirs the whole complex was placed under control of a Midwest insurance conglomerate, which in turn sent Mr. and Mrs. Waverly in good time, to be regents of the land.

  Late in the evening, Richard Waverly and Antonia Lozano relaxed in the office at the House. A small fire blazed in the fireplace and softly illumined the warmth of the knotty pine paneling in the room. Mr. Waverly sat comfortably in his padded leather wing chair by the fireplace, a crystal glass of amber liquid in his hand, legs crossed. “More scotch, Tony?”

  Tony peered at the level in his glass. “Yeah, por que no. I may crash here tonight, anyhow.” He took a drag from the cigarette in his other hand.

  Waverly rose, took Tony’s glass, and went to the credenza behind his massive desk. “Good stuff, isn’t it. Evelyn found it online.”

  “Oh yeah. Smooth.” Smoke trailed lazily up into the darkness of the ceiling.

  Richard handed the glass back to his guest and sat down in his chair. He took another sip of his own and said, “Well, time to take stock again. Things are going to pop around here soon.”

  Tony grunted a short laugh. “Yeah, funny. Pop! Those pops sound more like Ka-Ching to me.” They laughed together.

  “Well, even so . . .” continued Richard. “Leticia is going to go first, according to Auggie. Then Juanita, then Alicia. That’s three months out. We need some fresh meat, I think.”

  Tony shifted his drink and stubbed his smoke out in an ashtray on the side table. He uncrossed and recrossed his legs. “I talked to Rafe yesterday. Told him time is of the essence.” He reached down beside his chair and pulled a computer tablet from his briefcase. He opened it and tapped the screen, eyes darting through the soft cloud of colors that lit his face through the cigarette haze. “Take a look at the balances. Looking good, I’d say.” He passed the tablet over to Richard.

  Waverly scanned the screen. “Yes . . . looking REALLY good.” He tapped the screen to check a couple of columns. “Really good. I would never have imagined this kind of profitability.”

  “Rafe indicated to me that supply is never a problem.” He set his drink down on the side table. “He’s found one chica – very young – who’s got blonde hair and blue eyes.”

  “You’re shitting me.”

  “No sir. A regular Castilian beauty, he says. She and her brother are illegals and more than anxious to get some good paper. Then, there’s one other who looks promising. All he needs is one more to cover the three openings.” He drained the rest of his scotch. “How is that old creep anyway? Sober once in a while?”

  Waverly waved the comment away. “Auggie’s okay. Once he delivers he binges, but I don’t care what he does after his paperwork’s done. He’s happier when he’s wasted. Stays in his trailer. and lounges around on the back roof sometimes. He minds his own business.” Richard set his glass on the edge of his desk. “Shall we see if Lupe’s got that rib roast done?” He rose from his chair. “I asked Auggie earlier to join us for dinner. Thought you’d want to assess him for yourself.”

  Tony rose and followed him to the dining room.

  Silver candelabra lit the elegant Mission-style dining room. Seating twelve, three places had been set at the far end, convenient to the nearby sideboard. Richard took his chair at the head of the table, Tony to his left. A slender Hispanic woman whose black hair was streaked with gray and bound tightly at the nape of her neck entered from the kitchen with a silver serving tray balancing three goblets of water. “Buenas noches, Senor Richard. Como estas?”

  “Very good, Lupe. Dinner smells wonderful, you’ve outdone yourself again.” She placed the glasses on their coasters beside each placesetting. “Has the good doctor made an appearance?”

  “Si, Senor Richard. I saw him a few minutes ago in the kitchen and he said he would join you very soon.” She tucked the tray beneath her arm and smoothed her apron. “Shall I bring the ensalada?”

  Richard paused a moment. “Not yet – but go ahead and bring in the wine for this evening.” She bowed slightly and vanished.

  Tony looke
d in the direction of the hallway. “Sounds like he’s coming.”

  Heavy footfalls paused at the doorway. “Am I late, gentlemen?”

  Doctor Augustus Blackburn filled the archway between the foyer and dining room with his considerable presence. Six-foot two and three hundred pounds of presence. He was neatly dressed in a pristine white dress shirt and tie, navy sport coat, and grey flannel trousers.

  Richard waved him into the room and indicated the seat to his right. “On time, Auggie. Right on time.”

  Tony rose from his seat and offered his hand to Auggie across the table. “Buenas noches, Doctor. How have you been?”

  They shook briefly and took their seats. “Can’t complain, Tony. Wouldn’t do any good anyhow. Richard keeps me on the straight and narrow.” Auggie chuckled and raised his glass to his host.

  Waverly cleared his throat. “Yes, well, someone’s got to keep the nose to the grindstone around here.” Lupe returned with her tray and three wine glasses. “Thank you Lupe. You may continue with serving.”

  “Si, Senor Richard.”

  “So, Doctor,” said Tony. “Nose to the grindstone? Or in your case, something warmer and softer?”

  The three men roared with laughter. Nearby in the kitchen, Lupe looked out of the window above the double sinks. She sighed heavily, shaking her head.

  7

  At the end of my second week, Evelyn stopped by my desk. She handed me an envelope. “Here, dear. Your first paycheck.”

  I grinned, a silent Yahoo. Thank you God.

  “Maddy, this afternoon I want you to go into town with me so I can introduce you to the ladies at the bank and familiarize you with the procedures I use for making the deposits. Would that be convenient?” She smiled, as always.

  “Sure Evelyn – I’m almost done here.”

  “Fine. Come find me in my office when you’re ready.”

  I finished on the computer, shut down my program, and closed up my desk. It would be almost two hours until Bry and Donna’s girls got off the school bus; I walked back into the gift shop looking for Donna. She was stocking shelves in the import section. I tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, you.”

  She straightened up and smiled. “Hey gringa!”

  “I just needed to tell you Mrs. Waverly asked me to go into town with her, to the bank. I’m sure I’ll be back in time, but just in case, would you check on Bry for me?”

  “Oh, kay. I’ll get a break around then, and make sure he gets off the bus with the girls. Your room locked?”

  “Nah. He knows what to do if I’m not around, anyhow.” Evelyn had given us a small television with a built-in VCR, along with some old taped cartoons and kids’ movies she’d had in her apartment. “He loves those things Evelyn found for him, and he can work the VCR like a pro.”

  “Okay, chica. Just let me know when you get back. I’ll be here until nine, but the girls know what to do. Bry does too, by now.”

  I gave her a hug. “Thanks. See ya later.”

  Evelyn and I gathered the bank bags, said goodbye to Joan and Darlene, and walked out the back door of the building to her car.

  My first sighting of “Town” was unimpressive. It consisted of a couple of miles of dusty business loop off the freeway, and it seemed relatively uninhabited save for a scattering of mesquite trees and numerous corralled tumbleweeds. The terrain was perfectly flat, the surrounding miles ringed by distant purple hills. A couple of gas stations, a small post office, the bank, and two motels populated the main drag. I did notice a ubiquitous Mexican restaurant and a lone, small local grocery. Evelyn pointed out the elementary school, a more modern brick cluster that was a mile or so down a side street.

  The ladies at the bank were friendly and helpful, and I felt welcome and proud to be there with Evelyn. I easily saw they regarded her with the same esteem. Since I’d worked two weeks, I was also delighted to have a paycheck to cash. We made the company deposits, and as we left the bank Evelyn hugged me. “Feel better? I guess that’s your first check in quite a while.”

  I smiled. “Sure is. I feel MUCH better.”

  “Would you mind if we stopped at the grocery? I need just a few things and you can look around and see for yourself their massive inventory,” she said with a laugh. We got in her car and drove a short distance to a small block building with a sign across the front: “Dave’s FRIENDLY Store.”

  She was, of course, being a little sarcastic about their massive inventory. The building wasn’t much larger than a convenience store, although they did offer a tiny fresh produce section and an even smaller meat counter. But, I was able to find two of Bry’s favorite cereals, and since I could buy milk by the quart at the Junction’s convenience stores, I purchased the treats and a small pack of plastic bowls. I also picked out some of his favorite candy – a special treat, since we’d become marooned without our car. Instinct told me I should save the rest of my money as much as possible, toward the car repair.

  Evelyn met me near the checkout with a small cart, mostly fresh fruits and an assortment of soups. “I get kind of tired of the cafeteria food, even though Bertie does a wonderful job. I like to have some warm soup late in the evening when I finally get to relax.”

  I smiled. “My son is going to be thrilled, you know. I haven’t even told him, since he’s at school, that I had a chance to get to a store.”

  She laughed that melodic voice. “He deserves it. And needs it. I’m happy I’ve been able to be a part of your ‘rebirth’, so to speak.” She placed her purchases on the small conveyor and greeted the cashier.

  As we got back in the car she mentioned, “I’ve spoken to the manager of one of the stations at the Junction. He seems to think he can get an alternator sent in for your car, and his son-in-law is a fairly adept mechanic. Your car just might get repaired one of these days soon.”

  Part of my heart went up into my throat. “Oh. You don’t know how absolutely WONDERFUL that would be. Could you ask him to let me know what it will cost? I just can’t believe it!” I felt my heart settle back into place and a warm and happy feeling took its place.

  She laughed at me. “Yes, of course. It’ll be taken care of. You won’t have to worry.” She started the car and headed back out to the freeway.

  We chatted about the tourists and the business on the drive home. Halfway between town and the Junction, she paused.

  “Maddy, Mr. Waverly, whom I know you haven’t yet met, asked me if you could come up to the House to meet with him.” I detected the slightest edge to her voice, an edge that gave me pause. “I’ve been bragging about you to him for the past several days.” She kept her eyes on the road.

  “Today?”

  “If it’s convenient, dear. He has some free time this afternoon.” She went through the motions of passing a semi in the slow lane.

  I looked at the dashboard clock; the kids weren’t due for about a half hour. “I did tell Donna before we left that I wasn’t sure when we’d be back, so she could keep an eye out for Bry.”

  “Great. Richard will be pleased. I’ll drop you up at the House.”

  I felt a puzzling tug in the pit of my stomach.

  Evelyn stopped in front of my room so I could leave my purchases, then we headed up the dirt ribbon road to the House. There was a large circular drive in front, and I noticed the van I’d seen previously parked off to the side, near the back. She stopped the car at the front door and turned off the key. “I’ll go in with you and introduce you.”

  I felt relieved that she was beside me.

  She rang the door bell, which was actually more of a deeply toned chime. An older Hispanic woman answered, her black uniform and white apron crisp. Evelyn smiled and said “Good afternoon, Lupe. How have you been?”

  The woman returned Evelyn’s smile with genuine warmth of her own that I could feel. “Very good, muy bien, Senora Waverly. And you?”

  “Oh, a little arthritis now and then, dear.” She grasped my arm gently. “Lupe, I’d like you to meet Madeleine Brown.
She’s my new girl in the office.”

  Lupe bowed graciously from the waist. “Encantada, Senorita Brown.” She swung the door open for us. “Por favor.”

  Entering the House was like stepping into another place and time. It was so well preserved and yet so outdated – the wood surfaces polished, the furnishings out of character for the desert and yet so very elegant. Light fixtures gleamed softly behind frosted amber glass, and the landed staircase beckoned to a level of promised heaven. I felt anxiously out of my own space. Evelyn led me over the threshold, but I could not feel my own feet standing on the floor of the foyer. The air was scented with wood polish and a hint of something more – something not entirely pleasant.

  Evelyn said, “Madeleine is here to meet Mr. Waverly. Would you please let him know we’re here?” Lupe bowed graciously and stepped away down the hall.

  I sighed as I let my eyes wander across the amazement. “I have never seen anything like this.”

  “It is rather remarkable, given its age. I want to look this good when I’m her age, too.” We giggled and I felt my feet on the floor again, the laughter dispelling my previous thoughts into nothing.

  Lupe returned. “Please, ladies, this way.” She indicated the hall, and we followed. Pausing at one of the doors, she laid her hand very lightly on Evelyn’s shoulder. “Wonderful to see you again, Senora. Vaya con Dios.” She glanced at me, a fleeting smile on her lips fading quickly.

  Evelyn preceded me into the room. It was dimly lit, an interior room of the House with no windows. The paneling was beautifully hung knotty pine and a large fireplace dominated one wall with Mission-style sconces flanking an exquisite desert painting. A pair of leather wing chairs faced the display, a small glass table between. Beyond, a broad desk of dark wood was neatly laid with only a laptop and a pair of brass lamps; two smaller, low-backed leather chairs faced it. Bookshelves were built into all of the walls where space could accommodate them – the volumes organized and neatly placed. A leather sofa occupied the other end of the room. The credenza behind the massive desk looked as if it doubled as a liquor cabinet.