Free THE BLUE STALKER by JEAN AVERY BROWN Page B

between a rock and hard place.  I’ll take five hundred off the sticker.”  He told her shaking his head as if he was loosing money on the deal.
                  “I tell you what I will give you one thousand cash off the window price and drive it off the lot tonight.”  Ella pulled her checkbook from her purse slapping it on her leg.
    Mr. Kelly almost fell over. 
                  “Your taking food outta my kids mouth Ma’am but I need the sale so it’s a deal.” Mr. Kelly double timed it back to the office. 
                  Mr. Kelly’s secretary wrote up the contract, signed over the title and Ella gave him a check.
                  “Juan you drive the truck home.”  Ella said as she handed Juan the keys.
                  “Okay, Ms. Ella I’ll get right home.  Maria is going to be so happy.”  He said hopping in the driver’s seat.
                  Ella knowing the law made her way to the Department of Motor Vehicles and registered the truck.  While there she picked up a couple booklets for Juan and Maria to study for their driver’s license exam. 
                  Juan drove up and parked in the circle drive.  Got out and yelled for Maria.  Maria came running out of the house dressed in her new jeans and top.  She almost tripped as she jumped over the last two steps.
                  “Juan, where did you get this truck, its beautiful?”  Maria asked as she hopped in the front seat.
                  “There’s a back seat.”  She jumped out of the truck running around it.  “I’ve never seen anything so pretty.  Where did you get it?” she asked trying to catch her breath.
                  “If you’ll stop for one moment I will tell you.”  He said smiling like a kid with a new toy.
                  Ms. Ella bought it for us to use.  Like hauling things for construction.  I will be hauling stuff to the dump.”  he told her.
                  “Do you think we can use it to visit Jose and maybe go to Sunday Mass?”  Maria asked.
                  “We’ll ask her, Maria.”  Juan said.
                  “I need to get back in the kitchen I have dinner almost ready.”  Maria told Juan.
                  “How about you get a shower before dinner’s ready?”  Maria suggested.
    “I’ll do just that, Maria.”  Juan said looking down at his dirty hands and sweaty clothes.
                  Juan made his way up the long wide stairs to their bedroom.  As he entered he looked around.  He couldn’t believe this was his and Maria’s own room.  He planned to live in a tent on the farm when they left Mexico.  He shook his head as he turned on the shower water.  Pulled off his sweaty clothes, climbed in the shower and let the hot water spray his tired body.
                  “That shower sure made me feel good.” he said as he was walking down the stairs dressed in new jeans and shirt.
                  “Juan, Maria called to him Ms. Ella is home and looks like she needs some help.”  Maria called to him as she wiped her hands on her apron.
                  Juan rushed to the door as Ella was climbing the steps with a load of groceries.
                  “Let me help you with those.”  Juan said as he took the bags from her arms.
                  “Maria has dinner almost ready.”  Juan told Ella.
                  “That sounds good to me.”  Ella said as she slumped down in a big chair flopping her feet on the hassock.
                  “I’ll wash up in the laundry room and get a bath after super, I’m famished and dinner smells so good.”  Ella pulled her tired body off the chair. 
                  Maria finished setting the table. She filled the serving bowls and placed them on the