can a frustrated single mom and failed big city journalist save her family and salvage her career by returning to a town run by a gang of bungling thugs?


“The Resurrection of Puerto Cielo” is a novella published in serial form, 43 posts.




14


Mama G’s was packed and bustling when Espy entered with her two kids. Suddenly conversations stopped. Then everyone sprang from their chairs, clapped and cheered. Carmen rushed up to greet them.

“Girl, you’re the talk of the town,” Carmen declared, hugging Espy. “Wow! You walked right into the Red Rooster and thumped Tibo’s table with a brick. This is the most excitement we’ve had around here since Louisa Sanchez caught her boyfriend two timing her at the Pink Pillow.”

“Pink Pillow?” asked Espy.

“The local whore house, “ laughed Carmen.

“Sweet Mother Mary, somebody finally stood up to that thug!”

Espy turned to see Mama G. Then Mama saw the little lump of fur looking up at her from Manny’s arms.

Arnold was back with the living, but his front leg was wrapped in a plaster cast. Mama couldn’t resist those sad brown eyes.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Mama cooed softly petting Arnold’s head. “Just wait, I’ve got something for you,” and she was off to the kitchen. Stopping in mid flight, she called back, “Come with me Gabriel, we can use your help tonight.”

Not used to hearing his full name, he hesitated, then the young draftee followed.

The women sat at an empty table. the air was alive with the din of daily happenings. Dante and Gabe appeared with salsa and chips, two cold beers, and a tamarindo for Manny.

“You’ve no idea what you’ve stepped into,” Carmen said as they sipped their drinks.

Espy looked at her friend, “I thought I was bringing my family home, to a small, safe, friendly town where we could put our lives back together. What happened here?”

Carmen shared the story of how Puerto Cielo, a sleepy beach community, had surrendered to a band of thugs who ruled through fear and intimidation.

“And the guy leading this gang is El Tiburon, the man I once knew as Ricky Ruiz?” Espy asked.

“Yes, things went downhill fast when Tibo came to town. How did you know him?”

Espy told the story of the interview she’d almost had, the ambush, the dead wife.

“Then Ricky Ruiz disappeared, fell off the map,” Espy said.

“Now you know where he went,” said Carmen, “he came here with his daughter, Maria, in a wheelchair.”

Manny perked up, “What’s that?”

“Ricky lives in a Palm Estates mansion with his daughter and mother-in-law,” Carmen replied.

“And the daughter’s name is Maria and she’s in a wheelchair?”

“Yes, she was paralyzed in the shooting,” replied Carmen, “a tragedy, she’s a beautiful girl.”

At this moment, Mama G appeared with Dante and Gabe, arms laden with steaming plates. the delicious smell of fragrant rice, beans, and carne asada enveloped the table.

Arnold wasted no time devouring the juicy chunks of grilled beef put in front of him.

But Manny had lost her appetite.

She was seething.

The father of the girl she’d just met at school had sent his hoods to attack the Star.

***

Swirling fog shrouded the night. Light spilled through the closed window walls onto the empty veranda. All the action was inside at Mama G’s, patrons enjoying the warmth and flavors of delicious food, drink, and spirited conversation.

A solitary figure emerged from the grey soup and slinked across the street. It hunched down beside Barbara’s lonely form. A knife glinted under a faint street lamp.

Kapow!

“Ow-w!”

The figure jumped up, rubbing its head, as a bottle shattered on the street.

Dazed, the would be slasher squinted into the darkness.

“Move it hombre, before you lose your manhood,” boomed a voice from the shadows.

The hooligan melted into the mist.

“Quite a shot for a blind man,” the voice said to itself. Then a laugh, “but the bottle bounced off the car before it hit the guy.”

A man moved into the light. He was wearing a baseball cap and using a white cane to navigate.

He chuckled as he passed and patted Barbara.“Sorry, old girl, let’s keep this small matter between us.”

He walked on, continuing the soliloquy, “Just another quiet night in Puerto Cielo. but, damn it, I only drank half that beer.”

He headed towards the shack, the silent ghost beside him.

“Oh, my dear Sophia, I so wish you were here,” he whispered into the empty hour.

But she was, the ghost sighed, she was always there.

***

On the far side of the lagoon, in a grand house that far outsized the needs of its four occupants, father, daughter, grandmother, and bodyguard sat around a small kitchen table.

The daughter eagerly shared the adventures of her first day at school. She’d made a new friend.

For the first time since coming to Puerto Cielo, Maria had hope. 

***