Turquoise

Jesse Fernandez was in the garage working on some piece of shit, a Volvo car.

Jesus! He hated these cars. Why'd they have to make them so damn complicated? He looked at his watch it was almost quitting time. He finished working on the car and wiped his hands on his jeans. Time to split. He got into his Ford Bronco and headed up Alameda Street, towards Turquoise's loft.

He had his Nikon camera in the front seat and wanted to get a few snap shots in just in case he got lucky and the Princess was home. He drove past the house but her car was not there. Maybe she'd be home soon. He took a sip of the Budweiser he had in a small paper bag and watched a few cars pass by. About five minutes later she rolled in the driveway and he sprang to attention. She was home! She got out of her car. What a fox! Man! He looked a little closer, looked like she was wearing leather pants. He adjusted the telephoto lenses and snapped a roll of pictures. This would be good. She opened the front door and he watched all the lights come on in the loft.

He wondered why she wasn't married. Maybe she was a dyke. Nah, he doubted it.

She was too fucking sexy to be a dyke. He thought about how he would love to marry a chick like this, a chick with dough. It was almost as good as marrying Jennifer Lopez.

He stared up the car and drove away slowly. He would develop the pictures tonight. Jesse pulled into his driveway, which was a modest two bedroom home. He lived there with his mother who was getting up in her years. His old man had split a long time ago and he felt it was his duty to take care of his Ma.

She was cooking something. It smelled like liver and onions. Man! He hated that shit! He should have picked up some KFC on the way home. He heard her calling to him.

"Jesse, is that you?"

"Yes, Ma, its me."

"Come on, dinner's ready!"

"Okay ma."

He went into his bedroom, which was a mess and had posters of movie stars everywhere. He had all his favorites on the wall, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Jessica Simpson and Cher. He unloaded the camera and took the roll of film into the bathroom. He had his developing materials in there and would develop after dinner.

"Jesse."

"I'm coming Ma."

He got to the table, which had a plastic tablecloth on it and a huge crucifix on the wall. They said their prayers and his mother heaped a nice chunk of liver with some onions on top. He almost threw up but forced himself to it of for her sake.

"So how was your day? "She asked.

"Ah, it was okay I guess."

"What's wrong? You have trouble at the garage? I know when something is bothering you."

"No, it's cool."

They ate in silence for a while.

"I need you to take me to the market on Saturday."

"Sure Ma."

"I want to buy some fresh red peppers there to make stuffed peppers."

"Okay.

"Don't forget."

"No Ma."

He pulled away from the table and threw his napkin over the plate, covering the leftover onions.

"I'll be in my room."

He went into his room and began to develop the pictures of Turquoise in his makeshift darkroom. The pictures were dark and grainy but they showed her face and her hair clearly. He cropped in close and burned a spot on her face to make it lighter. He made some 8x10 prints and hung the pictures up on a clothesline to dry, held by wooden clothespins

She was a good looking broad; maybe she would marry him. Once she got to know what a nice guy he was, maybe she would even love him He lived in a dream-world — Jesse's dream-world — where everything went his way. Tomorrow he'd stop by the house just to see what she was up to. Keep your eyed on the prize, that's what they said. He'd keep his eyes close on her...

Turquoise awoke to find Patty walking over her belly. She pulled the cat close and snuggled against her. The clock read seven-thirty, time to get up. She got out of bed and headed for the shower. The steam filled the room and she shampooed her hair with some herbal shampoo. She thought about Tom and wondered if he would be at the cafe.

Jesse sat in his car and watched the loft. Shit man, it was early but maybe she would show. He could see no movement but he waited just in case. Suddenly the door opened and there she was, wearing a pink tracksuit and running shoes.

He got his camera ready. She was out walking, he snapped some pictures of her and followed her from a distance. He wondered where she was going. Man! She had a nice ass. He liked the way it jiggled when she walked.

Turquoise arrived at the Mayan Cafe and got in line for her croissant and coffee. Tom was nowhere in sight. She got her tray and sat at a table by the window.

Jesse Fernandez parked the car outside the Mayan cafe and debated whether to go in or not. If he did she might recognize him... He decided to go in. He walked in and went up to the counter, pulling the baseball cap down below his ears.

"Hello, can I help you?" Said the pretty girl behind the counter

"Uh, can I have a cup of coffee, please?"

"That'll be one seventy-five, please."

He paid her for the coffee and sat down at a table at the back of the cafe.

He watched her drinking her coffee. A tall man came in with gray hair pulled back in a ponytail and took his tray over to Turquoise's table. She looked up and smiled at him. Jesse's heart sank... So this old guy was her boyfriend?

Tom sat with Turquoise and kissed her hand.

"Good morning, nice to see you."

"Hello" — she said

"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

"Thanks."

He took a sip of his coffee.

"I've been working on a new series of paintings. They are pretty abstract...I'd love for you to see them."

"Really?"

"Yes, maybe you could stop by the studio...If you're not too busy."

"Today?"

"Yes, would you like to?"

"Yes I would."

"Great."

They finished up their coffee and left the cafe. Jesse looked at his watch.

It was getting close to nine; he'd have to cut back to the garage. He watched them drive away in Tom's truck. He'd have to catch her another day, he thought. Jesse made it to the garage on time and his boss had a clipboard in his hand.

"I've got a job I need you to do Jesse."

"Yes sir."

"See that Blue Honda over there?"

"Yes."

"Needs an oil change."

Fuck! Back to work. He'd see to Princess later. He was just starting to know about her life, maybe soon he'd be in it, get that old man out of the picture!

Turquoise and Tom arrived at the studio. It was a large space with a small house in front and a tall two story building with glass windows in the back. Tom opened the door. Inside the house was sparse with a long wooden table and some woven chairs, some bookshelves and a TV. He led her to the back where all the paintings were. They were displayed on the walls and some leaned against a worktable. They were colorful abstracts in yellow, pinks and blue hues. He was obviously very talented.

"Welcome to my hovel."

"Its wonderful."

"Thank you. I don't bring too many people back her, its my private space."

"Well, its very nice."

He went over to a canvas.

"This is the latest painting I've done...Its a landscape. I like to photograph the setting first and paint it later."

"Its beautiful."

"Like you."

She looked around at his work; he was quite prolific. Her cell phone went off. She looked at the caller ID. It was a client. They would have to wait.

"Care for anything?"

"No really, I have to go.

"So soon? All right... Come back and see me anytime."

"I will."

She walked back home and thought about Tom. It was better to take it slowly with him .She didn't know him and didn't want to get too involved. Involvement meant danger for her. Men equaled pain once you fell in love. Pain of which, she certainly did have her share. After Frank she didn't really want to get involved with a man again, but then, a part of her did want a relationship. But Tom wouldn't understand her work. She doubted he would be interested if he found out the truth. She vowed to keep her professional life from him...