Shards of Glass

Chapter 7....Long Tall Mary Ann & Hieroglyphics

It was midnight when we got off the bus in Alamos. We were in a big plaza surrounded with people of all ages. The higher altitude night air was crisp; not warm and stagnant the way Navajoa was. This was not a lonely place. It was lively. People were connected by friendship and families and each others arms. They just hung out talking, walking, sipping sodas, and being happy. The plaza people gave us the impression it was earlier than it was. Suzana and I knew what time it really was. We had been traveling for over sixteen hours.

Although the festive Alamos air almost breathed life into the two of us, we were eager to find our accommodations and just be here at last. Along the road surrounding the plaza was a lineup of parked battered taxi’s. One driver was leaning against the dull and pitted hood of his cab. He stood up as we approached him. His butt print now engraved in dust on the hood. I let Suzana deal with the cab negotiations as I did my best to relax and act like a happy tourist. A policeman caught my eye, smiled and headed over in our direction. Unlike the young ominous Federales he was helpful and polite. The three of them figured out where we were supposed to go. I knew they’d do it! The cab driver opened the door for us to get in and put our luggage in the trunk.

We headed out in tired silence to our final destination. It didn’t take long before we were at our casita, although I couldn’t see it. 

I muttered, “Where is it? ‘So dark here, how are we supposed to find it?” The cab driver was done with his job and anxious for his money. Suzana paid him. 

As we were trying to get our bearings, some lights came on and a woman’s voice approached us. 

“Suzana...Jessi...Hi, its Mary Ann,” said the welcoming sing-song voice. “So nice to meet you both. Come on in. How was your trip, besides long?” 

“Exciting... exasperating but otherwise uneventful,” I lied, beaming at her as we entered through the wrought ironed gate.

“I have driven from Tuscan to Alamos and back more than I can remember,” Mary Ann said.

“It’s gotta be a lot quicker in a car, I would imagine,” Suzana replied.

“Ya know, I have never taken the bus,” pondered Mary Ann.

I laughed, “You will have to try it sometime. It was quite an adventure. Our bus actually took off without us while we were getting our visa. 

“Noooo, you poor things,” Mary Ann said, eyes rolling up in an expression of disbelief.

Suzana and I continued to tell Mary Ann the rest of the bus episode.

As we were all chatting and getting to know each other, Mary Ann walked us to our casita. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a hundred times better than I had imagined. Even better than the casita, was Mary Ann. I was enthralled. Mary Ann was beautiful. Her face, the moon and the stars were all it took to illuminate the beautiful garden setting. I allowed myself to fall into a moonstruck trance. Partially because I was so exhausted and more obviously because she was a such welcomed sight on such a night. The stars were out tonight, no arguing there, but the full moon above was playing hide and seek with an untouchable cloud, and I knew it!

“Would you girls like a beer?” Mary Ann asked.

Suzana said no as usual, but I piped up, “ I would absolutely love my first cerveza in Mexico!” I would have preferred red wine, but didn’t want to push my luck.

“Well, all right then. Let’s go inside.” Mary Ann said smiling.

We followed our new friendly hostess single file into the casita. Right from the start I felt at home. I also felt a slight gravitational pull towards Mary Ann. I was tilting on my axis, but felt universally protected. Forces were out of my control. She was my sunny moon. I did not hear another word she said, so enthralled with her, I was.