Chapter 20.2 - Desert Wind

“In the desert just after sunset before the light is gone

The sand blowing across the ground 

Sounds like a shadow growing beneath an old mans feet at the end of a long day.”

Philip Regenie

Maria turned onto her father’s driveway.  What had once been a beautiful double walled adobe home with tended lawn and tiled roof was now what appeared to be an abandoned building sitting on a snowy ridge with missing faded blue shutters and old broken tiles lying among the cotton wood seeds.  It was never easy for Maria to see her father since her two eldest brothers and mother had died.  And now, she had come here for comfort in her confusion.

Maria turned to Peter and Jonathan and said, “You two stay in the car.  I’ll see if your grandfather is home.”

Maria walked into the house which was in complete disarray.  The once polished rust colored satio tile were covered in a thin layer of dust.  Pizza boxes and many bottles of whiskey were sitting on the table in front of the couch that had a blanket and pillow on it.  There was little doubt that her father had spent many nights falling asleep while watching TV.  The house reeked of alcohol.  The kitchen was filled with dishes and ants made their way along a path to the garbage.  Maria walked to the back double doors to look out over what was once a beautiful apple orchard and farm.  The pristinely tilled piece of land, the envy of Chamita, was now a farm in disarray.  Still, it was beautiful to see the sun rise casting a pink light on the distant mesas and turn the river to gold.

Maria made her way to her parent’s bedroom where her father was sleeping on his now large stomach face down on his bed.  Dresser drawers were pulled out, the floor was covered with clothes, the windows were closed and the blinds shut.  Tears formed on Maria’s eyes.  What more must she endure.  Maria leaned over and covered her father with the blanket and closed the room as she left.  Maria went outside and opened the car door for Jonathan and said, “OK boys.  I want you to clean up around the outside of your Grandfather’s house.  Pick up any trash and put it in the trash can.  Sweep the porch and mow the lawn.  Feed the horses and brush them.  When you’re done you can go play down by the river or go for a horseback ride up the river trail.”

Peter looked at Jonathan with that, “Oh my god, work look.”  Jonathan shook his head slightly and said, “OK mom.  We’ll check on the cows and chickens and see if there is any other obvious stuff to do.”

“Thanks boys.  Make sure your back here by noon for lunch.”

Maria went into the house and started cleaning worrying about Len and wondering when he would call.