THE PRESIDIO – Sequel to THE PIER & PULP

ON THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF

THE PRESIDIO

THE END

You could smell the gasoline before you saw the smoke. It chocked. Thick with pollution, just a hint of death. Too bad no one was out this cold night to spot it early. Things might have ended differently.

Undisturbed flames worked slowly through the building gathering strength before licking towards the stars. Like a beacon in the night sky; it became obvious. The old Presidio hospital, with all its Art Deco flare, was very much on fire. Hot Orange, Yellow and Red dancing towards the heavens. Smoke billowing up – the glow could be seen for miles. It was a big fire. It was the end.

Finally.

MEXICO

Fifty one kilometers off the coast of Aquas Dulce, no one bothered looking. Soft pale beaches. Bright blue waters. Palms that swayed in the ocean breeze sweeping off the heat.  Smelled like pure heaven.  It would have been the first place I looked – but I wasn’t looking.

Today, the slow morning sun eased out of the Gulf of Mexico like a phoenix rising from its flames. The water turned to liquid gold, sweeping over the beach, through the window and onto their bamboo floor. She sat on the edge of their bed, in a trance, brushing her long brown hair.

The locals weren’t blind to its beauty. They worked hard, plain & simple, to live in paradise. These two… well I hear it’s hard to admire the view when you’re on the run.   At least she thought they were on the run. Turns out – they weren’t. Long Story, take a seat. No…. if not the Law, they were still running from something. Listen, this isn’t exactly where either of them expected to end up. Life happens when you’re making other plans. Life happens when you least expect it.

And yet, life goes on. At least that’s what they say. They both got used to it, as best they could. Slowly settling in. Understanding – in order to move forward – you can never look back. Ever. Could you do it?

It’s easy when you live in a glorious place like this. Turquoise waves crashing on the silky sand. Sweet Waters – they weren’t kidding. Only the tides keep time. Nobody else does. No need too. It’s an easy lie… life. It’s an easy life. As long as no one asks too many questions. And that goes for the both of them.

Their journey here was a long one. Two renegades, now newly minted newlyweds running away to Mexico after the biggest heist San Francisco experienced in a long time. Expect – no one knew about it. Never made it to the papers – just as the Hawthorne Estate instructed. There was no APB out of for Katherine Pierce or for Detective Edward Case. Rumor has it – after locking up his own brother – throwing away the key – he went fishing and never returned.

Too bad she didn’t know that. Like it mattered. She’d just about follow Eddy anywhere. To the ends of the earth and back without much resistance. Case men have that effect on women. But he wouldn’t steer her wrong. She was his girl.

Before they set off that night. They made a silent agreement. You look over my shoulder and I’ll look over yours. With nothing but time on their hands and plenty of money – they followed their hearts to the Gulf.

If Kitten had regrets she didn’t make it known. Eddy neither.

Make your bed, lie in it. Dig your grave, die in it.

But Eddy had nothing to regret. Opportunity knocks once. Take it or leave it.

He took it.

Regrets – they’d had a few – but then again – too few to mention. Eddy was just doing his job. Goes to show you – ya never know where you’ll meet your soul mate – a smoky local bar, the back row in math class, an interrogation room in San Francisco. C’est la vive.   Don’t question destiny. It’s a funny little thing. Bada-Bing.

So, out on the open road, these two cats shed their winter coats and were reborn.   Jonathan Edward Sinclair and his lovely wife Katy Vivian. Canadian. Safe bet – don’t cha know. Plus, no one really knows anyone from Canada anyway. Ehh? Kitten just needed a laser jet printer and a halfway decent computer – whipped up the necessary paperwork at a quite Kinko’s in El Paso, followed by a lovely wedding ceremony at sunrise on a beach in Cancun. A small romantic affair. The bartender also their witness. Together they christened the coast like two explores on the Queens’ mission and never looked back. All according to plan.

Plans, like rules, are made to be broken.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. Or does it? The morning they discovered their future – it had started like any other. Woke up in their VW bus parked on the coast. Don’t worry, Kitten never left her Baby. That Black Cadillac was under lock and key. I digress. The day they found their way again, Kitten & Eddy woke to the bright morning sun. Eddy rose to start the fire. When the water for coffee was boiling – Kitten took it from there. Made her man biscuits, sausage and gravy with mud black coffee – so thick you could stand a fork in it. Amazing what you can do when you apply yourself.

Stuffed to the gills and really nowhere to go. Both convicts decided to take a stroll. The beach was gorgeous. Black rocks crept out from the soft sand, retreating towards the earth. Without a care, they pushed down further, even as the sun rose higher in the sky, getting hotter with each step. Kitten mostly walking in the water, kicking at the waves, didn’t have a care in the world.

That’s when they saw it. In the distance. It glittered. Some patches still bright periwinkle blue, yellow shutters, tall, arched palms waving them over.   Without a look between them their pace picked up. Their hearts began to race. Upon review, she was a closed-down, run-down, forgotten-old saloon on the fringes of a sleepy town. Boarded up, it looked as lonely and forgotten as the two of them felt. They were perfect for each other.

Para Vender, a rusty red and white sign stated in the dirty window. Squeak. Squeak. Rub. Rub. Eddy peered inside. Kitten walked cautiously around the bright blue building. Giant windows looked out onto the beach. A long mahogany bar lined the wall at the back of the room. Rows of tables formed conversation areas around an old pool table and dartboards. Most everything covered in dusty white sheets, the lights covered with yellowing newspaper. It had been a while since this place entertained a living soul.

She’d been waiting a long time.

“This is perfect.” Eddy murmured. “This is it. This is our place.” Kitten looked at the faded paint, broken shutters and windows.   Red roof tiles lie broken where they’ve fallen. Potted plants needed water 50 years ago. This place needed more than just a scrub and paint job. This place needed love. They all did. Eddy kept smiling. “The possibilities are endless.” Their choices were not. You can’t run forever, it was time to settle down. Strangers found their way. One look at each other and they knew.

Welcome Home.

That afternoon, paid cash to an old man who happily handed over two giant bronze keys. They started their new fraud together – and life never looked better. A lonely bar in an ancient beach village, where no one cared where you came from – just as long as you kept their bar open and the beer flowing. Deal.

He still called her Kitten. She stilled called him Eddy. It worked.

So long as no one asked too many questions.

TO BE CONTINUED…  PART 2

Thank you so much for reading.  I would love to know your thoughts, favorite quotes, or surprises you enjoyed – please share!

Happy Tales! xox Pulp Paige

My name is Paige Turner and I write Pulp

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