Part VII Boats, Cars and Surprises

Cindirillo walked home, his mind conjuring up and scheduling in a mumble the amount of things to be done. He needed to do some house cleaning, and that meant to buy at first hour the next day everything, and everything meant everything. Those evil witches had taken even the broom and mop with them! Furniture would arrive in three days and by that time the house had to be immaculate.

As he looked at his own feet pacing one after the other he thought of the urgency of buying a car... It was a small town and anything was walking distance, yet as a beach town it lacked of the amenities and facilities required for a more complete living style. And that last musing brought also the idea of purchasing a new fishing boat. Yes, a nice one; not too big, easy to tow with a small truck... A whaler, up to thirty feet length. Yes! He was on time and had the money. Maybe he could go to the marina to see if he could find anything like that.

About-facing, Cindirillo followed back the sidewalk down to the marina. Waving hi to all his old friends he whistled some military cadences as he strutted, a wide victorious smile drawing on his face realizing things were going good, after all.

The marina was located by the ensenada sea line. A row of palm trees at each side flanked the entrance of the elegant nautical complex. A two story building, Spanish colonial style, stood magnificently and served as a receiving lodge and a sitting room for the guests and regular users. Being a fisher man in his youthful years, didn't secure him a VIP pass to the high-class club, for it was only reserved to the wealthiest ones in town and the south-western region of the island.

"Good morning gentleman, my name is Luis. How can we help you today, sir?" the clerk in the lobby greeted Cindirillo politely. Maybe his clothes were not fancy, as he wore jeans and a grey t-shirt, but the dog-tags hanging from his neck spoke of a credit line that could be opened right away.

"Good morning Luis. I'm interesting in the boats for sale", the men shook hands.

"Sure. Follow me this way. We've got a fine variety of both new and used boats in the show room."

"Great!

"What kind of boat are you looking for... Mr...?"

"José Cindirillo."

"José Cindirillo? That name sounds quite familiar to me... Cindirillo... Oh. Wait! I know you! You're that boy... The fisherman! I remember now! We met that night, in the ball a few years ago... Well several years in fact. Remember? I'm Luis Nazarry. My father owns this marina. Oh man, we had so much fun that evening at Villa Del Mar!" In the way Luis added more details to the past events, José's face dropped. Yes, he remembered the man from that night... A night he had tried to erase from his memories for so long... "But tell me, you are in the Army?"

"Navy", José stuttered, his mind was still locked with the blurry images of that feast eight years ago.

"Oh, that's cool man! But I've heard you're rich now! Sorry, but you know the quote 'pueblo chiquito, infierno grande' and yours is like those old fairytales. The poor orphaned kid living with his evil stepmother... And in the end all is yours and you're rich." Luis laughed to his own joke, patting José on the shoulder.

"A very bad modern version though", Cindirillo added to the joke, chuckling dryly.

"Yes, no princess included. But you'll find the right one soon. Maybe some white blue-eyed gringa." the man crooked a grin.

"Hahaha, yes, maybe. But what about the boats? I'm in a hurry to buy one." José cut-off the fairytale-bitter-conversation. He wasn't in the mood to rewind his brain and place back into such a somber evening.

"Oh, yes... A small yacht, perhaps? We've got some fifty-two feet length ones that have just arrived."

Thank you, but Im looking for something a bit more simple and discrete. A fishing boat, a whaler to be precise."

"Excellent. Follow me to the back of the showroom. I'll show you the boat that you've come for." And both men headed to see the whalers in the rear area of the open boats exhibition space.

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Cindirillo was almost dancing with joy in the living area at his now recently furnished house. His chest inflated with pride and self-satisfaction to contemplate how sleek and neat everything was. From the new appliances to the sofa and dinning set, it was entirely of his liking and own taste, bought with his own money and to be enjoyed only by himself. He tossed himself to the light grey leather sofa, patting on the leafy-printed cushions and smiling to himself.

He had been busy for the past three days... He needed to. The conversation he had with Luis at the marina left an acrid flavor in his mouth. Since that he'd been dreaming with Amanda every night and it tasted even more bitter each time he recalled that precise moment, when they kissed. The memories were so vivid, memories he only wished to get rid-off because they hurt. For instants he regretted to be back in town, but then he realized there were more important things to occupy in his mind than a fading moment in time. The true reasons he had to return had nothing to do with her.

A phone call received from Luis telling him that the boat was ready to pick up at the marina dragged him back to reality again. Excited, he grabbed the keys of his newly bought car and after closing the door behind him, he drove the 4x4 pick-up truck to the marina. He eagerly waited for the moment he sailed in his brand new whaler to the open sea!

A few hours later, after filling and signing in all the paperwork, Cindirillo gasped, a long happy sigh to see the men at the marina hooking in the boat to his truck. That sealed what it was a dream come true. Finally he had his house, a car and a boat. Nothing else was needed. He could now begin restoring the fishmongers and he planned to do it by himself. Yes... in that way he could make it the way he wanted and spend the rest of his life fishing for a living. Maybe find a wife and raise up a family... Luis was right, tonight was a night to celebrate and perhaps, he could find that blue-eyed gringa to fall in love with and make her stay in the island with him, forever.

Ready to get up to his vehicle, Cindirillo heard someone calling his name. He turned around thinking it was Luis that had forgotten to tell him something. But, instead of being the young man, he was shocked to find it was someone else. José felt his knees weakening and his keys dropped to the floor.

"Cindirillo? Is that you?" Don Armando, eyes-wide-opened in surprise came walking towards him.

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***Wohoooooo! Cindirillo met Don Armando! And now what?!?! What do you think it will happen now?!?!?