Chapter 5: Carmen and Lula Martinelli

Maria---Nothing is working out for Connie. But those seeds he ordered from Europe were just what the special sauce needed. He is expecting great results when he harvests the ‘buds. It’s his love life I am worried about. I am afraid if he does not meet someone soon, he will go back to the States and, well you know, end up in jail or worse.

Uncle Tommy told us that they caught a biker gang harvesting the marijuana we had planted back home. There was a shootout and two of the bikers were killed! How did the bikers find out about the plants? Not only did the feds know about them but some bikers also! We could have been killed! I must find Connie someone fast!

I was talking to Vale (Dr. Cortes’s wife) about it one night and she had an idea. There was going to be a big Christmas party in two weeks. All the workers were invited along with some special guests. It seems that Vale and Patty have a couple of friends that they went to school with. They were sisters and were from a family whose father owns grocery stores all over the country. These stores were big buyers of O’Shea Beef. Their idea was to invite the two daughters to the party. Maybe Connie would, you know, get lucky!

Connie---Marcus and I worked the morning of the Christmas party. We harvested cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and different colors of bell peppers. We even had radishes, carrots and some sweet corn. Maria did not help, she had to get ready for the party. But by noon we had delivered everything to the hotel chefs who were preparing the big meal.

At five o’clock we headed over to the hotel. They had set up a huge tent in what was normally the parking lot complete with tables and chairs. The supper would be served buffet style but first would be a mixer with an open bar.

There was even a small bandstand constructed and a five-piece band was playing ‘mood music’. I guess that’s what you call it. Anyway, I was making the rounds shaking hands and being introduced to different people by my boss Dr. Cortes and his wife Vale. Suddenly there stood Carmen Martinelli! Wow! This girl is every American boy’s image of a sexy Latina beauty queen. She is tall, maybe 5’ 7”, long black hair that goes to her waist in back. Dark almost black eyes and lips that invite you to kiss her! Have I mentioned her 36-D cup breasts that are trying to push out of that little yellow sun dress she is wearing? Well, if I haven’t, I hope you get the picture!

Vale introduced me and I took her hand. I notice perfectly painted long nails on a delicate hand! She smiles and reveals a set of beautiful white teeth.

Vale and Dr. Cortes disappear leaving me to talk to this goddess. But I am not alone with her. Two of the cowboys have joined us! She asks what I do here and when I tell her she does not seem very impressed. But she seems taken with the cowboys! They start talking about riding horses and working cattle. I do not think she even noticed when I walked away.

The announcement came that the buffet was open, so I got in line. This pretty girl with long black hair cut in line behind me.

“I saw you talking to my sister. Why did you walk away?”

“Who is your sister?”

“Carmen Martinelli, I’m Lula.” She held out her hand and I shook it, noticing short painted nails and the most beautiful black eyes I have ever seen.

“My name is Constantine Carlotta; my friends call me Con or Connie.”

“Nice to meet you Connie but why did you walk away. Carmen is not use to that.”

“What?”

“Men walking away from her. She likes being the center of attention and she is ... what’s the English word for her...”

“Easy, maybe?”

“I was thinking ‘Slut’.”

I grinned not wanting to laugh.

“So, you think your sister is a slut?”

“No, I know she is. If you want an easy piece of ass, you ought to go back and talk to her. She told me her doctor told her the STD was cured so she should be ready to go this weekend.”

Now I do laugh.

“I think I’ll give her a pass. Those cowboys can handle her. Where did you learn to speak English?”

This girl is as pretty as her sister if not prettier. She is maybe an inch shorter and maybe her breasts are a size smaller but there is something about her. She seems more down to earth, more serious. I like that!

“Our father made us learn English at a school there in the capital. Then we took frequent vacations to the States. He had big hopes for Carmen and me. He wanted us to go to the university up there. Carmen did, but she flunked out her second year. Too much partying and slutting around, I imagine. I graduated high school and went to work in the grocery stores. I think learning the business from the ground up better prepared me. Enough about me. What do you do here on the ranch?”

The more she talks the better I like her!

“My brother Marcus, his wife and I work for Dr. Cortes.”

“I know his wife, Valentina; she is older than me, but we are friends.”

By that time the line had reached the salad bar.

“Wow! Where did Mrs. O’Shea find cherry tomatoes? I have looked all over the country for them, nobody grows them.” She popped one in her mouth and looked at me.

“They are delicious! I’ll have to remember to ask her where she bought them.”

“No need to ask. I grew them and everything else on this salad bar.”

“You grow vegetables here on the ranch? I thought you worked for Dr. Cortes. He is a vet and in charge of the feed lots. Do you do this as a hobby?”

“No, my family owned a truck farm in the States. Marcus and I, along with his wife, Maria, are horticulturists. We oversee growing everything from what we feed the cattle to all the vegetables served here at the hotel and in the workers’ cafeteria.”

“Oh My God! We must talk! I am the produce buyer for the grocery stores. Let’s find a table.”

We did find a table and enjoyed steaks and sweet corn with the salads. She marveled at the corn. Nobody here grows sweet corn, only field corn.

We were finishing our meal when the room was called to attention. Ana O’Shea stood on the bandstand. She gave a short speech about how the ranch was doing better than she could have ever imagined. The tour business was booked months in advance, they had orders for O’Shea Beef from almost every high-end restaurant and hotel in the country. She said that every worker on the ranch would receive a bonus on their next check. Everyone applauded!

Then the band started playing dance music and I asked Lula to dance. After a couple of dances, we were back at the table. I asked if she would like a cocktail and she declined. She said the two glasses of wine we had at supper were her limit! But she told me to order something if I wanted. That’s when I told her I did not drink. She smiled and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. Just like when Uncle Tommy told me about the feds finding our ganga.

“Calm down. Vale told me you did not drink. She knows I don’t either. You see Momma and Poppa could have come alone to handle any business if needed. Carmen and I were invited by Vale. I imagine she had visions of you hooking up with one of us since we are her only single girlfriends. She did not tell me you were a horticulturist, just that you work with Dr. Cortes.”

This girl is trying to be honest from the beginning so there are no surprises later. I really like that!

“Your mother and father are here?”

“Yes, the man sitting over at the table with Mr. Gomez and his wife is my father. The other lady is my mother. Come on I want them to meet you.”

I am about to meet her mom and dad! This is different from the last four girls I have met here in South America!

We walked over to their table and the men stood. I shook hands then I told Mrs. Martinelli she had two beautiful daughters. She beamed at that, of course. The band started another set and Mr. Martinelli asked his daughter to dance. I took the hint and asked Mrs. Martinelli if she would like to dance. Soon I was holding her in my arms on the dance floor.

“You are right I have two beautiful daughters, but Lula is special, not like Carmen at all.”

“I have already figured that out.”

“You be nice to her and don’t ever hurt her or you’ll answer to me. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am, but we just met...”

“I saw the way she looked at you so you must be someone special to her.”

The song ended and Lula appeared at my side.

“Trying to steal my date? Well, forget it, he’s mine!” She was joking with her mother.

Mrs. Martinelli looked at me and said, “Remember what I told you.” Then she winked and stepped into her husband’s arms and danced away.

“What did my mother say to you?”

“Just for me to take good care of you.”

“And what did you say.”

“I promised her I would.”

She squeezed me tightly and said, “I believe you will.”