Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:43:45 -0800 (PST)
From: John Michaels <mmanlookin@yahoo.com>
Subject: Filipino Love - Chapter 39

			       FILIPINO LOVE
				    BY
				    JM



Email:  mmanlookin@yahoo.com

Disclaimers and other info:  see chapter one

This story is my personal intellectual property and, as such, may not be
reproduced in any form without my written consent.

This and subsequent chapters are dedicated to my own Filipino Love!


			    CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE


     Once we were all past security and inside the store, Lorenzo once
again took over.  He knew what I was looking for and led us to the phone
section.  They had quite an array of just about every type of phone
imaginable, but we zeroed in on the satellite phones.  Even here, there was
a fair selection with all kinds of different calling plans available.  Some
were rather bulky, obviously meant to endure the rigors of hiking and
exploring in very remote regions of the world, and some were so
ridiculously priced that it made you wonder if there was anyone in their
right mind who would even buy one!  Lorenzo and I looked over the display,
and he pointed one out that looked like it would be just what we needed.
It fit comfortably in the hand, and didn't have an overabundance of buttons
and gadgets to confuse the user.  It was reasonably priced, considering,
and had several available calling plans, one of which seemed to me would be
perfect for Ronni to be able to call me anytime he needed or wanted to.
While Lorenzo went off in search of a salesperson, I pointed out the phone
to Ronni.

     "Why do you need a cel like that?" he asked, clearly not realizing yet
that this was for him.  "One of these other phones is much cheaper and will
work anywhere in the country."

     "I need one of these, my clueless love, because it's not going to be
for me.  It's for you."

     "But one of these others will work just as well," he argued.  "I don't
need a fancy phone like that to talk and text with my friends."

     "You're right, if that was all you were going to be using it for," I
said, stringing him along.  Then I decided to end the agony.  "But you will
need one like this so you can call me any time in the US."  His eyes lit up
like a kid at Christmas before realizing the reason for needing such a
phone.  Wrapping his arms around me he started to cry.  I held onto to him
for dear life, my tears joining his.

     "I don't want to have to need this phone," he sobbed.  "I want you
with me always so I never need this."

     "I know, Darling," I said, stroking his back.  "I don't want to need
this either, but we both know I have to go back to the US for a while to
finish my school and pack so I can move here to be with you always."  He
hugged me tighter, realizing the reality we'd soon be facing, but his sobs
slowly diminished, although we didn't break our embrace.

     "I see he knows why we're here," said Lorenzo compassionately, putting
his hand on Ronni's shoulder.  He had returned with a salesman, who was
standing a few feet away, respecting our private moment.  Lorenzo must have
told him what was going on, and he was giving us our space.  Just for that
consideration, I knew I'd be giving this guy a generous tip.  We stepped
apart a bit but kept our arms around each other, and looked into each
other's eyes.  Taking the thumb of my right hand, I gently rubbed the tears
from his cheeks.

     "Everything will be ok, Love," I told him.  "It's going to be hard for
both of us to be apart after this wonderful time we've had.  But remember,
you waited four years for me to come along, and during that time, you
prepared yourself for what you knew and what I now also know is going to be
a long and happy life of love together.  Both you and I can use this time
to do all the final things we each need to do to be able to devote the rest
of our lives to each other.  In a way, we both need to be able to close out
our old lives to be able to live our new life together.  When I come back
in a few weeks, we'll never again have to be apart unless one or the other
of us needs it, and I can't really see that ever happening.  You have your
wonderful family, who I know will take extra special care of you.  You have
two great friends in Mario and Paulo who love you like a brother, and you
also have people like Lorenzo, here, and Josie who also care a great deal
for you and will do what they can to make things easier while I'm away.
You'll also have school and your friends there, your
soccer...sorry!...football to help take up your time.  You'll see.  The
time will go by more quickly than you think.  And with this phone, we can
talk every day, and I'm also getting you a computer you can use not only
for school, but we'll download Skype so we can have a video chat and see
each other.  I'll do anything I can to make this time apart better for both
of us."

     "You take such good care of me," he said with a sigh.  "I know in my
head that all you say is true.  It's just that my heart doesn't agree with
my head.  Even with all my friends and family, I know I'm still going to
feel all alone.  I won't feel like a whole person until you come back to
stay.  I don't know how much of a friend I will be to those here.  I'm
going to be too busy feeling miserable and sorry for myself, but I will try
my best."  He gave me a small smile that I noticed didn't quite reach his
eyes, but God bless him!  He was trying so hard.  I hugged him again, then
said we'd better get on with what we came here for.  The salesman was
looking on with a sad smile that indicated he knew a bit of what was going
on, and he had made no attempt to interrupt or walk away with impatience.
His tip was growing by the minute.

     We were finally ready and called him over.  He was very kind and
started off by saying he knows how hard it is to be apart from loved ones.
He told us that his wife was a nurse who was currently getting training in
the US, and that she'd been gone for three months now, leaving him with
their three small children while she pursued the training that would
increase her income and standing in her profession when she returned.  He
then got down to business and pointed out all the features of the phone
that we were interested in.  He showed Ronni how to operate it and the
several features it had.  We discussed calling plans, and I finally settled
on one that had unlimited calling and texting both locally and
internationally for a very reasonable price, all things considered.  We
selected the needed accessories and headed off to look at computers.  Our
salesman excused himself, saying that each department had their own
specific salespersons, and even though he was quite knowledgeable about
them, his area was phones only.  I thanked him profusely and slipped him a
1000 peso note when I shook his hand.  He started to protest, but I
insisted, and he finally yet with genuine reluctance accepted it.  He said
he would meet us at checkout with our purchase when we were ready.  I
thanked him again, and we turned our attention to getting a computer.

     Lorenzo guided us to the computer section, and I was blown away!  I
had never seen so many different brands and kinds of computers in my life!!
This section appeared to take up more than half the store!  There were
instantly recognizable brands and even more with names I had never heard of
that were probably only found in this part of the world.  I knew basically
what I wanted to get for Ronni, so I told Lorenzo.  He went off scouting
for the ubiquitous salesperson while Ronni and I continued to look around.
We both zeroed in on the laptops and were each looking at one when Lorenzo
returned with a saleswoman in tow.  She looked like a no-nonsense type with
an apparent personality of a bowl of plain rice and a face like a bagful of
assholes.  First impressions can be wrong, so I decided to hold judgment
until meeting her.  The first words out of her mouth before even reaching
us were to tell Ronni to get his hands off the computers and to stop pawing
them.  Immediate alarm bells in my head!  Out of the corner of my eye, I
saw Lorenzo scurry off, hopefully to locate the manager.  In the meantime,
I decided to deal with Ms Bitch.

     "Do you have a problem with the customer checking out something he
intends to buy?" I asked, my voice very tight.

     "Not at all," she replied tersely.  "But these are sensitive and
expensive machines and are not to be pawed by children."

     "Is that so?" I retorted.  "Even when the child is the one the
computer is for?"

     "I only sell to adults," she huffed, clearly not liking to have her
perceived authority rattled.  "What happens to the machine when it leaves
here is none of my concern.  While they are still in the store, it is my
concern."  At this moment, Lorenzo returned with a harried-looking man I
assumed to be the manager.

     "What seems to be the problem here, Ms Zafra?" he asked the clerk.

     "This child was mishandling some delicate equipment, and I put a stop
to it," she said smugly, squaring her shoulders, feeling that support had
arrived.

     "Is this so?" he asked me.

     "That is definitely not true," I replied, trying like hell to keep my
anger in check and from bitch-slapping this harridan.  "We were simply
checking out the features of the model we were interested in buying for my
young friend here, and she started accusing him of...what was the word you
used? (this to the Ms Bitch)...Oh, yes.  Pawing the machine.  She told me
she only sells to adults, not children.  I was frankly seriously
considering going elsewhere where we could find more respect!"  With a
heavy sigh, the manager turned to her.

     "Is what this gentleman said correct?" he asked icily.  Bitch Lady
began to look decidedly uncomfortable, realizing that she may not be
getting the managerial support she thought she would.

     "Well, umm," she stammered.

     "Is what this gentleman said correct or not?" said the manager, his
voice getting louder.  "A simple `yes' or `no' is all that is required."

     "Well, yes, but you see..." she began, but got no further, as the
manager cut her off.

     "This is the third time this week something very similar to this has
happened," he said, through clenched teeth.  "Go to my office immediately
and wait for me."

     "But sir, this child..."she started to say before being cut off once
again by the manager.

     "Not another word from you!" he seethed.  "Into my office, NOW!!!"  He
was clearly pissed at this point, and gathering as much of her shredded
dignity as she could around her, Ms Bitch slunk off to the office.  Once
she was gone, the manager turned back to us.

     "I can't apologize enough for the way you were treated by one of my
staff," he said sadly.  "And as you heard me say, this is the third time
this week she has caused a problem.  She has been nothing but a major
headache since she transferred in here from another of our stores a few
weeks ago.  I assure you that I will deal with her severely.  No business
can afford to loose paying customers, and her actions have caused several
to walk out, and those are only the ones that I know of.  It sounds like
would have left also.  I'm so sorry, and would certainly not blame you if
you did."

     "Thank you for helping us," said Ronni, jumping in first once again
while I tried to get my seething anger under control.  "This is the second
unpleasant incident within the mall today, and each time, the managers have
been very kind and helpful."

     "Oh, God!"  moaned the manager.  "I received an email from the mall
manager just a short while ago telling about a very unpleasant incident
that occurred between a mall entertainer and a young man.  We've been asked
to extend every possible courtesy to him and his two adult companions.
Please tell me that isn't you!!"

     "I'm afraid it is us," I finally managed to say.  "Other than your
salesman in the phone department, our total shopping experience here today
has not been very pleasant.  He, at least, knows how to treat his
customers."  I was still pissed, and as manager, he should have better
control over his clerks, although he was at least trying to make things
right.

     "Oh, shit!" he exclaimed, softly but very clearly, wiping his hand
across his face.  Realizing his slipped expletive, he blushed and looked at
me apologetically.  "Sorry for that slip-up.  I'm not someone who usually
uses those words, but having to deal with Ms Zafra after your horrendous
ordeal earlier, I feel terrible that you had to deal with her abusive mouth
in my store.  The memo I received, and, according to the cc addendum, every
store in this mall has also received, has ordered us to offer every
courtesy to you.  It also mentioned the debit card and that it was to be
honored without question.  Because of all you have had to endure today, I
want you to have whatever you planned to purchase free of any charge,
including any and all software and accessories.  Please accept this, young
man, along with my deepest and most sincere apologies.  And my apologies to
you two gentlemen as well."  I was expecting some sort of restitution, but
this man's offer blew me away.  And yet again, before I found my voice,
Ronni was there before me.

     "Thank you, sir," he said politely, "but that isn't necessary.  We
already have the card from the mall manager with way more than we need
today.  Your most sincere apology is more than enough."  Incredible!!  This
kid is just fucking amazing!!

     "I agree with Ronni," I said.  "You were most sincere in your apology
and will be dealing with Ms Zafra on our behalf and the behalf of others.
That is more than enough."

     "I'm sorry, but I will not back down on this one," he said with a warm
smile.  "I stand by what I said, and to make sure that it is taken care of
as I said, I will meet you personally at checkout.  End of discussion!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll find you a salesperson who will treat you
right.  I also need to have a few words with Ms Zafra."  Shaking hands all
around, the manager walked off hurriedly while we just all sort of looked
at each other and shrugged.

     "You know," said Lorenzo, "it amazes me to see the different levels of
personalities in this place.  In just a short time, we've seen the very
best and the very worst, but it looks like there are more good than bad
here."

     "You're so right," I agreed, putting my arm around Ronni's shoulder
and pulling him to my side.  His arm immediately went around my waist, and
he rested his head on my shoulder.  Just then, who should appear but the
salesman from phones who had been so helpful and pleasant.  "Small world,"
I said to him, smiling.

     "It is indeed," he said, smiling back.  His smile faded as he
continued, "My manager told me briefly of your unpleasant experience with
one of the staff here and asked if I would assist you.  All the other staff
in this department are busy at the moment, and since I know this department
well, he asked if I would help.  So, in my best sales voice, ahem, how may
I assist you today?"  I really like this guy, and both Ronni and Lorenzo
were laughing at his antics.  He winked at both of them before turning back
to me.

     "We're here to get a laptop for Ronni," I explained.  "We would like
one that he can use for school work and research as well as social
networking, including Skype, so it will obviously need a built-in cam and
microphone as well as a headset with mic.  I'd also like it to be powerful
enough to run business programs and spreadsheets, and be capable of a power
point display plus the usual gaming capabilities young people are into as
well as built-in WiFi."  Ronni looked at me in amazement.

     "All that, just for me?" he asked.

     "Yep," I replied.  "But I admit that I'll probably be using it some
too.  That's why the business programs.  Plus, since you're my partner,
you'll be learning to use those too eventually.  But my main reason now is
so you can use it for school, and we can have that Skype connection."

     "There are several models here that would suit your needs and even
have room for expansions and upgrades as you find you need them beyond
whatever you select today," explained our salesman.  I finally got my act
together and looked at his nametag, which said `Roberto'.

     "That sounds good to me, Roberto," I said, using his name for the
first time.  He seemed pleased by this and turned to point out three
different machines that would meet our needs.  There were two brands I
recognized as having reliable reputations, and one, which I'd never heard
of before.  Roberto explained the merits and shortcomings of each, and it
looked to me as though the unfamiliar one had the most of what we needed.
My biggest concerns were possible issues with product continuity and
service since it's a brand I'd never heard of.  He assured me that this
particular machine was one of the best-kept secrets in this part of the
world, but that the company was planning to go global within the year, so
that took care of those concerns.  It was also helping the sales pitch that
Ronni had his eye on that particular model and seemed to be quite taken
with it, and it looked as if Lorenzo was in full agreement.  He was
practically salivating over it.

     "Ok," I said.  "It looks like we've found our computer.  Let's talk
software and immediate upgrades.  Lorenzo, can you think of anything I
forget in my list of requirements?"

     "The only thing I could think of would be a memory upgrade to the
maximum limit and an external hard drive for back-up," he said.  "With your
business just getting started, it will be important that you don't lose any
vital information."

     "Good thinking," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.  It was
obvious he was eating up my praise.  He's such a genuinely kind-hearted
young man.  I'm going to make sure to stroke his ego every chance I get
without being maudlin.  "By the way," I continued, tossing out what seemed
to be a total non sequitor, but I had my reasons.  "I don't think you ever
mentioned what it is you're getting your degree in."

     "You're right.  I don't think I did either," he replied, clearly
puzzled by this change of topic.  "I actually have a split major in
Business Management and IT.  I'm finishing up my junior year in a few
weeks."  He had a worried look on his face.

     "There's something bothering you, isn't there?" I asked.  "Can you
tell me what it is?"

     "Well, it's kind of embarrassing," he said softly.  "But the money I
will get driving for you will just about cover my expenses for the rest of
this school year.  My family doesn't have much money, so I've been paying
all I can to help out.  I plan to work between the end of this semester and
senior year, but I don't know if I'll be able to earn enough.  There are
just not that many jobs that will pay what I need to earn.  I may have to
take off an extra year to work."

     "I think I may be able to help you, if you'll let me," I said.  "As
you know, I'm building a hotel business, and I'm going to be looking for
bright, talented people to help me run it.  Your course of study is exactly
one of the things that I'll be looking for – two, actually.  If you're
willing, I'd like to hire you full time as of right now.  For now, your
duties would be as my driver and as local contact person if Ronni needs
something here while I'm away.  I don't expect you to let your studies
suffer for any of this.  Your school work will always come first."

     "That's very generous of you Phil," he replied, "but there is no way I
can accept so much.  Besides, you hardly know me."  While Lorenzo and I had
been talking, Roberto had been showing Ronni some of the basic features of
the laptop.  He had clearly also been keeping an ear open on our
conversation, and, at this point, jumped in.

     "Phooey!!" he exclaimed, turning to face Lorenzo, hands on hips.  "We
know you plenty well!  You are good and kind, and I know you care for us,
especially after everything that happened today.  And you always seem so
happy when you're with us too."

     "You are correct, my friend," he said, placing his hand gently on
Ronni's shoulder.  "In the short time I have known you, I have become fond
of all of you. You and Phil are such a joy to be around, and you have some
very nice friends.  But I can't accept Phil's offer.  It would feel like I
am taking advantage of our new friendship, and I simply will not do that or
anything that would harm the friendship."

     "All right," I said, in my best businessman mode, putting my arm
around Ronni's shoulders.  His arm went immediately around my waist.  "Let
me present it to you this way and see if we can change your mind.  I will
pay all your expenses, including school, if you will continue as our driver
for now and as local go-to man for Ronni while I'm away.  When I get back,
you will continue as our driver as your school time permits, and I will
begin working with you to transition into at least a middle management
position for our business.  In exchange, you will promise to work
exclusively for me when you graduate for a minimum of three years in
whatever capacity we feel will best suit your talents and expertise.  At
the end of the three years, we will evaluate where things are at that time
to see if you wish to continue working for me or move on to something else.
Is that acceptable?  Do we have a deal?"

     "Of course it's a deal," piped up Ronni.  "He'd be an idiot for not
accepting.  I don't make friends with idiots, and since he's my friend,
then he's not an idiot."  Teen logic.  Go figure!  I hope it works.
Lorenzo looked at Ronni and me with tears in his eyes.

     "How did I ever get so lucky to find such friends as you," he said.
"Yes.  I will accept your offer, but only on those terms."

     "YES!!" hollered Ronni, causing a few heads to turn in our direction.
He withdrew his arm from me and threw his arms around Lorenzo.  "See? I
knew you weren't an idiot!"  Lorenzo laughed and hugged him back.

     "You guys are just too much!  Thank you!  Thank you!!" he said.
Roberto was standing aside through all this and had a bemused smile on his
face.  But, his time was money, so turning to him, I told him we would take
two of the laptops with all the upgrades and software for both, including
two external hard drives, at Lorenzo's suggestion.  Realizing what I was
doing, poor Lorenzo almost hit the floor in shock and probably would have
if Ronni hadn't still had his arm around him.

     "Phil!"  he exclaimed.  "You can't do this!  This is way too much!"

     "Of course he can, `cuz he's my Phil," Ronni interjected with his
infallible teen logic again.  Roberto started laughing, which set us all
off, and it took us a few minutes for everyone to get themselves under
control enough so we could conclude our business.

     "There's just one thing, Roberto," I said.  "Your manager has made it
very clear that anything we were to buy here today was to be a gift from
the store after that incident with Ms Zafra coming on top of everything
else that had happened to us earlier.  While I will accept getting the
phone and one laptop on his conditions, since that had been my original
plan, I simply can't ask that the additional laptop be included, as that
was not in my original plans when we came in here.  That I fully insist
that I pay for."

     "I understand what you're saying, sir," he replied, "but my manager
made it very clear that even if you wished to take half the store, that
there was no way we would accept money from you.  He wants me to call him
when we are ready to check out, since he wants to be there to be certain
that his wishes are carried out.  I hope you understand, sir."

     "Very well," I said, with a heavy sigh.  "If he's that insistent, then
I guess there's nothing I can do but do as he says."  With that, we went
about getting everything we needed to load into the computers.  Roberto
said it would take about an hour to complete all the upgrades and
downloads, so we decided to head to the food court for something to eat
while we waited, as it was now lunchtime.  As we passed the checkout by the
front door, we noticed Ms Zafra behind the counter.  Evidently, she's taken
quite a demotion and definitely didn't look too pleased.  She scowled at us
as we passed, and I simply smiled at her and nodded my head pleasantly.  I
hope that got her panties in a twist!

     It was almost noon as we walked into the food court, and it was fairly
crowded.  We saw one table being cleared toward the back and hurried to
claim it.  After telling us what he wanted, we left Lorenzo to hold down
the fort while Ronni and I went to get our food.  We had all opted for
pizza, since the lines were blessedly short in that store, and we were in
and out with our order quickly and went back to join Lorenzo, who appeared
to be in an argument with a couple of teens.  We placed our trays on the
table and sat down, much to the dismay of the teens.  Evidently, they felt
they had more right to the table since there were two of them and only one
of Lorenzo, not believing him when he told them that there were two others
who were bringing the food.  The boys slouched off in search of another
table as we started to dig in.  I didn't realize how hungry I was until
taking that first bite.  I had to fight with myself to not just wolf it all
down.  It seemed Lorenzo and Ronni were the same way, but Ronni, being a
teen eating machine, couldn't seem to find the brakes as he gobbled his
food ravenously.  I suddenly remembered our meeting with Josie and knew we
were going to be late due to the events of the morning and having to wait
for the computers.  Pulling out my cel phone, I called her, and she
answered almost immediately.  I explained about running late, and she said
that it was ok, as she hadn't yet had time for lunch.  This would give her
time to run across the street and get a sandwich from the deli.  She also
reminded me that her time was free until her 4:00 appointment, so we should
still have plenty of time.  I disconnected and filled in the others on the
slight change of plans before turning back to my pizza.  We finished at a
somewhat more leisurely pace than when we started once the initial carb
cravings had been satisfied, although Ronni did go back for another
helping, and we had 15 minutes until we had to return to pick up the
computers and phone by the time we finished.

     After taking care of our trash, we took our time on the way back to
the electronics store.  One of the stores we passed was a pharmacy and
Ronni stopped just outside it, and he seemed to be thinking.  Then he
turned to me and put his mouth close to my ear.

     " I think we need to get more lube," he whispered, blushing furiously.
I chuckled, and gave him a quick hug.

     "I think you're right," I whispered back.  "Now that there are two
more using it, we'll be running out soon."  Poor Lorenzo couldn't figure
out what was going on, but neither Ronni nor I were about to enlighten him!
"I'll be right back," I said to him and went into the store.  I'd been
buying lube for years now and was no longer embarrassed by the purchase.
Hell!  They sold the stuff, so they must know what it's used for and expect
people to buy it.  It took less than five minutes to get what we needed,
pay for it and rejoin them outside the store.  Ronni gave a cheeky grin
when he saw me emerge with the bag in hand, and Lorenzo just kind of
shrugged, as we headed back to get the electronic goodies.  The one thing
I'd forgotten about is having to go past security on our way in.  I had to
show the guard the contents of the bag, and this time, I did get
embarrassed as the guard looked in the bag, chuckled and sent us on our
way.  We noticed Roberto and another clerk coming up to the counter with a
load of boxes on a dolly, which, I can only hope, are our computers and
other items.  Must be, since Roberto noticed us, smiled and waved his hand
at the dolly with the boxes.  Ol' Sweetie Pie was still behind the counter,
and the store manager was right beside her.  The look on her face was one
of someone who'd been sucking lemons, and it was evident she was not a
happy camper, especially when she saw us approach the counter.  The manager
had been talking quietly to Ms Zafra, who definitely looked like she'd
rather be having a root canal without anesthesia - anywhere else but here.
Roberto alerted him of our approach, and when he saw us, he smiled.
Noticing the sour look on the old bag, he whispered something in her ear.
She looked at him with a shocked expression, and he nodded his head.  She
turned to us, and the corners of her mouth quivered with her effort to form
a smile.  She finally succeeded in creating a sort of grimace, and it
looked like it was taking all her strength to do even that.  The result was
hilarious, and I had a hard time maintaining my composure.  Ronni and
Lorenzo weren't quite as successful as I heard a giggle from Ronni and a
snort from Lorenzo.  My stomach actually hurt from the effort not to burst
out laughing, but so far, so good.  Roberto had to turn his back, and I
could see his shoulders shaking with silent laughter, and even the manager
looked as if he was struggling to contain his mirth.  I saw him gently
elbow Ms Zafra in the side.

    "Welcome back, gentlemen," she said with obvious great effort through
her tight, false smile.  "Your order is ready."  It looked like that was
all she was going to say, but I saw another subtle nudge from the manager.
She gave up all pretense of a smile and glared at him.  He simply nodded
his head in our direction and turned toward us, his smile still in place.
But I noticed this time, his stomach was jiggling as he, too, tried to keep
from laughing.  With what appeared to be an enormous effort, Ms Zafra
cranked on the corners of her mouth into her grimace and said, "I wish to
a..." She looked at her manager in near panic.  He jerked his head
emphatically in our direction, and she turned to us again.  "I wish to
apologize for my behavior earlier.  I ask your forgiveness."  This was said
a most rushed and stilted manner, without any attempt at sincerity, and
obviously caused her enormous effort and distress.

     "Thank you for your apology.  I know how much that must have hurt,"
said my boy, with a smile intentionally as insincere as hers.  "While we
all know that if you had the choice, you would never have apologized, I
will accept it.  I hope you will learn to treat other customers much better
than you did us."  He was really putting the screws to her, and it was too
funny seeing her seethe and shake in anger to be spoken to like that by
someone of Ronni's age and knowing she could do nothing about it with her
manager standing right beside her.  At this point, poor Roberto lost it
completely, and he had to quickly walk away followed by his howling
laughter, while the manager openly chuckled and Lorenzo and I both also let
go.  Bitchy Poo was quaking in anger, her face taking on such an angry
shade of red that she looked as if she was about to stroke out.

      "That is it!!"  she screamed.  "I will not be insulted and treated
like this by a snot-nosed kid and be so humiliated in public with my own
manager a part of it!! I QUIT!!"  With that she stormed off, presumably to
get her belongings.  At this, the manager was actually laughing out loud
and clapping his hands with glee.

     "Thank you!!  Thank you!!" he all but shouted, running around the
counter.  He grabbed Lorenzo's hand and began pumping it furiously before
turning to me and giving my arm the same treatment.  He paused when he got
to Ronni, shrugged and gave him a huge bear hug.  "You have no idea how
happy you have made me!  I have been wanting to fire her almost from the
first day she arrived, but because of her seniority with the company, that
was not possible.  The only way to get rid of her was if she quit, and she
did, all thanks to you!  And since there were so many others around to hear
her say it, there is no way she can deny she said it and keep her job.  She
has made our lives miserable here, and you have our undying gratitude for
helping to make this happen."  Just about then, the newly unemployed Ms
Zafra came storming from the back of the store under a full head of steam
with her coat and purse, not even acknowledging any of us as she huffed out
the door and out of sight.  Suddenly, we heard clapping that got louder and
louder as, what looked like just about every employee in the store came
toward us.  Even the manager joined in!  Roberto managed to work his way
through the crowd with a big smile on his face.  He had obviously been the
one to pass the word about what was transpiring up front, and he now came
to us and shook our hands.  It almost turned into a receiving line as all
the employees wanted the chance to shake our hands and thank us, but
finally, everyone went back to work, and we finished up the paper work for
our purchases.  My biggest concern was that since we were essentially being
given all this stuff for free, that Roberto wouldn't get any commission for
a sale.  The manager assured us that he would get full commission on every
item, and that made me feel better.  Once all the paper work was completed,
Roberto followed us out the door with the dolly.  Lorenzo had run on ahead
to bring the car up to the loading ramp by the front door, and once he had
pulled up and parked, we managed to get everything loaded into the car with
little room to spare for us.  When I slipped Roberto another 1000 pesos for
his help, he hugged me and the others and thanked us again before heading
back inside.  I realized that we were going to have to drop all this stuff
off at the house before going to see Josie, so I gave her a quick call to
fill her in, and we headed home with spoils of our very traumatic day.  At
least it ended on a brighter note.


This has been quite a day for the guys!  I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
It took me the longest to write of all of them as I tried to create
something as realistic as possible.  If you're enjoying the story, please
let me know.  It's the only reward I get for writing it, and the only way I
know if I'm doing a good job.  And ladies, I'd like to hear from you too.
What do you think so far?  And if all of you want to continue to enjoy this
and other stories for free, please help out the folks at Nifty keep it that
way with your contribution in any amount.
http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Thanks!!