Saved by rice and beans

SAVED BY RICE AND BEANS

“That cliff looks good. I can throw myself off onto those rocks” Mercedes considered. She hadn’t quite figured how she was going to do it. This might be it. Her car was parked in the restaurant parking lot. The keys were in the ignition.

“My life is so fucked up, I don’t want to face whatever shit hits my fan tomorrow.” she had thought before driving with no destination in mind. She took the coast highway route north to Big Sur. Seeing the sign for the restaurant reminded her that she was hungry.

In the past twenty-four hours she had been fired, dumped, and abandoned by family and friends.

The sign reading “Path to the Beach” caught her attention. She walked down to the beach, looked out on the Pacific, then along the shore to the south where trees come close to the water, then north to see seals on the rocks. Mercedes noticed the cliff above the jagged boulders.

“Perfect” Mercedes said. She walked along the ocean edge toward the trees.

“This would be a great place to come, if everything wasn’t so fucked up.” Her walk led to a sandy clearing. She noticed the guy sitting by a camp fire. There was a pot balanced between a couple of rocks.

“Howdy” Mercedes heard. She waved toward the figure.

“Got a pot of rice and beans about ready here. You hungry?”

Mercedes thought back on her turn into the parking lot. “I am hungry” she reminded herself. She walked to where the guy was sitting.

“Hi. This is almost done. Have a seat.”

“What is it?” Mercedes asked as she sat on the sand near the guy.

“Rice and beans and some greens. Peasant food.”

“How’d you end up here cooking peasant food?”

“I come up here at least a couple of times a year to just be in nature and get my head straight. A few days away from society is a tonic for the brain. I always bring my cook kit and a bag of rice. A knife was on the cutting board. He opened the pot’s lid, stirred the contents with the knife, then added a jar of black beans and stirred again. He reached into the rucksack and took out two metal camping plates and a bag of spoons and forks. He handed Mercedes a plate, used a ladle to scoop a serving onto her plate. He handed her a spoon, then filled his own plate.

“Bon appetit” He said and spooned a bite into his mouth. Mercedes took a small bite.

“This is good” Mercedes said. “Do you always make gourmet meals on a camp fire?”

“When I’m here I do” he said “I do have a few tricks in my bag here. Like garlic powder, basil and cayenne pepper.”

“Are you a chef or something?” Mercedes asked.

“No, just a guy who likes to cook and camp on the beach.”

“I’m Gus, by the way”

“I’m Mercedes. I was just noticing how hungry I am. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome” Gus replied. “What brings you to Big Sur?”

“Just stopped and saw the sign to the beach. And here I am”

“Glad you stopped by.”

“What else do you do here besides cook?” Mercedes asked.

“Mostly sit and listen to the ocean and think good thoughts. If it warms up tomorrow, I’ll go in the water. Still pretty cold, but really invigorating.”

“That sounds pretty nice” Mercedes said. She was thinking about her misfortune of the past twenty-four hours.

“Maybe sitting here for a while would be good” Mercedes thought.

“Do you always give food to anyone that comes this way?”

“If they’re hungry .Just paying the universe back for people helping me along my way.”

“That’s so nice. If more people thought like that, this would be better place.”

“I agree. We just all need to do our part.”

Mercedes was wondering what her part might be.

“Listening to the ocean sounds like a good thing” Mercedes said. “Mind if I hang here with you for a while?”

“I don’t mind at all. I usually meditate after I eat. Wanna join me?”

“Sounds like just what I need” What do we do?”

“I just sit and think about nothing. It’s not always easy to turn out all the thoughts and crazy events going on. I just look out on the ocean and think there’s only me and the ocean and the stars out there. Sometimes I chant a little to get me there.”

“I could use that” Mercedes said. “What do you chant?”

“Om mani padme hum” is my standard. Simple and effective. Why don’t we chant together for a few minutes.”

“OK” Mercedes agreed. Gus began, stretching the om. Mercedes joined following his cadence.

After a few minutes, Mercedes had put her day behind. She was thinking about nothing but this wonderful place. And this guy cooking rice and beans for the world.

“How did I get here?” Mercedes silently asked herself.

“This is where you need to be” an inner voice responded.

“Why?” she asked the voice.

“You’ll know soon” she faintly heard.

“Do you hear voices when you do this?” Mercedes asked.

“Sure. All the time. Mostly they tell me to chill out.”

“What do you need to chill out from? Mercedes was curious.

“It’s always something .I just got a rejection letter for book I thought was pretty good. Rejections always bum me out. Packed my rucksack, put out my thumb, and here I am.”

“Where did you thumb from?” Mercedes asked.

“Laguna Beach. Where are you from?”

“Pomona”

“Been through there. Never stopped” Gus mentioned. It’s in that Paul Simon song.”

“No reason to stop in Pomona” Mercedes said. “Looks like I might not be there long.”

“Oh, I hope everything’s OK.”

“It’s kind of a mess. Lost my job, have lots of bills, won’t be able to afford rent.”

“Bummer. My problems seem so trivial in comparison” Gus said.

A shooting star flashed in the sky over the Pacific.

“I’ve got a jacket you can wear” Gus mentioned when he saw Mercedes’ clutching her arms around herself.

I’ve got one in my car. I should get it. You’ll need yours.” Mercedes said. “it’s a little dark out though.”

“I’ve got a flashlight” Gus said. “I’ll walk up with you.”

Gus put sand on the embers to extinguish them. He stood, held out his hand to help Mercedes to her feet. they walked along the shore to the path up to the parking lot. At the car, Mercedes opened the door, took the keys out of the ignition and took her jacket from the back seat.

Mercedes was thinking how nice this guy is. “Derek is nothing like this. Maybe good riddance.” They walked back to the camp site by flashlight and dim star light. The moon over the ocean was not much more than a sliver. Back at the site, Gus put his jacket on. They sat for a while in silence, star gazing and listening to the swells landing on the shore. There went another shooting star.

Gus was yawning. Mercedes had moved over to sit close to Gus. She snuggled. Gus put his arm around her. She felt warm and safe. Mercedes decided to act on a whim. It was Derek, after all, who slept with that Francine from customer service.

“You got room in that sleeping bag for an extra?” Mercedes asked while snuggling a little closer.

“I’m sure we can find room” Gus accepted.

Gus got up, brought over the sleeping bag and spread it out near the fire that was nearly burned out by now.

“I usually use my clothes for a pillow” Gus informed. I can leave them on for the night.”

“Pillow sounds good to me” Mercedes said. “No need for anything different..

“Do you want to get in first?” Gus asked.

“You go ahead” she replied.

Gus took off the blue denim work shirt and the long-sleeved tee shirt. His Levis were next. There was nothing beneath the Levis. He wrapped his shirt around the folded pants, put it at the top of the sleeping bag, and climbed in.

Mercedes first impression was shock. She managed to suppress the look and began undressing.

She took off her jacket, then unbuttoned her shirt. . She removed her jeans. Mercedes climbed in. They lay facing each other.

Mercedes’ hand was the first to make contact with Gus’ thigh. Lips touched. Tongues explored. Gus’s thrusts were gentle.

“I like the way he does it” Mercedes thought.

While they cuddled, Gus rubbed her thigh. “When I saw you naked with the moon over your shoulder I realized I had just seen the most beautiful sight ever.” Mercedes caressed until she was able to climb on top for a nightcap.

In the morning Gus and Mercedes shared more intimacy.

“What do you do now? Mercedes asked.

“I build the fire. Then I run down and dive under a wave. Then come back and dry off, and heat up some rice.

Gus climbed out of the sleeping bag, took the towel from his rucksack.

“You coming?”

Mercedes climbed slowly out and stood next to Gus.

“Lets go, then”

Gus started jogging to the shore. Mercedes followed, they ran, holding hands, through the first wave that broke on the shore, dove under another a little further out. Gus rubbed salt water over his body parts. Mercedes observed and did the same. Gus took her hand. They ran back to the fire. Gus took the towel and began drying Mercedes back, then front, then down both legs. Mercedes did the same on Gus. Mercedes went with Gus to gather firewood from downed trees. Some raisins from the pack were added to the rice.. Breakfast was served. After cleanup and another wood run, they sat, listening to the ocean.

“I usually do some reading in the morning” Gus advised. “Just have one book, though. Would you like me to read some of it to you?”

“Oh, that would be so nice” Mercedes said. Her thoughts went to how nice this guy seems.

Gus took out Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse. He read the part about listening to the river. after going through so many things in life. The river was always there, letting things jut flow on by. No permanence.

“Did you pick that out for me?” Mercedes asked. “That was totally what I needed. She leaned over and hugged Gus.

“That was just where I was at” Gus admitted. “I’m glad it was what you need.”

Mercedes wiped her tears, thinking back on the voice. She told Gus the story of how she had been fired with no severance, her cheating boyfriend is balling some chick in customer service, leaving her with the entire monthly rent that had been split. She admitted to considering jumping off the cliff.

“Listening to the ocean washed all that away. It’s like the wave came in and crashed on my problems and took them back out to sea.

Mercedes job had been eliminated. Her boyfriend also works there and had an affair with another coworker. He left Mercedes for her.

“Guy must be stupid or crazy” Gus said.

Mercedes moved next to Gus, hugged him.

“I was planning on thumbing back down the coast tomorrow” Gus advised.

“Why don’t you stay and I’ll drive you back to Laguna” Mercedes suggested.

“Works for me” Gus smiled.

Back at the beach, they settled in for the afternoon. They chanted and meditated, talked about their past lives and dreams for the future.

“I want to sell a book and buy a place up here. Walk naked on the beach and cook peasant food. Share it with the vagabonds and gypsies.”

Mercedes didn’t have dreams, just struggles. She hadn’t thought about anything beyond next month’s rent.

“Future! What future?” Mercedes admitted to herself. “I love how this guy is so right in the moment” she thought. “Maybe Laguna is the place to be. Short term future, anyway.”

After lunch of apples and clementine oranges from the market, they ran naked to the ocean again. After drying each other off, they lay on top of the sleeping bag. Gus let his lips and tongue go on a Mercedes safari. Mercedes was satisfied. “Yep, I think I’m heading to Laguna” she said to herself.

While driving down the coast to Highway 101, Mercedes brought up the subject tumbling in her brain.

“I want to get away from Pomona” Mercedes mentioned. “What would you think about me moving to Laguna Beach?”

“You should move anywhere you want.” Gus said. “Laguna will have one more beautiful lady in town if you do. And I’ll know the most beautiful one of all.”

“You sure do talk nice” Mercedes said. “You do some other things nice too.”

“Do you want to shack up with me until you get settled?”

“Do you have room?” she asked.

“More room than the sleeping bag we’ve been sharing. Not much, but I’ll make room for you.”

“You may have a hard time getting rid of me”

“Who says I’ll want to get rid of you?”

“If your writing is as good as your talking, you’re gonna be famous.”

As they discussed practicalities, mostly on Mercedes’ side, she had a concern.

“I don’t know what to do about my lease” Mercedes said. Both our names are on it.”

“Why don’t you tell the rental agency you’re moving and your ex will be staying. He’s the one with a job still. Then, drop in on him at work and drop off the key.

“Oh, you’re devious. This is the first I’ve seen this side of you.:”

“There’s lots of sides to see.”

“I can’t wait to see them all.”

“Be careful what you ask for” Gus said while laughing. Mercedes laughed too.

“That goes both ways” she mentioned. “Can we stop in Pomona to do that and pick up a few of my things?”

“Sound like a plan” Gus agreed.

Once in Pomona, Mercedes drove to the rental agent’s office. From the office, they drove to her former apartment, picked up her clothes, toothbrush and a few personal items. Next, to the office where Derek and that slut from customer service still work. She walked up to Derek’s cubicle and set her key on the desk.

“It’s all yours. I’m outa here” is all she said. Derek tried to argue the point but she kept walking out the door. The Pomona Freeway leads to the 5 Freeway and to Laguna Canyon Road. Mercedes’ belongings were laid on Gus’s love seat.

“We should go over to my friend Chip’s place. Let him know I’m back.”

“Do you have to go to work right away?” Mercedes asked.

“Depends on how much work he has and if I need the money.”

“Sounds pretty flexible”

“It is. But if he’s in a jam, I’ll always be there for him. He’s had my back since we became friends.”

“Sounds like a good friend. I wish I had some of them.”

The next morning, there was no work. Gus and Mercedes considered the day’s agenda.

“All I know about Laguna is that it’s an artist haven” Mercedes mentioned.

“That it is” Gus agreed. “How about we head over to the art district. Lots of galleries and studios there.

“This looks like a good night for a sunset” Gus mentioned. “We used to sit on the rock pile on the Main Beach and watch the sun set over Catalina Island. We should wrap a joint or two and head down there.”

Gus told Mercedes how a group of friends from the old days would meet there to watch the sun set and make plans for the evening.

The cloud cover helped to fill the sky with colors more vibrant than anything in the crayola box. Catalina was clearly visible.

“What shall we do next?” Mercedes asked.

“How about we go home, close the curtains and dance naked?” Gus suggested.

Mercedes stood up, took Gus’s hand to help him up. “Let’s go, then”

It was time to figure a few things out.

“Its a little crowded since I got here” Mercedes began. “Should I look for a place of my own?”

“I like it here with you” Gus affirmed. “Maybe look for a bigger place together.”

“Oooh” Mercedes cooed “That sounds perfect”

One night, with Miles Davis on the speakers, Mercedes sat in deep thought.

“I’m so happy that meeting you kept me from killing myself.” Mercedes said. ”This is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

“Same goes for me” Gus agreed. “Guess you were saved by rice and beans.

“We all have a past.” Gus said. “Our pasts brought us to here. So everything has worked out fine from my point of view. I wouldn’t change anything. I’m just looking forward what’s next.”

Gus is seventy-five now. Mercedes is a few years behind. He and Mercedes bought a lot on the unpaved road at Top of the World. They started building the house, piece by piece.

They had help from Chip and a few others who have become friends. It is now a two-bedroom ranch style cottage. A vegetable garden takes up the yard.

The housewarming party was fun. Most of the gifts were consumed at the party. Everyone seemed happy and buzzed.

“Anyone needs to not be on the road can crash here. We’ll have coffee and oatmeal in the morning.”

“Oatmeal, rice and beans” Mercedes mentioned, “You always think of other people, even if you don’t know them. That’s just one of the things I love about you.”

“You think about other people too” Gus reminded.

“You rub off on me” Mercedes admitted. “I really was saved by rice and beans.”

"What's for dinner tonight? Gus asked.

"Rice and beans."

"My favorite."

After dinner, Mercedes closed the curtains. She was naked in a flash. She helped Gus get ready to cha cha cha. They danced until bedtime