364
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
Then Bill took them through a side door to where the grain
and hay were stored. Bill said to the first man in sight, “Juan, are
you interested in some extra work for a month or two?”
“I need some extra work. I have a doctor bill to pay, soon. I
would be happy for the work, what do you want me to do?” Juan
said, taking off his work gloves.
“You would be driving a truck to other states. You would be
gone for more than a month, maybe two. The pay is very good.”
Tital thought for sure that Juan was going to go to work for them,
as he seemed very happy at getting a good offer to make some
more money.
“Señor, you offer is very good. I wish I could go with you, but
my wife, Maria, is overdue with my third child. I am sorry I have
to stay here till the child is born. I am the only one who can take
her to the hospital. Maybe…you can ask José.” Juan said,
pointing to another man loading alfalfa bales onto a metal cart.
“José, come over here for a minute, see if you can help these
folks,” said Bill waving his arm.
Tital again explained the whole story.
When he finished, José answered, “I would be pleased to go
to work with you.”
Tital smiled thinking he had one man and only needed one
more.
Then José continued, “But, I need to tell you, no one in my
family in Mexico ever had a car, so I never learned to drive well.
The three times that I did try, I wrecked three cars, not real bad,
but the trees keep jumping in front of my car. What could I do?
My friends, after that happened, always drove me everywhere.”
Bardala spoke up, “I can see that would be a problem, José.
We will try to find someone else. Are there any other men here