Let Me Take You

By Janie Isidoro

The corn fields bring him peace, the fresh tortillas de harina his jefa takes off the comal warm his heart. Watching Hector his nephew on a Friday night while Gris his sister and Tony his brother in law go out for dinner keeps him grounded.
Every Sunday Ernesto helps his jefe on their land he is reminded of just how important family is.
Ernesto Vega es un hombre educado with ruggedly handsome looks. He spends his days working on engines and nights working on women.
Little does he know that’s all about to change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janie Isidoro
• Release date: Aug 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463848210

Janie Isidoro

Janie M. Isidoro is a writer and photographer from the beautiful Valle Central de California. She has lived all over the United States but there is no place like home. She discovered her passion for writing over a vivid dream she had, a dream which changed the course of her life, she was inspired to write 7 novels, full of amor, familia y cultura. As a child she was into lowriders and anything that had to do with raza. She met her husband in 1999. For her 20th birthday he surprised her by buying her a 1970 Chevy Monte Carlo. This intensified her love & interest for classic cars, ultimately inspiring her to become a photographer at car shows. Janie is a mama de tres hijos. Her babies rule her world. They are the true meaning of all the beautiful things in her life. Janie is a true believer in love. She has been known to question others interpretations & perception of love, not to judge however to educate and self-reflect. She loves to share stories of life experiences and the interpretation of love. She has been published in Latino LA and has several short stories circulating for publication. Janie has taken several writing workshops and attended writing conferences.

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Let Me Take You

Una Historia de Familia y Amor

Janie M. Isidoro

Copyright © 2018 Janie M. Isidoro

www.myeyesycorazon.com

SMASHWORDS EDITION

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Certain stock imagery © BigStock Images

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by BigStock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is coincidental and not the intent of either the author or publisher.

Cover design by Janie and Devin Isidoro

Published by My Eyes Y Corazon Press

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

=Uno=

=Dos=

=Tres=

=Cuatro=

=Cinco=

=Seis=

=Siete=

=Ocho=

=Nueve=

=Diez=

=Once=

=Doce=

=Trece=

=Catorce=

=Quince=

=Dieciséis=

=Diecisiete=

=Dieciocho=

=Diecinueve=

=Veinte=

=Veintiuno=

=Veintidós=

=Veintitres=

=Veinticuatro=

=Veinticinco=

=Veintiseis=

=Veintisiete=

About the Author

Dedication

In 1999 I met a fine young man that was 19 years old. His wild ways and relentless smile kept me intrigued. Over the years this man turned into my husband and father to our three babies. He has taught me selfless love, to smile through the hardest times and to live life to the fullest. Because of you baby, this book has come into creation and all the others to follow. Tu eres todo en mi vida. Por siempre, Javier Isidoro.

To my three greatest blessings, Devin, Jiovanna and Charlie. Thank you my babies for being my biggest supporters. For those late nights in my office when I was working and you guys would come in with your laughter, it would remind me to push harder and to make you guys proud of me someday. Los quiero tanto, nada en este mundo es mas importante que ustedes. Make your dreams happen mis hijos.

Acknowledgements

I woke up from a dream one morning and called my sister to tell her. She said I should write it down so I did. It turned into a novel. Thank you Rachel for pushing me to write it.

To Irene my comadre thank you for helping me throughout the years with ideas. For reading my manuscript at its worst and telling me how great it was. I had no idea the work that lay ahead.

Cuñada Maria, thank you for the honest input always throughout the years on everything.

Alicia, thank you for hearing day after day about my story and all the advice you gave.

=Huron Crew=

Karina, Thank you for reading my stories and the ideas you gave. With your help this man came to life.

Primas Mitzy and Liz, Yasmeen (book cover visionaries) Thank you for helping this book cover come together.

Mrs. Casarez, we both had no idea what editing entailed. Never the less you agreed to help and edited my first draft. That was some job I gave you. Thank you for your time and dedication for being part of creating my dream.

=Uno=

I run outside barefoot in my jeans and tank top to go warm up my Chevy. I pump the gas twice, turn the key, and push the gas pedal all the way down to motivate it to stay on. I take a deep breath. I like the smell of the fumes when I turn my truck on for the first time in the day. The mix of gas and the exhaust leak on the pipes reminds me there is nothing like a classic.

I run back inside, put my Old Spice deodorant on, slip on my work boots and my work shirt that has my name sewed on it. I slick my hair back, and I'm out the door to go to work.

I drive down the streets of my small city. I never thought of leaving Visalia. I like that it has everything like a big city but little enough to know everyone when you drive down the street. I make my way down Main Street and head to the east end of town to the shop where I work.

I've been here a few years. I like what I do. I wanted to work on cars since I could remember. I knew after high school I had to go to college for automotive mechanic.

____________________

My work day is going by fast. My last job is this Buick; damn brake lines are all busted. These owners must have been off-roading on this ride. I grab my wrench and start working on taking the brake lines off. Cars are something I love. I have the patience to work on them. It takes my mind off everything else.

Griselda, my sister, asked me to watch Hector, mi sobrino, tonight so her and my brother in law, Tony, can have a date night. I keep looking at the clock; five o’clock can't come fast enough. I'm counting down the minutes. I like having the little vato over. He says my apartment looks like México. Pinché chiquillo.

I get home to shower and start making some sopa and carne asada. By the time seven pm gets around Gris has already called me twice to let me know they're on their way. I yell at her, Ah! Just get here and stop calling!

It’s almost 8 o’clock when I hear the doorknob twisting. The door flies open, and Hector comes in running, yelling, "Tío! The life of the party's here!" He runs and hugs me.

I pick him up, "Yeah Mijo, the party’s just starting. What clubs are we hitting tonight?"

He tilts his head to one side and puts his finger on his chin, McDonald's?

I nod my head, "Sounds firmé chango."

Gris comes in kissing my cheek and giving me a hug. I grab the back of her hair and pull it hard, Ouch! she yells as she tries to get away from me. I start laughing still tugging on it.

She turns to look at me while rubbing her head, Tony and I are in need of a break, bad, Neto.

I look over at Hector who is all wired playing with the toy cars he keeps here at my house, I can imagine. Hector is a ten-year-old stuck in a five-year-old body. After tonight, I'll need a break from him.

She wrinkles her nose and hits my shoulder softly "Malo! Only we can talk about him like that!" She looks at me amused.

In comes Tony with his black slacks, brown button-down shirt, and polished shoes. He treats my sister like a queen and Hector’s the apple of his eye. He closes the door behind him. We give each other a handshake and hug. He looks over at Gris, Hey, we don’t have to go out just let Neto take the baby, and you and I can stay here and eat the food he made. He looks over at me winking his eye; he’s trying to make her mad.

Gris puts her hands in the air waving them from side to side, Babe you're such a tightwad! You're taking me out to a nice dinner tonight and a movie.

He takes a deep breath, "Órale pues, but keep it under twenty bucks."

They stay about ten minutes and say their goodbyes to Hector. They’re off to their Date Night. Me and Hector wave from the window. We watch as Tony opens the door for Gris just like he always has for the last 14 years, never taking his eyes off her.

=Dos=

Gris and Tony got together when Gris had just graduated college. She was twenty, and he was twenty-two. Gris has always been beautiful. Wavy dark brown hair to her mid back, caramel colored skin, big green round eyes, and she has little lips like a bird. I used to tell her that because her eyes are so big and round she had to have a small mouth so they can all fit together. She's always carried herself with pride. Gris was the first to graduate college; she should be proud. Y pues my parents wanted the best for their only daughter.

At the beginning of Tony and Griselda’s relationship, my parents weren’t happy about Tony. Of course, no one is good enough for their daughter. But Tony kissed the ground Gris walked on, and that won their hearts. They married two years later and bought a beautiful house. Gris worked for an agriculture company, and Tony graduated from college with a degree in business. He ran the business end of the Ag Company. They have done good for themselves.

She had a hard time having a baby. She had two miscarriages before she was able to have Hector. And of course, she named Hector after our jefe. And since having Hector, she hasn’t been able to get pregnant again.

Tony and Gris are both happy with the one gift God has given them. But I know both of them would love more kids.

Hector is fast asleep. PlayStation wore him out. We never made it to the McDonald's club. I fix the pillow under his head and cover him up with the blanket when my cell phone rings.

It’s Jimmy, "Quihobo Bro?" I answer.

It's Friday. Be ready in thirty minutes. I'm picking you up, and we're hitting the club tonight!

I look over at Hector, "Can't carnal, I’m watching Hector. Tony y Gris went out."

He sighs, For real? Bro, you ain't even a daddy yet, and you spend your Fridays watching your nephew. Call me when they pick him up, and we can go then.

Este guey, I'm good tonight. I'll hit you up tomorrow and let's see what happens.

"Alright man, but no babysitting tomorrow, you need to get you some ass, serio."

Ass? Este vato.

It's almost midnight before Gris and Tony show up to pick up their reason for living. Tony picks Hector up tossing him over his shoulder. Gris gives me a hug and a kiss. She thanks me. As she turns around, she says, See you at mom’s house on Sunday.

I nod, I’ll be there hangover and all. I pick up my hand to my mouth like I'm drinking a beer.

Tony’s walking out the door and gives me a low wave, Thanks, man, we appreciate you playing babysitter on a Friday night.

As they walk out, I lock the door behind them.

I take off my tank top and throw it on my couch. I walk into my room and take off my sweats and lay down in my boxers. It's been a long day for me, and my bed feels good. Lights are out and a few minutes later yo tambien.

____________________

I’ve never wanted someone so damn bad. I'm right in front of her. Before I know it, she's pulling me toward her by my shirt, kissing me, wanting me as much as I've wanted her. She begins to pull my shirt up around my neck, then over my head.

The whole time I can’t keep my mouth off her, her lips are soft and sweet. Damn, she feels good to me.

I'm in the shower with her. I know without a doubt what's gonna happen.

I pull away from her for a split second looking her up and down. Her robe is open in the front exposing just a peek of her breast.

I grab her hard and pull her close. I begin kissing every part of her while undressing us both. She's more than I imagined and I'm gonna touch every part of her body.

____________________

I wake up and look over at my clock. It's four in the morning. Why am I dreaming about her? We've said hi and bye a few times, that’s it. I turn around and grab my pillow. Maybe I can keep dreaming.

I hear ringing in the distance. It gets louder and louder, and I realize it's my cell phone. I go to grab it. It's 11 o’clock. Shit!! I slept longer than I should have.

Today, I had plans of waking up early to do a tune-up on my truck, get two new tires, and shop for some food for my house cause I'm running on empty.

I grab my phone, Hello? Surprise, surprise it's Jimmy.

"Serio, were you still sleeping?"

I rub my eyes, Yeah, shit.

Alright, well back to business. It’s Saturday, what do you say? You want to hit up the club on Main Street tonight or what?

I think for a minute, but I don’t answer him fast enough.

Come on Neto, don’t be a pussy, let’s go!

I laugh and shake my head, "Alright fucker; I'm not gonna be a pussy, I'll meet you there tonight como a las diez."

"Hell yeah! Sounds good Bro, see you alrato."

I slip on some jeans and a tank top. I grab my old beat up black Converse and I’m off to do some work on my truck.

I’m almost done with the tune-up, just got to get this oil filter off but dammit it's stuck. I reach out to get my tool so I can loosen it. I slip out from under the truck, and Carmen is watching me. She doesn’t even realize I moved. I'm waiting to see if she notices I'm looking at her. I reach over hitting a wrench, and she snaps out of her stare.

She lets out a giggle that sounds a lot like Hectors, Hey Ernesto, what you up to today?

I don’t even want to answer her, but I hate being rude. I lay on the ground covered in oil, "Nada, just fixing my truck y tu?"

She starts playing with her hair swinging it from side to side. I’m on to her game.

Carmen is twenty-three. She’s always throwing herself at me. Now, that’s not to say that I wouldn’t accept the throwing, but this girl is younger than twenty-three in her mind. I can tell if I did something with her she's the type that wouldn’t go away. She's also the type I don’t want to keep.

She keeps messing with her hair, We're going to a house party tonight. You and your friends should meet up with us?

I slip back under my truck, Maybe some other time. I got this truck to finish then something to do later on tonight.

I see her feet move closer to the truck, Oh? You hanging out with Jimmy tonight?

Fuck, she knows a lot about me, Yeah.

There's a glimpse of hope in her voice now, Jimmy has a girlfriend, but we all know he doesn't mind having some other girls on the side. You should bring him with you to the party.

This girl is persistent. I clean up my oiled hands with a rag and come out from under my truck. I look up at her wiping the sweat off my forehead, Maybe next time. I smile.

She makes a sad face, Ay, Ernesto. I wish you would take me up on my offer just once. You would have a great time. She picks up her eyebrows as she bites her bottom lip.

I can read between the lines.

"Aver qué."

She shrugs her shoulders and walks away.

I'm getting ready to meet Jimmy, I know he's gonna bring Cindy. I just hope she doesn't cause a scene as she did two weeks ago.

Cindy and Jimmy have been off and on for two years now. They both love the break up to make up thing. Jimmy still loves to love other females, and Cindy still loves the looks from other vatos. I think they're just used to each other.

Sometimes they need a fix from someone else, so they break up. Then when no one else is around, they get back together. They love that game. Shit, I’m not anyone to judge, to each his own I guess.

=Tres=

I warm up my truck. The deep sound it makes from the muffler being cut.

It’s a clear summer night. The green trees lining the streets make the breeze fresh, and the smell of cut grass is in the air. People are out, and some nice rides are cruising through the streets. I roll the windows down, and I’m off to meet Jimmy.

Deuces Wild is the club we kick it at and have drinks. I park my truck and head inside.

They play a lot of old school music, and I know the owner pretty well. His son and I went to school together.

I walk through the doors and Rudy, the owner, waves at me from behind the bar. The walls are dark brown, there are tables to the left and the right, and if you pass through this part to the back, there's another lounge area with more tables and chairs and a full bar.

I'm making my way through, and I see Jimmy.

About time Bro! Jimmy scolds me. He gets up to shake my hand.

The music is loud around us, lights flashing everywhere. It's starting to get packed in here.

Rudy, the owner, comes to our table, Hey Ernesto, how are guys doing? We shake his hand.

"I’m good Rudy, y tu?" I answer.

Good, good. He says as he pats my back.

How's Carlos doing with the law firm he's working with? I ask.

He smiles. I can tell he’s proud, Really good; he'll be here later tonight. You boys can catch up.

Cool, I haven’t seen him this past year. It’s gonna be nice to see him and ask for some legal advice.

Rudy wrinkles his eyebrows, "Mijo, you're not in any trouble, are you?"

I laugh, No, of course not. Just need some advice about some things. With that, he pats me on my back and walks away. From behind the bar, I can see him telling one of the bartenders to bring us a round of beers.

Jimmy and I are catching up on work and some other stuff when the bartender brings us our drinks.

Jimmy yells, Cindy will be here later, and she can drive our drunk asses home.

"Serio? I thought it was Guys night out Guey, what happened with that?"

He tilts his head to one side, NETO! You know she won't let me be here by myself too long.

This fucker.

A few beers later and Cindy comes in with her crew of girls that are just like her, DRAMA! But all in all, she's cool with me, and that’s business I don't meddle with. After all, she's Jimmy’s pedo.

She walks up to our table, and her girls have already hit the dance floor dancing with each other. She looks at Jimmy and puts her hands on her hips, What? Seriously you started drinking already? I wanted to drink tonight. I swear you're such a damn kid!

Jimmy turns away from her annoyed, Ay, don’t even start with your shit. Let’s have some fun. He stands up from the table, and they go dancing.

I have my back against the booth sitting down drinking. I'm wearing a white shirt with a black thermal underneath. It’s getting a little warm in here, or maybe it’s the shots and beer warming me up.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a girl approaching me. She's thin and has dark hair. I can't see her face with all the lights blinking in the club, just her figure.

As she approaches me, she leans into my ear, I’ve been watching you for a while, want to dance?

I nod yes, "Vamos." I stand up and take a sip of my beer.

She grabs my hand and leads me to where she wants to dance. As we're walking, I’m swaying my shoulders to the beat, Ice Cube’s You Know How We Do It. She turns around to glance at me, stares me up and down. Now I can see her face. She has some beautiful hazel eyes, small pink lips, and dark brown hair. She's wearing some tight jeans with a black tube top shirt and some black high heels that make her legs look longer than what they are. As she looks me up and down, I do the same to her, she smiles. We start dancing; she can move. She swings her hair to the right side. I can smell her perfume, it's nice. She grabs my hands and places them around her waist so I can feel her. I’m not one to move them, so I just let them flow freely all over her. She takes that as an invitation and moves closer to me. We're on our fourth song when she puts her hand on my shoulder bringing me closer to her, Want to go and sit for a little bit?

I move to the side and put my hand out showing her the way back to my table, Let’s go sit. She gives me a smile I know all too well.

We take our seats, and she extends her hand out to me to shake it, Berenice.

Berenice, I'm Ernesto. I answer.

We start small talk, names, job’s all that stuff. She works at a bakery and is 29 years old, with no kids. I tell her what I do.

Well, that explains your man hands. She says as she rubs the top of them softly.

I look at her hands on mine, They're pretty good at what they do.

She laughs and puts her hair behind her ear, looking up at me, What are they good at?

I lick my lips and move closer to her putting my hand on her knee and moving it up slowly. I kiss her neck lightly. She gets eager and turns to kiss me. Once our lips touch, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

Ah! That wasn’t too hard, I see you like my hands?

She opens her eyes and almost looks high, You want to head over to my place?

I nod my head in a yes motion, and her eyes light up. You want to follow me?

I nod my head from side to side, Can't; I’ve been drinking. I pick up my beer to show her.

She flips her hair to one side, Ok then, you're coming in my car. I get up more than willingly. I turn to see where Jimmy is; he's having a beer at the bar with Cindy.

With Berenice in hand, I walk over to Jimmy. I ask him to drop off my truck at my place and leave the keys inside the house. He nods his head and peaks over my shoulder to look at Berenice and smiles, "Simón guey."

I get into her little black Honda.

We talk about her work on our way to her place.