One morning Marie was working in the kitchen cleaning up the breakfast dishes, and I noticed she was quietly crying. Marie is shy, so it took me a while for her to tell me. She hasn't seen her mother for a while, and she really misses her. We sat and talked, found out her Mother lived in Kingston, AZ, about 100 miles from Flagstaff. She hated to ask me for time off to go see her, so I suggested she would come here instead. There was plenty of room for her, there's 3 bedrooms in the house that aren't being used. She protested, said that I had done enough for her, she didn't want to impose. Amos came in the kitchen, and joined the conversation.
He's met Rosa, said she's a sweet lady, an older version of Marie, taught her how to cook and all kinds of other things. I could see Marie's eyes light up as he talked about her Mama, so I insisted she come here for a visit, as long as she wants. I offered to drive the big car, I don't remember what kind it is, a left over from my law days. I kept it because it's a real gun boat, holds a lot of people. Marie got excited, and I told her to go call her Mama and give us a day and time to pick her up.
Doyle and Blanche, the couple that used to own the ranch and that now have a house on some of the land, also have met Rosa, and told me that I'd like her, said the same thing Amos did, that she was an older version of Marie.
The day and time was set, and Marie got into the big car with me and we left. Marie had not been in the big car before, and she said it was like riding in a carriage of a queen! She was really out of her shell, and talked my ear off all the way to Kingston. We picked up Rosa, and they both sat in the back seat. They talked mostly in English, sometimes slipped into Spanish, but they'd always excuse themselves for doing so, as it was very rude!
Ended up Rosa stayed for two weeks, and she could have stayed longer as far as I was concerned. She was no trouble at all, and Marie like having her near. Marie had told me a lot of things about her life with her Mama on the trip to Kingston, so I started to work on a song about her. When I had a good start, I told Marie and asked her to help with some of the details. When she'd tell me some things, her eyes would tear up, especially when she talked about her Papa, who had died when she was 10 years old. The song went quickly, and I asked Marie if she would record it for her Mama. She wasn't sure she could get through it without crying, but that she would try.
I went all out for the recording session. Got some Mariachi musicians, plus a small string section. We rehearsed it quite a bit before we got it like we wanted it, and Marie did break down the first few times she tried to sing it. But eventually we got a track laid that was very good. The next day before supper, I invited everyone into my living room where I've got a nice stereo setup. I played the recording, and before it was over there wasn't a dry eye in the house! Rosa was very moved, hugged me and kissed me, as did Marie.
We had a nice little party afterwards, invited the musicians that played on the recording as well. I was very glad to be able to do it for her Mama, and for Marie as well!
It's no wonder Delmar's songs have been few and far between; he's writing songs for his extended family! Two songs for Marie and Amos Carter, another for Doyle! But he seems to be enjoying himself doing it, and we enjoy hearing the results!
