One lazy morning Noah got on his wobbly bike to take a look at this sleepy town, and chanced upon a nice story.
A sign at the threshold of the "city" declares
the number of residents who mainly work in the
oil fields and plantations surrounding the "city."
(Noah had to repeat the word because of its absurdity)
That is main street Maricopa touting shuttered
business establishments that knew better days.
the owners are now either in another town or
are ghosts like their "city." (there's the
word again.)
The only shop that throbs with activity in
the whole of town - Tina's Diner. It is life
for the retired residents and workhands in the
neighboring fields.
The interior: paintings of the walls included a sea,
islands, coconut trees, a nice cone-shaped mountain
beside a thatched hut... guess. You're right -
Philippines!!
Fatima or Tina came to America 45 years ago as a busty sumthin year-old penpal bride. She left behind Liloan, Cebu and 11 siblings of "ASPO" parents (her own description). She wouldnt let Noah take her photo even if she was so elated and animated to have a certified "Bisdak" in the house.
She survived two deceased husbands and... "i'm working on the third one" was her matter-of-fact declaration.
She's owner, chef, waitress, dishwasher, etc and she was all over the place. She knew all her clients by name and she had a full house by the time noah left.
That's Noah's order upon Tina's insistence and
prodding. She said that he needed a lot of protein
since he was pedaling for 7 hours. Noah could
only hold his breath until she reappeared with a
heaping platter...
...which had omelette of cheese, bacon, ham,
ground beef, pickles, onions, tomatoes plus
everything under the sun plus rice, a slice
of cantelope, toast and strawberry jam
and bottomless coffee enough to feed an
island family of four.
After cleaning up his plate Noah reached for his money, but Tina wouldn't accept a single cent. She said that having a fellow Cebuano
around was very remote and the occasion called for free food. As Noah exited from the resto which was now filling up with lunch clients, she shouted above the din - "pagayo-ayo, amping sa imong byahe, salamat sa pagbisita!" (no doubt she was savoring the crispiness of her native dialect on her lips).
God bless you Tina and may your third husband treat you well.
On the way home Noah nursed a full and bulging
tummy while passing this facility. Its presence
in the locality will attest to the remoteness
of Maricopa.
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