Sergio

Sergio joined the ranch in late June to assist Chef Jim in the kitchen. This was his first masterpiece: a salsa appetizer platter, with neat descriptions of the different kinds. It was a work of art. Sergio lived in Boise before coming here to Stanley. He was Mexican and had nice teeth. In the kitchen he was serious and upbeat. Outside of the kitchen, all he wanted to do was have fun. He drank a lot of Jager and some other things. He came with me, Marla and Heidi to Hailey to see the rodeo. Afterward he picked up a handful of horse manure and chased us around the field.

He got the best room in the roost, perhaps the best room on the entire ranch, if the view is included--because it is the best view of the Sawtooths, the mountains, and even the river. It's amazing. When it was empty CC would make up her hair in the room; Marisa would sketch at the window, and I would sit and stare at those beautiful snow-covered mountains, and sometimes regain focus long enough to write something.

Sergio excelled at playing the guitar. He had high hopes for us at open mic. We were going to sing country songs together, and he started getting serious about practicing. But I was tired and needed my daily nap. And then on one Wednesday when he volunteered to make lunch, it all ended. He didn't clean up his dishes, so when he got back Jim yelled at him and Sergio said, "I quit." He packed his things into his car, said goodbye to everyone he cared about, and drove off to Boise. And Marla became a cooking assistant.