For The Love of Aunt Rose 13

For The Love of Aunt Rose 13

The next day Gordon and Kitty took their friends to the Santa Anita Park Horse Racing Park. Friday was actually free admittance. The Car parking was very inexpensive. Scott and Geraldine wanted to see the races and bet. Aunt Rose said she might like to try her luck at betting also.

Aunt Rose wore her long deep mahogany skirt and pale rose lace long sleeve blouse. Her sensible shoes were brown. A light brown straw hat decorated with three pale pink roses. In her medium size straw purse was her pink rose covered silk shawl, small camera, a toss away cell phone and a notebook and as usual cash money in a change purse. A hidden tab in her skirt pocket carried her ID, an extra one hundred dollar bill and one credit card. She was always aware that her purse could be stolen.

She was more covered than the others but cool from the blazing sun.

Geraldine and Kitty wore cool summer dresses with sandals and summer fold-able cotton hats. The two men both preferred khaki shorts, Hawaiian shirts, ball caps and sneakers.

They had a nice breakfast of waffles and fresh raspberries along with coffee,juice or tea.

Taking Kitty's larger and more comfortable car they all fit in comfortably.

It was off to the races for the five of them.

The drive to the track was less than a half hour away. Once the car was parked they entered. The ladies' purses were opened then they were allowed inside. The men also checked just in case of weapons. We live in a crazy world nowadays. The five of them picked a spot where they would be located in case they got separated from each other and the cell phones did not work.

Aunt Rose snapped a photo of the meeting spot if lost. There also was a built in wall bench there that would hold six normal size adults. She thought this really was a good place to meet if lost.

Aunt Rose had also taken a picture of the location the car was parked and the identifying row as marking.

Kitty and Gordon always made sure when they went somewhere with crowds and Aunt Rose was with them they would know in the vicinity she was. She was their elder but they always wanted to protect her.

They quickly found seats for five.

The men bought a racing program and they were busy checking it out.

Geraldine and Kitty excused themselves to go to the ladies room. Aunt Rose was invited but she declined saying she was going down in front of their box to take pictures.

“I will be fine. I have the locations on camera of parking. If I get lost and out of the actual sitting spot do not fret. You all know I have the phone and your numbers. I'm the only little ol lady dressed like this. Here take a picture of me standing next to Gordon in case I'm lost or kidnapped.” said Rose laughingly.

They all pulled out their cameras and took a photo.

Off she went down the steps to take photos with her little camera.

The atmosphere down there was a lot more exciting than up in the box.

She took more photos and wandered a bit off to the left. Gordon and Scott were nose deep in the racing form. She could see them but wandered a bit further. She noticed it was a bit cooler as she went down.

People were smoking down there. She could smell it. There also was the smell of beer.

Deep under the building over to the other side she saw the blue sky. There was a beer garden down there and outside in the grassy area there were people smoking.

She got a few looks as she walked along. People always stared at her because of the vintage looking clothing she wore.

Aunt Rose had always preferred to be covered and to wear a hat. It was the way she felt most comfortable.

A few of the men lifted their hats as she passed by. She gave them a nod. One man, obviously drunk, yelled out if she wanted a beer. His companion next to him gave him a sharp elbow and he shut his mouth quickly.

She finally got to a counter and asked for a bottle of water. Aunt Rose was a bit tired by now and sat down at the table out in the center under a tree. Here she rested her feet and sipped on her water.

“Excuse me Miss. Are you lost or in need of some assistance?” came a voice from a well dressed lady in her early sixties.

“Well I could be lost as I am quite Geographically challenged. So far I do not know if I need assistance but I may as the time goes by.” said Rose with her big smile.

This is how Aunt Rose and Samantha first met.

©Julia A Knaake