I’m sure the Deity created three-thirty in the morning for someone, but not for me. I got to the alarm clock before it went off. I was trying not to wake Pam up. I didn’t bother with my shower or shave. I wasn’t going to be around people, but I did use my antiperspirant. If nothing else but for me.
I had put my suitcase by the garage door last night and I was using a Styrofoam cup so the clanking of a mug wouldn’t wake Pam. I grabbed two pieces of rye bread with butter. That should hold me for a while. I poured my coffee and was about to sit at the table.
“Where’s my coffee,” a little voice questioned from a little person wiping morning from her eyes.
“Pamela, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up at this hour.” I felt horrible.
“I know when my Man is not in bed with me. Besides, I am not letting my Man drive six hours on two pieces of buttered rye bread. Not happening while I’m breathing.” Pam’s mind would not be changed this morning.
It seemed like minutes and I had ham, two fried eggs, and white toast sitting in front of me and a mug of steaming coffee. Across the table was my girl, with a mug of coffee and two pieces of buttered rye bread. I’m not spoiled, much.
I enjoyed every bite of my breakfast and having my girl with me. It made it harder to leave. Pam knew how I felt, too.
“Mark, I know you work to make a good living for us. I want you to know I realize the effort and precision you put into your work. Drive safely, and take your time with the survey. I know you will and wouldn’t want to make another six-hour drive for a mistake.
“I will be here loving you and making a good home for you. I have shopping and hope to find a little knick-knack for no good reason. Baby, please – please call me when you get to Kinkade. I’m already worrying, you know how I am.” Pam was holding me and looking straight into my eyes.
“I promise I will. If I have to stop for, um, a flat tire or something I will call you and let you know. Okay?” I held her in my arms close to me.
We kissed. A long passionate kiss. Pam was holding back her tears; I was trying to comfort her, but I didn’t want to go. Pam followed me into the garage and opened the door. Before I got in the car we kissed again.
“I love you, Mark,” she said softly.
“I love you, Pamela,” I whispered to her.
I got behind the wheel and backed out of the garage. I watched the garage door close with Pam standing there waving. I was cursing.
The drive to Kinkade was mostly interstate, so it was an easy drive. When I got to the turn-off for Kinkade, it was a nice four-lane asphalt road. After eighteen miles of blue highway, I was in Kinkade.
Kinkade has the usual businesses. What I needed was a motel. At the far end of town, almost out of town was the “Sleep Easy Motel.” From the outside, it looked like the Sleazy Easy Motel. The inside wasn’t much more inviting. I’d bet Friday and Saturday nights are busy here.
I walked in; the front desk was right there. There was about eight feet between the front door and the desk. The lady (ahem) behind the desk smiled and pulled her top down a little more for me.
“What can I do for you?” she asked. It was a loaded question.
“I may need a room for the night. I have a survey in town and I’m not sure how long it is going to take. What is your room rate for the night?” I was afraid to ask.
“It’s five dollars by the hour. After six hours it’s three-fifty,” she purred. “You got someone with you?” she asked.
“No, just me,” I answered. She smiled and pulled her top down a little more. Oh shit!
I left “the opportunity” and went to the survey spot. There was one building in it, or close by a property line. Judging from the paperwork I had, it didn’t look to be a problem. I wished Pam were here, for many reasons. But with her, I knew I could get this done and be on my way home before nightfall.
I had my equipment ready when a car pulled behind my SUV. It was a local man in his early seventies. He walked over and introduced himself.
“I’m Ted. I used to do this stuff. I loved it. Eyesight got too bad and the county let me go. Nice pension, though. Who might you be?” he asked as he lit up a cigarette.
“I’m Mark Compton, nice to meet you, Ted.” We shook hands.
“Smoke?” he offered.
“No thanks, Ted, but I appreciate the offer.” I had a feeling where this was going.
“Say – a – Mark, right? Ya wouldn’t want a little help. I can still see the hand signals, can’t read them fancy digital gizmos.” His eyes were almost begging.
“Well, Ted. My partner couldn’t make the trip here, so I would appreciate the help. Grab your stick and give me about thirty paces.”
His expression changed to a wide smile. ”Bout ninety foot or so, right?” He grinned.
“You got it. If you find the pin, great. If not, I’ll try to direct you to it.”
“Kin I see your map, there?” he asked.
I handed Ted the map; he looked at it very carefully. He turned a little then turned it back. After a little more scrutiny, he handed it back to me.
“This here is part of the old Lester place. Burned to the ground in eighty-nine, they just bulldozed it over. That ain’t gonna take any time at all. Ninety feet – on my way.” And Ted started pacing a straight line down the plot.
He stopped and kicked at the ground. He looked down then kicked it some more. He put the pole down and signaled he had the property pin. This old timer knew this land like the back of his hand.
I sent him another hand signal; he paced it off, kicked the ground, and put the pole down. His signal meant he was close. I moved him to his right, he waved me off, and went to his left. Pay dirt.
By four in the afternoon, the survey was finished. I asked Ted to join me for dinner. He said he would rather have a beer or two. We drove to the town bar and sat at a table. A young girl, maybe eighteen, came over to the table.
“Hey, Mr. Ted, hi, sir. What’ll ya have?” she asked with the local twang.
“Suzie, I’d like a beer for me and Mr. Mark here. Put ‘em on my tab and don’t let him give ya none of that city talk to change your mind, ya hear?” He looked at the girl and winked.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Ted.” She smiled at us and went for our beer.
I enjoyed Ted’s company for three beers. I learned a lot about Kinkade and its history. Even about Suzie. Her dad was a Vet, and her mom took care of the home. Mom died several years ago, leaving her and her dad. His benefits weren’t enough for them so Zak gave her a job here.
Everyone knew she was underage, but nobody was going to say anything. She was helping her Veteran dad. Even in this town, they would tip her as much as they could. Everyone helped one here in Kinkade.
“Ted, let me buy your dinner, can I?” I asked.
“No, but thank ya. My girl of over fifty years will have supper ready. Gloria is a wonderful woman. Keeps me straight. Thanks, Mark. If you’re ever in town, look me up. You can find me meandering around most anywhere.” Ted got up, we shook hands, and he left as quickly as he came into my life.
Suzie came over to the table. “Mr. Mark, would you like dinner before ya go? Our pulled bar-b-que pork sandwich is the best in the county, maybe even the state. Comes with fries and the best damn baked beans, oh, I mean the best baked beans you ever had.” She stood there blushing with her award-winning smile.
“Well, I can’t pass up a sales pitch like that. I’ll have the pulled pork sandwich, fries, and the best damn baked beans in the state.” Suzie smiled and put my order in.
My dinner came and Suzie wasn’t fibbing. It was delicious, and with an ice-cold beer on the side, I was living large. I finished my dinner, just barely. The servings were healthy here in Kinkade.
“Mr. Mark, can I bring ya anything else? We have chocolate pie, homemade.” She was a saleslady.
“No thank you. Just my check if you would.” I was reaching for my wallet.
“Oh, no, sir. Mr. Ted said it was to go on his tab. I have to do what he says.” She grinned and winked.
“Suzie, answer a question for me, please.” I had an itch I couldn’t scratch.
“Yes, sir?” she responded
“Who is Mr. Ted?” I had to know.
Suzie giggled. “That is Mr. Theodore Lester, Mr. Ted to all of us. His great-, great-, great-granddaddy first built and farmed here. His name is Kinkade Lester. We are all proud of Mr. Kinkade and Mr. Ted. We even have a class in our primary so kids know where they come from.”
“So I was surveying his property; he knows every inch of and what happened there.” I sat back in my chair.
Suzie giggled. “He’ll be very happy you asked about Kinkade Lester. Mr. Mark, you have a friend for life. Pardon me but I have another table to service. Come back soon, please.” And Suzie went to work.
I left the diner and got into the car heading out of town. There was the usual sign: “Thank you for visiting Kinkade. Come back again, please.” I realized I didn’t want to leave.
I traversed the eighteen miles of the blue highway back to the interstate. Funny, it took me much longer to get here than it had taken to get to Kinkade. I pulled into the first rest stop that had wi-fi. I got an overpriced can of soda from the vending machine and settled in to send the info to Pam.
Pam. Wow, what a girl. Mr. Ted said his girl Gloria of over fifty years would have dinner for him. My Pam will have any meal ready in minutes whenever I get home. It hasn’t been fifty months. My heart and mind were starting to have a serious conversation.
I sent the info to Pam; I was sure she would be sleeping. She would wonder why she was getting the information so late, but I sure wasn’t into taking any chance with “the opportunity”. I sipped my cola and drifted off to sleep.
My alarm clock was the sound of big rigs firing up getting ready to head out onto the interstate. I sipped my warm cola and put my head back. I dozed off again.
My slumber was disturbed by a tapping on my window. The first thing I saw was the badge.
“Good morning, officer,” I said as I lowered my window.
“You, okay, sir?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m driving back to Richardson from Kinkade. I had a survey job there. Do you want my license and registration?” Offer before asked in this situation.
“No, you’re fine. I just want to make sure you are okay.” The cop smiled.
“I’m okay. I was getting tired and didn’t want to push it,” I admitted.
“Good idea. Have a safe trip to Richardson. You still have a good four hours ahead of you.” He grinned.
“Yes, sir. And my girl, Pam will have a good hot meal ready for me.” My voice was a bit nostalgic.
He left and I started for home. Before I left the lot, my phone buzzed. It was Pam. She sent a test and a “naughty” photo. “Your girls are waiting for you.” With twenty kisses. Hmmm, fifty years, yep!
I pulled into Richardson just after the morning rush. My luck was holding out; I didn’t see anyone I knew. A black SUV was as common around here as a fire plug. I turned down Main Street and found a spot in front of Tuckers’ Jewelry. I remembered Jack bought Cynthia’s rings there and she loved them.
I walked in and the little bell above the door announced my arrival. An attractive woman walked into the store from behind a curtain separating the sales floor from the back room. I was looking at the rings, solitaires, and clusters. Sure I knew what I was looking at – NO.
“Good morning, may I be of service, sir?” a happy voice floated from behind the counter. “My name is Cynthia. Please take your time. If you have any questions, please let me know.” She was not pushy at all. I remember Jack saying she was great in that respect.
After a few minutes, Cynthia approached me. “It’s a difficult decision. You want the best and you want to be sure it will please your lady. Tell me about her.” Cynthia was a very patient lady.
I tried to tell her about Pam and us and the whole thing in under fifteen thousand words, but I did get it down to a few main points. Those were about how we got together after a long time.
Cynthia patiently listened, then smiled. “I have a simple but elegant ring in mind for Pamela.”
I followed her to the case at the back of the room and the corner of the shop. She reached into the case and brought out a beautiful set. She placed them on a black velvet material and smiled.
“I may be a bit presumptuous, but this is a wedding set. This is the engagement ring, and this is the wedding band. I’m sure your lady would want to choose your ring for life.” That was her sales pitch.
“Cynthia, you must be a psychic. The set you have there is a perfect set for my Pamela. I would like to purchase them now. Can I take the engagement ring with me?” I reached for my wallet.
“Of course, you can take the engagement ring with you. I don’t mean to be rude, but if it is easier for you, we do offer a payment plan.” Cynthia had a way of making you feel at ease even if your money was tight.
“If you please, I’d like to pay for them. I can’t wait until I bring Pam in for her wedding set. I’m certain she will say yes, but I don’t know when we will have the wedding.” I handed Cynthia my card.
With the speed of cyberspace, I was the proud owner of my future with my Pamela. I know we can outdo Mr. Ted and Gloria.
Departed Soul
