Post by 223shootersc on Jul 27, 2023 21:54:04 GMT -6
Haven't posted in a while trying to get back into writing a little bit. This one I lost my way on a few years back, a little bit of re-write and a few new chapters. Hope you enjoy my attempts at writing and comments are appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Chapter 1
Walking out into the parking lot, the Saturday night air was still smoldering and miserably hot as it had been for the last forever. Standing right outside the Hampton Inn in Picayune, Mississippi automatic opening twin doors and thinking two more months of this heat and then back to God’s country in South Carolina. The project had turned into one long nightmare of long days, hard work, sweat, and Change Orders. What had started out as a simple ninety to a hundred days of work in January was now in its ninth month. The Project Manager spread sheet now had the project if nothing else changed ending around the third week in November. Maybe we will be home possibly by Thanksgiving thought the big sweating man and Project Manager of the project. Then shook his head and hoped for being home by Christmas.The large man standing right outside of the door decided it was too hot to wait outside any longer. He might as well go get the truck and sit in the air-conditioned comfort of the big Ford F-350 Super Duty diesel. Walking to his truck and already wishing he had been smart enough to make the decision to go to the truck immediately, he thought Jimmy is going to be the death of me. His best friend Jimmy Fuller and he had been working together since about 2008. The friendship starting when a still wet behind the ears kid two years out of college walked into the office looking for a job, any job saying he needed to make a living.
Remembering that faithful day just like it was yesterday, he smiled. Walking out of his office heading for the breakroom and a large Diet Mountain Dew. His first sight was an impeccably dressed young man arguing with the receptionist and deciding to give her a hand, the boss walked over and said, “Elizabeth, what seems to be the problem?”
Elizabeth in a huff replied, “This man has been sitting here all morning waiting to talk with someone about getting hired. I have repeatedly told him we don’t hire accountants and that if we did we don’t have any accounting positions open as we subcontract out most of our accounting. He just keeps insisting he will wait, he wants to talk with someone about a job.”
Turning to the man standing in front of Elizabeth and saying, “Young man is there a problem? Did you not understand what Elizabeth was telling you about us not needing accountants and that you needed to move along?”
“Sir, no disrespect to you or Elizabeth intended. I tried to tell her that I needed a job, any job and you have multiple adds on Craig’s List and Indeed for positions that are open. I am Jimmy Fuller sir, and I am looking for work. I have a degree in Accounting from the state university, that however is not why I am here. I am here for any position including labor that you have available. That is why I am here, sir and since you seem to be the boss. I would like to talk with you about getting hired on, sir” said Jimmy.
As they say the rest is history, sometimes when one least expects to find the answer to the question, God delivers, and when God delivers the answer it is always perfect. Ten plus years later the duo that met under those trying circumstances along with Elizabeth still worked together and had their own business. As far as he was concerned Jimmy had only two vices and neither affected their working relationship or for that matter their friendship. Jimmy was a blue-eyed Adonis that every lady on the planet was in love with at first sight and he was always late when they were getting ready to go out to supper. Tonight, was no different, knowing Jimmy would be late the Boss Melvin ‘Big’ Cudd had watched ESPN up to the minute they were supposed to meet. He cut off the TV, before putting on his shoes and leaving the hotel room for the Lobby. Five minutes late himself to the front door, but on Jimmy time at least five minutes early.
Turning the key and letting the glow plugs warm up, getting the light they were ready the big diesel roared to life. With it the air conditioning and some comfort thought, Big. Pulling out of the parking spot, Big expertly moved the truck back around to the front door of the Hampton, parked and waited. Just as he was about to call his friend, Jimmy walked out of the doors and hopped into the truck. Saying, “Why are you sweating?” As if that was the only problem he had in the world, my sweating.
Big replied, “Because you are late and I stood outside the door as we agreed long enough for this infernal heat to make me sweat. After ten years should have known you would be late. What was her name, you know the one you were talking to on the phone that was begging you to come over and made you late?”
“You are right, I was talking on the phone to a very important lady in my life and that was why I was late,” Jimmy replied with a smug smile on his face.
“Spill it lover boy. Don’t need any gory details just the name and if she is one that I have met before,” intoned Big.
Jimmy replied, “Oh, you have definitely met this one before. The fiery redhead from South Carolina you call an Executive Assistant and she is really just a receptionist and your personal assistant. The one that takes your laundry to the cleaners and picks it back up. The one that schedules all your meetings and keeps your day planner up to date. The one you call Eli but her real name is Elizabeth unless you have forgotten.”
“She said and I quote. Your mailbox is full and you need to answer your dang phone. Except she didn’t say dang. She has been trying to get in touch with you for the last two hours. She needs your signature on the Pickens contract, we won by the way. Another five point one million project. The kicker is they want to start the first of November and no later than the sixteenth. Elizabeth bought us the other fifteen days with one of our clauses in our contract. Saying that we had thirty days after the Purchase Order delivery to start the project. When she told them that we had the Purchase Order and the Start Work authorization within ten minutes she told me.”
Big smiled and said, “I am going to have to fire her for that. She should have waited to play that full house and maybe bought us some more time. One hiccup down here and we aren’t through before Christmas. The plume gets bigger every time the Consultant Engineers do a side wall or depth sampling you know that. Been that way since day one almost. We have chased this plume to five times the original size already. No reason to think that the sampling coming up next week will be different.”
“Before we call her back, let’s get the important stuff done. Where are we going to eat tonight,” asked Big?
“That’s easy. We only have two places in this town that serve beer and food. The Sushi place that serves the Hibachi beef and Chicken that you like and we had day before yesterday and the ‘Job Site’ and that band you like is playing tonight. So, why did you even ask? We are going to the ‘Job Site’ and you are buying supper since you own fifty-two percent of the Company. Besides the other girl I talked to before Elizabeth said she is going to be there tonight,” Jimmy said and covered his head. The covering of his head did nothing for the punch into his upper arm that was hard enough to really hurt but not do any real damage from his friend and boss.
“That’s for the aggravation you cause me. And for that you are buying supper. I know your tricks. Not only will I get supper, I will get your and the girls bar tab. No can do on that tonight. The guy from the Pawn Shop has a bunch of Silver coins that he wants to sell and he wants cash. He says they are not hot. He only wants ten times face value, so something is fishy. Supposedly has a couple hundred dollars face mostly dimes and quarters with a few half and silver dollars thrown in the bag. Do you want any,” asked Big?
“Yeah, I will take Fifty dollars of the dimes and quarters. That is what I just turned over to Gold. I am a little light on those denominations. For finding a deal, I will pick up the supper and your bar tab for four or five Diet Cokes tonight. You ready to call Elizabeth, now that we have all that important business handled,” asked Jimmy showing a million-dollar smile?
The duo picked Elizabeth’s brain for the whole ride to the ‘Job Site’ and sat in the truck talking for an extra fifteen minutes after their arrival. The consensus between the three owners was they needed to hire another crew if the boys from Kentucky were not available starting the sixteenth of November at least till the first of the year. Elizabeth reminded Big and Jimmy that was right in the middle of Whitetail season in Kentucky but she would get in touch with Tomcat and his bunch of heavy equipment operators extraordinaire and see.
“Tell Tomcat that I will give him personally and extra three dollars a manhour on the side paid in Gold, if he brings his boys and helps us out till, we can get out of Mississippi. Make that two dollars, then he will counter with four and we settle at three. They should be ready, they finished in Tennessee what six weeks ago for that other group. I know that they didn’t get their usual fee on that project also. We could lowball them and they probably would come. I like our present arrangement with Tomcat and his boys. They always come with us first and they do the best work of any of the teams that are free agents,” said Big.
Elizabeth replied, “They will come. I already talked with Tomcat’s wife this afternoon. They need the work, if you wanted to not offer the bonus.”
Jimmy said, “We have it in the budget. I say we offer the bonus. But make it a buck and half an hour.”
Big said, “Our name and relationships are all that we have to offer to our clients. Tomcat and his bunch does good work and that never hinders our reputation. We give them the two buck bonus, no question. Elizabeth send me the paperwork and I will print it off and get it signed and Fed Ex back to you on Monday. Thanks for the hard work and have a good weekend. At least what is left we are going to eat and listen to some good music. The band here tonight is killer. Be good and tell your kids Uncle Big will bring surprises when he comes home.”
Walking into the Bar and grill, Jane behind the u-shaped bar waved at the duo and hollered at one of the waitresses to get the duo their favorite table. In Picayune the duo was known as high rollers and good tippers. It wasn’t that they were high rollers or great tippers, so much as the rest of the people in Picayune were bad tippers and definitely not high rollers. Jane had told Big one time when they were talking that the reason, she had not picked up the tip money off the bar when he got a Diet Coke was that no one had ever tipped her when they just got a Coke. Telling him that at her bar a Coke was only a dollar and Jimmy’s beer was only two dollars. All that being said, there was no way that anyone was leaving a two-dollar tip on a three-dollar purchase. She thought the money was there for the next round.
The duo had been coming to the ‘Job Site’ for about seven months. Asking around about a good place to hear some live music they had been told of the place after working in Picayune for a couple of months. It had been a great pairing the place did have great music, was not too crowded and the people were genuine and easy to get along with for out of towners. Something that Big and Jimmy had learned was not always the case. Especially with Jimmy and every lady in the house wanting for him to take her home that night or any night.
The waitress did show them to their favorite table, right down in front of the stage and the dance floor of the small establishment. A second waitress as they were being seated delivered a Bud light in a bottle and a large Diet Coke to the pair and asked if they needed menus or were, they having the usual.
Jimmy said, “I will have the usual the double house burger all the way add chili, with fries, slaw and a pickle on the side.”
“Big what will you have tonight? The usual a large hamburger steak medium with onion rings and a side salad and a bottle of A1 sauce,” the waitress asked?
Big replied, “No, tell the cook I want a double size hamburger steak and a large salad. No onion rings tonight extra tomatoes on the salad. I do want the A1. Thanks.”
After a great supper and a couple of beers by Jimmy, the band was starting their first set right on time. Another thing Big really liked about this place was that Jane and her sister ran a tight ship. If the first set was supposed to start at eight thirty that was when the set started not eight thirty-five or nine o’clock, like some places to sell more alcohol and or food. The band opened with a house favorite by the Allman Brothers and was starting to cover “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish when Jimmy said, “I am heading to the can. Be back in a minute, save my chair.” Laughing at his own joke as he walked away around the corner heading for the bathroom.
Jimmy thought, the save my chair line came from the numerous times over the years that, Big had gotten up from the table to go to the bathroom or to get another Diet Coke, shoot some pool or whatever and came back to the table. Getting back and finding either his seat being taken by some fair lady or ladies talking to Jimmy or he was gone with said ladies and someone else having taken their table in his absence. A happening that really made Big mad and his temper to rise when that happened.
As Jimmy was gone and the third song of the set almost over a song that he really liked but couldn’t remember the name or the band, he saw her coming. As the lady came up to the table Big held up his hand and said from rote memory, “The eyes really are that blue, he doesn’t wear contacts. His name is Jimmy. No, I can’t give you his cell number. He is single, never been married. Thirty-one years old. He drinks Bud Light in the bottle exclusively. He is just gone to the restroom and is coming back and I am sure he would love to talk with a beautiful lady like yourself when that happens. Ma’am does that cover all of your questions or did you have something else specific you wanted to ask about him before he comes back?”
The Lady a little lost for words finally regained her composer and replied, “That was a lot of information to be given out without breathing. I would assume you have given out that specific data set before about your friend.”
Big replied, “Yes, Ma’am more than a few times. My friend has the gift of it. I am not sure what it is but I am well aware that he has it, when it comes to the female gender. I apologize for being rude. Just wanted to get back to what I was doing. Enjoying the music and trying to relax after a long day and long week of work. Something my mind and body needs to regenerate.”
“It looks like my day off tomorrow will not supply any of those two things as designed. Based on a conversation with my partner it looks like I will spend tomorrow working on getting a Work Plan together for another project instead of sleeping late, getting in a good workout and a nap. Grab a seat I am sure Jimmy will be back any second now and will be glad to see you.”
The tall lady still standing pulled out a chair and sat down. She started, “First thing you think I am beautiful, you haven’t even made eye contact with me….”
Starting over, “I digress, like I said a lot of information. Some might have even found it very interesting and I must in fact say that I did myself. Not for any of the reasons the others might have, interesting the same. Now may I have just another minute of your time to ask the couple of questions that I came over to ask?”
“Of course, Ma’am. After being so rude I definitely owe you the answer to your real questions. How may I be of service?” Big asked not even noticing the look of amusement on the face of the Lady sitting at the table. More into the music than anything else.
She started, “My friend Jane behind the bar tells me you like to dance. I was wondering if you would like to dance with me? I really like to dance and she said you told her you used to be a pretty good dancer. Most of the people around here can’t dance a lick.”
Turning to look at the tall lady for the first time in earnest Big said, “Come again, Ma’am I am not sure I heard you correctly. Or, if I did, is this something that my friend Jimmy and Jane thought would be funny and how much is that knucklehead paying you? I need to know that to know how hard I need to knock him in the head when he gets back.”
The tall lady said, “I am not sure whether you heard me correctly or not. I can however assure that Jane nor your friend have put me up to this and are not paying me anything. I asked if you would like to dance, pure and simple. If you do not want to dance with me, it is fine. I don’t appreciate your attitude however.”
Now on the defensive for not really listening and assuming, scrambling, while quickly adjusting his plan on the fly as he had for years. Big said, “I am an idiot, especially when it comes to the fairer sex. That, being a work acholic and being big as a house is why I am a confirmed bachelor at forty-two years of age.”
“The fact is I did tell Jane that I liked to dance many years ago. A couple of knee surgeries, needing another, almost twenty years of inactivity with the subject matter, and fifty pounds of muscle have probably rendered the possibility of dancing much less dancing well a non-factor. Your question though flattering on many levels, was just not believable on the surface and face value.”
As Big was trying to swim away from the shark infested waters where he now he found himself; Jimmy came walking up and threw gas on the fire. Seeing the beautiful lady and thinking the lady was there for him as his friend Big had assumed also. Jimmy said, “Hello Darling,” and smiled, the one that took most ladies breath. Screaming “ugh….” The beautiful lady stormed away from the table as fast as she had arrived probably much faster than she had ever moved.
Jimmy asked, “What was her problem? She one of them feminazi’s or something. All I said was Hello Darling. You would have thought I grabbed her butt or something. What was she wanting, anyhow?”
Big answered, “I think one of three things maybe. She was either embarrassed, we were making fun of her or that we are idiots. I guess maybe all of the above might be the right answer. She came up here and her being the beauty she was, and you just getting up and leaving to go to the head. I started my set of routine answers to the questions that all the ladies want to know about you. Are you single, are yours eyes really that blue, how old are you, have you ever been married, what do you drink, do you think he would like to have a drink with me, is he seeing anyone, can I get his cell number. You know the ones I answer every time we go somewhere together.”
“Okay, so if she wanted to know those things, I’ll bite why did she huff out of here when I said ‘Hello Darling’,” Jimmy asked now very perplexed.
“Best I can tell, she wasn’t here to talk or ask about you. She said she was here to ask me for a dance and that Jane had told her I like to dance,” Big said shrugging his shoulders as if to say who would have thought that.
Incredulous Jimmy said, “You’re funning me, right Bossman. I have never seen you dance one time in ten years that I have known you. Not even at the Christmas party with Elizabeth and she always asks every year at least once sometimes more and so do most of the other ladies at work. You always tell them you don’t know how or your knees are too bad. Closes think I have ever seen to you dancing is with Elizabeth’s little girl Fran standing on your feet at her Mom’s birthday party and you moving her around on your feet. What was she three or four years old maybe then? I guess technically that was dancing as everyone else was dancing.”
“No Jimmy. I think she was serious and I did use to really like to dance. I even took a couple of dance classes while in college. Started out as an easy A for us jocks. One of my coaches told me about a class called Education 313, it was three hours almost all girls and the teacher always gave the jocks A’s in the class. No test, just class participation and you got to learn to dance and play games like checkers and stuff. Most of it was different dances and a lot of variations of a southern classic the Shag. Turns out the Professor was some kind of Champion Shag dancer or something. Used his class to practice, himself. After that I found out I really liked to dance and the ladies loved a dude that could dance. Took a couple more dance classes from the same Professor, learned to dance and helped my GPA. As they say a win, win situation,” replied Big in a long-winded explanation.
As they were talking two things happened; the band broke after finishing their last number and Jane came rushing up to their table. Rushing up like a tidal wave of big hair and female fury and they were the beach front. Hoping to stem the flow of the tide Big stood up and put up his arms in surrender, hoping to float up over the wave and not be crushed under its weight and power. Jimmy being the smarter of the two or at least the most cowardly took the moment of distraction to Jane of Big surrendering to do an exit stage left or run like the dog he was depending on which version you heard the next day at the bar. Exit stage left being Jimmy’s version, run like a dog being Jane’s version.
Big said, “I apologize Jane. I didn’t mean to offend your friend. I thought she was like all the ladies here, coming up to ask about Jimmy. I was tired and not really feeling like a long drawn out discussion about Jimmy so I gave my standard litany of answers I have memorized. Turns out that wasn’t what she was here to do. I just about had my error in judgment and actions smoothed over when Jimmy came up and said ‘Hello Darling’. Then knuclehead flashed that yes, I want you to have my baby’s smile. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. Your friend that I need to apologize to, but I did not even get her name decided to get mad and leave before I could apologize. I promise you the two of us were not trying to be buttheads or jack wagons even if that was the way we came off to her. What can I do to make you believe that? Because it is one-hundred percent the truth.”
Jane said, “Oh… I came over here ready to read you the riot act and wondering why you of all people would have offended my friend. Her name is Jessica, Jessica Mars by the way, so we can stop referring to her as my friend. She has been asking about you for a couple of weeks. I think she may have a thing for you, Big.”
“Now, I know that this is all a big joke. What is this, Candied Camera, or You’ve been punked or something? She is what every bit of twenty-five or less,” asked Big?
Jane matter of factually replied “Actually, she is the same age as me, twenty-nine and holding. We have been friends since first grade, when she moved to Picayune. If you must ask. What does her age matter anyway?”
“Her age really doesn’t matter it is my age that would be the problem. I am forty-two you know, not long from forty-three. I am almost old enough to be her Father and I haven’t had a dance in over twenty years. That Jane is the problem. A beautiful girl like her and an old man like me dancing, first off doesn’t even make sense to me. I am surely not up for the mercy dance with the old guy either. I chose to always be a bachelor when BethAnn left this world to be with our Lord and maker. It was her or no one for me to wed. God needed her more than I did. She will be there when I get there,” Big intoned got up and walked out of the ‘Job Site’.
Big not knowing if he more was upset with hurting Jessica feelings or the fact that he was having feelings that he hadn’t perceived in over twenty years. Getting to the truck he started the truck and drove out of the parking lot heading to the Hampton Inn. Big left without one thought of the fact that he had left Jimmy to get back to the hotel on his own merit. A fact that Jimmy never noticed as the lady from the phone conversation earlier in the night had cornered him as he hid over by the pool tables.
A couple of weeks had passed like a blur to Big and Jimmy with the sampling coming back still hot and new site maps being constituted by the Consultants. Change Orders were needed and approved by the client and the Work Plan expanded to cover the new excavation areas along with the restoration of more of the site. Big working on the Work Plan and meeting with the Client and Jimmy making sure the new Change Order pricing covered the cost-plus ten percent pricing situation the client had agreed to for the rest of the project. At the end of the thirteenth day of straight work the crew and both Jimmy and Big needed a day of rest.
Leaving the project job site trailer and walking to the truck and getting in on the passenger side to head back to the hotel and a much-needed hot bath, Jimmy said, “Bossman, I think I need a cold adult beverage or three and one of those perfect double house burgers from the ‘Job Site’. What do you think? You up for a good meal and some great southern rock and roll music, maybe even a little country?”
The question stirring a feeling that he thought had been stuffed into a dark hole in his brain to never be addressed again, caused Big to go brain dead for a moment. After waiting more than the appropriate time for Big to answer start the truck or just generally do something, Jimmy said, “Earth to Melvin ‘Big’ Cudd, anyone home their brother or have you checked out? Brain aneurism, old age, what? Talk to me big guy.”
Finally getting to a place he could respond, Big said, “My bad Jimmy your question hit me in a strange place. Do you remember what happened the last time we were there?
“Of course, I do. You left me with the tab and no ride back to the hotel and I had been drinking. Yeah, I remember, what does that have to do with the price of eggs in China,” answered Jimmy.
“I am talking about the lady, Jessica was her name that asked me to dance and then we made her mad or whatever and she ran away,” said Big to his best friend and his business partner.
Jimmy started, “Man, we have been so busy and I did get kind of loose that night. I had forgotten all about that pretty tall girl with the dark hair and radiant smile. That’s right Jane told me that her friend probably had a thing for you and I meant to tell you that the next day. Like I said, I had really forgotten all about it. Why do you ask?”
“The reason is, I have these weird feelings that I thought were gone from my life. I haven’t thought about another woman like this in twenty plus years, Jimmy. I am not sure that I am ready to revisit these feelings tonight or any other night for that matter,” said Big.
“That is good enough reason for me to go somewhere else. That does only leave the Sushi place because the adult beverages part of the equation is not a negotiable part of the deal. There are Bud Lights that are going to die at my hands tonight,” replied Jimmy.
Big cranked the Ford F-350 and pulled out of the fenced area and stopped for Jimmy to lock the Construction gate. As Jimmy was doing that, Big was thinking more about Jessica and a dance. What could it hurt, BethAnn would understand. I hope I am not justifying my actions, one thing that all of mankind is very good at doing. When Jimmy got back into the truck and Big put the truck in gear and started heading out into the highway. As he pulled onto the highway Big said, “We are going to the ‘Job Site’ for supper and you can have that big house double burger you like and me the Hamburger Steak. If that beautiful lady named Jessica is at the juke-joint I am going to ask her to dance and let it go from there.”
Jimmy didn’t have a reply and Big probably wouldn’t have heard it if he had one. Getting those words out in the open after twenty long years and an even longer two weeks had opened a flood gate of emotions and thoughts in the big guys mind. By rote memory the Ford F-350 made its way back to the Hampton Inn and as they pulled into the parking lot. Jimmy asked, “Forty-five minutes in the lobby or at the truck? Does that work for you and should I drive tonight? That way I won’t have to get a cab like last time.”
“Ha, Ha you are one funny man. Forty-five in the Lobby and don’t be late, as per your usual actions. I am ready for that Hamburger Streak and some good music,” said Big. As he got out of the truck and headed into the hotel. Walking beside his best friend, Jimmy added, “And some dancing with Jessica if she is there. Right Romeo.”
“Don’t push your luck Jimmy. I like smart, smartass not so much,” said Big. As he went to his room on the first floor and Jimmy headed towards the elevator and his fourth-floor room.
As the duo arrived at the ‘Job Site’ half way around the globe others were meeting to discuss their plans for the demise of the American way. In Moscow deep underground Putin and his War Council were finishing up the planning of a retaliation for the snub in 2018 by Britain and Europe. The snub by proxy the play of America. The truth was it was an all-England affair with them dealing with the world like they did when they were a great World leader and dominator of the seas. Some habits die hard and lessons have to be learned the hard way. As the educations are expensive and someone has to pay for them.
The War Council decided that they couldn’t let the American war machine get any stronger. The Russians best efforts to get the lady elected had failed miserably. Resulting in a new form of governing replacing the let’s be the doormat to the world type of methods used by the Obungo liberals the eight years before. The new Administration with a motto of Make America Great Again was rebuilding the American ability to make war and the economic machine at a phenomenal rate. The decision was made that day to put in motion a plan that Putin’s team had been putting together and polishing for the last year.
The parting words to his minions were, “We will rule the world and make Mother Russia the true leader of the world for the Twenty-first century and beyond. It is my destiny and that of the Motherland to rule the world. Now go and prepare to start the wheels of destruction and world power in motion. Gentlemen we will meet again in two weeks to start the countdown of America and her lackeys destruction.”
The meeting in Moscow breaking up, as Jimmy and Big finished their great supper meal and the band started their first set. Jimmy said, “Before you hurt your back straining and trying to find her. I don’t believe she is here. Do you want me to go see if Jane knows if she is coming tonight? Thought I might go shoot a game of pool anyway.”
“Nah, I think I will just sit here and enjoy the music. This bunch is pretty good maybe even better than my favorite group especially on the country stuff. Go shoot some pool. I saw that guy that you always take his money when we walked in the club. You are not fooling me, my friend. You are going to see if he has a pocket full of money he wants to donate to team Fuller, tonight.” Grinning at his friend who he had caught red handed with his true intentions.
Jimmy said, “No more than you pay a man, he has to make a living some way, Bossman.”
Sliding his chair back and tipping his New Era Houston Astros ball cap at his friend and heading for the other side of the building and free money time. Thinking how many times it will take for this guy to realize that he will never beat me except when I let him to keep him interested and thinking he really has a chance. Everyone else that is a regular around this place quit playing me for money months ago. Like the famous quote says, there is a sucker born every minute, and this one seems to be mine. Smiling the famous Fuller smile at a table full of pretty ladies as he walked by thinking, I’ll be back to check on y’all sweet things later.
His best friend and partner off to conquer the pool world or at least win a couple hundred bucks, he was left alone with his thoughts of the pretty girl and the music. Remembering back to yesteryears and dancing with his true love. His thoughts taking him to the first time they had danced. It was the Spring Cotillion of his Sophomore year in college. A time when he was at his lowest point in his young life. A mere eight weeks after surgery on his shoulder that he had torn up sliding into second base on a force out of all things. The shortstops knee hitting his right shoulder on his pop-up slide and the shoulder joint losing miserably. The team Doctor telling him and his Dad that it was the worse tear and separation he had ever seen, the scale being one to three, with three being the highest. The Doctor jokingly had told them his shoulder was a twelve on the one to three grading scale.
Standing by a table of some of his friends who had talked him into coming to the dance. His friends and a couple of his teammates hoping that hearing some good live music and being around a bunch of people having a good time would bring him out of the deep blue funk he had been in since the injury. Deep blue funk was his term for his feelings, any Doctor would have told him he was clinically depressed. Not putting much stock in Psychiatry, he would have not thought much of the diagnosis anyway. Little did he know that not only had his friends decided to get him to the dance, one of his friend’s girlfriends had her best friend from home coming in for the weekend and they were going to play Cupid with the two unknowing victims. A blind date if they had ever been one, neither person knowing of the scheme or the other intended.
Melvin looked at his roommate and said, “Donny, I am just not into this dance tonight my man. I think I am going to head back to the dorm and maybe do a little work on my term paper and get to bed early. I need to do some more research tomorrow and the Library is always empty on Sunday morning.” Bumping knuckles with his friend and patting him on the back as only true friends could, he waved to a couple of his other buddies in parting.
As he started to turn, he ran into a young lady that the next morning he would describe to a couple of his friends as the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. Catching her as she fell towards the floor as the result of the crash, Big said, “Excuse me, I wasn’t looking and I ran right into you. Let me help you up. I am Melvin Cudd by the way and you are?”
The young lady trying to not get angry at the big party boy, who probably already this early in the night had managed to have had one drink to many. Hearing his apology and seeing he didn’t have a drink in his hand, she adjusted her thinking. Seeing a young man in a brace on his right arm and shoulder and an earnest and strong, if not regal smile from the only person in the room trying to help. BethAnn replied, “No problem, I was trying to find my seat and wasn’t paying attention either.”
As Melvin completed getting her to her feet, BethAnn continued, “I am BethAnn and I am visiting the school with my best friend from Darlington. I am thinking of coming to school here in the fall and wanted to spend a weekend on campus. They say that is the only way to really decide about a school.”
Melvin said, “BethAnn since we have already danced one time tonight. Would you do me the honor of an official dance and maybe the second time will render a better result?”
She had agreed to the proposal of a dance and as they say the rest is history. The pair of Melvin and BethAnn had danced till the Cotillion had ended. Melvin had walked her out into the darkness of night around the campus before bringing her back to her friend’s dorm room. The pair had been quite the conversation of the dance. The two would become a couple that very weekend. A true case of soul mates. BethAnn’s best friend had described the pair as a modern-day Fred and Ginger on the dance floor. Most of the group had no idea what the reference meant and the explanation she gave of them being a pair of famous Hollywood dancers in the movies, did nothing to help.
Big had been brought out of his self-induced daze just as quickly as BethAnn had brought him out of his depression by an Angel in the form of Jessica Mars asking, “May I have the next dance?”
Looking up into the tall enchantments, crystal green eyes and getting lost, Big finally answered, “It would be my honor. Also, if I offended you the last time we spoke, please know that I did not mean to do so, nor was it my intention.”
“I must give you fair warning Jessica, it has been over twenty years since I have been on a dance floor. I also have a bad knee so I will do my best but don’t expect too much.”
As the next song started, a lively rendition of a Kenny Chesney song the pair made their way to the dance floor. Big said, “Do you Shag? It is the only dance that can be done to almost any music. This being a beach song is almost perfect for the Shag.”
Jessica replied, “A little. I can follow as I took dance for a few years.”
Big started out tentatively, with a basic Shag pattern step. By the second verse he found his rhythm and Jessica was a very good dancer and following like a glove. The first spin took her by surprise. By the second one when he spun her and brought her back by his side with their arms around each other, there were no more surprises. Just a pair of whirling dervishes in perfect sync on the small dance floor. Jimmy playing pool was asked by one of his lady admirers, “Isn’t that your friend on the dance floor. He is good, why hasn’t he ever danced before? I would have loved to dance with someone who can dance like that.”
Jimmy relied, “What…” and turned towards the dance floor and was stunned by the show that his friend and the tall lady were displaying. Jimmy thought, Big has told me many times that he used to be a very good dancer. I have to take back my thoughts that he may have thought he was good but others probably didn’t. Big could definitely dance and like most things he was really good, not just good. It seemed that everyone in the small club was watching the new pair that were dominating the dance floor. A pair that seemed to be oblivious to anyone or anything other than their partner.
As the band was finishing up the last set, Big with Jessica sitting at the table beside him were joined by Jimmy along with his flavor of the night. Jimmy sitting down said, “Big, this is Linda and who is your new dance partner?”
Big standing up from the table replied, “Ms. Linda very nice to meet you. I think we may have met one time before a few months back. My dance partner is Jessica, Ms. Jessica Mars.”
Jessica said, “Nice to meet the two of you. We were just talking about going to the Waffle House for some early breakfast. Would you like to join us? It would be great, to have the pleasure of your company.”
Jimmy said, “Nah, we are heading out to Linda’s place on the lake, for a late night of skinny dipping. Would you like to join us?”
“Jimmy watch your manners around the ladies. You know a gentleman doesn’t indulge in that type talk in the company of ladies. Much less one that you just met. I won’t say it again. You get the first one because you have had a little too much to drink. It seems that you have a ride back to the hotel. I will see you on Monday bright and early at the hotel,” said Big. Getting up again after re-seating and helping Jessica with her chair. The pair heading towards the door leaving Jimmy and Linda still sitting at the table.
It was Monday morning at 0600 hours when Jimmy and Big saw each other again. Jimmy was standing in the lobby when Big walked in, already assuming he would have to wait at least a couple minutes on his young and constantly a few minutes late friend. Jimmy greeted his friend, “Must be nice to just show up whenever you feel like showing up for work.”
Big looked at his watch and said, “I am right on time it is 0600 hours just like we always meet. You would know that if you had ever been on time. Getting to that why are you here before me anyhow?”
Jimmy said, “Needed to hear all about your weekend and Jessica. Couldn’t wait one extra minute to hear about the details. Jerome told me that he saw the two of you at brunch at the Marriott yesterday morning. So, spill it and don’t leave out one detail. Not even a half of one.”
As the duo walked out to the truck to head to their project site. Big said, “Not much to it really. After we left the club we went to the Waffle House and we both had the big breakfast or whatever it’s called. You know the one I always get, only real value on the whole menu.”
“The place was packed and it took a little while to get our order. While we were waiting we just talked, small talk mostly. When our orders finally arrived, we ate breakfast. Seems we have somethings in common. Eggs over easy, the waffle light, and our bacon crisp. She does drink that nasty coffee, black and the stronger the better she told me.”
“After breakfast it was really late, or early depending on your perspective. I guess two-thirty or so in the morning. I took her home, she lives in those condominiums we tried to get the long-term rental on when we started this project. Do you remember they are over there by where I take my clothes to be laundered, by that nice lady?”
Jimmy said, “Yeah, I remember. Tell me what happened when you got back to her place.”
“Jimmy get your mind out of the gutter, boy. I walked her to her door and told her goodnight. She asked if I had ever been to a three-gun match and if I would like to go with her to one on Sunday after lunch. Told her that I had never been to any kind of shooting event and that I thought it would be cool. She told me to meet her back at her condo at ten fifteen in the morning and to wear some comfortable clothes and shoes.”
“So, you didn’t even go into her apartment, give her a good night kiss or anything. What is up with that, are you nuts or just plain stupid,” asked Jimmy?
“I wasn’t invited, into her home. Since it wasn’t even a date it would have been rude to try and give her a kiss, the first night. Besides you treat a lady like a lady, not a tramp Jimmy. Some sage advice that you might remember for your own self,” said Big.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, treat’em like a lady. How many times have you told me that line? I am guessing at least a couple of hundred. What else happened,” he asked?
Big replied, “Got up early and washed my truck like usual on Sunday morning. Went to the early preaching service at church. Great sermon by the way. I then went over to her condo and she met me at the door, before I even knocked. She said, grab this and handed me a couple of long gun cases. Saying follow me, and she headed for her garage I would find out why moments later. She opened the garage door with a remote and said, wait here not much room we will load the truck once it is outside.”
Jimmy asked, “Did you say load the truck?”
Big answered, “I did. She’s got a big F-550 with probably fifteen-inch-wide singles on the back and at least four inches of lift. It would probably eat my F-350 for a snack. The truck is fully customized seems her Dad and brother build trucks for a living and they gave her this one when she graduated from Veterinary school a year or so ago. She is a large animal Doctor and has to pull trailers and such. It is setup for a fifth wheel or a neck-over trailer and a pull behind with pintle hitch and ball. A real work truck but it is a four door and has boxes in the bed and four-wheel drive. Lots of extra lights and an air-compressor, winch setup with remote an all. You would love it, except for the pink stitching in the custom leather seats.”
Laughing at the face his friend made at the mention of the pink thread. He continued, “It really isn’t that bad it is really light pink and blends in with the natural leather seats and upholstery. If she had not have told me about it, I would not have even noticed.”
“After she pulled the truck out of the garage, then back around to the front of her condo we made a couple more trips to load her stuff and then she said. We are going for another breakfast or at least brunch, before we go to the match. It will be probably six or six-thirty before it’s over, so a good meal is in order. She is really a take charge type person. That is how we ended up at the Marriott for breakfast and ran into Jerome.”
“After eating we drove over towards the Pearl River. I admit somewhere over that way in the middle of nowhere was this nice shooting range. That was where they were having the match or tournament or whatever you call them. Seems everyone knew Doc or Jess as they called her. Jessica’s family has lived in the area for four or five generations.”
“Shortly after arriving and getting everything setup, tent, chairs and shooting stuff. She had a setup like most people do for tailgating at a Gamecocks home game. All that was missing was some pennants, fried chicken, and Cocky. As we were finishing a truck just like hers almost pulled up beside her and I got to meet her Dad and her Brother. I surely wasn’t prepared for meeting the family, in less than twenty-four hours after meeting her. They were cool however and didn’t give me too hard of a time. Especially her brother, he was really cool and after Jessica told him about my truck. He told me if I wanted to get anything done to it, I would get the family discount. Explaining that the Labor would be free, just the parts as he put it.”
Jimmy said, “I hope you are going to take him up on getting your truck tricked out. I have been trying to get you to do something to your truck forever, man. Now is the time, that labor is expensive.”
“I got that computer chip and those Ranch Hand bumpers front and rear and the steps. The Warn winch hid in the front bumper and the different headlights. I also, upgraded to those dual surface tires and the wider rims. That and when I bought it I got the towing package and the thousand-watt inverter. Seems like my truck is no slouch. I will admit it looks pretty tame and maybe even lame compared to their big trucks. I might check and see what they recommend, as an upgrade. Couldn’t hurt, I don’t guess.”
With a big smile, Jimmy said, “We will have something to go play in the mud with one of these days.”
Big said, “If you want something to play in the mud with, why don’t you get something done to your Tundra? It is four-wheel drive and all.”
“Four wheeling is expensive and hard on the equipment. Besides my truck is just for show. Lots of ladies like a big four-wheel drive truck. That is why I have it lifted and the big tires and rims. All of that is for show not for go,” Jimmy said with a sly fox grin.
“You my friend should be ashamed of yourself. Your actions are deceitful,” said Big trying to keep a straight face while driving.
Jimmy said, “Yeah, so what’s your point. Get back to telling me about your love life and quit stalling. Get to the good parts. What happened next?”
“Next, I was ramrodded into shooting the three-gun match with her Father, Brother and her. It seems this was just a practice session for the local three-gun shooting club. There was some pretty big money bet on the outcome though. I couldn’t believe that they were betting two-hundred dollars on the match. It didn’t seem too bad since we were four to a team. I agreed when I thought it was only fifty dollars. No biggy. You know I am not much on shooting a pistol or a shotgun, decent with a scoped rifle. I usually get a deer or two every year for the freezer.”
“What I didn’t realize was it was two-hundred dollars per person per gun. I could have lost six-hundred dollars. Turns out I won four hundred and lost two-hundred so I ended up two-hundred dollars ahead for the first match. Turns out it was three matches we won all three of the stages the other two matches. I won fourteen hundred dollars and a Glock pistol. Jessica, her Dad and brother let me have the best of the four pistols. It was in their words a race ready Glock 34 already tuned by a local gunsmith, with magazine well extension, night-sites, and a threaded barrel set up for a Silencer, no correction a Suppressor. They all told me empathically that there was no such thing as a Silencer.”
“Jessica told me on the way back to Picayune and her condo that the Glock 34 pistol with the four extra magazines and the kydex holster was worth way over a grand probably closer to two with the custom gunsmithing. She asked me what type pistol I liked best and I told her the only one I had ever really shot was my Dad’s Ruger P-89 and I really couldn’t hit much of anything past five or six yards.”
Jimmy said, “Now that is the truth, the couple of times we have shot at your place. You couldn’t hit those cans at all much less past six yards. How did you possibly win a match with your shooting skills or lack thereof, you are a horrible shot with a pistol and even worse with a shotgun. I have seen you shoot a whole box of shells and not kill one dove. Heck, not even dust any feathers for that matter.”
“I actually shot pretty good. They actually used my score a couple of times to settle the match. The way they did it was kinda like a golf deal where you have four players, A, B, C and D players with the A being like a pro and the D being like me, horrible. Her Dad and brother worked with me on the first go around with the rifle, pistol and shotgun. Especially the shotgun, they wanted me to shoot with booth eyes open like you have told me. I am just too right eye dominant and they finally gave up and I shot a little better. I like those red dot sights, actually they were green dots on their shotguns. They say you can see them better and the rifle scopes had them also but had magnification up to six times for the longer shots,” said Big.
“After the we got back to her condo, she invited me in at her place. It was very nice and I believe you could have eaten off the floor. Heck her place was cleaner than my place after the cleaning lady gets through. First thing she said when I came in was not to look at the mess, she had been too busy to clean the last week. The only thing I saw out of place at all was one glass in the sink and to tell you the truth it looked like it had been washed or at worst she maybe got a drink of water in it and put it in the sink before bed or something.”
Jimmy exasperated exclaimed, “Enough already what happened after you got into her apartment, specifically the bedroom!”
Big said, “Nothing, never went into her bedroom, close as I got was her bathroom. She did fix me a really nice homecooked meal. A side salad, Lasagna, and garlic bread. She said it was her Mother’s recipe. I found out then that her Mother had died three years before from Breast Cancer after a long fight of seven or eight years. After supper we sat around on her couch and talked for a couple of hours and then I left and came back to the hotel. So, no gory details just a great couple of hours dancing, a few more shooting and then a few talking and breaking bread. I am going over to see her Dad and brother’s shop tonight after work and let them look at my truck and maybe look at a rifle her brother has that he might want to sell. He won it at one of their tournaments and will give me a good deal. Even used the family discount language again. What do you think that means, Jimmy?”
“I think it means that little Sis had already told the family she means to marry my best friend and most eligible bachelor in these parts. A woman like her doesn’t have much in common other than the way she talks with the locals in this little Mississippi town. She is a Doctor and comes from a hard working but evidently fairly wealthy family. Most of the guys around here would just be after her money and her looks. You on the other hand my friend appeal to her intellect and would not be scarred of her being your equal like some of the locals.”
“Heck, some around here may say that you are not her equal. They would have no idea what you personally and your company are worth. I know how hard you have worked and saved to get what you have accumulated. It has helped being a bachelor and, on the road, that has cut your cost of living and you have even taught me how to really use that to your advantage, money wise. If it wasn’t for your niece and nephew and their college funds. Not to mention all the money you give them and your sister, you could have long ago retired and lived a life of luxury.”
“I would bet that young Ms. Mars knows your Dun and Bradstreet rating my friend. Maybe even where you live and has seen your spread on the lake at least on Goggle Earth. This was not a random drive by shooting my friend. This is precision Sniper work. That old and dear friend is what I think. I also think if that bothers you in any way or you don’t think that you would want to marry this Lady in the near future or at least within the next couple of years, you have one option….’ Pausing for effect, Jimmy continued.
“You need to run like your ass is on fire my friend. Leave today and go and get the job in Kentucky started. I will finish this down here and explain to Jane and Jennifer about you being called a way for work suddenly, they can tell their friend Jessica,” replied Jimmy. His friend had as straight and sincere of a face as Big had ever seen him in all these years of working and hanging out together.
Looking dumbfounded at the thoughts of the things Jimmy had said is to him, and not knowing how even his best friend had access to that much information on his financial situation, Melvin finally said, “Jimmy how do you know so much about my personal situation? That is not common knowledge to anyone.”
Jimmy said, “My friend, I have to co-sign as the second largest owner every time we get a loan or do Bonding for any of our projects. All of both of our and the companies’ financials are shown on those documents. Secondly, April and I have gotten pretty close after last year when you were in Alabama for six months and that sorry ex-husband of hers was giving her trouble. Remember she and the kids stayed at your house and I spent a few nights there when he was threatening to hurt her or steal the kids. We got to be friends, maybe even close friends and before you say something you will regret. No, it is not like that, just friends. She told me about the College funds and the Annuity that you set up for them when they reach the age of twenty-five and have graduated from college.”
“The real question is not what I know. That is your subconscious using substitution or maybe replacement. I cannot remember, does not matter. It is how do you feel about one Ms. Jessica Mars. When you decide the answer to that piece of the puzzle you can make plans for the future. I am pretty sure I am right before you ask. Remember I have been running for years, just not for the same reason. I like being single and playing the field, you my friend have been in mourning. Two totally different things, the results being the same we are both lifelong bachelors. Do you want to stay that way, is the question, or get back on the horse and ride at least till you get bucked off?”
Realizing they had been sitting in front of the project office trailer for some time, Big cut off the engine. Opened his door and said, “A man could do worse…,” and walked away from Jimmy heading towards the office trailer and work. By the time Jimmy got into his end of the trailer Big was walking out of his office to check on the crew. With lots of invoices to settle up and get paid Jimmy fired up his laptop and got to work. It was another Monday in Mississippi and deadlines had to be met.
The end of the day and eighteen thirty hours was quitting time, when Big came riding up from the backside of the property on his Kubota ATV with three of his crew in the back and one in the front. As Jimmy stepped out of the trailer heading towards the john. Big hollered, “You about ready to call it a day. We finally got that 450 LC Komatsu out of the excavation, it was still sitting on the swamp pads the whole thing sunk. Lost a whole day with half the crew fooling with that mess and we will be lucky if that excavator is working in another month. Dale and Elizabeth will be here in the morning with the sixty-ton lowboy and the Kobelco SK260LC-10 long reach. It is not near the tractor that Komatsu is but it is all we have left at the shop with a long reach. Glad we bought that thing at the auction in the spring. You told me we would put it to work, you were right. I called everybody in these parts looking for a sixty-foot reach to rent, no such animal.”
Donny the Site Superintendent new to the company amazed asked, “You mean Elizabeth is driving the Peterbilt pulling that long reach. Little Ms. Elizabeth our payroll lady?”
“Heck, she even has tanker endorsements. One of us had to do it and the boss said if he had wanted to be a truck driver, he would have done it out of high school. And not wasted all those years and efforts in college and graduate school. Said his Mom and Dad’s estate would have greatly appreciated the money it would have saved. Elizabeth and I argued and we both got our CDL license she just got all the endorsements, to show off,” said Jimmy.
Big said, “Yeah, that and she is a better driver than Jimmy. He just won’t admit it to anyone not even himself.” Laughing at the look and the one finger salute he received for his comments and heading towards the hand wash stand by the front of the office.
As he washed his hands Big said, “Donny can you lock up the trailer and the Kubota. I have plans for supper tonight?”
Jerome said, “I am a betting man and I would bet those plans involve a long tall red headed drink of water from Southern Mississippi. A veterinarian if my information is correct.”
The rest of the week was a challenge of enormous proportions as the trucking company that was hauling the waste to the disposal facility and back hauling the fill dirt for the excavation had three trucks break down. The Mississippi DEQ decided it would be a good time to come by for a site visit and if that wasn’t enough problems for one week it rained three days. Saturday quitting time finally arrived for the road warriors and as the duo rode back to the hotel, Jimmy finally had to ask, “We going to supper tonight or you and Jessica going to do something? Just asking Bossman to see what plans I need to make.”
With a smile a mile wide Big replied, “We are going out to the ‘Job Site’ for supper and Jessica will meet me there. I can ride home with her if you want the truck. That way we only have one vehicle to get back if you have one to many.”
The next six weeks went by quickly with Big and Jessica spending as much time together as the two hard working entrepreneurs could fit into their schedules. Mostly that was a date on Saturday night for some dancing and a Sunday trip for brunch and a three-gun match with the Mars family. Big did get the Mars family business to upgrade his truck. The improvements came in the form of a four-inch lift kit, new brakes all the way around, a truck vault, new tires and the piece that had to be changed out without question according to the Mars family was the motor. To be replaced by a brand new 7.3 L diesel engine with a large turbo. Upgrading the motor required the replacement of the whole drive train with Dana parts front and rear and an Extreme Diesel ATS 4R100 transmission.
Besides a new truck, Big had gotten a second pistol. The pistol a matching twin of Glock 34 pistol he won before. The two consecutive serial numbers. Big winning another one in a three-gun match as the ride along D shooter to the Mars family. Jessica’s brother Kevin had sold him the rifle he had won at a match prior to meeting Melvin. The rifle was a POF USA Warhog in Burnt Bronze with a 16.5-inch barrel and setup for three-gun match tournaments with a Meopta MeoStar R2 1-6X24 RD scope. Kevin had convinced Big that fifteen hundred dollars was about what the rifle cost from a dealer he knew and since he was getting the family rate he would take a flat grand for the rifle. George didn’t mention the Timney trigger, NP3 bolt and the high dollar light weight hand guard that was on the rifle. Much less the twelve-hundred-dollar Meopta scope or the dozen Magpul thirty round magazines he threw in with the purchase and the Vickers Blue Force Gear single point sling.
The truck, Big knew a little about and found on the Internet that the price on the 7.3 L Diesel crate engine alone cost about ten-grand. That did not to mention, cover the rear end, front drive, and the transmission along with new brakes and the hub upgrades and rebuild. They did not mention that along with the shock and spring replacement. Big finally wrote the Mars family a check for fifteen thousand dollars and gave it to Kevin, who placed the check in his desk top drawer and promptly forgot about the payment. The check would still be in the top drawer uncashed when the Russians would turn the world upside down on New Year’s Eve right before the stroke of midnight.
