Twelve Miles Both Ways

I had some free time today so I drove over to Mt. Pilot to check out that little out-of-the-way shop that Howard mentioned once. You know, the place he bought those paintings. I needed most of all just to get in my car and drive, to tell you the truth. I was restless…..plus, Barney had mentioned that there was a new waitress over at the Pot-o-Honey Restaurant that was a 'real sight for sore eyes,' so I stopped there on the way back. It's out just a stones throw away from Willow Creek Road, off the main road not too far from Rafe Hollister's place.

The twelve mile jaunt to Mt. Pilot was restful. I took my sweet time getting there, but I didn't spend but an hour at the shop, and was soon headin' back. On the way out of town I saw that sign 'Two Chairs and No Waiting.' I smiled ‘cause it reminded me of Floyd. I sat there for a bit right in the street ‘til a car horn behind me brought me back from my rush of joy thinking about Mr. Floyd. You know, one time Floyd told me he seriously thought of putting a sign in his window that said 'ONE chair and NO waiting!' What a nice man…I say that a lot because of him. They say there's two types of people. Characters, and people WITH character. I could never put the kindly barber in either one. Somewheres in the middle.

So , on my stop at the Pot-o-Honey….that was an event in itself. Barn was right, the new waitress Jenny IS pretty. But that's where the attraction stops. I didn't care for her 'shutup-sit down-and-eat' kind of attitude. That's not going to win her many friends for sure. But, the food wasn't half bad so it was worth the stop. I did try to make her smile though. I told her a 'fly-in-the-soup' joke, but to no avail. It's one Andy told me about….he had told Miss Peggy this on one of their dinner dates, and said she laughed silently. I love when someone does that. 'Laughs silently.' Well, I guess she had to….afterall, they were in a high class joint.
Anyway, it goes: 'Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!' The waiter says 'Well….when it comes up for air, tell it it'll have to pay half the bill!' It got no response, but maybe Andy is a better joke teller. I'll visit again. I'm not giving up yet on her.

I dropped by Tate Fletcher's as I made my way back. We sat for a bit by the warm glow of the fireplace, sipping coffee that Cornelia provided. We chatted for a bit, and sure enough…this happens every time I visit Fletch….he tells me the story of Luke Jensen, shoes on the bull, and Barney's 'moulage.' But, without fail, we always end up in tears and our sides hurting from laughing so hard. The kicker is…he still has those plaster casts, and he always brings one out to make the story even funnier. Some folks say that Fletch is sullen and quiet, but behind that weather-beaten face and sparkling blue eyes is a terrific storyteller. All Fletch needs is just a small moment of silence in conversing, and he lets that story rip. He is right on key when he does Barney’s authoritative high-voice. ‘Now, in front of you is a fence…and the gate opens…' This time we heard Cornelia laughing in the kitchen too.
I've heard her cry before, but this was the first time I recall her laughing. When the dark clouds had hung low for me in a moment of crisis, Cornelia was the first to comfort me. Her and Fletch took me in for a few days back then when I found it unbearable to walk into my own home. They insisted I stay with them, and Cornelia was a source of strength for me to get back on my feet.
She weighed me down with a bag of her hot homemade biscuits and a jar of her wonderful applebutter as I was leaving. Those are the essentials of a healthy life you know.

Darkness was falling, but driving back I heard this wonderful song, If Children Had Wings, on the radio on WMPD out of Mt. Pilot. I pulled off the to side to listen to it closely:

There were things that were said
There were things that were done
And a wife cannot stand too much pain
And what I thought was best
Couldn't please her much less
But my love still goes on, that don't change
And it shines on and on til all sadness is gone
And if children had wings I would sing them their song
With a smile on my lips and a tear in my eye
Everything will be fine by and by....

I had a little trouble keeping my eyes open driving back. Driving on a full stomach is mighty dangerous. (I wondered if Barn might have a DOFS violation code he could've slapped me with.) To help stay awake, I focused on the setting half-moon in the western sky. It shone bright through the tall pine trees, and concentrating on it's guiding light as I traversed Route 43, I arrived safe at home in Mayberry.

THE END

Home Sweet Home