Longest time out on the road

Well, I'm rolling at 1300. Not bad, except it should have been three days ago.
Oh well, that's water under the bridge now. To tell the truth, I enjoyed myself.
That little Joanie was an unexpected surprise, but I'm dang sure not letting Bondo know I had a good time.
Cheap as he is, he'll be trying to take my layover money back.
Next stop is Darlington SC. Nothing happens, I can do that in about twelve hours.
Darlene will be on duty at three. Give her a call when I get to Virginia.

Ring, ring
"Betty Boop's Travel Plaza, how may I help you?" said the sexy voice that answered the phone.
"Well, howdy, you good looking thing you. You got room in your lot for my truck and room in your heart for a lonely trucker?" I said.
"Well I do declare" Betty said in her best southern belle voice, "I swear this sounds like an obscene phone call"
"Oh, no maam, nothin obscene about me. Nothing but the purest intentions. This is Ricky"
"I kinda figured it was, you smooth talking devil. And I bet you want to talk to Darlene.
Let me ask you something first. She's been talking about taking off with you on a trip to California.
Is that for real?"
"Yes maam. I hope that ain't a problem. I told her I didn't want to jeapordize her job"
"Oh no, honey. That's fine. Her cousin can fill in for her. She does a good job.
Really just making sure you weren't just leading her on. Don't want to see her get hurt" Betty said, real concern in her voice.
"No, I was serious. On the way now, matter of fact. Got held up a few days, so it's a last minute deal.
Be after midnight when I get down there.
Figure I'll crash in the back, and when yall open up in the morning, I'll have my nap in.
Want to make California thursday night"
"I'll tap on your door when I get there and put on some fresh coffee for us sugar.
And I need to tell you something. If I was twenty years younger, I'd be jumping in that truck with you myself"
"Ain't nothing stopping you now Betty Boop. I'd be honored by your company" I told her.
"Yeah, sure, you big ole flirt. Nothing stopping me but a business to run and a big ole grouchy husband.
Hold on a sec, and I'll get your sweetie"
While waiting for Darlene, no doubt serving a customer, I reflected on Betty.
Her real name is Betty Barnes and she was Miss South Carolina runner up in 1961.
But her biggest claim to fame was Miss Winston Cup later on. Pictures adorned the diner walls of her kissing the NASCAR champions in Darlington, Charlotte, Rockingham, Atlanta, Daytona and points in between.
And a most impressive personal autograph collection that included Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker and my hometown hero David Pearson.
At forty-four years old, she was still a beautiful woman.
I liked her most because she was down to earth and non pretentious.
My daydreaming was interrupted when she came back on the line.
"She had a big table hon, be just a minute. Never mind, here she is"
"Watcha doin sweetie? I know you're busy, but I been missing you something fierce" I said.
"Sure you have. That's what all you truck drivers say" she teased.
"Aww, you know me better than that sweetie. Got your bags packed?" I asked.
"For real? Yeah baby, I been ready. I done cleared it with Betty. How long you reckon we'll be gone?"
"If I can reload friday, we can be back about tuesday, say a week altogether. But can't promise. Could be longer"
"Oh that's fine sugar. I wouldn't mind a weekend in California. Long as I'm with you sweetums"
"Honey hush, you're making me blush. I'll be in real late. Just gonna crash out back. Miss Betty already knows.
Get some coffee in me and we can ride baby"
"Sounds like a plan sweetie. I'll be here with bells on"

 

Mustanggt, i totally agree with alex94! this is the best dam* thing ive heard in a long time!

 

Signed on with Arrow on June 3, 1998. Saw the inside of my house again September 23 (according to my old log books, at least), which is when I quit. Just too long for a young, virile 22 yr old to be away from the kindlier sex, if you know what I mean.

 

Well since you're talking about Arrow, at least you can say you left on your own terms, unlike the unfortunate ones that were there recently.

 

Once I got south of Richmond, I put the Kwhopper in the big hole and put 'er in the wind.
The 350 Cummins did a fine job with the little 22k box load.
But it was still after 2 AM when I pulled into the truck stop. Betty would be here about 6 to open up. It would come fast.
That would give me a nap anyway. I've gotten by on a lot less.

Betty said she had to knock pretty hard to rouse me. I can believe it, for it felt as if I were coming out of a coma.
That good hard sleep. I would have liked a few more hours, but I felt refreshed nonetheless.
As I slipped on my boots and hat I became coherent enough to realize Betty was staring at me with a look of genuine puzzlement.
"What's wrong babydoll? Act like you've seen a ghost. Do I look that bad when I first wake up?" I asked her.
"Oh no, you're as cute as ever, but why ain't yall left yet? Decide to nap after all?" she asks me.
"What do you mean yall? Ain't nobody in here but me"
"Come on in and let's talk sugar. I started the coffee when I got here. Oughta be ready"
I grabbed my smokes as I climbed out of the cab, growing more confused by the second.
I went straight to restroom to relieve myself and splash some cold water on my face.
No hope for the hair right now. Just throw the hat back on.
When I came back into the dining room Betty had a hot cup waiting for me and a concerned look on her face.
"Are you ready to let me in on the big secret hon?" I asked her."And where is Darlene?"
"I thought she was with you" Betty replied evenly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Now I was thoroughly confused.
"She said yall decided to leave straight from here last night. She said you were going to skip the nap because you were running late.
When we locked up at midnight, she said she was going straight home to get her suitcase and meet you back up here"
I tried to comprehend what I was hearing as I fired up a smoke.
"Betty, I swear I never said such as thing. This don't make a lick of sense"
"She said you made the change of plans when you called the second time"
"Second time? There was no second time Miss Betty. When I left Fredricksburg, where I called from, I never stopped til I got here"

 

UH OH!!!!

 

UH OH is right! what the heck is happening?!

 

i can't take the suspense before bedtime!

 

hurry. we need an update!!

 

The little bell over the front door tinkled as Darlene Duke's cousin arrived for work, breaking our silence.
"Oh Daisy, thank God your here" Betty said.
"What's wrong, Miss Betty?" Daisy answered, sensing alarm in her voice.
"And what are you doing back here?" she asked, looking at me.
"He never left yet Daisy. What time did you bring Darlene up here last night? I know she clocked out at eleven" Betty asked her.
"We drove straight to her place and was there at eleven fifteen. Her momma was asleep on the couch and she said not to wake her.
She packed a suitcase really fast and took a shower and changed.
Didn't even blowdry her hair, which was totally weird for her.
And she was acting kind of nervous. We were back here at the truckstop just after midnight.
Miss Ellen was locking up when we got here. Darlene had me drive over to the far corner of the parking lot where Ricky...well I thought it was you...was parked.
Whoever it was didn't get out to help her in. I thought that was rude but didn't tell her that.
She went around to the passenger side, opened the door and threw her suitcase up in the seat, then climbed up"
"What did the truck look like Daisy?" I asked her as I fired up another Marlboro. Betty was already refilling our cups.
"Just like yours, Ricky. Heck, I thought it was you. It was a blue Kenworth.
Being pitch dark out there I couldn't make out every little detail, but it was pretty darn close to being the same truck"
"What about the trailer? And did you see the name on the truck?" I asked her.
"I didn't even notice what was on the cab Ricky and the trailer was like yours. It had shiny doors on the back.
I remember that cause of the way my headlights reflected back on me.
Made me think about what you said about how it keeps tailgaters back.
Now that I think about it, seems like I remember something different now. Something I was gonna ask you about when yall got back"
"Think, Daisy. What was it? This is real important sugar" Betty coaxed.
"Flags!" Daisy blurted out.
"Flags?" Betty and I said in unison.
"You know those rubber things that hang behind the tires? Watcha call them things?"
"You talking about mud flaps Daisy?" I asked her.
"Yeah, that's it! Mud flaps. Cept these had rebel flags on them. Both sides. And these chrome things on the bottom.
I remember now cause I thought they looked cool. The way the light bounced around when they moved.
I had planned on telling you I liked them. Guess I won't now, since they ain't yours"
With that, her eyes welled up and she began to cry.
"Oh Ricky, I'm so sorry. I can't believe she done that to you.
I never woulda brought her up here, I swear"
"Now, now sweetie, ain't your fault. I'm just glad you was paying attention. You've been a great help.
Don't know why she did what she did, but nothing for you to be sorry for"
"Well at least we know she wasn't kidnapped" Betty said. "But aside from that, I'm pretty #### pissed off.
That gal didn't have no call to do you that way. She might be twenty-one, but she don't act like she's grown half the time.
Her momma approved of you Ricky, but I guarantee she didn't know who the hell that was she done run off with.
She always was a sucker for a smooth talking truckdriver.
No offense Ricky"
"None taken, Miss Betty. Well, I guess that's that. Nothing I can do but go on" I said, feeling dejected.
"I'm so sorry hon" Betty said as she placed her hand over mine.
"You want some some breakfast before you go? It's a long way to California"
"Don't reckon I'm too hungry now, but I appreciate it" I said as I rose from the table.
Betty stood also and kissed me on the cheek as she gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"You just be careful out there sugar, and get on back here in one piece"
"Yes maam, you know I will. See ya next week. You too Daisy, and don't you worry yourself neither"
I walked back out to my truck with one thing on my mind.
Confederate flag mudflaps.