Longest time out on the road

OH BOY! the fits hittin the shan now!

man i gotta tell you, this sounds like youve actually been through this before yourself! the details are awesome! its almost like im ridin shotgun with our hero! keep up the good writing man!

 

rest in peace Bondo. even though you seemed like a jerk.....what happens next?!

 

After crying herself out, Luanne stepped back, keeping her hands lightly on my chest.
"I'm so sorry. It's just that I feel as if I know you, which is silly of course" she says.
"I guess I should tell you what happened after dragging you here like this"
But before she has the chance, the phone is ringing again. She reaches for it, then stops her hand in mid air.
She turns to me and says "Let's get the hell out of here. If you don't mind, that is"
"No maam, don't mind at all" I tell her.
Leaving a ringing phone behind and locking the door behind us, she led me out to her Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
"Like Barbeque?" she asks me.
"Who doesn't?" I answered.
"Oh yeah. Dumb question. I know a good place.
Just had to get out of that trailer. Haven't felt like eating lately, but I could use a cold beer.
Maybe watching you eat will give me an appetite. Who knows"
She took us a few miles east over into Duncanville. A little place off I-35E called Sanchez Cafe.
Unfinished wood flooring, checkerboard tablecloths, old saloon style bar and even a small dance floor.
We seated ourselves in a booth with tall backed seating.
After ordering our drinks, sweet tea for me and a longneck for the lady, I noticed the autographed photographs adorning the walls.
Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Joe Stampley and in a place of honor above the bar, Freddy Fender.
"They were close friends at one time" Luanne explained."Mr. Sanchez drove Freddy's tour bus and even played a little back up guitar from time to time.
But the last time Freddy got locked up, it looked like it could be a long stretch.
Sandy decided he couldn't wait and came back home to work here in his older brother's restaurant.
At the time it was little more than a taco stand. They worked hard and built a fine business.
The Tex-Mex is great here, but I recommend the brisket"
Mr. Enrico(Sandy)Sanchez himself soon arrived at our table to take our order.
"Ah, Miss Luanne. I am so sorry for your loss. Please do not hesitate to ask, if there is anything we can do for you" he said gravely.
"Thank-you Sandy. I will be ok, but thank-you just the same" she replied.
"And I see you have brought a guest to our humble establishment" he said, looking at me.
"Yes sir, this is Ricky, my finest driver. He was a friend of Bondo's"
"Ah, Senor Ricky, sorry for the loss of your amigo. And I trust you will be a comfort to Miss Luanne"
"Do my best sir. She's been bragging on your place here.
If the BBQ is as good as she says, you've got a new customer" I said, trying to change the subject.
"Si senor, the best in Texas. I am confident you will be pleased"
After placing our order,we finally had some privacy and Luanne seemed ready to talk at last.
"Bondo was shot and killed by his wife Sunday night" Luanne said, getting right to the point.
"Tex's sister killed him?" I blurted out in surprise.
"You know Tex?" she said, equally surprised.
"Small world huh? Actually I just met him over the weekend"
"Well, I'll be. I like Tex. He told Bondo if he ever did his sister wrong, he'd kick his butt.
Looks like little sister could take care of herself"
"Well what the heck happened?" I asked.
"Short version is she finally got tired of his screwing around and shot his butt.
Caught him red handed this time, right in her own bed. I think that's what really put her over the edge.
Even used his own gun. Snub nose .38 he kept in the bedside table.
I threatened to kill him a few times myself, but I could never really do it"
Reading the question in my expression, she explained.
"You see, I was Bondo's first wife. Cindy was number three.
Number two was much more timid. She just packed up and left peacefully. No gunplay with her.
Not so lucky this time"
I was amazed by this tale, mostly that they were still working together through the other wives.
"I met Brian when he was in the car business" Luanne explained.
"Sold me a piece of crap. Beautiful red Mustang. After a few days it got stinking so bad I could hardly get in it.
I took it back and told him he better do something or I was going to sue his butt.
He claimed the car the car came from Oklahoma. Dry climate, one owner, low miles, blah blah blah.
He told me to get it checked out and he would resolve the issue.
I took it to man I knew with a body shop in Fort Worth. He found the source of the odor all right.
Found two dead catfish under the rear seat and about a dozen crawfish under the spare tire.
Turns out the Mustang was recovered from a flood in Louisiana. Oklahoma my foot.
Well, I could have shot him that day. I left the #### car in Fort Worth. I refused to drive the rolling fish graveyard anymore.
I took a cab back over to A-1 Auto Sales. Bondo wanted to be first in the yellow pages, hence the name.
Well when I told him about the dead catfish, he started laughing. Said that was the most outrageous thing he ever heard.
Well that got me to laughing and next thing I knew he was asking me out.
He was so smooth. Ugly as a mud fence, but danced like Fred Astaire. And could charm the britches off any woman in Texas.
I was smitten. He convinced me I was his one and only. Maybe I was for a while.
We were married six months later. By that time he had to flee the used car business.
Turns out he sold about twenty flood cars and they were coming back with all kind of critters in all kind of places.
Then he comes up the idea of truck brokering. He had a real knack for it.
I managed the books and kept everything legitimate.
I was determined to not have any unsavory practices ruin our business. Luanne is the L in B&L, by the way.
We did quite well for about six months until I discovered he was booking as many women as he was loads of freight.
He begged me not to leave. He literally got down on his knees and begged.
I know it was an act, but I agreed to stay and be his business partner.
He trusted me with the money and he didn't have the discipline to manage the business.
So I stayed on here through his next two marraiges and we got along just fine.
He really was a good man in many ways. Just didn't have any self control. I'm going to miss him"

 

The meal was excellent. Luanne even ate some chips and salsa.
Her spirits had picked up noticeably. I'm sure talking it out helped.
I guess there is something to be said about crying on somebody's shoulder.
"Can I get you to stay for the funeral tomorrow? Bondo would be proud.
And to be honest, I could use the support. I'm afraid it's going to be a painfully small crowd"
Sensing my hesitation, she added "I know you're worried about that load. I can handle Hernando.
I will tell him he will see his freight monday instead of friday.
Not your fault they kept you over the weekend getting loaded.
Besides, we both know you shouldn't be running eight and nine hundred miles a day anyway shug"
"Ok, you talked me into it. Be glad to"
With that decision made, I decided to relax a little myself. I signaled Sandy and ordered a pitcher and two frosted mugs.
"Fella needs to take a break sometime" Luanne says.
"And by the way, I'm paying you for the load in advance as long as your here.
I found a note Bondo left concerning an extra four hundred dollars. You'll get that too"
"Luanne, I can wait until delivery, like we usually do" I told her.
"No, it's ok Rick. I'm trying to clear the books. I haven't booked any new loads since...this week I mean.
Only have a few trucks left under a load, including you.
I want to keep the business, but need some time to regroup.
I can't do it alone. Need some time to find somebody trustworthy I can hire.
No rush, Bondo had plenty of cash stashed here and there.
I plan on looking out for the widow too. Only fair.
He had a big life insurance policy, but I'm sure there will be some major dispute on this claim"
"Yeah, I can see a conflict of interest for sure" I said.
I loosened up a little myself by the second mug, and told my tale of woe concerning Darlene.
"Just let her go, shug. Don't you go shooting anybody now" she joked.

The funeral was held the following morning at a quaint little cemetary in Bondo's birthplace of Ennis, just a short drive south.
The crowd was indeed small with only one blood relative in attendance.
Bondo's older brother was there wearing a very old, ill fitting suit.
He was an ornery looking old guy who never spoke to anyone.
Just stood to one side occasionally spitting tobacco juice into the dirt.
Hearing some footsteps behind me, I turned when a familiar voice said "Howdy, pardner"
"Well I'll be doggone" I exclaimed when I saw Tex and Jolene.
"Look what the cat done drug in. And good to see you again so soon, Jolene.
I see you done escaped from New Jersey"
"Oh it wasn't so bad. About froze my southern butt off though. Tex came back through and rescued me"
"I see that. Yall didn't waste no time getting down here neither" I said.
"I didn't worry about no backhaul" Tex offered. "I called momma monday to wish her a happy new years and she told me what happened.
That was monday afternoon. I figure you had a few hours jump on me.
Gave Jolene a call. She was flying out that night anyway. Made her an offer she couldn't refuse" he said with a wink.
Luanne walked over and introduced herself to Jolene and Tex pulled me aside.
"Hey dude, where's the little Carolina chick you was telling me about?" he asked me.
"Long story dude" I said and just shook my head.

 

i dont think luanne can run the business herself anymore. my bet is that the main character (whats his name? i dont think you ever said) is gonna finish his load and come back and help her out.

 

Wasn't much of a funeral. After the preacher said "Amen", Bondo's brother(never did get his name) just headed back to his old pickup truck.
I saw him grab a cold beer from his cooler in the back before he got in the cab.
"Bondo was a sweetheart next to that old coot" Tex remarked. "But he does have the right idea"
With that idea, the four of us headed over to Sanchez's.
As soon as we were seated, Tex ordered a frosty pitcher and mugs all around.
I declined mine and ordered an iced tea instead.
"What's up hero? Too good to drink with us?" Tex chided.
"Nah, but I gotta be driving soon. Turnin over a new leaf" I answered.
This earned me a look from Luanne but she didn't say anything.
When Randy Travis came on the jukebox, Tex grabbed Jolene by the hand and they hit the dancefloor.
"They make a nice looking couple" Luanne says to me.
"Yeah they do" I said.
then Luanne surprised me by putting her hand over mine and looking me in the eyes, almost sadly.
"I was kinda hoping you would stay a while. At least spend the night. You have plenty of time" she tells me softly.
That wasn't entirely unexpected. I had been picking up a vibe ever since we met the day before and wasn't sure how I should react.
She was about Betty's age(low 40s but at 28 didn't bother me) and just as beautiful.
The look I was getting reminded me of that old Conway Twitty song "I See the 'Want To' in Your Eyes".
Just didn't feel right on a couple of levels.
First off, I think she could be acting out of grief. It affects people that way sometimes.
And also, if we were to have a business relationship in the future, I didn't want it soured if and when this fell apart.
Geez, I think I'm growing a concious or something.
"I know I do Luanne. I'm not going to hand you any dumb excuses either.
Somehow, I just think it better if I move on. I like you and you have been a great host, but I ...just better go, I think"
I don't think she was expecting to hear that. She gave me a smile and patted my hand, but I could see the beginnings of tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Now I was second guessing myself. Well, I done opened my big mouth now. God, I hate this.
Fortunately Tex and Jolene returned to the table, breaking the awkard silence.
After a robust meal of ribs and brisket, we said our goodbyes and Luanne took me out to my truck, still parked by the office.
"Alright sweetie" she said as she kissed me on the cheek as we stood by my truck.
"You be careful, and call me from California. I know a good guy out there. I'll tell him to take care of you"
Then she handed me a business card as I climbed up the steps to my cab.
I thought this was odd, since I obviously knew her number.
Only later did I notice her home number written on the back.
Well I guess she didn't take it that hard after all.

 

I find myself in Eloy, Arizona saturday afternoon. Be a good time to get my wheels and tanks polished.
Maybe kick back and have a cold one or six.
Walking to the mens room at the 76 Truckstop, I bump into a lady walking with her head down, clearly not watching where she is going.
As I start to say "Excuse me", she looks up and I realize I know this person.
Except the last time I saw her, her face wasn't bruised. Nor was her lip swollen and cut.
"Oh my God, Darlene! What the hell happened to you? Are you alright?"
She looked embarrassed at being seen this way, and almost relieved that I found her.
I didn't need to ask who did it, only where he was.
"He's in the shower" she tells me.
Noticing the condition of her hair and clothes, I wondered why she wasn't in one as well.
As if reading my mind, she went on to explain.
"When I refused to shower with him he got mad and hit me. He said there wasn't enough money for two showers.
Told me to wash up in the bathroom, and wait for him in the driver's lounge"
I had heard enough. At that moment I didn't care what she had done to me, or why. I only wanted to help.
From the time I saw her standing outside the truck in Alabama, I knew something was wrong.
"Come on" I told her as I took her hand and led her out to my truck.

 

gross pig. he is in trouble. does he go for darlene or luanne?!

 

"Oh Ricky, I am so sorry" Darlene cried as we walked across the parking lot.
"Who is this guy anyway?" I asked her.
"Ben McTeen. He goes by Animal. He said he went to high school with you.
He has been asking me out, but I told him I had plans to take a trip with you and I had better not.
That's when he told me you were married and had two kids"
I was incredulous. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, but I let her continue.
"He told me a bunch of other stuff too, even worse stuff. That was monday. He said I should take off with him before you showed up.
He said it was for my safety. God, I was so stupid to believe anything he said.
I snuck of to a pay phone yesterday and called Miss Betty and she told me everything.
She knew all about Ben and you too. I should have talked to her first. And to you.
It's been so awful, Ricky, but I can't blame you if you don't care"
"No, it's ok sweetie. I'm not mad. Not anymore. What happened to your face? Is that all from the shower deal?"

As she continued describing her trip thus far, I flashed back on Ben "Animal" McTeen.
Bigger than the other kids by virtue of being held back two years, he was the school bully throughout elementary school.
That ended by high school when the other kids hit their growth spurts and caught up to him in size.
But he was still sneaky and an overall nasty guy,
He was arrested when he was sixteen for stealing a car. The principal's car no less. His daddy bought him out of that one.
He did a week in juvenile detention and the incident was expunged from his record.
When he was eighteen, he got busted with a thousand hits of acid at a Doobie Brothers concert in Atlanta.
I never held that against him, but to me the bad part was he ripped off the tabs from this dude's van.
Believe me, he was safer in jail that night. His daddy bailed him out the next day and snuck him out the back door of the Stone Mountain jail.
When I was twenty years old I was working the dock, loading trailers at the Winn-Dixie distribution center in Greenville SC.
I was trying to get my foot in the door any way possible to drive a truck.
It was hard work, but they promised me if I maintained a good work record, they would give me a shot at driving when I turned twenty-one.
Imagine my surprise when Ben comes wheeling in one day behind the wheel of a semi.
I knew he wasn't old enough yet, but I kept my mouth shut.
Sure enough, he got hired with a bogus drivers license and resume.
He could have gotten away with it if he hadn't have gotten greedy and stupid.
He stole four pallets of canteloupes and tomatoes and was selling them at the farmer's market on his day off.
Greenville was not a huge town at the time and no less than five Winn-Dixie employees recognized him that day.
No surprise he ended up driving for COAST2COAST.

As continued her her story, I was getting angrier by the minute. Not at her, but at that piece of human slime she ended up with.
I asked her how I was able to catch up after spending over a day in Grand Prairie.
"Well he stopped in El Paso yesterday" she explained."He drove down this dirt road a few miles past the truckstop.
Right away I was getting a bad feeling. We ended up at some old shacks and trailers.
There was a big mean looking dog on a big chain in front of one of them.
He went in one of the trailers and told me to wait. He stayed in there for hours. I was hungry and had to pee.
And these creepy guys kept walking by the truck winking and grabbing themselves.
I was getting really scared. Every now and then a car would show up and leave a few minutes later.
When he finally came out he was all glassy eyed and talking a mile a minute.
When we crossed over into New Mexico he reached under his shirt and pulled out this baggie.
I didn't know what it was then, but I do now. He told me to put it in my purse.
That's when I saw the sign that said 'Inspection Station One mile ahead'.
I told him no and he popped me.
Said I better or he would take me in there and tell them I was a runaway and I would get locked up with a bunch of crazy Mexican guys"
I asked her how big the baggie was. I held up my thumb, thinking maybe eightball size. No, she said and held her hands a few inches apart.
Oh man, sounded like an ounce or so. That's a lot of coke. More than personal use. That boy is determined to go to prison for keeps this time.
He should have stuck to stolen tomatoes.

I didn't need to hear any more. I raised my hand and stopped her.
"It's ok sweetie, you don't need to go back over all that. I know it was bad enough the first time.
What we are going to do is find a nice motel. Get you a nice hot bath and some rest.
I'll get us a nice meal and bring it to the room. Then we can call Miss Betty and let her know you are ok"
I didn't mention calling her momma, because we both knew she was probably passed out on the couch, too drunk to care.
"Don't you think we should be getting out of here before he finds us?" she asked me, fear in her eyes.
"Quite the contrary sweetie. I look forward to him finding us. I need to have a long talk with that boy"

 

"There he is!" Darlene said, pointing across the parking lot.
Animal was plodding across the tarmac with his shower bag slung over his shoulder.
If he was upset at Darlene's failure to wait for him in the driver's lounge, it wasn't evident.
That would surely change when he discovered she wasn't in the truck either.
Judging from where he walked, he was only parked a few spaces away.
Less than a minute later, he walks a few paces from his truck, scanning the row for signs of life in the parked trucks.
A difficult task with the western sun at his back.
Windshields become mirrors, making it nearly impossible to tell if a cab was occupied, much less identify the occupants.
I decided to assist him in his search by giving the air horn cord a gentle tug.
As he looked in my direction, I extended my arm out the window and gave him a wave.
He glared suspiciously for a few seconds before sauntering over, unsure of who was summoning him.

At that point I unlatched my door so that it was loosely closed.
When Animal was six inches from the door I kicked it open. Hard.
Nothing beats the element of surprise.
Before he could even think of raising a hand to stop it, the hard metal door made square impact with his nose.
He staggered back banging his head on the mirror bracket of the neighboring truck.
Blood was already dripping on his shirt as he looked up at me, recognition setting in.
"What's your problem McTeen? I see you done went from stealing cars to stealing women" I said evenly.
"#### you Mustang! You done messed up boy. I'm gonna..."
...was as far as he got when he saw me lay the .357 revolver in my lap.
"The only thing you're going to do is march your fat butt over to that POS truck of yours and get Darlene's suitcase.
I know it's going to be difficult to snort lines through that busted nose, but if you screw with me, that will be the least of your problems"