I’ve been in semi fresh air for a day and a half now, my lungs are starting to clear, and I’m feeling good, albeit the slight tugging in the back of my mind.
‘It’s not too late.’
I smile and light another cigarette as my car slides through Garden City, and a few more till I reach the outskirts of Cullman. I look at my phone and check the time. Not too bad since I wasted quite a while back in Georgia trying to procure this damn thing. Ah well, M should still be at work and, lo and behold, there it is.
I pull in and let the last little bit of smoke out of my mouth before I gear up for my trip inside. Wallet, phone, knife, keys, here we go. I walk up past the machinery, admiring the nice, unmarred paint coating each of them, and slide in through the door. In front of me, walking around to the register is a very cute, short woman. I smile and nod and continue on my unknown path. The alarm goes off, lights flash, but, being who I am, assumptions can’t be relied upon in these situations.
I make my way through the aisles, the nice new pneumatic tools lining the walls. I walk through the garden section, seeing another person in a red vest. No bells and whistles. Ooooh, I like these watering systems. Handy dandy. I walk some more.
PTO hitches.
¼” nylon rope. Gee, have to get some of that when I get back to Arkansas, might come in handy.
Chain hooks.
Air compressors. 150 PSI? Bwahahahahaha, what kinda wuss only uses 150?
Carhartts. Very nice selection, might think about picking up a hood for my jacket.
Ah well, none of these red vested heathens instill fear within me.
I walk back past the counter, but she’s turned the wrong way for me to see the nametag, and busy. Ah well, we’ll make a call. I get to my car and phone up B.
“Hi, this is Brian. I’m up here at M’s work, knowing my luck she’s off isn’t she?”
“No, she should still be up there. Can’t find her?”
“It’d help if I knew who I was looking for, heh.”
“She’s real short, about 5’2”, brown eyes…You should know her when you see her.”
“Ah, thought so. Well thank you.”
As I enter the doors yet again, I hear the loudspeaker click on.
“M, you can a call on line 3, M, call on line 3.”
Bwahahaha, B, you’re quick on the phone. Lessee, no service phones at the front desk, kiosk in the middle with a computer, ah there we go, our cute woman giving me the ol’ stink eye. I give her the patented ‘Brian-is-a-goofy-ass’ look and make my way around to the other side.
“S’good to finally meet you!”
We exchange words, I find out what time she gets off of work, and go to fill up on gas and fiddle with my phone.
Colin calls. “So, you out of Alabama yet?”
“Um, I’m like, right near the border.”
“Well I suggest you get out.”
“Heh, I’m supposed to spend the night here, what’s up?”
“Arkansas crushed Auburn.”
…
“Oh shit.”
But luckily, as it was explained to me, northern Alabama are hardcore Bama fans. So, I was safe for the moment.
I followed M home, enjoying the spread out rural community to the fullest extent. We pulled up to her house, and I stepped out, looking over the fields, noticing the treeline, and the yapping.
DOGGIES!
Angel and Bullet came rushing out, with B following them. After a hug and a quick introduction to the dogs, we headed inside their house, where I got to see firsthand how little M exaggerated about her cats. Allergy hell, but I love them so, so it was well worth it.
Just kinda slipped into the old groove. Nothing awkward, just the usual, but better.
Angel continued to assault me with her affections whilst Bullet decided to voice his dislike of me within his space, and we talked for a while before they decided to give me a pre-emptive tour of the area.
Cullman is littered with Catholic history, and it shows. I got to see a large Monastery (with adjacent gift shop ~gag~) with a 14k gold back wall, and the classic Spanish architecture, and got a wonderful view off of the top of one of the many surrounding mountains. Very breathtaking, and so much like home. We chatted a bit more, drove around, and had a very nice dinner, the check for which I masterfully spirited away before anyone noticed (HAH to both of ya!)
More to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment