Episode 4
754 Words
Chad and Debbi pulled up to Bobby’s old gas station. The front of the store is usually lined with old men, talking about farming, politics and whatever else they feel like complaining about for the day. It was like that old southern saying, "If you can't say something nice, come sit right here." Today was different though. Only Bobby was in the old store. All of the old men had parked themselves and their lawn chairs at Fin’s place. Probably so they could gather as much gossip as possible to fill up the next week of gas station chit chat.
The gloomy gray and white store looked like it belonged in a ghost town. The pumps were from a time where you paid someone a nickel to fill up the take. The neon, flashing “open” sign was the only indication of life beyond the glass door. Chad bent down to pet the old black Labrador that always found the front spot with the most shade. The dog lifted his head in gratitude for the attention that Chad had offered. He slapped his long black tail against the asphalt as Chad scratched behind his ears.
The dog didn’t belong to anyone. People just threw it old scraps as they went in and out of the rundown store. Chad looked at the old stray knowing exactly how he felt. Chad had no living parents now and he was always the town stray that people threw their scraps too. He straightened himself and gave to old hound one last thoughtful glare as he pushed open the heavy glass door.
Chad fumbled around on the dusty shelves that lined the entrance of the gas station. He ran his hand along a two liter coke bottle, thoughtfully staring at the globs of dust that now rested on his fingers, and wondered how long it had been there. It was always amazing that the front of the store was lined with old farm hands that couldn’t run a tractor anymore, but the inside looked like they never walked in the door. He figured they could at least buy a drink or two since Bobby never complained about them sitting there day after day.
“I would ask you how you’re doing” piped Bobby, “but I know there’s no point. I’m just very sorry and that’s all I can say.” Bobby was a kind man in his late 50’s with soft gray hair and a comforting smile. “Thanks, Bob.” and with that Chad dropped his change for the ice on the counter. He didn’t want to prolong his visit much more.
With a jingle of the cow bell that hung from the gas station door, he was free. He walked outside to see Debbi grabbing a bag out of the old cooler. “Hold on, girl! I’ll get that!” he called. It was too late. Debbi had lugged it to the back of his truck and plopped it in the rusty bed. He chuckled to himself, watching her long blonde hair blow in the soft breeze, “Now that’s a steel magnolia for ya.”
Chad’s moment of peace was short lived. A jacked up, black Ram roared up to the gas station breaking the moment of silence. The bright light bar, fastened to the roof was glowing even though it was day time. It was some of the local teenagers, spoiled brats that went to the only private school in the county. It was obvious that the driver’s daddy has just bought him the diesel he was driving. That was the only way the kid could have ever afforded that truck
“Heard you finally threw that old b***h in the ditch, Chad” one yelled from the passenger’s seat.
“Yeah, everybody knows your shitty mama is what got you on drugs. Too bad you did go with her!” howled another.
Debbi grabbed Chad by the arm. “Not now, Chad. They aren’t worth it. Let them go.” With that the truck sped off leaving a cloud of black smoke and a smell of burnt diesel oil. Debbi walked quietly to the passenger door and slid into the pickup. She closed the door so quietly you couldn’t even hear the click. Chad stopped to look across the street, feeling like he was being watched. He stared out consumed by his thoughts. Finally, he climbed in and started up the truck. He looked at Debbi with a pain in his eyes that she had never seen before. “That’s what they all will think, Deb. They all will think I killed my Mama.”
- Writer
