The slide on his .380 automatic needed oil. Morley Wills was not in an emergency situation, but being on the roadside of a rural highway with a flat when a pick-up truck full of drunk locals flipping him the bird because you’re Black does qualify for concern. He slipped it back in its concealed holster and watched them fade away over the hill. Good, he didn’t need the drama. Who bothers handicapped seniors anyway? He opened the trunk of his blue 2002 Camry to get his walker and spare. The spare was good. Several semis zoomed past on the newly resurfaced highway, one honked, perhaps he might radio ahead to send help. Who were the back packers waving to get his attention? Whatever they wanted they didn’t seem to be a threat. It was a male and female approximately the same height and weight wearing baseball caps. Her clothing was not as worn as his; both wore filthy jeans and needed a good hot shower from the July heat.
“Hey mister, looks like you need help,” the young lady said, as they both took off their back packs.
“Worry not, chief, we mean you no harm,” he said, with a slight southern drawl. “I’m Peter and this is Jenna.”
“Morley.”
“Won’t take but a minute to fix it, Morley,” Peter said.
“Okay, she’s all yours.” He stood back and they changed it in no time.
“Thanks, how much?” Morley reached in his pocket.
They looked at each other. “Nothing but a ride to Demotte, a few miles down the road.”
“Deal.”
* * *
“I know what you’re thinking, what is an old handicapped Black guy doing out here?” They nodded. “Well, every summer I jump in the car and go for a long drive in the country. It relieves the stress. I feel much better when I get back to the city.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jenna said. “I was getting married and got cold feet and Peter, if he doesn’t mind me saying, is an adventurer, whatever that means.” He nodded and kept scrolling on his phone.
“Always remember when you young you do things that might not be smart, but as long as they ain’t too stupid, you’ll be alright. So much for old folks’ advice.”
“Okay…Morley, pull over at that karaoke bar next to that Seven-Eleven.”
“Okay.” Surprise, the lot was full this time of the afternoon.
“Come in, the drinks are on us.”
“I’m not a big drinker, but okay, if it’s safe.” He hadn’t seen anybody that looked like him since he left the city.
Jenna lifted her t-shirt. “Roscoe and his brothers will cover us all.” Her holstered weapon was well concealed.
“Cool, let me get my walker.”
It was an upscale country western style bar. All the chairs and tables were high quality wood; it didn’t smell like a tavern and there was little or no reaction when they sat at the only available table. A few minutes later a couple of guys in wheel chairs waved him over to the pool table. The drinks started to flow like water. Jenna waited her turn to take the mike and when she did the place fell silent. She was great! She did jazz, R&B and country western. And what shocked him the most, Peter got on the drums. The place was jumping, everybody danced or at least tried.
Several hours later Peter helped Morley to the Days Inn across the parking lot. He was too drunk to drive, but still in control. Jenna bought food and a couple of six packs. It was good knowing he was in a safe place around these strangers.
* * *
Morley’s eyes popped open. Where was he? His head ached like mad. He tried to sit up and fell back. Where did all the beer cans and bottles come from? Then it hit him. What happened to those kids that got him drunk? Somebody must have slipped him a mickey. The shower’s running, who’s in it? He sat up on the edge of the bed. The TV was muted; the bathroom door opened. Jenna stepped out wrapped in a bath towel drying her hair.
“Hey you…you up? You did good last night for an old man.” She chuckled and came over, kissed him on the cheek and went back toward the bathroom.
“What!”
She grinned.
What had he done? He should remember that, if nothing else. He checked his wallet, nothing missing. “What happened…where’s Peter?”
“Nothing happened. We got drunker, solved the world’s problems and passed out like normal people. He’s gone, he got up earlier. He said he was going to take your advice, stop being stupid.”
“I called him stupid?”
“Not really…but it made sense. He called to get his family to send the company jet to get him; he didn’t feel like hitching a ride home.”
“Company jet?”
“Yeah, his people are really rich, believe it or not.” She stepped back out fully clothed. “I would get back in bed and continue to rape you, but you need more rest before you head home.”
He put his head in his hands. What had he done?
Jenna laughed until tears formed in her eyes. “You should see the look on your face. I’m kidding, Morley…just kidding. Nothing happened, you’re a good guy and it was good meeting you. There’s a hundred for gas on the dresser, take care. I’m gone.” She went to the door.
“Where you headed?”
“Milwaukee.”
He got a couple more hours of sleep and headed home. He hadn’t had this much fun in a while.
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