All Aboard! Romance on Route 66

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Slim was still humming a tune when Lilly climbed down the stairs. Rick and Diane were sleeping and Slim broke into a smile when he saw her coming down the stairs. His smiled disappeared when he saw a serious look on her face. I wonder what the problem is, he thought. Is there trouble upstairs and if so maybe I should pull over, as he let up on the throttle? Lilly sat down and said with a voice she didn’t hardly recognize as it sounded like a high pitch croak from an old lady who had maybe smoked too many cartons of Camels, “Slim, we need to talk when we stop for the night. I’m really scared that maybe what we are doing is not really how I feel. I don’t mean to frighten you, but I need to find a balance on this crazy trip we have been on” Slim nodded his head and fidgeted in his seat knocking his knees against the shifter and side of the bus. A shot of fear went top to bottom in a flash and when he looked at the road, the line once vivid and bright faded into a blurry haze on the highway. It took all his will power to focus on his driving. A cold sweat broke out on his high forehead and his hands turned wet on the wheel. His vision returned and he checked his gauges which were his friends and that brought him back to the correct time and space.

  “Lilly, I’m all ears and as you know I have some of the biggest ears around,” he said with all the conviction of a rabbit being chased by a pack of wolves. “Let’s over dinner talk about what is going on with you and me and this crazy trip.”

  “Yes, Slim,” she replied with a normal voice. Now she felt that once said, she could return to normal, if I can define what is normal she thought rising up and climbing back up the stairs leaving Slim to deal with more emotions than he ever dreamed of before having. While she was making her way up the stairs, Slim staring at the road could only see in black and white. He thought, what is happening to me. Maybe I’m having a heart attack although he felt no pain in his chest only his head. A ringing in his ears accompanied his trembling hands on the wheel. He glanced at the speedometer and it read forty five and holding steady. He shook one hand and then the other to rid the shaking like a wet dog after a bath in the hot sun. Slowly his vision returned to color and the shaking stopped. He thought again, is this love? If it is I want no part of this happening ever again. I must talk to Lilly about this and maybe we should reconsider getting married, as he lovingly looked at the instruments and smelled the newness of his bus. His thoughts returned to normal thinking about the BBQ buffalo steak just up the road as Lilly noticed Jasper must be in the restroom as Frieda was sitting alone.

  Lilly stopped at her seat and asked, “Forgive the intrusion but could I talk with you for a few minutes?”

  “Of course Lilly, please sit down and Jasper can sit behind us when he comes back,” she said with a concerned look on her face as she couldn’t help but notice Lilly was having some problems of some sort.

  “Thanks, I really need someone to talk to as I’m having such strange feelings since we left Amarillo. Right this minute I don’t know who I am and can’t seem to find a place in my world. It’s just been too much too fast for this once reclusive girl. I’m feeling like an overloaded circuit like when my mother would plug in the toaster and fuse would blow making the kitchen dark. Right now I have darkness clouding my thoughts and need some help rowing my rocking boat to shore.”

  Frieda laughed and said, “I know how you feel. When Jasper and I decided to get married we were both near sixty and both of us had been single for our entire lives. Then when the decision was made, our whole congregation made such a fuss; our lives were turned upside down. Never a minute of peace as well wishers stopped by my house or his house or the darn telephone ringing off the hook. I had so much food in my house I could have fed the entire town! What we did was move up the wedding and then we …….”

  Jasper was standing next to Lilly and took the situation in like he’d been there a thousand time before. Lilly looked up at him with tears streaming down her face and Japer looked at his wife with an almost imperceptible nod knowing the circumstances clearly visible on Lilly’s face. Jasper took his big carpenter hand and laid it on Lilly’s shoulder giving it a slight squeeze of comfort. Lilly tried to get up but he held her down and said, “Please don’t get up, I need to stretch my legs a little anyway,” giving another nod to his wife that he would go down and see how Slim was doing.

  “Now Lilly, tell me what is in your heart. There is no doubt Slim loves you very much and I think you do too. Let’ see if we can slow this fast moving life of yours down to a crawl and along the way let’s pick up the pieces of the missing puzzle of your fears, wants and desires.

  “As you know I lost my mother recently and after the funeral the house was so dark and empty I was totally lost in my once cozy little world. At night I could hear every sound real or imaginary. We have a large old tree in our yard and when the wind blows a little the tree rubs the side of our house. It used to comfort me when I knew my mother was in her room and would fall asleep dreaming the tree was rubbing my back as my mother used to do when I was a child. Then when I was alone the tree was like an evil thing telling me I wasted my life and it was scrapping away the memories of my mind. The only way I could sleep was going downstairs to the living room and sleep in my mother’s old rocking chair. I would hold her knitting close to my chest and dream of my mother knitting away humming with the sounds of the radio playing music. I would rock myself to sleep and then wake up to daylight streaming through the windows. I was always so tired and that is when I decided to sell the house and take this trip.”

  Frieda reached out and took Lilly’s hands and said, “Lilly, that is so natural and Jasper and I have so many times comforted lots of our friends with their loss of a spouse or a family member. Here I have something for you,” as she dug through her bag, “I have marked on it in some special places for you to read.” as she gave Lilly a bible.

  Lilly took the book and held it close to her chest and the tears stopped with the knowledge this book held the key to her mysterious feelings. “My thanks Frieda and I’m all right now and thank you so much for listening to me. I feel much better now.” Lilly laid her head back and closed her eyes adjusting her grip on her new life in her hands.

  Slim meanwhile saw Jasper coming down the stairs in his mirror. The kids he noticed were still sleeping. He reached over and gave Slim a reassuring pat on the shoulder and sat down opposite the kids. Slim checked his mirrors and speed then said, “I’m glad you are here Jasper. Lilly came down and told me some things that were on her mind and for the life of me I can’t remember what she was talking about. I know one thing, something inside of me went from one side and then up and down my body like a billiard ball on a pool table. The next thing I knew she left and I’m very lucky to have kept the bus on the road.”

  “I know what you mean Slim and when we have the time, let’s talk about it in more detail. Right now I know Lilly is talking to my wife and you can bet your bottom dollar Lilly will be feeling much better by the time we reach the motel tonight.”

  “It’s not me I’m so worried about Jasper. I’m just worried about her and all that she has gone through with losing her mother and all the excitement of this event filled trip.”

  “Slim, I tell you what we should do and that is we should leave this in God’s hands in the meantime and I promise you by bedtime tonight, all will be well,” he said with what sounded like words from God himself.

  “I will trust in your words Jasper and sure hope we will find at the end of this trip a new and rewarding life together.”

  They rode in silence until the sign read, “Welcome to Sayer, Oklahoma”

  Chapter 9

  Sayer, Oklahoma the country seat gained popularity from oil and the railroad early on. For Slim, he loved this little town with its wide streets and famous Western Motel where they would spend the night. Slim thought if Lilly wanted to they would go to the Stovall theatre and see a movie. After the movie maybe go window shopping and stop off at the Owl Drug Store for one of their famous milkshakes.

  Slim picked up the mi
ke and said, “Folks we are in Sayer, Oklahoma one of the finest eating places in the world is right here. If you are a steak lover, like me,” he gave off a short chuckle, “the BBQ buffalo steak is to die for. Also this nice town is full of tourist goods and handmade stuff from the local residents. We will, shortly park at the Western Motel and hope to see you across the street for dinner. Check in at the desk and they will assign you rooms.”

  All of the passengers stretched and yawned from their naps. Lilly woke up feeling better than ever and was a little ashamed of herself for her actions. She was still sitting next to Frieda and Frieda reached out and patted her leg with a motherly smile. Nothing needed saying between them and Jasper is looking on, just quietly and inwardly, thanked the Lord for his help.

  Slim was standing at the bottom of the stairs helping the passengers off one by one. When Lilly arrived his face turned red and she smiled up at him giving the sign of affection. She walked to the office to get her room while the cowboy porter struggled with the bags of all the passengers.

  Carl had reversed his good nature and woke up cranky, much to the embarrassment of his wife. The rest of the passengers gave him room so as not to make him any crankier. After getting his key he left mumbling to himself. Lilly signed in and took her key to her room and left the door open for the porter to bring in her bags. She was going to tell Slim she wanted to be alone tonight and knew he would not understand her wanting some free time to relax and read her new Bible.

  It wasn’t long until Slim showed up with a face that gave off bewilderment and confusion, but his eyes showed forth his love for her. Lilly met him at the door and said with warm eyes, “Slim, I think it best if we were alone tonight. I need some time to adjust to the fast times and find a place for my feet on the ground. I would like to have dinner with you and then we can have some free time together before retiring for the night.”

  Slim at first felt like he had been hit by a fast moving truck, but then as she continued to talk in an affectionate voice, he heard, “dinner,” “walk” and “some time together” to make his heart quit trying to jump out of his shirt. Slim said, “Of course Lilly I will take a shower and knock on my door when you are ready to eat.”

  Lilly smiled at him and said, “Give me twenty minutes as I’m a little hungry.”

  Slim told her that was fine with him and left for his room carrying his lonely bag in his long arm. To Slim the only good thing about walking into his room and throwing his bag on the bed was the power was on. So many emotions were coursing through his body making his face hot and then running down his feet which were given implicit instructions not move from where he was standing. Slowly he undid the buttons on his shirt and tossed it on the bed covering up his bag. Sitting down on the small bed making groaning sounds the next thing he knew he was sitting on the floor as the bed gave way to his sitting too close to the side adding insult to injury. Lying on his side, first he got mad and then realized how funny it must look for someone if they could see him now. Oh well, he thought, at least I won’t have to move the bed much to the floor. He moved his tall frame to pick himself up and take off his shoes. He started laughing and made is way to his bathroom for a shower. Fifteen minutes later, hair washed, a clean shave in case Lilly wanted a little smooch later on, he quickly dressed in need to be washed cowboy duds from Amarillo. The last thing he did was comb his hair and brush his teeth.

  Ready to go, he waited for Lilly to knock on his door. He turned the TV on and caught the last of the news. A recap of the storm and its devastation was too much for him so he turned it off just as Lilly quietly knocked on his door. Upon opening the door, he stared into her lovely eyes. She was a little embarrassed so looked down and meekly said, “I’m ready if you are.”

  Slim put on a brave smile and said, “Yup, I’m ready for that buffalo steak and some taters.” She took his arm and they crossed the mostly empty street as dark was coming soon. Like most little towns they roll up the streets early to give way to the drinkers and eaters of the town. In this case it was the eaters crossing the wide street and entering the restaurant.

  The waitress greeted Slim like an old friend and took them back to a window table next to the wall for some privacy as she noticed he had a lady friend with him. Slim held the chair for Lilly and she formally thanked him. Slim carefully sat down and for a minute or two, adjusted his long legs around the large wooden legs of the table. Lilly was smiling inwardly at Slims attempt to be gracious and smooth. Even at his best, she thought, it was like fitting the pop - up clown on springs back into the small tight box making him comfortable at a table.

  Slim took the menu from the waitress, but didn’t need to look at it for he always had the same thing. He looked over the top of the menu at Lilly who was studying the menu with keen eyes. The waitress brought them both coffee and stood there waiting for their orders. Lilly put down the menu and said, looking at Slim, “I will try a small buffalo steak and baked potato with blue cheese for a dressing and sour dough toast please.”

  Slim waited a few seconds and started to say something when the waitress, whose name was Liz on her name tag sitting at a forty five degree angle on top of huge breasts that were struggling to free themselves from captivity, like a Brahma bull waiting for the gate to open and freedom, said, “Slim, the usual?”

  “Yes please and thank you,” he replied with too loud of voices trying to remain formal. The waitress left and Lilly took a sip of her coffee.

  “Slim,” Lilly said maybe too loudly as Slim reeled from her voice like a slap to the face spilling the coffee with his knees as a reflect action to her voice, “relax and take it easy. I only said I wanted some time to find the center of my mind from the hectic schedule we have been keeping lately. I still love you and if you don’t stop acting like a love stuck teenager, I will put you over my knee!”

  Slim staring at her and seeing the old twinkle in her eyes and familiar lines around her mouth when she smiled said in a much calmer voice, “Ok, I will relax and try to behave myself. I’m just not used to having a relationship and don’t know how to react to emotions I fail to understand.” Now she could see him relax as the salads were placed in front of them. She noticed he was back to normal as he buttered some rolls and began to fork in the salad between bites of bread. Lilly spread her napkin on her lap and dug into the fresh green lettuce wondering how they received fresh food after a hurricane? No matter as she glanced at her man seeing him in his usual position of arms moving around him like a propeller of an airplane starting up forking and shoveling in the salad and roll.

  Salad gone he took a sip of fresh coffee after the nice waitress cleaned up the spilled old coffee. He sat back, if that is what you could call it, and looked at Lilly with loving eyes akin to a puppy dog to his master holding a morsel of food for him. Lilly finished her salad just as the steaks arrived.

  Slims steak was the size of a large serving plate and made of iron to keep it hot. Underneath the plate a wooden grate protected the surface of the table from burning as the steak sat there sizzling while Slim rubbed his hands together like a kid at a birthday party about to eat his cake. Lilly’s steak was similar but much smaller. A bowl of mixed vegetables sat in the middle of them and the bake potato side on the side of the steaks. Lilly’s toast was piled high and she caught Slim eyeing it for later. He smiled and so did she as he piled on the BBQ sauce and cut off a hot chunk of lean buffalo steak. Lilly had never eaten buffalo meat and was a little cautious taking only a small bite and then a satisfied look crossed her face as Slim sat chewing with both cheeks looking like a chipmunk with a mouth full of acorns. Much later steak gone and Slim having finished off her toast with raspberry jam along with two pieces of lemon pie, he once again sat back and with the contentment of a baby full of mother’s milk, grinned at Lilly shaking her head at him drinking coffee. Slim said, “Lilly let’s go for a walk around this nice downtown area and maybe if you would like, we could take in a movie or just window shop and call it a night.”


  “Good idea,” she replied, “But I don’t think I want to see a movie, but walking around this town window shopping is much to my liking.” And off they went taking no notice of the other passengers finishing up their dinners. To all that observed, they were in a world of their own and all felt good about seeing two people in love; even Carl.

  Going out the door, as usual Slim rang the ubiquitous door bells hanging over the doorway of what seemed like every restaurant possessed. Slim paid no attention as he was hanging onto his woman like a little kid walking down the street with his mother fearing being lost or left behind. They slowly moved down the street looking in all the windows which were lit up like Christmas. Lilly loved the windows with bright lights and beautiful things for sale. Coming across a furniture store at the end of a block they peered in looking at mostly cowboy furniture made out of pine. It looked heavy and sturdy. Lilly said, “Slim this looks like it is something we should consider for our house when we settle down.”

  Slim almost fell down as he leaned against the window for support. He’d never considered what they might furnish a house with or what kind of house for that matter. It was all too overwhelming for him and Lilly noticed his speechless face. He regained his senses and said, “Yes and a stout long and wide bed would be nice instead of sleeping on the floor,” he said with a firm voice showing he knew what he was looking at. They continued walking and crossed the empty street passing a cowboy bar playing loud music. Lilly had no knowledge of cowboy music when Slim told her it sounded like a sick cow dying in a desert. Lilly agreed and they hurried on past he noisy smoke filled bar with its doors open smell like old stale beer and cowboy sweat. In front of the bar stood beat up old pickup trucks full of barking cow dogs to warn anyone coming near as if someone dared to take anything. Further along the street headed back towards the motel bright lights poured forth from the Owl Drug Store next to the movie theater with its doors open for business. Slim said, “This place is noted for its milk shakes and malts. Let’s go in for a shake and see what the local gossip is.” Lilly followed him in and they sat down at the counter on the end so Slim could at least stick one leg out forward while the other leg bent almost double, with the knee reaching up almost to the top of the counter. Lilly looked at the soda fountain with its clean mirrors and gleaming stainless steel counters underneath; Pale green milkshake mixers sat there ready for the next order waiting to show what they were made of. Rows of nuts, cherries and various other additives for sundaes lined almost the full length of the counter. A young high school girl came to take their order as the boss man in all white with a silly upside down boat hat on made sure she was efficient.