Gator Bowl (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck)

by J. J. Cook

  “This is it!” I felt like a cartoon character with a big lightbulb above my head. “This is my signature food. You two said I make the best biscuits. Now I can make the best biscuit bowls.”

  Ollie chuckled. “Biscuit bowls. I love it. You’ll make a fortune, Zoe.”

  Uncle Saul finished his part of the biscuit bowl. “He’s right, Zoe girl. I’ve never had anything like it. If this doesn’t excite the palates of people in Mobile, I don’t know what will.”

  “Let’s find out.” I carved the centers out of a dozen biscuits and dumped them into the fryer. “We’ll serve the rest of them with peaches in the middle.”

  Chapter Ten

  People were surprised at first. They looked at our new creation, raised their eyebrows, and finally took a bite. The expressions on their faces said it all.

  Uncle Saul hugged me. “I think you’ve got it, Zoe. You can do anything with this. It’s exciting.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you and Ollie.” I hugged them. “I can’t wait to get back to Mobile and get started.”

  But first we had to finish the task at hand.

  We sold out of biscuits first and then out of chicken. With nothing left but peaches, we were pretty much done for the day.

  Norman and his wife threw on another giant rack of ribs. There weren’t people lining up for them anymore. People couldn’t have been very hungry. It seemed that most of them were waiting in the shade to hear the verdict on the contest winner—and Alabaster’s fate.

  Uncle Saul joined Bonnie and his gator out at one of the old picnic tables. I watched them talking and laughing together. I wished I could stick around and encourage that relationship, but I had a new quest.

  “You may end up with a new aunt.” Ollie was standing beside me. “Courtship is the best part of a relationship.”

  “It all depends on the relationship.”

  “I guess.” He shrugged and moved away. “I suppose you’ll be leaving for home tomorrow.”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to do something with this biscuit bowl idea.”

  “Makes a good name for a food truck, too: the Biscuit Bowl.”

  “I really need someone to drive either my car or the motorhome back to Mobile. I don’t think I can do both.” I peeked at him hopefully.

  “You can always hitch that tiny car up to the back and tow it,” he suggested.

  “I guess that’s true.”

  He nudged me with his big shoulder. “Just playing with you. It’s been fun being out here—but I think a big part of that is you, and your adventure, Zoe. If you’re ready to head back tomorrow, I’ll drive the Biscuit Bowl back.”

  “Thank you.” I studied his no-nonsense face. “I wish there was something I could do for you. I really don’t think I could’ve done this without you, Ollie.”

  “You’re probably right.” He grinned. “Don’t get mushy about it. My life is what I’ve made of it. I’d like to think that this is the beginning of yours, young’un. I’ll be watching the news to hear about your success.”

  I hugged him again with tears in my eyes. “You’re the best. Don’t forget that.”

  “When you open your restaurant and get rich and famous, maybe I could come work for you. I think you’d be my kind of boss.”

  I was completely crying by then. Thank goodness someone yelled out that Minister Windom and his wife were going to tally the votes from the diners.

  Ollie and I walked over to the table where the Windoms had been seated. Uncle Saul and Bonnie followed us with Alabaster.

  Evelyn Windom gave me a scared look, clearly worried about what I might say. The issue of the church money didn’t really mean anything to me. I had no reason to do anything about it. It would have to be something in her conscience that guided her.

  “Our box is stuffed full of votes—just like our bellies.” Windom laughed as the crowd that remained gathered around. “Let’s take a look at what everyone had to say.”

  Evelyn opened the box and started reading out the names of the participants. Her husband wrote them down and then made marks next to each name.

  “That’s not hardly fair,” Norman complained. “I’ve still got a rack of ribs on my grill. What about those votes?”

  One of the diners said, “Give it a rest, man. This is it.”

  Everyone seemed to agree with that sentiment.

  Evelyn’s voice droned in the heat like a bumblebee looking for flowers. Some of the women fanned themselves with their hats. One man even had a tiny battery-operated fan that he held up to his face.

  It took about ten minutes for the results to be tallied. I noticed Uncle Saul was counting the votes on his cell phone. It was about the only thing a cell phone was good for in Farmville. I was glad I didn’t have to live without mine in Mobile.

  “Overall,” Windom said, “Saul has the most votes. I guess that means he wins our food contest—and Norman agrees to leave his gator alone. Is that about right?”

  “That means Saul also wins the hundred-dollar prize for the contest.” Evelyn handed him a hundred-dollar bill with a smile. A few people took pictures of the event, including me. Alabaster swung her tail around and grinned for the picture.

  When people began packing up and the festivities were truly over, Norman shook Uncle Saul’s hand. “I still expect you to replace my chickens. They were expensive.”

  “You got it.” Uncle Saul smiled at him. “Look what Bonnie thought of to keep Alabaster in the yard.”

  Norman nodded. “That could work. At least for a while. You need to get your own chickens again. That way the gator won’t come to my house. They’re lazy animals. He can eat your chickens.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Uncle Saul agreed. “But don’t bad-mouth Alabaster. She’s a good friend. I never have to worry about anyone breaking into the cabin when I’m gone.”

  “I suppose not.” Norman patted the gator on the head. “We’re done for now, reptile. I hope not to see your ugly face at my house ever again.”

  Alabaster stared back at him without moving.

  Norman’s eyes narrowed. “Those blue eyes are too weird. It’s like she’s part human or something.” He shook himself. “I gotta get going. There must be someone I can sell a rack of ribs to.”

  “I’m glad that’s over,” I said to Ollie as I watched Bonnie hug Uncle Saul. “Norman’s right about Alabaster’s eyes, though. They kind of creep me out, too.”

  “I’m gonna ride back with Bonnie, if that’s okay with you two,” Uncle Saul said. “I’ll see you at the cabin.”

  Ollie and I went to pack up and leave, too.

  “Looks like the police showed up too late to eat,” he observed from the open side window.

  It was Officer Smith. He had a man in the backseat of the car.

  I just had a strange feeling about his arrival. I told Ollie I was going to see what was happening. Everyone else stopped packing and walked toward the police car, too.

  “Bill,” Windom acknowledged him. “Is that Harriet Johnson’s son in the car?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Officer Smith took off his hat and fanned his face with it. “He’s been acting strange the last few days, and spending a lot of money he shouldn’t have. He says he won it in a poker game, but I can’t find anyone who will corroborate his story. It makes me think he might be the one who stole the church’s building fund.”

  Windom leaned down and eyed the young man in the backseat.

  My gaze flew to Evelyn’s red face. I caught her eye, and she looked away.

  “He’s not a member of the church,” Windom said. “Is there any other proof?”

  “No. The boy is too smart to confess. Says he wants a lawyer. I was just wondering if you might have seen him hanging around the church before the money was stolen.”

  “Nope. I’ve seen him around to
wn, but not out here.” Windom shook his head. “I’d hate for you to arrest the wrong person.”

  Everyone was sneaking a peek at the young man in the police car. I could tell from the expressions on their faces that they already believed he was guilty.

  “I’ll take him back to the station and give the DA over at the county seat a call. We’ll see what she wants to do.” Bill put his hat back on his head and prepared to leave.

  “No! Wait.” Evelyn stumbled from the table to the police car. “I can’t let you arrest this boy. He didn’t take the money. It was me.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Evelyn!” Windom caught her arm. “You can’t feel sorry for everyone. If this boy committed a crime, he’ll have to pay the price.”

  I could tell he wasn’t really paying attention to what she’d said.

  She held her head down for a minute and then renewed her efforts to be heard. “I’m telling you, Craig, it was me. I was getting the money ready to deposit, and I started thinking about all the things I’d never done. I’ve never had a great desire overwhelm me before, but I was overwhelmed by that money.”

  As a group, everyone moved in closer to hear every word she said.

  “That can’t be right.” Windom stared at her like he’d never seen her before. “You’ve had a good life, Evelyn. Maybe not a life of luxury, but that’s not part of what makes a good life.”

  She laughed in his face. “What about all the times me and the kids had to do without so you could do God’s work? I went three years once without a new pair of shoes. We always made sure you looked respectable, but it was all I could do to scrape together enough money to keep the kids in school with what they needed.”

  It was as though Minister Windom finally realized what she was saying. His face got angry and then turned white with shock over it. “This isn’t you, dear. Come into the church. God will sort this out.”

  “I don’t want anyone to sort this out.” Evelyn pulled away from him. “You know the first thing I did with that money?” She ripped the tacky old wig from her head. “I got my hair styled by a professional for the first time.”

  There was an ooh moment when everyone saw her new hairdo.

  “I never realized you felt this way,” her husband said. “You should’ve told me.”

  “So you could tell me a pedicure is something the devil wanted me to do?” She kicked off her shoes to show off her deep plum toenails—after she’d fluffed out her flattened hair. “Yes! I was wanton. I bought seven new dresses, and jewelry, and new shoes.”

  “Don’t say anything else, Evelyn,” her husband begged. “You need a lawyer.”

  Officer Smith whistled and waved to him. “Hello? Police officer on duty. I heard everything.”

  Windom put his wife behind him as he faced Bill. “She’s not saying another word until she has a lawyer.”

  Evelyn laughed. “I don’t need a lawyer. I’m happy confessing to you right now, Bill. Will you take my statement?”

  “I’d be happy to, ma’am, but first I have to tell you your rights.” He rattled them off and waited for Evelyn’s response.

  She let loose with everything—what she’d spent, where she’d spent it. She’d bought a lot of stuff and had eaten out several times.

  “Is there any of the church building fund left?” Officer Smith asked.

  “Of course. I’ve only spent about three thousand dollars of the fifteen thousand I had.”

  “We’ll handle this within the church,” Minister Windom said. “I’m not pressing charges against my wife.”

  Bill Smith shook his head, his hands resting on his duty belt. “I don’t know if it’s as easy as all that. You filed a report, and there are all the people who contributed money to consider. I’ll have to take Evelyn to the station with me. I’ll let you know what the DA says.”

  Evelyn climbed meekly into the police car. Someone offered to give the young man already in the backseat a ride home. Minister Windom didn’t accompany his wife. He stood resolute with his hands on his hips as the police car slowly drove away.

  I went back to the Airstream. Ollie shook his head. “And they say nothing ever happens in small towns. That was high drama.”

  “I feel so sad for Evelyn. I knew that she’d taken the money. I wouldn’t have told anyone.”

  His brows went up. “And you the daughter of a lawyer! I guess sometimes the apple does fall far from the tree.”

  We started cleaning and packing up again. Uncle Saul and Bonnie would hear it all later. That was expected in a place this small.

  “I’ve had a lot of fun out here, Zoe. Thanks for inviting me.”

  I couldn’t help it—I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you for all your hard work. I can’t believe I’m never going to see you again after we get back to Mobile. I feel like we’re family already.”

  “Life is strange. You never know what’s going to happen. I feel the same way about you, Zoe Chase. I’m sure we’ll meet again in the future.”

  We drove back to Uncle Saul’s cabin. He and Bonnie were sitting on the stairs watching Alabaster chase her tail in the yard. I told Ollie to leave the motorhome parked out front. I’d planned to spend another night in Farmville, but changed my mind. I was ready to go home.

  Norman had already related the news about Evelyn to Uncle Saul and Bonnie. I was amazed at the extent and efficacy of Farmville’s grapevine. It was better than the Internet—which was just as well since it might be years before they had access to it out here.

  “Poor Evelyn.” Bonnie said. “She’s such a wonderful person. I can’t believe she’ll actually go to jail because of this.”

  Uncle Saul put his arm around her shoulders. Had something besides the status of Alabaster been resolved? “I doubt she’ll see the inside of the jail,” he said. “I’m sure Windom will take care of it.”

  I told him that Ollie and I were leaving as soon as everything was cleaned up and I could pack my things. “I’m excited about getting started on the fun part of my new life. Up until now, it’s been all repercussions and words of doom from everyone. Now that I have my food truck, I can get it painted and set everything up. Not to mention starting my collection of biscuit bowl recipes.”

  “That does sound like the fun part.” Uncle Saul laughed. “Need me to drive one of your vehicles back to Mobile?”

  “No. Thanks for offering. Ollie is going back that way. I’m going to let him drive the Airstream until I have a chance to practice with it.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out. Let me know when you get set up. I’d like to drive down and have a look.” He hugged me and kissed my cheek. “You don’t pay any mind to what your parents have to say about this, Zoe. I went through the same thing when I opened my restaurant. My parents and your father couldn’t believe I wasn’t going to be part of the family banking business. I showed them. You show your parents, too.”

  Bonnie hugged me, too, and wished me well.

  I went inside and got everything together that I’d brought with me. Ollie had already packed his duffel bag. When I went back outside, there was a huge blue plastic cloud resting on top of my new food truck.

  Uncle Saul grinned. “I know it’s not the right color, but you can have it painted to look like a biscuit.”

  “It could twirl around on top of your food truck.” Ollie laughed. “That’s awesome!”

  I wasn’t sure exactly how awesome that would be, but I thanked Uncle Saul for it, and we stowed the potential biscuit in the motorhome’s kitchen.

  “Just keep all that food to practice with,” Uncle Saul said. “That will save you some money. Thanks for helping me get Alabaster home. I know you’re gonna be great, Zoe. Have a good trip back to Mobile.”

  I was tearing up, of course. I got in the Prius—after putting Crème Brûlée in his cat seat. Ollie drove off f
irst in the motorhome. I followed him to the highway. My adventure was over, and yet it was just beginning.

  Epilogue

  Two hours later, we were at my apartment. It wasn’t easy for Ollie to find a place for the food truck. I could see parking for the large vehicle was going to be a challenge. People stared at it as they went by. I looked the other way and pretended it already had Biscuit Bowl written on it. Still not sure about the twirling biscuit idea—although it probably would be cute and it would make my food truck taller than most. I had to consider it for a while.

  I drove Ollie to his place in the Prius after buying him a nice dinner. He ate heartily, and stuffed some breadsticks in his pockets. He said he had friends he could give them to.

  I didn’t realize what he meant until I’d followed his directions and we were at a small, run-down shopping center near Mobile Bay. It appeared as though his home was a men’s shelter located in the shopping center.

  “This is where you live?” I searched his face.

  “Sure. Three meals a day. People who don’t care if I’m here all the time. It’s a good place to be for a man like me. I don’t like ties, young’un. It may not look like much, but at least I’m free.”

  There was a sign at the other end of the old shopping center. It said Diner, and was above an old, empty restaurant space. The parking lot was pitted and falling apart, but it was huge. No one would question a food truck parking here all the time.

  “What are you looking at, Zoe?” he asked.

  I smiled. “I’m just wondering if that old diner has an oven.”

  Recipes

  Grilled Catfish

  These are cooked twice, which may seem like a lot of work, but they are delicious!

  2 eggs

  ¼ cup buttermilk

  ½ cup all-purpose flour

  ½ cup yellow cornmeal

  Salt and pepper to taste

  1 tsp. cayenne pepper

  10 eight-ounce catfish fillets

  Corn oil for frying