The Long Road 2

2

It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
Friday. The last working day of the week and the first night of the weekend.
In the parking lot of an old run down petrol station/ bottle shop a white Isuzu truck (about the size of a yellow school bus) was parked diagonally across two spaces. One was a blue disabled space located closest to the sliding doors. The driver of the truck was obviously in a hurry to get somewhere. No unnecessary walking for this fellow. On the side of the delivery truck was an artistic drawing of a naked lady with an assortment of red, yellow and blue flowers covering the naughty bits as to make it a tasteful picture. Tailing the flowers were streams of bright colours depicting a separated rainbow. Next to this Muriel in big block letters the words –

DANNY BOYS
EXOTIC PLANTLIFE AND

- were written. Underneath this the rainbow tails came together to form the word “Flowers”.
The glass doors at the entrance slid apart and allowed Bud Ross to exit the store. In one arm he held a six pack of “Amigo’s wicked strength” beer, cupped beneath his armpit was a rolled up newspaper and a large packet of chips. His other hand was stuffing his mouth full of hotdog, mustard dripped down his bearded chin.
‘Fee ah necks week Arry’ he yelled with a full mouth to the shop attendant as he walked back to his work truck. Steven “Bud” Ross was a portly man standing about 5 foot 4 inches tall with a full head of light brown hair ending just above his shoulders. He had a face covered in rough gristles of the same stuff. The hair on his head used to be a lot fairer than it was now but due to it constantly being hidden from the sun by his black “Mac Truck” trucker’s hat it had aged excessively.
He hopped up into his truck, chucked the newspaper on the cab floor, placed the chips next to him and ripped out a beer. He struggled to get the keys in the ignition but when he finally jiggled them enough the truck roared into life. Without bothering to put on his seatbelt he opened the packet of corn chips, grabbing a handful and shoving them into his recently vacant mouth. Munching away he cracked open his first beer and had a chug. In that one go he swallowed about two thirds of the bottle along with the Doritos. ‘Aaah’ he gasped, for the moment completely satisfied. All he had left to do before finishing work for the week was drop off his truck and receipts at the depot. As he looked into his brown eyes in the rearview mirror he let out a crazed wolf howl ‘Whoooooooh!’ then shook his head like a rabid hound. Popping a tape into the old deck player he started bopping his head and tapping the steering wheel as “Born to be wild” blared out of the crackling speakers. He had another chug of beer, throwing the empty bottle into the back of the cab and ripped out another one. After having another drink and grabbing another handful of chips he put the truck into gear and was off.

***

‘So Mr. Major, do you have some closed quarters nearby?’ Sammi and Major Bernard were standing just outside the pubs main doorway. Sammi was again wearing the long jacket she had entered with. Without saying a word in return the Major raised his left hand and wiggled his fingers indicating to Sammi the ring placed on his wedding finger. Sammi nodded with understanding.
‘Not a problem’ she said with a sly twinkle in her eye. She led him to the sliding door on the side of the van, opened it and ushered the obviously nervous but excited man inside.
There was limited space in the back of the van so Sammi folded forward the back seat and pulled from under it a thin foam rubber mattress. As Sammi disrobed she talked to her client in a seductive manner ‘Well, what are you waiting for? Get your kit off!’
Major Bernard gulped and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Two minutes later the van door opened and Sammi stepped out with Bernard following behind her buttoning his shirt back up.
‘I’m sorry’ he said ‘Tha… that’s never happened to me before.’
‘Don’t sweat it sweetie’ Sammi replied sympathetically ‘It’s my job, I don’t have to enjoy it. Just as long as you did.’
She rubbed his reddened cheeks and gave him a playful little slap. She then turned away from him and walked back into the pub before he was able to stop her. Being too ashamed to face his colleagues he decided to call it a day and walk back home to his loving wife.
Inside the pub Sammi scanned for Vincent but wasn’t able to spot him. Instead she noticed the hobo whom she had had thrown out of the establishment earlier. He was walking towards her with an indecent look in his eyes and a fresh beer in his hand. She placed her hands on her hips in an attempt to look intimidating as the dirty old man approached her. As he got within touching distance Vincent sprung up behind him and pulled his arm towards his back.
‘Back off buddy I already told you to get the fuck out of here!’ he said to the surprised drunk. Sammi followed them towards the door where Vincent once again kicked the man outside.
‘Hey babe’ she said ‘I think maybe its time we got out of this shithole town!’