Good Ol' Boys

GOBGB : $20 doesn’t get you very far… (#24)

he old blue Chevy rounded the corner and glided down Waterlily Road.

LeRoy was perched behind the wheel, guiding the lifeless vehicle. At first glance, Bubba was no where to be seen, but on closer inspection he was leaned down behind the truck pushing for all he was worth.

“That’s it!” exclaimed LeRoy, “put your back in it!” He did so enjoy ribbing his good friend.

Out of breath and still pushing, Bubba gasped out, “Uh huh, I’ll show you, just let me get old Betsy back on friendly ground.”

Focusing on the task at hand, Bubba leaned against the tailgate and pushed, “just a little further and we can coast down the hill.”

LeRoy laughed to himself, “oh come on, that’s not much of a hill, but hey you’re providing the horse power, so if you say it’s a hill, it must be a hill.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Bubba, “HEY! Just pay attention to where you’re drivin’!”

“So how long were you sitting at the end of the road waiting to get out on the main highway?” LeRoy asked his friend, while wrestling to keep the truck pointing east.

Bubba thought for a minute. “I reckon it was over 30 minutes. I was trying to head north to Kevin’s to get a loaf of bread and gas.”

“Didn’t make it very far, did ya?” observed LeRoy, chuckling as he turned the wheel, guiding the truck around the corner, coasting into Bubba’s back yard.

“Yeah well, you can chalk that up to tourists with no manners,” Bubba noted, while still leaning into the old Chevy for all he was worth. “You know, my pappy taught me to slow down a little and let folks pull out - ‘We’ll get there soon enough’, he used to say.”

LeRoy agreed, “yes sir, I can hear him saying that clear as day.”

“Hey set the parking brake for me would ya?” Bubba requested of his friend.

LeRoy mashed down on the foot pedal as the catch clicked in place. After setting the parking break, he hopped out and sat on the tailgate next to Bubba.

Bubba continued, “now these damphool tourists, they drive like maniacs. You’d swear they forgot to pack their manners and common sense when they left home.”

LeRoy nodded in silent agreement. “Hey, when was the last time you got gas in Old Betsy?” he asked his friend.

“Well I got $20 worth just yesterday,” recounted Bubba.

“What was that, about 6 or 7 gallons?” asked LeRoy.

“I guess so, shoot, I don’t even pay attention to how many gallons it is anymore,” replied Bubba.

LeRoy nodded in agreement, commiserating with his friend.

“You know, I remember when $20 would fill up the truck, boat and lawn mowers!” said Bubba.

LeRoy laughed, “Yep, better be careful, you’re showing your age.”

“Well you know, I have a steadfast rule, I call it the $20 rule” Bubba shared.

LeRoy queried, “Oh and how does that one work?”

“It’s real easy, I refuse to buy more than $20 worth of gas at any one purchase!” said Bubba.

LeRoy laughed.

“Well you know, a man has to stand on principle, and I can’t think of any place better to start than the gas pumps!” said Bubba defending his beliefs.

LeRoy laughed, “yeah well the way this traffic and prices are going, you’ll be lucky to make it to the next gas station on $20 worth!”

“Yep, $20 worth don’t get ya very far nowadays,” lamented Bubba.

• Next week: Bubba and the 10 foot pole!

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© 2006 NE NC News.