A Night With The Hicks
Road Trip Fic
Parts 1-4
By AHA
"Are you sure we turned the right way Danny?" Michelle asked, looking at the map spread across her knees. "I think we passed that farm three times already."
"Are you suggesting that we are lost?" Danny replied, insulted. "Danny Santos does not get lost! Anyway, that is not the same farm, it just looks the same."
Michelle leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. "I'll just let him drive around in circles for a while, and maybe he will swallow his pride after we pass that farm a few more times," she thought. The vibration of the white Jaguar's tires against the road soon lulled her to sleep.
They were driving down Rural Route 375, in South Georgia. The previous day, Danny received a tip from a rival family, about the person who riddled his family's home with bullets. He had reluctantly allowed Michelle accompany him on his investigation; after she tickled him mercilessly, forcing him to say she could go.
"If this lead pans out, Michelle and I can finally be together," he thought, as he glanced over at his sleeping wife. He reached out and lightly caressed her cheek. "Soon my love...soon."
The monotonous scenery started taking its toll on Danny, and his eyelids grew heavy. Suddenly, the pavement on the road became uneven, jolting him from his near slumber. He swerved to avoid a road crew spreading thick tar and gravel on the newly graded surface. The men jumped and cursed as he sped by, spraying gravel in their faces.
"Sorry guys!" Danny muttered. He rolled down his window, hoping the fresh air would keep him alert. However, the acrid smell of the tar, mingled with the scent of a nearby poultry-rendering plant, sent his hand clambering to re-close the window. "How in the world can the people around here stand that smell?" he thought. "Even Dietz's dirty socks don't smell that bad!"
Danny saw a sign pointing to the highway he was seeking, and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned in the direction the sign indicated, and smiled. "You see Michelle," he whispered, so as not to wake her. "I told you Danny Santos does not get lost."
After a few miles, desolate, kudzu-covered fields replaced the relative civilization of the rural route. Danny noticed a red light flashing on the car's console, and cursed himself for not filling the tank at the last gas station he had passed. The engine started to sputter, just as he spotted a small filling station with a garage. He pulled in beside a rusty pump, and the engine died with a violent shudder.
Michelle woke with a start when the car stopped, and surveyed her surroundings with confusion. "Where are we Danny?" she asked."
Just getting some gas, baby," he replied, giving her hand a quick squeeze. Danny got out of the car, and lifted the nozzle of the decaying pump. A man in a greasy blue shirt came out of the garage, rubbing his palms on a filthy red rag.
"Ain't got no gas," the man called to him.
"You don't have any gas!" Danny exclaimed. "What kind of gas station doesn't have gas?"
"We run out yesterdee, 'an gas truck don't come 'till 'morrow mornin'," the man said, lazily scratching his large belly. "Thars nuther station 'bout fitly miles up the road, in Odum."
"I don't think I'll get fifty feet!" Danny said in frustration. "I barely made it here."
Michelle got out of the car, and stood beside Danny. "What's going on Danny?" she asked.
Danny put his arm around her shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, I have everything under control." He turned to the man, and squinted at the name embroidered on his shirt.
"May I use your phone...um...Presley? I guess I need to call a tow truck."
"Ain't got no phone. It busted las' yer, an' I ain't got no-un ta call no ways." Presley answered, eyeing the couple's stylish clothing and expensive sports car. "Y'all ain't from 'round these here parts, is 'ya?"
"We are from Springfield," Michelle and Danny said in unison, and laughed.
"Springfield did 'ya say? My wife's got a cuzin' lives in Springfield; got herself some fancy job workin' fer Lewis Oil. Maybe y'all knowed her, name's Wanda, 'an she got a husband name's Lowell."
Michelle smiled, and said, "Yes, I know Wanda. My family lives next door to the Lewises."
"Mighty small world, ain't it?" Presley said. "Well y'alls pratikly family...seein' as how y'alls friends of Wanda an' all. Lissen', we's got an' extry room, what wit the kids all growed up, an' moved on. I het ta' sees such a nice young couple strandid'. I just live in thet house up yonder, an' my wife, Lurlene, she jus' luvs havin' compnee. So, whats ya' say? Y'all gonna let us show 'ya sum Southern' hospitaltee?"
"Well, I don't..." Danny said, looking at Michelle questioningly.
Michelle beamed at Presley, and said, "Thank you, Presley. We would love to stay, seeing as how my husband has left us stranded and all."
Danny shot her an indignant look, then smiled at Presley. "Yes, of course, thank you for your generous offer," he said.
"Mighty fine...mighty fine," Presley said, looking pleased. "Then it's a dun deal!"
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Danny and Michelle followed Presley to a rusty trailer, with a lopsided porch hanging precariously across the front. An ancient bloodhound raised its head as they passed, and issued a half-hearted growl.
"Don't pay no never-mind to ole Skeeter," Presley said. "He don't bite, an' he ain't got no teeth nohow. I rekin' he jus' likes to pretend. Ifen a real sneak-thief came 'round he couldn't do nuttin' but gum 'em ta' death."
Michelle laughed, and reached down to scratch behind the dog's ear. Skeeter leaned into her hand, and thumped his tail on the ground, setting off clouds of red dust into the air.
"Lucks lik 'ya made 'ya a friend, Miss..What did 'ya say yer name wuz?"
"I'm sorry," Danny said, extending his hand. "My name is Danny Santos, and this is my wife Michelle."
"Please ta' meet cha'," Presley said, pumping Danny's hand vigorously. "My full name's Presley Hicks. My momma named me afer Elvis Presley, seein' as how I wuz birthed rite outside tha' gates of Graceland and all.
"Really, right outside Graceland?" Danny asked, amused. "That must be quite a story!"
"She wuz a real big fan of tha' King, 'an she didun wanna' leave, cuz she hed already whet a week 'jus ta' catch a peek at him. So, she jus' birthed me right thar. Funny thang too, 'cause 'jus as I wuz poppin' out, up drives Elvis, in his lawng pink Caddylac. Anyways, Elvis stops his car rite thar, 'en helps out wit tha' birthin'. Then he drove us rite ta' tha' hospital hisself. Din' even cumplan 'bout tha' mess on his seats 'nether."
"You mother must have been quite an interesting woman," Michelle said.
"She's gawn now, bless her heart, I buried her wit her favorite paintin' of Elvis. It wuz dun up on black velvet, 'an it really wuz sumpin'. I rekin' she's up thar wit him now, lissen' ta' him sing all them ole songs."
"I'll bet she is," Danny said, stifling a giggle.
Presley led them up the rickety steps of the porch, and called out to his wife, "Lurlene! Git on out here! We's gots cumpnee."
A stout woman with graying hair opened the screen door, wiping her hands on her apron. She smiled at them, and said, "Well wud 'ya looky here. Ain't they 'jus tha' cutest thangs."
"Lurlene, this hers Dannay 'an Meeshell Sandtoes, theys friends of yer cuzin' Wanda. Cum all tha' way from Springfield."
Lurlene shook Danny's hand, and gave Michelle a big hug. "Pleased 'ta know 'ya Mister 'an Mizus Sandtoes," she exclaimed.
"Please call me Michelle," Michelle said, charmed by her hosts.
"Well Meeshell, why don' 'ya cum on in 'an help me fix supper," Lurlene said, taking Michelle by the hand. "Let's 'jus lev these men folks out 'her. They ain't got no bidness in tha' kitchen nohow."
"Sure," Michelle said, following Lurlene into the house. She glanced back at Danny, and winked.
Danny turned to Presley, and said, "I don't know how much help my wife is going to be; she can't even make toast."
"Lurlene'll learn her up good. She's a real gormet cook," Presley replied, giving Danny a friendly slap on the back. "Mon' back ta' tha' geerage, Dannay, I wanna' git a look-see at thet fancy car of yourn."
Danny followed Presley to the gas station, and popped open the hood of the white Jaguar. Presley peered into the engine, and exclaimed, "Woo Wee! Wud 'ya looky that. I ain't never seen nuttin' like it. It's a real wonder this thang runs t'all."
"Tell me about it," Danny said, leaning down to inspect the black tar splashed across the fender. "It's in the shop about once a month. Do you think you can do something about this tar?"
Presley pulled his head from under the hood, and bent down to poke one of the tires. "Which one's givin' 'ya trouble?"
"No not the tires, the tar!" Danny laughed. "They were paving the road a few mile back, and tar splashed all over the sides of the car."
"Well, why din' 'ya say so in tha' firs' place? Y'all city folks sure does talks funny."
********************
"You might not want my help, Lurlene," Michelle said, as they walked into the kitchen. "I'm a lousy cook."
"Well, I'm 'jus gonna' have ta' lern 'ya everthang I knows," Lurlene replied. She pulled a container of pimento cheese from the refrigerator, and placed it, along with a box of crackers, on the laminated dinette table. "You 'jus spread that momemto cheese all over them crackers, an' I'll shows 'ya how 'ta make my most gormet recipe."
Michelle busied herself with the crackers, and Lurlene hurried around the kitchen, making a large pile of food and utensils on the table. Michelle watched with fascination, as Lurlene tied a bundle of hot dogs, standing on end, into something that resembled a crown roast. She then opened a can of pork and beans, and dumped them into the center, with a flourish.
"Ya' see, ain't nuttin' to it!" Lurlene said, proudly. "Alls 'ya gots 'ta do now, is throw it in tha' oven. Now pay 'tension Meeshell, 'cause I'm gonna' show 'ya how 'ta make my mos' special dessert." She opened a large box of Twinkies, and lined them up in a baking dish. Then she prepared a box of strawberry Jell-O, and poured it over them. "This is Presley's favorite!" she exclaimed, as she placed the concoction in the refrigerator.
"You certainly are a creative chef, Lurlene," Michelle said.
"That's exactly what Presley always sez."
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"Ya' sees, I tole ya' thet thar Lava soap wud git thet junk offen' yer' car," Presley said to Danny, as they walked back to the trailer. "I thank thet stuff wud warsh tha' sap offen' a pine tree."
"You were right, Presley," Danny replied. "Thanks for your help."
"Wern't nuttin'. Cum on an' sit a spell on tha' porch, whiles we waits fer supper."
They sat in bentwood rocking chairs, and Danny smiled at the setting sun. He never felt so much at peace in his entire life. "I could really get used to this," he thought, then he said aloud, "It's really is quiet out here. Not like the city."
"Ya' shud wait 'till them crickets start hollerin', then ya' might 'jus change yer' mind," Presley said, as he pulled a plastic jug from under his chair. The jug was partially filled with a clear liquid. Presley opened the jug and offered it to Danny. "Takes ya' a swig of this boy, it's my own special brew."
Danny took a large swallow of the liquid, and coughed violently, spewing it all over the porch. "What in the world is that stuff Presley?" he laughed. "Are you sure you didn't drain your gas pump into that jug?"
"Naw, I makes this outta' corn mash," Presley said. "It goes dawn a might easier wit' this." He reached into his back pocket, and retrieved a small round container. " 'Jus takes ya' a pench of tobaky, an' put it rite 'tween yer bottom lip an' yer teeth." He demonstrated the procedure, and Danny followed suit. They rocked in their chairs, drinking the moonshine, and spitting the tobacco juice over the porch railing.
Michelle came out bearing a tray of the crackers she prepared. She set it down on the table between the men, and smiled proudly. "Look Danny! I made hors d'oeuvres, all by myself!"
Danny picked up one of the crackers, and inspected it with suspicion. "What do you call this?" he asked.
"Lurlene said it was "momento cheese"," she replied, giving him a kiss. She recoiled in horror when she noticed the plug of tobacco in his mouth. "What do you have in your mouth Danny?"
Danny gave her a mischievous grin, and tried to pull her back to him. "Come on baby! Just give me one more kiss!" he giggled.
Their game was interrupted by Lurlene calling them inside to eat. Michelle and Danny listened in rapture, as the other coulple told them amusing stories about their lives. After dinner, Michelle sat with Lurlene on the sofa, looking at books of photographs. They giggled over the toothless grins of Lurlene's children as toddlers.
"Does y'all have any yunguns?" Lurlene asked her.
"No, not yet," Michelle replied, and a pang of sadness filled her heart. A tear dripped from the corner of her eye, and Lurlene patted her arm. "I don't know if we will ever have the chance."
"Now Now, Meesheell, don' ya' be sad. Y'all gots all tha' time in tha' world. Why don' ya' tell me all 'bout it."
"Dannay, I thinks we best let these gals alone," Presley said, and motioned for Danny to follow him outside. He grabbed a flashlight from a table by the door, and they stepped out on the porch. He flicked the switch on the light, and said, "Come on, I wanna' shows ya' my huntin' rifles."
Presley led Danny to an ancient red pick-up truck, and motioned for him to get inside. The rusty hinges of the door squealed in protest, as Danny opened it. Presley shined the light on a gun rack attached to the rear window. A transparent rebel flag hung proudly behind the rack.
Danny fingered one of the guns, and said, "These are pretty nice, Presley."
"Does ya' likes guns Dannay?"
"No, but my mother has quite a collection," Danny said bitterly.
"Yer momma soun' like sumpin' else," Presley replied, shaking his head.
"I guess you could say that," Danny sighed, and proceeded to tell Presley about his family.
When he finished his tale, Presley gave him a serious look, and said, "Ya' knows my daddy wus a boot-legger' up in Lumpkin county, 'an them revenuers was all tha' time chasin' him 'round. When I married Lurlene, I knowed that wuz not tha' life I wanted ta' give her. So's, I up an' moved her down here, an' bought that thar fillin' station. I's had a happy life here, an' I ain't never had no regrets. Ifen ya' loves Meeshell as much as ya' says ya' do, ya' will git her away frawm that famlee of yourn."
"You're right, Presley," Danny said, as he looked up at the starry night sky. "That is exactly what I am going to do."
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Danny and Presley walked back to the house, finding Michelle and Lurlene sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch. Michelle rose when she saw Danny, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. He smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist. He pulled her down into his lap, as he took her place in the chair. The two couples sat in silence, enjoying the light show performed by a multitude of fireflies, accompanied by the music of chirping crickets.
Danny buried his face into the downy curls cascading down Michelle's back, and breathed in her familiar scent. "I will never let anything happen to you," he thought, as he tightened his arms around her waist, "and I will never let you go." Michelle sighed with contentment, and leaned back into his chest.
Finally, Lurlene stood, and motioned for them to come into the house. They followed her, as she showed them the guest bedroom.
"Skeeter! I's done tole ya' a million times ta' stay offen tha' bed!" Lurlene cried, when she spotted the old dog lying across the quilt. "Now ya' better git, 'fores I takes a mind ta' have ya' put away!"
Skeeter hung his head sheepishly, and crept from the room. Lurlene snatched the quit from the mattress, and said, "Thet dern dawg is 'gonna git it one of these days. Acts like he owns tha' place. I swer, my own yunguns didn' cause so much truble!" She replaced the quilt with a fresh one, and started out the door.
Suddenly, she turned back, and grabbed Michelle arm lightly, pulling her close. "Nows ya' 'jus 'member what I tole ya'....'Jus luv him tha' bes ways ya' knowed how, an' everthin' will be 'jus fine," she whispered in Michelle's ear. Michelle smiled and nodded, then gave Lurlene a kiss on the cheek.
"Nite! Nite! Don' let tha' bed bugs bite," Lurlene called, as the closed the door behind her.
Danny regarded the bed with suspicion, and Michelle laughed. "Come here Dannay Sandtoes," she said as she drew him into an embrace.
Danny kissed her softly, and pulled her down to the bed. He nibbled her earlobe; then whispered, "I love you, Meeshell Sandtoes."
Michelle leaned back slightly, suddenly serious. She smoothed a stray curl from his forehead, and said, "I love you too Danny."
Danny flashed her a brilliant smile; he could not remember ever being happier. He rolled her on her side, and traced the silhouette of her body with his hand. She moaned softly when his hand grazed her breast. Danny twined his fingers in her hair, and closed his mouth over hers. The kiss was tender at first, but grew increasingly passionate.
They both sat up with a start, when they heard the door creaking open. Skeeter leaped into the bed, and nuzzled between them. Danny groaned, and flopped his head down on the pillow. "You really have some rotten timing Skeeter," he said, looking at the dogs wrinkled face. Sensing Danny's frustration with him, Skeeter leaned over and licked his cheek.
"I think we are in his bed," Michelle laughed. "Besides, we have all the time in the world."
They finally coaxed Skeeter down to the foot of the bed, and cuddled in each other's arms. They kissed and whispered softly until they fell asleep.
They awoke to the rich smell of food, and the clanging of pots and pans. Presley and Lurlene greeted them warmly as they entered the kitchen. A basket of biscuits adorned the center of the table, and Lurlene placed large bowls of grits covered with creamed chipped beef, in front of them.
After breakfast, Danny and Presley walked down to the station to wait for the gas tanker, while Michelle stayed behind to help with the dishes. An hour later, Presley returned to announce the arrival of the truck. When the Jaguar's tank was full, Danny and Michelle said reluctant good-byes to their hosts. Danny pulled Presley aside, and asked for directions to the interstate.
As they got in their car, Lurlene called to them. "Y'all cum back 'an see us ifen y'alls ever 'round these parts 'gain."
Michelle leaned out the window, and said, "We will, and if you are ever in Springfield, we would be delighted to have you."
Presley put his arm around Lurlene, as they watched them drive away. "I hope them kids is gonna' be alrite," he said.
"They be 'jus fine," Lurlene replied. "Theys gots eachothur 'an that's all they needs."
Presley kissed his wife's cheek tenderly, and whispered, "You is all I needs."
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Michelle fumbled in the glove compartment for her map when Danny pulled onto I-75. "You are going the wrong way again Danny," she said, in frustration.
"Not this time baby," Danny replied. "For once in my life, I know exactly where I am going. I am headed straight for the airport."
"What about the lead on the shooter?" Michelle asked, confused.
"Foget the shooter; I am going to take you to the most secluded island I can find. We never did take that honeymoon, you know," Danny said, smiling mischievously.
Michelle beamed at him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I love you Dannay Sandtoes!" she said.