Page 41 of The Cannon
Hope she appreciates a Texas-style date. And a slightly bumpy ride. Think I thought of everything we need. Blanket, loaded picnic basket, pillows and foam roll. Music. Whiskey and tequila, just so she has an option.
Not sure the mason jars will be a hit, but I want to be authentic. And the small bouquet of wildflowers I picked this afternoon? Looks like what a young fella would bring his best girl. It’s romantic in my book. She brings it out in me.
When we made the date, I told her I had something near to my heart to show her. Don’t think she’s expecting a truck. Ruby will win her over after she sees how much fun we can have in the tailback.
Pulling to the curb in front of her building I grab my cell.
“Are you here?” she says.
“Yeah, I’m outside. Get your pretty ass down here.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
She disconnects and I take a look at my teeth in the rearview mirror. I’m kinda excited for her to see the truck. Crazy. It feels like I’m about to introduce a family member. If I had one. I arrange the passenger side seatbelt, so she doesn’t give herself a colonoscopy getting in.
Here she comes. Grabbing my Stetson, I get out to greet her properly. The glass double doors swing open and she gets the first look at my prized possession. I get a gander at the cutoff jean shorts and red soft-looking top. She looks as delicious as I know she is.
Her hands and shoulders rise in the air and a crooked smile lifts the corners other mouth.
“What’s this?”
“Meet Ruby. She’s a nineteen fifty-nine Chevy 3100. I had it shipped from Fort Worth.”
“Nice to meet you, Ruby. She’s a pretty girl.”
Not sure why that makes me so happy, but it does. I lift my hat to my head and set it just right. Taking Bristol in my arms, I plant a good one on her. It’s met with equal enthusiasm.That’s my girl.
She slowly looks me up and down, hat to boots, in a take-no-prisoners assessment.
“Like the look. Very Texas cowboy of you.”
“Yes, ma’am, we aim to please.”
“Now tell me about your Ruby.”
“Get in. I’ll give you the lowdown.”
I open her door and wait till she’s comfortably inside before rounding the truck and sliding in the driver’s seat.
“So, like I said she’s a Chevy,” I say starting the ignition. “When I was still a boy our neighbor had one just like this, only blue. It looked like luxury to me because my fosters had an old tired car.”
“How long have you had her?”
“Six years. For the first four I didn’t do much to make her mine. Didn’t have the money. But after signing with the farm league I started restoring and improving what I didn’t like.”
“Like what?”
“We’ve got air and a great sound system for starters. I’ll never sell her, so I made the changes I wanted.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise. Pretty sure you’re going to like it though.”
“Oh!” she says digging through her purse. “I brought you a present.”
“That’s mighty nice of you. What is it?”
She pulls out a narrow square box and holds it up for me to see.
