Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip

CHAPTER 4: PREPARATION

Five years earlier, the response to his Dad’s death was overwhelming. By then, the family had established themselves as Route 66 enthusiasts &, to some extent, legends. As the news of the death spread, thousands called, sent cards, & visited, which is partly why he had agreed to help his Mom for a year. The service for his Dad was originally scheduled for a church in their small town, but with so many wanting to attend, they opted to move it to a larger church in the closest “big” city, a move all three kids thought a bit ironic.

Now, with his Mom dead, he knew the response would be just as overwhelming … mostly because everyone knew Route 66 was as much a part of her as it had been for her husband, & perhaps even more so, though she would never admit it. This in mind, his head spun trying to think of all the details to figure out, though he knew this was not the time to think about them. He was, however, glad the prospective buyer had backed out. At least he wasn’t in the middle of sale negotiations … & a small part of him was beginning to think he just may need to keep the place open & in the family for a little while longer.

The next few days weren’t as difficult as he had anticipated. His brother flew in from Nashville yet that same night, actually very early the next morning, & he went to pick him up. When his brother got into the Caprice, he exclaimed, “Now I understand why you wanted to keep this car.”

His sister did most of the arrangements, while the youngest brother watched his nieces & nephew. As the middle child, she was torn. She loved the “small town” life, but also knew she had more of the world to see. So, she went to college & graduated with honors. She married her college sweetheart, & moved with him to the “big city”, though she wasn’t all that excited about it. A few years later, she gave birth to their first child, a girl, & convinced her husband to move to a small town. They didn’t return to her home town, but close enough so she could be near family … including her Route 66 family … & close enough for her husband to not have to drive too far to his job in the city.

The eldest brother found himself spending most of his time at the business. Once word spread about his Mom’s death, people started calling & dropping by … just as they had done when his Dad died. A few members of the local Route 66 Association stopped to offer the auditorium in the state’s museum for the place for the service … & to ask about his intentions for the business. He didn’t know. He told them about the most-recent prospective buyer dropping out, & the two told him that the state Route 66 Association would be interested in purchasing it … or helping him run it. He told them he’d let them know in time.

Truth be told, though, he was starting to realize the business had become his life’s work. He hadn’t intended that to happen. It was, after all, his Dad’s dream. But, meeting the Route 66 people, along with the travelers, was simply fascinating … & he wasn’t quite sure he was ready to let go … or that he ever would be. So, the evening before his Mom’s service, he spoke to his younger siblings about keeping the business open … & in the family’s ownership.

His sister was very much eager to see them retain ownership, & told him she would be willing to help a few days a week. The youngest brother, perhaps feeling a little bit guilty, wasn’t as eager for the family to retain ownership. He knew he wouldn’t be there to help out, & he wasn’t so sure the “small town” life was really right for any of them anymore.