Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip
CHAPTER 6: AN IDEA
“Sure … I can be at the business a bit more for 2 weeks,” his sister replied to her brother’s query. “But, where will you be?”
He wanted to tell her what he was planning, but didn’t want to jinx it. Instead, he avoided her question:
“Good. The volunteers from the state Route 66 Association are willing to help, so you won’t be there all by yourself, & I know they will be able to watch the place if you need to be somewhere else any given day.”
“OK….” His sister’s voice trailed off. She wanted to ask her question again, but she knew from the tone of his voice, her brother was not going to tell her where he was going…at least not right now. Though, she had a hunch what he wanted to do.
“Cool,” he said. “I will be in touch when I know more. Everything OK for you all?”
“Yes,” she answered, glancing at her watch. “But, I have to go pick up the kids right now. I will talk to you later, OK?”
“Sounds good,” he said. They both hung up.
While she frantically prepared to go pick up the kids, her brother sat back in the desk chair in the business’s office & sighed. He glanced at the envelope on the desk, but wasn’t in the mood to read the rest of his Mom’s letter. Instead, he glanced around the office again, stood up & walked out to the main room where the volunteers were talking with some visitors. He listened intently as the visitors recounted what they had seen so far along Route 66. He was amazed at their enthusiasm & knowledge, & told them so. They, of course, knew of his parents, & offered their condolences on the recent death of his Mom. He thanked them & quickly reminded them that “life goes on” … as does Route 66.
Once the visitors left, he told the volunteers he had to go out for a bit, but would be back. He gathered a few things from the office, including his Mom’s letter, & drove off in the Caprice. As he headed home to start making further plans, he wondered if he was crazy to even consider doing this. He also wondered if he should take the Caprice … or rent a newer car … or borrow an older car? He wondered what all he should do to prepare? Should he contact people? Should he see if anyone wanted to join him?
He was still in a daze of unanswered questions & concerns when the Caprice turned into the driveway. He knew he had plenty of time to make decisions, but also knew the sooner he made those decisions, the better he’d feel about the idea. Yet, he was actually excited about the endeavor. After all, it is what his parents had talked about doing for years … & never completely accomplished. It is something he had always dreamt about, but never really thought of as a genuine possibility … until now.
He sat in the Caprice for what seemed an eternity as his mind kept racing about all sorts of different possibilities & scenarios. Almost instinctively, he grabbed the envelope with his Mom’s letter, took the letter out, unfolded it, started skimming it, & just about froze when he came to these words, near the end of the letter:
“Your father & I kept money saved for a number of years,” his Mom had written. “While we obviously expect you kids to divvy it up equally, I have a specific thought on how you should spend at least part of your inheritance, & I think you already know what that is.”
He didn’t need to keep reading; he knew what that thought was … & had already set plans into motion. Now, he had to follow through.