Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip
CHAPTER 37: A DEPARTURE
“Hello?”
“Hi! Look,” the gentleman from Illinois continued without letting the other person say anything, “I want to apologize for the scene earlier today. Once we told you what we came to tell you, we should’ve just gone back to Illinois to let you sort through it, instead of hounding you.”
Not knowing exactly what to say, the eldest shuffled some papers on the desk in the business’ office & looked around the room.
“You still there?” the gentleman cautiously queried.
“Yeah,” replied the eldest. “Not sure what type of response you are expecting.”
“Actually, neither do I,” the gentleman half-chuckled. “Just thought I should reach out & apologize.”
“Well, I appreciate that. But, honestly, you’re probably right; you should’ve gone back to Illinois after you told me. I’m glad you came to tell us, but you could’ve just called. Heck, THEY could’ve just called.”
“Yeah,” the gentleman sighed. “They could’ve, but they didn’t want to.”
After a slight pause, the gentleman continued: “Look, we’re in the process of packing up, we’ll check out & be on the road back to Illinois yet today.”
“OK,” replied the eldest. “But, before you do, how long have you been in town?”
The gentleman hesitated.
“DID he see you here way before you showed up at my house?” the eldest asked.
“Yes, he did,” the gentleman stumbled. “But, you’ve got to understand….”
“No, no I don’t,” the eldest interrupted, somewhat perturbed. “I don’t need to understand. When you talk to them, just tell them that my brother & I will see them when we’re in Illinois to start our Route 66 road trip.”
“Alright,” the gentleman responded. “Any idea how soon that might be?”
“No, I don’t know how soon we’ll see them, but my brother & I should be leaving here in the next day or so.”
“OK, thank you.”
“Sure, goodbye now.” The eldest promptly hung up without giving the gentleman a chance to further respond.
The gentleman sat in the hotel room chair for a bit, then turned to the grandmotherly woman & said: “Let’s get packed up & get on the road.”
She nodded & went to the bathroom to start gathering their stuff. Meanwhile, the gentleman looked back towards the phone, picked it up & dialed another number.
“Hi, we’re on our way home. I’ll tell you all about it when we see you.”