Route 66-based story
written by OC,SH’s founder, inspired by his September 2009 Route 66 road trip
CHAPTER 40: A DRIVE & A VISIT
“So, who’s going to do most of the driving,” queried the eldest, still eyeing the new-to-him tan 1976 Caprice sedan.
“You, of course,” his younger brother quickly replied. “Look, you love to drive more than I do, so I’ve no problem with you driving my car. I just really thought this was a better idea. We will still make the memories in some vintage iron, but we won’t be worried about our family heirloom.”
The eldest nodded. “Yep, I understand & agree. So, how about we take it for a spin now?”
“You have the keys,” replied the youngest.
With that, the eldest slid into the driver’s seat while the younger brother got into the front passenger seat. Without hesitation or a lot of words, the eldest drove straight to the home of the shopkeeper & his wife, hoping the shopkeeper would be home so he could ask him to watch over his maroon 1976 Caprice while he was on the road. When the siblings arrived, the eldest could see the shopkeeper peering out the living room window, suspiciously eyeing the tan sedan that had just pulled into his driveway.
The shopkeeper walked out the front door, hesitantly, but not too hesitantly, & when he spotted the 2 siblings inside the car, he grinned.
“Well, now, you either repainted yer folks’ car or you done got another one,” the shopkeeper exclaimed.
Sticking his head slightly out the driver’s side window & nodding towards his brother, the eldest replied: “It’s his.”
“Say what?”
“He bought it for us to take on our trip.”
“I see,” the shopkeeper said, placing his hands on the top of the driver’s door & peering inside. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Not at all,” replied the eldest.
“You want to give it your stamp of approval, too?” grinned the youngest, getting out of the Caprice. “I’ve had it checked & prepped for the road, but you can look it over if you want.”
“Sure, just pull it into my garage,” the shopkeeper instructed.
The eldest got out to let the youngest pull the car inside. While the youngest pulled it into the garage, the eldest asked the shopkeeper if he’d watch his maroon 1976 Caprice while they were on Route 66. Without hesitation, the shopkeeper agreed, saying he might drive it to some of the meetings for the new train depot.
The youngest opened the hood of his tan 1976 Caprice as the eldest & shopkeeper walked into the garage.
A look under the hood at the engine & eyeballing other parts of the car, the shopkeeper told the siblings they had the best car for the trip. With that, the boys said goodbye & left for home. The eldest was really ready to start the trip now. His car was in good hands, as was the train depot project; his sister would be watching the house & the business; the local Route 66 Association would be helping with the business; & he would soon be on the road that had given him his life. He even was eagerly anticipating seeing the family members in Illinois….