The Lonesome Buffalo (part 3)

She answered. That sweet Georgia peach from the Holiday Inn in Columbus answered the phone. How did she know it was me?

She talked in that smooth voice, relaxed and inviting. I listened and could almost taste the smell of her perfume, far more powerful than the pine-sol and floor wax I was actually smelling.

She said, “DO NOT say a word about the company or where we are staying and I will come  get you.”

The jailer carried me to Lock-Up and I was still feeling warm and comfy. That changed quickly. The room was constructed of two materials, concrete and steel. The bared door closed behind me and I realized I was not alone. The other prisoners sized me up as I sat by myself on the concrete bench molded into the wall. Someone spoke up and asked,”what did they get you for?” I moved to the steel picnic table and proceeded to explain all about E-Z Clean. One guy said your in luck. They haven’t served lunch yet and we get it from McDonalds. Twelve hours later the bared door closed behind me and I was on the free side.

In the car, I broke the silence and asked for a bus ticket home.

At the motel, I was greeted with cheers and pats on the back. Gerard congratulated me on becoming a real salesman. I gave back the clothes I had borrowed and packed my suitcase. I declared that I had quit. No one spoke. I could feel the cold hard stares, danger, anger, and envy creeped into the room. The bus left for Memphis at 10:00 pm, and I was on it.

You Might Also Like:

• The Lonesome Buffalo (part 1)