Never Look Back-The Rest of the Story-Part II (standard:drama, 7490 words) [2/2] show all parts
Author: March Evans	Added: Mar 26 2005	Views/Reads: 2691/1866	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The conclusion of the 13yr old boy that was sent away by the divorced Mom to live with his truck driving father who soon abandoned the boy.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

With that his Dad walked to his truck, got in and drove off.  Never
looking back and no good-bye wave. 

“Gee, I miss Butch and Mom,” thought Jack but he knew, he has no place
to go.  No home and no Butch and he has got to find a job. 

Jack looked around.  It was sort of quite, and a man was and still
standing next to the door, and he looked like an owner or manager. 

It was apparent and obvious that the man had heard what Jack's Dad had
told him.  The man looked at Jack and said, "Life and people are hard 
to understand young man and is there anything I can do for you?”  Jack 
looked into one on the kindest, gentlest faces he had ever seen and 
said, "I really need a job and someplace to sleep."  The man looked at 
Jack for a moment before he spoke then he said, "My name is Hale, Hale 
Irwing and I like the way you said, I need a job. What's your name, 
boy?" 

“I'm Jack Townsey, and I know how to clean grease traps." "Well Jack, if
you can clean grease traps, you and I are going to get a long just 
find."  And they did.  Hale taught him how to run the fuel pumps, fix 
flats, drive the pick-up truck, help out in the restaurant, and do what 
ever he was asked to do. 

By summer's end, he was doing everything around the truck stop and was
being paid a good salary with room and board.  He had a neat room away 
from where the truck drivers slept, showered, and Jack was contented. 
He only missed Butch and his friend, Tom. 

One day as Jack finished working on one of the pumps, Hale said, "Jack
come into the office when you get through."  Jack did not know what to 
expect and the tone was different. He was concerned. 

Shortly he finished his job, put his tools up, and went into the office
wondering if he was going to be fired.  Hale looked up from some paper 
work and said, "Jack have a seat.  I want and think that you should be 
in school and if you will agree, you can work after school and on the 
weekends. We can also clean out that old storage room, build you a 
desk, move your bed and other stuff other there.  The bus comes right 
by here so transportation is no problem." 

Jack was stunned, and he readily replied, “You bet.” 

Jack knew he had been pre-occupied about school starting, and was
wondering what he was going to do.  He had even been to town and talk 
with some of the teachers. 

The next couple of years went by pretty fast.  Jack did well in school
but with working a lot, he did not have time for many sports except 
snow skiing.  He became good friends with all of the waitresses, and 
they all virtually adopted him.  He became really fond of Betty Sue, 
and she became his substitute Mom. 

With her he had lots of laughs, and he had visions of Hale and Betty Sue
getting married and adopting him. But that had not happened and most 
likely would not. 

When Jack started dating, he really had lots of discussions about girls
and women in general, and he got plenty of advice from the ladies in 
the restaurant.  He was quite popular and everyone seemed to know that 
he was quite an athlete even though he could only participate in one 
sport, snow skiing.  He was good enough that he made the  team without 
everyday practice. 

Jack dated most of the good looking girls in school, and they all seemed
to be ahead of him especially when it came to sex.  The only thing that 
he could think of when it came to sex was getting one on them pregnant. 
 Betty Sue would usually be getting off of work about the time he would 
come in from a date.  He would go into the restaurant, help himself to 
a cup of hot chocolate, and ask her if she had time for talk.  Betty 
Sue would say, “Let me get freshen up a bit, and I will be right 
there.”  They would go to the employee's lounge or to Jack's room and 
talk sometimes for hours.  She really got a laugh out of how he got 
into and out of the heavy petting situation without hurting anyone 
feeling, and the girls always kept coming back. 

Graduation was approaching, and on a trip to town with Hale for supplies
Hale said, " Jack, you are about to graduate, and you certainly have 
mechanical ability. I don't know what your plans are but here is my 
proposition. I have no family, nobody.  My parents, my brother, and 
sister were killed in a tornado in Kansas when I was about twenty one.  
The banker sold the farm and gave me what was left.  I came here and 
bought this piece of land and an old station.  I have rebuilt and with 
the interstate, it is doing good.  Business is getting better with more 
and more trucks on the road.  I need a diesel mechanical shop, and I 
will put you through mechanical school, welding school, and any other 
schooling you want if you will come back and work for me. What do you 
think?" 

"There is nothing to think about.  I will do it, and I will study hard."


"Well, let's get the show on the road.  The first thing we have to do is
to get you a pick up truck, and that is where you are to use some of 
your money you have saved. Also Betty Sue wants to help out, 
financially, and the school has come up with some scholarship money.” 

Jack knew he was next to heaven as he just grinned to himself. What a
family he has, and he is wanted, needed, and loved. How could he 
consider anything else. 

School was a snap.  Took some crap from friends on week-ends and
holidays, at home, when they would tell him he should be in the 
university getting a real college education.  But he was pleased with 
what he was doing, and he knew he was making Betty Sue and Hale happy 
and proud. 

He graduated from two trade schools.  One in diesel and gas engines and
one in welding.  Upon graduation, he felt real secure that he was going 
home to his job and his new shop. 

After a couple of years, he began to have truckers all over the state
call him regarding mechanical problems. Another year, and he had some 
of the truck dealers calling. Jack was good.  Bought all the new 
electronic equipment for diagnostic and repairs and went to all the 
schools.  He had more work than he could possible take care of, and he 
had six full time mechanics.  Hale had, shortly after building the 
diesel shop, built a monster of fueling islands with a truck supply 
store and convenience store.  In a separate building and in a very 
scenic spot, he and Betty Sue built a state of the art restaurant.  
Betty Sue managed the restaurant and believe you me she had drivers 
coming miles out of the way for her food. Along with all the locals. 

Denver people drove over an hour just to come out and eat. She served
the best of food with fantastic atmosphere and a great view with 
forty-foot high windows looking over a beautiful valley with majestic 
mountains in the distant.  She did her beef and pork over hauled in 
mesquite wood.  Each day she received fresh meat and vegetable. Her 
fried steaks and chicken were as good as those in Texas and the seafood 
was second to none. A blue plate special was like home cooking, and her 
fresh frozen vegetables came from a family's garden in southern 
Arkansas. 

Hale spent most of his time as the money manager.  He had a full time
bookkeeper and a secretary.  The trio of Hale, Betty Sue and Jack had 
mutual funds and other investment, and a restaurant customer from 
Denver took care of the funds. 

Jack never married.  There was one girl, in high school, that was very
special to him, but he never let her know how he felt.  She married one 
of Jack's good friends.  A really neat guy, college graduate, respected 
family, money, intelligent, industrious, all of everything. He was glad 
for her but lonely that he never asked her out when he had the chance. 

Hale and Betty Sue would take a week or so about every six months and go
to the Caribbean.  They never married and did not live together.  Jack 
never asked why and was never told. However, Hale and Betty Sue were 
the best of friends and could have small talk for hours.  He guessed 
they did not want to screw up a good thing by getting married. 

Summer was in the air and it was a relative quite morning with all
employees showing up.  Jack, for unknown reason and out of nowhere 
recalled that summer morning about thirty years ago or so when his 
Dad's had abandoned and  left him here stranded and alone.  In another 
flashback, he remembered what Tom's Mom told him when he called about 
Butch, his pet dog. 

Jack then looked away for a moment and thought to himself, “Boy, I am
really glad that I never looked back, just walked in here and asked for 
a job.  I do not believe I could have a better life going anywhere 
else.  Funny, money nor salary have never come into consideration and 
believe you - me, we have plenty.  And none of us ever count it. We 
just do our job.” 

About then Jack headed into his office over the shop, and he heard Betty
Sue scream from the direction of Hale's office.  He knew it was 
something bad.  As he reached the office, Dr. Wimberly, who was in the 
restaurant at the time, had been immediately called to Hale's office.   
 Hale was dead. Doc said he was dead before his head reached the desk 
with a massive heart attack. 

Hale left everything to Betty Sue and Jack with enough life insurance to
pay the taxes.  In honor of Hale, Betty Sue and Jack immediately set up 
a trust fund for kids.  There was money at the local police department 
for run a ways, money at the schools for scholarships, and money at the 
hospital for unwed Mothers.  If anyone came up with a cause, a name, 
and some way to monitor, Betty Sue and Jack would come up with the 
money. 

In the next several years, the operation began to grow statewide and
interstate.  In fact, it had now become a chain. Not like the original 
truck stop.  These new locations not only catered to the truckers, they 
offered services to the traveling man, and family vacationeers. 

Jack and Betty Sue had more auditors than they could count.  They had
incorporated, and did not have any real daily responsibility anymore 
because they had a president and vice presidents. 

Betty Sue had developed another friendly relationship with one of the
senior lawyers in the law firm they used--all they did was travel and 
visit with each other.  Jack was still single, but he had settled in on 
his old favorite flame from high school.  The love that he would never 
ask out.  Her husband and Jack's friend had died of cancer.  The 
romance has all of the appearances of a lasting affair that will 
probable become permanent.  He guessed that she was the one he had been 
waiting for.  They were not only in love with each other, they had 
become best of friends. She had also wondered why, in high school, he 
would never ask her out. 

The years flew by, and it was another clear summer morning when Jack saw
a truck stop out front, just off the shoulder of the interstate.  An 
old man got out and just stood there as the truck drove away, holding 
one small beat-up old suite case. There was something about that old 
man that made Jack get up and walk out front.  This old man walked 
right up to Jack and roughly said, "You know where I can find the 
manager?” 

Jack thought a minute and then said, “I am sort of a manager, is there
something I can help you with?”  The old man spat some tobacco juice 
out, wiped his mouth off with his dirty shirt-sleeve, and said, " I'am 
hungry and want a job." 

Jack looked the old man in the eye and said, “If you will take a shower,
put on some clean clothes, and go the restaurant, they will feed you 
and give you a job.  The manager in there is looking for a janitor and 
someone to clean the grease trap.” 

The old man reluctantly replied, “I'll try it." 

Jack did not particular like the old man, but they were short handed. 
As Jack turned to go back inside he said to the old man, “Follow me.” 

Jack led the way to his office; Reached across his desk and took out an
employment application form and as he handed the form to the old man he 
asked, “Old man, what is your name?”  The old man, without looking up, 
roughly answered, "John Townsey!" 

NEVER LOOK BACK 

A SHORT STORY By March Evans 

"Dad is picking me up and taking me with him."  Jack boasted, to his
best friend, Tom.  Yea, Tom said, "To ride in one of those big eighteen 
wheelers and go every where has got to be great.  I bet you get to go 
swimming and fishing all over the country!" 

You know, Jack said, “Dad left Mom before I was born, and I seldom get
to see him but now, I am going to live with him.  He's always driven 
big trucks with a bed in them, and never really had a home that I know 
of. I do not know where we will live, but Mom told me he would work 
that out. I guess it will not be a problem until school starts.” But 
deep down, it is a concern to Jack as to where they will live.  He 
knows he and Butch cannot stay in a truck all the time. 

“Tom, you are the best friend I have ever had.  I usually don't get to
have many friends because Mom is always moving us around.  I don't like 
to move, but she tells me it is because she is looking for a better 
job.  But, she just always ends up in another waitress job and bringing 
different men home with her. I think her urge to travel is to try and 
find a husband.” 

Jack now becomes quiet as he looks off into the rolling clouds above as
he thinks to himself, “If only I had some grandparents to go live with 
like some of the other kids.” 

Tom sort of pulls on Jack's jersey and punches him on the arm as he
says, “Quit day dreaming.”  “Oh, sorry about that, I just get lost 
sometimes.”  And then Jack continues with his story to Tom as to why he 
has to go and live with his truck- driving Dad.  “Mom always gets mad 
if I come out of my room when her boy friend is here. Even if it is 
dinner time I have to stay in my room, and they always make enough 
noise to raise the dead with all their laughing and loud talking.  It 
is worse when they get in bed with all the moaning, groaning and 
bouncing up and down, and since this one has become a regular, last 
night, Mom told me that he wants to marry her. But he does not want to 
be my dad nor does he want me to live with them.  This is when she told 
me she had finally got a call back from Dad and when she told him what 
was happening, he agreed to come and get me. I am not so sure if Dad 
really wants me with him.” 

“Boy that is tough,” said Tom as he kicked a rock across the yard and
looked at Jack and said, “ Your Mother needs to send this new guy 
packing.” 

“Yea, I wish that would happen, and I ask her to do that but she told me
that I need to stay with Dad so that we could get to know each other.” 

About that time, Tom hears his Mom call so he gives Jack a grown up
hand-shake and tells him good bye and be sure to write.  The two 
friends sadly, slowly part with each walking away and not looking back 
as both knew they did not want the other to see him cry. 

Jack now thinks to himself and tries to understand why his Mom and Frank
doesn't want any kids around.  “I am no trouble, I go to school, make 
good grades, clean house, wash all the dishes, have a paper route, and 
don't talk back. Today, I am 13 years old, just finished the 8th grade, 
and really like to play sports. I have grown-up friends all over town, 
and they all tell Mom what a neat kid I am. We have live here longer 
than anywhere, and I have a good friend and the best dog and only pet I 
have ever had, Butch. He again looked down between his feet and sadly 
asked nobody, why do I have to move again?”  He then sunk a little 
lower realizing that since nobody has said, Happy Birthday, he knows, 
nobody really cares. 

Butch had followed Jack home right after they moved here one Saturday
afternoon when he was coming out of the mountains.  Hungry, lean, 
dirty, mangled fur, and looking like he had been dumped out in ranch 
country to fend for himself.  Jack immediately took to him.  Gave him a 
bath, brushed his fur, fixed him a place to sleep, and fed him lots of 
scraps.  Jack's Mom told him it was OK to keep the dog but do not let 
him in the house. The restaurant, where Jack empties trash and cleans 
the grease bins for five dollars a week, gives Butch plenty of scraps.  
Butch is like a shadow to Jack and goes everywhere with him but for 
some strange reason, Butch always stays out of the way of Jack's Mom or 
any other grown-up that comes around.  Even at ball practice, he stays 
under the bleachers unless someone calls him. However, all the coaches 
and the team like him because Butch can catch a football on the fly and 
will play as long as someone will throw. 

On Saturdays Tom, Butch, and Jack go hiking into the mountains, and one
of the best parts is that Tom's Mom is  always fixing them cookies and 
sandwiches. And she always sends one for Butch.  Jack knew he would 
miss these Saturdays. 

Jack moved back to reality and knew he had to get in the house and get
packed and make sure Butch's blanket was dry before packing it.  When 
he got inside the house and had packed, he heard his Mom really getting 
mad.  His Dad is late and the husband to be to be has already called 
three times.  But now, you can hear the big diesel, eighteen wheeler 
out front coming to a stop.  Jack went flying out the front door and 
running up to his Dad as he is climbing out of the cab. 

Jack gives his Dad a big hug as his Dad speaks, "Boy, you sure have
grown.  You are almost big enough to get your own rig. Get your stuff 
and let move on down the road before your mother comes out and starts 
bitching." 

Jack eagerly replied, "Sure thing, Dad."  He passed his Mom as she came
out of the house, and she was heading for the truck in a strong, 
determined walk, with eyes wide open and glaring.  Jack hurryingly 
grabbed the boxes he had packed his clothes in and called Butch. Jack 
knew his Mom and Dad would really get a fight going. 

He was not fast enough.  By the time he got back to the truck his Mom
and Dad were cussing and screaming at each other.  Just as he got in 
and loaded Butch, his Dad got in, shut his door and said, "Ain't taking 
no god-damn hound with me!"  He, in a quick movement, grabbed Butch and 
threw him out the rolled down window. 

In the same motion, he put the truck in gear and drove off. Butch hit
the payment hard but come up limping and trying to catch up with the 
truck that was taking his friend and master away.  Butch was following 
and now running the best he could with the hurt foot.  Jack was crying 
and screaming at his Dad to stop the truck and let him out as he was 
already opening the truck door and was going to jump.  His Dad reached 
across the cab, grabbed him by the back of the shirt, jerked him hard 
and roughly against the seat, and back-handed the hell out of him and 
saying, “Kid, shut up or I will hit you again.” 

Jack was dazed by the blow and could not move or talk. By the time he
got control of himself, he could not see Butch.  His Dad had knocked a 
tooth out, and it really hurt.  When his Dad saw the tooth and the 
blood he said, "That will make you tough and if you expect to make it 
in this world, you have to get tough." 

Jack knew when to say nothing and nothing was what he did so he just
worried about Butch and wonder how to get back to him. He knew Butch 
would go back to his bed and wait for him. 

They drove and rode for what seemed like forever when his Dad finally
said, "We'll be stopping soon for fuel and something to eat." 

Jack had decided that at his first opportunity he would get to a pay
phone and call Tom.  He knew Tom would go get Butch and take him home 
because Tom's Mom had said it was all right if he wanted to give Butch 
to them. 

Finally the truck stopped at a small, old restaurant with only a few
fueling pumps and not many trucks or customers around.  They fueled and 
had so greasy soup and then Jack's Dad said, "I have to get into the 
sleeper for a couple of hours so you get lost for a while." 

Jack watched his Dad get into the sleeper from inside the smokey, smelly
restaurant dining room, and then he headed for  the public pay 
telephone glad that he had money. Tom's Mother answered. She very sadly 
said hello and she was crying. He immediately told her it was Jack and 
she said, ”Butch got run over by the school bus that pulled out behind 
the truck.  The restaurant owner and Coach Hanley saw it and 
immediately took Butch to Dr. Crowley.  Dr. Crowley called Tom and 
asked him to come to the vet hospital and stay with Butch, but Butch 
died about an hour after he got there.  Tom and his Dad have taken him 
into the mountain to be buried.”  Tom's mother continued,  "Jack, you, 
Tom, and Butch had a good year, remember, be thankful for what you have 
and don't be bitter over what you don't have.” 

Jack asked her to give his thanks to Tom and everyone that helped Butch,
and he would send money to Dr. Crowley as soon as he got a job.  
Without realizing it, he knew, he would not be giving any money by his 
Dad or Mother. 

Tom's Mom said,  "The restaurant man paid the vet." 

Jack really felt really lost as he said his good byes.  He knew this
thing with his dad was not going to work.  He can't go home.  He does 
not have a home to go to.  For lack of nothing else and feeling so 
depressed, he got under the trailer, found a smooth spot and went to 
sleep, soundly. 

The humming of the continuous running diesel engine blocked out all
other noises, and it seemed as if he had just dosed off when the 
movement of the trailer woke him.  He had to let the trailer complete 
pass over him before he could stand up.  Good thing he wasn't in front 
of the tires.  As the truck and trailer pulled forward, he ran to the 
front of the truck and was hollering and waving at his Dad.  His Dad 
never looked his way until another trucker really blew his horn. 

His Dad stopped the truck, and as Jack got in his Dad said, "I thought
you took off as I couldn't find you."  Jack made no comment as that 
seemed strange to him as he was not that far off, but he did not bother 
to answer. 

Not much was said the next couple of days as his Dad dropped one trailer
off and picked up another and headed to another city.  After dropping 
off the last trailer his Dad said, “This next town, I Gotta park my 
rig, rent a car, pick up a friend of mine, and we are going on a little 
vacation for a few days.  I can't take you with me, and I don't know 
what to do with you.  So here is a twenty, a map, and the name of the 
company where I will pick up another trailer in four days.  If you want 
to go with me then, be at that trucking company.” 

His Dad handed him the money and the map. He then said he would drop him
off at the next truck stop just down the road as he had to fuel, take a 
shower and get ready.  Jack tagged alone to the trucker's shower room 
even though his Dad had not invited him, but his Dad did pay for the 
towel.  Jack enjoyed his first shower since he had been on the road and 
his last set of clean clothes felt good also.  Afterwards, his Dad just 
said, “See you around and good luck.” 

With that his Dad walked to his truck, got in, and drove off.  Never
looking back and not even a wave. 

“Gee, I miss Butch and Mom,” thought Jack but without much consideration
on the part because he knew, he has no place to go.  No home and no 
Butch, and he has got to find a job. 

Jack looked around.  It was sort of quite, and a man was and still
standing next to the door, and he looked like the owner or manager. 

It was apparent that the man had heard what Jack's Dad had said to him. 
The man looked at Jack and said, "Life and people are hard to 
understand young man and is there anything I can do for you?”  Jack 
looked into one on the kindest, gentlest faces he had ever seen and 
said, "I really need a job and someplace to sleep."  The man looked at 
Jack for a moment before he spoke then he said, "My name is Hale, Hale 
Irwing and I like the way you said, I need a job. What's your name, 
boy?" 

“I'm Jack Townsey, and I know how to clean grease traps." "Well Jack, if
you can clean grease traps, you and I are going to get a long just 
find."  And they did.  Hale taught him how to run the fuel pumps, fix 
flats, drive the pick-up truck, help out in the restaurant, and do what 
ever he was asked to do. 

By summer's end, he was doing everything around the truck stop and was
being paid a very good salary with room and board.  He had a neat room 
away from where the truck drives stayed, and Jack was contented. He 
only missed Butch and his friend, Tom. 

One day as Jack finished working on one of the pumps, Hale said, "Jack
come into the office when you get through."  Jack did not know what to 
expect and the tone was different. 

Shortly he finished his job, put his tools up and went into the office
wondering if he was going to be fired.  Hale looked up from some paper 
work and said, "Jack have a seat.  I want and think that you should be 
in school and if you will agree, you can work after school and on the 
weekend. We can also clean out that old storage room, build you a desk, 
move your bed and other stuff other there.  The bus comes right by here 
so transportation is no problem."  Jack was stunned, and he readily 
replied, “You bet.” 

Jack knew he had been pre-occupied about school starting up, and was
wondering what he was going to do.  He had even been to town and talk 
with some of the school teachers. 

The next couple of years went by pretty fast.  Jack did well in school
but with working a lot, he did not have time for many sports except 
snow skiing.  He became good friends with all the ladies in the 
restaurant, and they all virtually adopted him.  He became really fond 
of Betty Sue, and she became his substitute Mom. 

With her they had lots of laughs, and he had visions of Hale and Betty
Sue getting married and adopting him. But that never happened. 

When he started to date, he really had lots of discussions about girls
and women in general and he got plenty of advice.  He was quite popular 
and everyone seemed to know that he was quite an athlete even though he 
could only participate in one sport, snow skiing.  He was good enough 
that he made the  team without everyday practice. 

Jack got to date all the good looking girls in school, and they all
seemed to be ahead of him when it came to sex.  The only thing that he 
could think of when it came to sex was getting one on them pregnant.  
Betty Sue would usually be getting off of work about the time he would 
come in from a date.  He would go into the restaurant, help himself to 
a cup of hot chocolate, and ask her if she had time for talk.  Betty 
Sue would say, “Let me get freshen up, and I will be right there.”  
They would go to the employee's lounge or to Jack's room and talk 
sometimes for hours.  She really got a laugh out of how he got into and 
out of the heavy petting situation without hurting anyone feeling, and 
the girls always kept coming back. They would even use Betty Sue as a 
way to get him to take them out. 

Graduation was approaching, and on a trip to town with Hale for supplies
Hale said, " Jack, you are about to graduate, and you certainly have 
mechanical ability. I don't know what your plans are but here is my 
proposition. I have no family, nobody.  My parents, my brother, and 
sister were killed in a tornado in Kansas when I was about twenty one.  
The banker sold the farm and gave me what was left.  I came here and 
bought this piece of land and an old station.  I have rebuilt and with 
the interstate, it is doing good.  Business is getting better with more 
and more trucks on the road.  I need a diesel mechanical shop, and I 
will put you through mechanical school, welding school, and any other 
schooling you want if you will come back and work for me. What do you 
think?" 

"There is nothing to think about.  I will do it, and I will study hard."


"Well, let's get the show on the road.  The first thing we have to do is
to get you a better truck, and that is where you are to use some of 
your money. Also Betty Sue wants to help out, financially, and the 
school has come up with some scholarship money.” 

Jack knew he was next to heaven as he just grinned to himself. What a
family he has, and he is wanted, needed, and loved. 

School was a snap.  Took some crap from friends on week-ends and
holidays, at home, when they would tell him he should be in the 
university getting a real college education.  But he was pleased with 
what he was doing, and he knew he was making Betty Sue and Hale happy. 

He graduated from two trade schools.  One in diesel and gas engines and
one in welding.  Upon graduation, he felt real secure that he was going 
home to his job and new shop. 

After a couple of years starting and working in his own shop, he began
to have truckers all over the state call him regarding mechanical 
problems. Another year, and he had some of the truck dealers calling me 
on problems. Jack was good.  Bought all the new electronic equipment 
and went to all the school he could.  He had more work than he could 
possible take care of, and he had six full time mechanics.  Hale had, 
shortly after building the diesel shop, built a monster of  fueling 
islands with a truck supply store and small grocery  store.  In a 
separate building and in a very scenic spot, he and Betty Sue built a 
state of the art restaurant.  Betty Sue managed the restaurant and 
believe you me she had drivers coming miles out of the way for her 
food. 

Denver people drove over an hour just to come out and eat. She served
great food with a great view with forty foot high windows looking over 
a beautiful valley with majestic mountains in the distant.  She did her 
steaks over hauled in mesquite wood.  One of the truckers brought her 
fresh meat every day. She never cooked with any frozen meat. The 
chicken fried steaks were as good as those in Texas and the fried 
chicken and catfish was as good as an southern state could produce.  A 
blue plate special that was better than any in Chicago, and her 
vegetables came from a family that took four people canning all summer 
in East Texas just to keep up with her. 

Hale had brought in another young kid to work that had run away from
home.  Hale made him call his parents first and after they all talked 
for over an hour, an arrangement was reached.  This really worked good 
because he took care of the truckers and Hale needed someone to baby 
sit those guys.   It was quite a task with all the phones, showers, fax 
machines, fuel, barber shop, gift shop, and all. 

Hale spent most of his time as the money manager.  He had a full time
bookkeeper and a secretary.  The trio even had mutual funds and other 
investment.  A restaurant customer from Denver took care of the funds. 

The Broker was sent each month's profit, and he put one fourth in Betty
Sue's account, one fourth in Hale's, one fourth in Jack's, and one 
fourth in another for growth, new buildings, or whatever. 

Seems like Jack could never find the right girl to marry.  There was one
girl in high school that was very special to him, but he never let her 
know how he felt.  She married someone else.  A really neat guy, 
college graduate, respected family, money, intelligent, industrious, 
all of everything. He was glad for her but lonely that he never ask her 
out. 

In ski season every other week, Jack would take a four or five day
week-end and go snow skiing.  He always seemed to have a date for this 
or he would meet up with his ski club. 

Hale and Betty Sue would take a week to ten day vacation about every six
months and go to the Caribbean.  They had never married and did not 
live together.  He never asked why. However, they were the best of 
friends and could have small talk for hours.  He guessed they did not 
want to screw up a good thing. 

It was a relative quite morning with all employees showing up, and
summer was in the air.  Jack suddenly remember that summer morning 
about 30 years ago when his Dad's truck pulled out and left him here, 
stranded and alone.  He remember what Tom's Mom told him when he called 
about Butch, his pet dog. 

Jack then looked away for a moment and thought to himself, “Boy, I am
really glad that I never looked back, walked in here and asked for a 
job.  I do not believe I could have a better life going.  Funny, money 
has never come into play and believe  you - me, we have plenty.  And 
none of us count it.” 

About then Jack headed into his office, and he heard Betty Sue screamed.
 He knew it was something bad.  As he reached Hale's office, he knew it 
was bad.  Dr. Wimberly was in the restaurant and was standing over the 
body.  Hale was dead. Doc said he was dead before his head reached the 
desk with a massive heart attack.  Hale would never do any exercise and 
ate all the wrong food , but he was loved by all and would be missed. 

Hale left everything to Betty Sue and Jack with enough life insurance to
pay the taxes.  In honor of Hale, Betty Sue and Jack immediately set up 
a trust up for kids.  There was money at the local police department 
for run a ways, scholarships, unwed Mothers.  You come up with a cause, 
a name, and some way to monitor, and Betty sue and Jack would come up 
with the funds. 

The next several years, the operation began to grow.  In fact, it had
now become a chain. Not like the original truck stop.  These not only 
catered to the truckers, they went after the traveling man, and family 
vacationeers. 

Jack and Betty Sue had more traveling managers than they could count. 
They had incorporated, and did not have any real daily responsibility 
anymore because they had a president and many managers. 

Betty Sue had developed another friendly relationship with one of the
senior Lawyers in their law firm--all they did was travel and visit 
with each other.  Jack was still single but he had settled in on his 
old favorite flame that he would never ask out.  Her husband had died 
of cancer.  It has all of the appearances of a lasting affair that will 
probable become permanent.  He guessed that she was the one he had been 
waiting for.  They were not only in love with each other, they had 
become best of friend. 

The years flew by, and it was another clear summer morning when Jack saw
a truck stop out front, just on the shoulder of the interstate.  An old 
man got out and just stood there as the truck drove away. There was 
something that made Jack get up and walk out front.  This old man 
walked up him and roughly said, "Where is the manager?” 

Jack thought a minute and then said, “I am sort of the manager, is there
something I can help you with?”  The old man spat some tobacco juice 
out, wiped his mouth off with his dirty shirt sleeve and replied, " 
I'am hungry and want a job." Jack looked the old man in the eye and 
said, “If you will take a shower, put on some clean clothes, the 
restaurant is looking for a part time janitor and someone to clean the 
grease trap.” The old man immediately replied, “I'll try it." 

Jack turned to go back inside and said, “Follow me.” Jack went into the
interoffice, took out an application form and as he handed the form to 
the old man he asked, “Old man, what is your name?”  The old man 
roughly answered, "John Townsey!" 


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