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: 2692/1868	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.

NEVER LOOK BACK-REST OF THE STORY 

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

Jack and his Dad 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 some greasy soup and then Jack's Dad said, "I have to get into the 
sleeper for a couple of hours so you get lost." 

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 
interrupted and 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 was lost as to what he was going to do when 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 to stop.  It 
took the horn blowing of another trucker to get his Dad to stop. 

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 because he 
knew his Dad has not looked for him. 

Not much was said the next few days as his Dad dropped one trailer off,
picked up another, and headed to the next city or state.  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 the note, 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.” 



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