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SEVERAL MINUTES LATER HE HAD the table in the shed with paper and pen, ready to start planning. He thought, Where do I start? Maybe instead of trying to put everything in order, I’ll just list the things I already know I need. He began to write.
As he put the paper aside, a detailed plan began to form in his mind. He smiled to himself and mused: I think I have found my calling. He cautioned himself to not forget his number one rule: don’t fool yourself. Plan, plan and plan again and then follow the plan. This small, southern town needs you.
When he saw Mrs. Barkley leave and go towards the café the next morning, he realized it was the perfect time to talk with Mr. Barkley. He walked up to his desk at the front of the post office and asked: “Sir, can I have a moment of your time?”
“Of course you can, son! What’s on your mind?”
“A couple of things. Firstly, when I came here a couple months ago I didn’t think I would be staying so long.”
“Are you planning to leave?”
“No! It’s not that. It’s just that I have a close friend from my hometown who has a job that requires him to travel a lot. We made plans to meet in Atlanta next Thursday at the Red Lobster at Peachtree. He’s buying the beer and lobster this time. Would it be okay if I take that day off?”
“What a relief! I thought we were losing you. Do you want me to drive you to the city?”
“No, sir. I’ll just take the morning bus and return on the first bus I can.”
“Great. Go and have a good time with your friend” — Mr. Barkley said. “Friends are the only things worth having.”
Jim got a little uncomfortable, primarily because he was deceiving the best friend he had ever had, so he quickly changed the subject to not dwell on feeling bad about himself.
“Sir, I finally moved that big chair down to the shed yesterday.”
“That’s good. My missus and I want you to feel at home.”
“Thanks. I noticed a lot of garden tools in the shed. Whose tools are these, and where is the garden?”
“These were Michael’s tools. He loved to see things grow, especially tomatoes. He also raised cucumbers, carrots, lettuce and radishes. I used to fool him by saying that these were the most expensive vegetables in the county. He would look at me and say: ‘But aren’t these the best tasting ones in the world?’ These were wonderful times: watching things grow and all.”
“I’m sorry I brought back bad memories.”
“Oh, no, son! Those were the best days of my life. Thanks for telling me again.”
“Would you mind me cleaning up the back yard and maybe we could plant some tomatoes next spring?”
“What a great idea. You should have all the tools you need in the shed.”
“One last thing, while I was in the shed I moved Michael’s duffle bag.”
“Don’t worry, we should have taken it home a long time ago.”
“It’s not that, sir. When I moved it, I noticed a family of rats had set up their home in one end of the bag. It looked like the only damage was to that one end. I just wondered what you want me to do. I didn’t want to tell you in front of Mrs. Barkley.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure how she would respond to such news. If you will loan me the key, I will check it out later and decide if she even needs to know.”
“Is this the only key?”
“Yes, we lost the other one years ago, but you’re the only one who needs one anyway.”
As he and Mr. Barkley walked back to the front of the post office a customer called out: “Mike, I have a package that was too big for my box. Could you get it for me?”
“Well, well, if it isn’t Jerry Huff. How are you, you old crook?”
“Oh, I’m doing fine, how about you?”
“Fine, fine. Getting ready for deer season?”
“Not really, you know there are just not that many deer up here in these mountains. Squirrel season opened on September the 15th. Got my limit Saturday. In fact, Helen and I had gravy and biscuits with squirrel for breakfast.”
“Boy, does that sound good. You know Mother stopped cooking a few years back.”
While Mr. Barkley and the customer talked he saw his chance. He moved to the desk. An old, well-used phone book was under the phone. He quickly turned to the section he needed. Finding a scrap of paper and he wrote down the City Hall’s number. He then turned the pages looking for Bob Foster’s number. Just as he thought: the phone was not listed. As he was putting the phone book back, Mr. Barkley, smiling, commented: “You found a friend you might want to call?”
“No, sir. No such luck. I was just wondering if the town had any Cole’s in it.”
“You should have just asked me. I know everybody in Blue Ridge, Route 1 and 2. The only Cole I can think of lives in McCaysville.”
“Where is that?”
“A small town eleven miles north on Highway 5. It’s located on the Georgia/Tennessee line. On the Georgia side is McCaysville and on the Tennessee side is Copperhill. It’s none of my business, but I would steer clear of there if I were you. It’s like all border towns, the only thing you’ll find there is trouble.”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that. I’m going to the drug store to get a Coke. Can I get something for you?”
“Why, yes, that would be nice. Get me a large black coffee. Tell them it’s for me.”
“I will, sir.”
As he entered the drug store, he could see it was empty. He walked up to the counter and requested a large Coke and a large black coffee to go. “By the way — he said — Mr. Barkley told me to tell you the coffee was for him.” The lady laughed and said she would take care of it.
Jim looked around and asked if they had a pay phone. She pointed it out near the front door. He made his way to the phone, read the instructions and dialed the number he had written down at the post office. A lady answered: “City Hall. Can I help you?”
“I’d like to speak to Billy Bob.”
“Who’s calling and in what regard?”
“It’s Jim and the subject is hunting.”
“I’ll put you right through.”
When Billy Bob answered, he identified himself and told him he was free to ride to Atlanta on Thursday if it was still okay.
“Okay? You’ve made my week. Did you tell Mr. Barkley you were going with me?”
“No, sir. Mr. Barkley doesn’t like you very much.”
“What an understatement!”
“If it’s okay, I will just meet you in front of City Hall.”
“That’s a good plan”? Billy Bob said straight-faced. “Be there around 7:30 a.m. and just come on inside. I will have just completed my rounds and we can have coffee before we leave.”
“Billy Bob thanks so much. I will be there Thursday morning.”
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