So, the other day my Mom tells me she'll be staying at my Condo on the 3rd and the 6th. Told me she was heading out to LA. I said okay and somehow thought she meant Los Angeles. She show'd up on the 3rd and asked if I wanted to go. I figured, heck! This'll be fun, I needed a break anyhow. I took off Friday and it was a plan. Woke up Friday morning and I had a Corona for breakfast. Climbed into her massive truck and started off. She started telling me which highway to get on and a confused look took over my face. I said, “Where we going?”. She replied, “Baton Rouge!”. I blinked a couple times. I thought we were going to Los Angeles? I stuck Regina Spektor in the player and started my journey to Baton Rouge. I was so excited to be going somewhere it really didn't matter where.
Soon after we stop'd at one of those Highway Micky D's so everyone could get something to eat. I checked the tire pressure on all six of the tires - they were all different. I met this old man at the pump with time drawn across his face and all down his hands. Driving an old flat bed truck that showed just as much character. He put that truck up on a couple of wooden blocks and had it all cocked to the side. Curiosity overwhelmed me and I had to ask why. He told me, “If I don't do that the whore won't take any damn fuel! Just spits it right back at me.” Just as he spoke it suddenly started spitting fuel all over the place. He turned and spat a line of curses at it in return. Maybe that old whore was listening to him! I went inside and got myself an ice cream cone and an apple pie. I was just a few miles away from home but I felt free somehow; like I was on some adventurous journey that would drive the stress and thoughts of work from my mind. We were back on the highway.
Somehow I ended up on interstate 70 going east. Wasn't the road on our directions but it was a road going east and that is where we meant to go. We stopped again 247 miles later. The air was thick with an oil field county mix of fuel, old dirt, and cow shit. There were some cowboy lookin' men with big hats and dusty jeans spittin' & smokin' near their trucks. Across the road was a small patch of daises and some other purple flowers. I picked the most perfect daisy I could find and thought how I would give it to Madison if she was here. We got a tank of fuel and swapped out drivers. I debated a short nap vs. reading my book for a couple hundred miles. I read for awhile but my eyes were tired and we put a Dave Matthews CD in and I fell into his voice like a pillow. Soon I wasn't reading the book before me but rather drifting my thoughts in and out of his voice. My head rested back and my eyes quickly followed.
Suddenly my parents were lost and ranting like only an old married couple can. I recovered them from their madness and told them it'd be okay! Just keep going a little east and a little south. We'd get there eventually! I checked the map and we were in fact doing just fine. I rested back again, map still in my lap. Half dreaming; half awake; watching the world fly by my window. I thought of Madison. Half wishing she was here with me; half wishing I'd never met her. Soon I feel back into Dave Matthews's voice and the world around me blurred and disappeared. This was repeated several times over the next few hundred miles along with several calls from my boss needing to know how to do one thing or another.
We stopped again in Shreveport, LA. I was so excited! I got a drink and some chips at the station then we all got back in the truck and headed for interstate 49 which would take us to Alexandria. It must have been an act of God that allowed my step-father to navigate through downtown Shreveport and find interstate 49. I sat back and smiled at it all. Cars were everywhere driving in such a hurry and large buildings towered over us. Shreveport looked so huge to me, just then. Interstates circled and interconnected all around like spider webs held up by massive support beams. Not unlike most other large cities I suppose. We finally found interstate 49 and our journey continued.
Right at 7:25 I looked up from my book to see us driving down neighborhood roads with folks staring as we passed in our big truck and ragged camper. It was a rough side of town and each stare wore that look of worn and sad frustration. I asked what the heck we were doing! “Looking for gas!” came back. I told them they weren't going to find it here! “Why don't we head back to the interstate and find a truck stop along the way. That's what I would do.” Then I thought to myself.. No, No.. That is not what I would do at all. I would drive around till I was lost and enjoy every moment of it. I would find my way out eventually feeling like I had discovered something. But they did as I said and we pulled back onto the interstate. We were in Alexandria then. I saw the sun set to the west behind a few clouds just then. It was a beautiful thing! It is always so, I thought. I had been reading my book that whole time and was caught up in the mad excitement that poured from it. I began to convince them to drive to New Orleans tomorrow after the event. Already having secretly arranged to go out drinking with some friends that lived there.
Few miles down the road we found an Exxon. Stopped for fuel and I washed my pants that I'd spilt my drink on. Purchased a bottle of whiskey! Finally found a place selling it. I asked the lady at the counter for the fastest route to Baton Rouge. I was no longer interested in getting lost but excited about arriving there to find myself anything of interest! Also to finalize my plans in New Orleans. I took my bottle and returned to our voyager. My step father quizzed me for the travel information he knew I had acquired. I noticed as I spoke I was already taking on a little bit of the local accent. I've always done that, everywhere I go. In some ways I am like a mirror to my environment and those around me. The air here was rich with insecticide and a mild tone of diesel fuel. The city was void of life and you would not even know it was a city had there not been a sign to say so.
We got back into the truck and away we went. I put another Dave Matthews CD in replacing John Mayer. I thought to ask them to name the band; see if they could. I immediately thought of Madison and the story of how her brother used to ask her the same questions. She has told me that story three times now but I enjoyed hearing it each time. Maybe just because it was her talking to me? Or because it is a genuinely good story? Prolly some of both. I asked her brother about it once and he laughed and told me, “That girl be frabicatin' ”. Maybe she was? Either way I like the story and she can tell it to me another ten times if she wants. I'll listen. The sun was gone and the stars started to dot the sky. I couldn't read my book anymore so I got comfortable and made friends with my bottle of whiskey while I stared out into the night.
We arrived in Baton Rouge just before ten o'clock at Peewe's girlfriend's house; I wish I could remember her name. It was a small house made mostly of brick. They were an old couple, she was talkative - a little chatterbox of the night! He was quiet. Peewe was a short man with big ears and a long nose, a fat nose. He wore dirt covered jeans and a button up blue shirt. He spoke with a thick Cajun accent. I could barely understand anything he said! I loved him. He wore some house slippers and his 75 year old feet showed the miles of his life. She was 62 but didn't show many signs of it. Her voice was clear of any Cajun but carried a little bit of Louisiana. They started taking pictures and he started blushing and smiling so big that he couldn't even hold his eyes open! They had a little dog named Sweet Pea, 14 years old. He waddled about with moderate interest. I petted him for awhile as I watched my surroundings with childish glee. Sweet Pea finally curled up in his bed tired of all the excitement or just uninterested in it. Peewe said, “I usly ge va evrmorn-in' bow fouurthirty five o'clock n' make my coffeh.” He said some other things too but I couldn't understand him. I enjoyed listening to Peewe, wished he would just talk and tell me stories all night.
At about eleven o'clock more people show'd up. There were four of them. My brother's dad, Richard, his wife, Dottie, and then Uncle Ralph and his girl Tracy. Ralph had the whole biker look going with leather worn all over and a black bandana. He had a long white fluffy beard and wind burnt skin covered with various tattoos. His girl Tracy looked similar just with less leather and more womanly features. She was wearing black jeans and a wife beater t-shirt. Ralph and Tracy didn't talk much.
We headed out to Peewe's house where we would spend the night. I feel asleep along the way. Woke up and we were lost. My step-father Bill lost sight of them. He and my Mom were ranting at each other again in the same old married people fashion. I didn't offer much help, just enjoyed the chaos of it all. We went back out to the main road and stopped at a gas station. Ralph and his girl show'd up a bit later and we managed to follow them to Peewe's house with my mom constantly yelling at Bill to “driver faster! They're going to get too far ahead.” We finally got there around 1:30 Saturday morning. I ate a sandwich and went to bed - the backseat of our truck. I spent a bit of time star gazing before I feel asleep.
Woke up early as I always do! Never did care much for sleep. There is just so much else to do! Not this morning, No - Everybody else was still asleep. I read my book for awhile then folks started to stir about. I grabbed my bottle and book then climbed out of the truck to find some food and excitement! Went in their house and was handed coffee for my other hand. Whisky, Book, and Coffee I sat down and watched Peewe jitterbug to Cajun music on the TV. This didn't last long and they were headed out somewhere. I didn't even get to finish my coffee. Out the door and to the porch I went. Sat down with my book and finished my bottle of whiskey. Around eleven my mom yelled, “Bruce! Loadup!”. She told me after we had lunch with my brother's Grandma we would be free! I already was thinking of New Orleans and hoping lunch would go fast. We left there and soon I saw the first Washeteria of my life! I was amazed and yelled at everyone to look.
We stopped at Peewe's girl's house again. They left to get something, said they'd be back in an hour. I tried to sit there for a bit but I was going crazy! I had to do something. I walked down the road and another road. Maybe about a mile. I found a pool hall and got myself some “local beer.” It was pretty good. Right then I decided that for every state I visit I would try their local brew. Just as I received my second bottle my phone rang. It'd only been about 20 mins but they were all back. Pissed and throwing fits cause I went off and wasn't there waiting. Oh well! I swallowed that beer down quick and ran the mile back to them. Hopped in the truck and we were off to Captain D's! Wait a damn minute.. We're going to Captain D's for this ladies 90th birthday? I wondered if it was her favorite place in the world or something. When I turn 90 (yes, When) I expect something like a little unfranchised Italian restaurant full of character and thick with smells of another world.
She was born in 1917. Ninety years old that day. She was different. She still carried the spirit of a child inside her. It's almost immediately spotted on some folks. You can see it in their eyes; hear it in their voice; for some you can even feel it coming out of them. She smiled at me nonstop the entire time I was there. I genuinely shared that smile with her. It was like we both understood something about each other and instantly appreciated the other because of it. Her name is Ollie and she was at that moment my Hero in life. I hope to be like Ollie in 60 years. I hope to be like Ollie my entire life. We ate food, cake, shared jokes, smiled, cheered, sang songs, all the normal goings of a birthday party. Things ended and she left as did we. Before she was gone however I hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Keep that smile forever.” She smiled back at me, understanding me fully.
The lunch took longer than I had expected and instead of finding the fun of Baton Rouge we just went straight from lunch to New Orleans. With precise instructions from my friends we made it into New Orleans and arrived at their shop. I walked in the door to meet them in person for the first time. I meet Chad first who previously was “Nutter” to me. Then Adrian walked up with her daughter Mel. Mel has always been Mel but Adrian was previously Lilla. Chad had a slight Cajun accent and was about my height and in pretty decent physical shape. Mel was a shy little girl - but adorably so! She hid behind Adrian's leg and peered at me questioningly. Adrian was as lovely as I could ever have imagined her to be. She wasn't all prissy like many girls but comfortable looking like a hug from an old friend. We hashed out introductions quickly and soon Chad offered to show me around. This was far more than I expected but I was already thankful!
We got in our cars and I followed them into the city. After finding some parking we headed out on foot. My step-brother and his wife took off on their own. Guess they didn't want to hang out with us. We walked somewhat aimlessly though the various New Orleans districts looking for Bourbon Street. Music, bright lights, clubs, bars, restaurants, and outdoor drink stands covered the streets. People of all types crowded the roads doing the same thing we were doing. Walking around and looking for whatever. I was looking around like an amazed little boy so full of excitement! We found a shop where I got a shirt and cap; this would allow me to prove my journey! I thought of Madison and wished she was here. Excitement at every corner and I wanted to share it with her even though lately she seems to pay me no mind. I thought about how I just wanted to be drunk on her love and how she was having no part of it.
We searched for and then found a Cajun restaurant. It was almost empty when we first got there. I wanted something more eventful but after I saw the waitress I decided we would eat there. She was instantly striking to me. With a busy look and such a small frame. Her face held sharp tones and endless character. She spoke with some accent I could not place and each phrase followed by almost a smirk of a smile but it was such a lovely smile. She aimed that smile directly at me and with each short conversation I found her more and more enchanting. I wondered what if I was not leaving this city in just a couple hours - Ohh what if. She was giving me sweet smiles and approving looks all night, not just the typical waitress looks. But perhaps she was just giving a good show? I didn't care. I'd been feeling horribly neglected lately and I truly enjoyed the attention. We ordered our food and soon a band arrived. People poured in and suddenly I had everything I wanted. Fine food, fine drinks, one lovely girl, and excitement growing like wildfire all around me. We ate fish and alligator then we were soon dancing to the music. I found some other lady there to play spoons on my chest where a band member had hung some metal contraption. It was lovely! This new girl said she would follow me anywhere! She attached to my back and put her arms around me playing spoons on my new metal vest as we walked and danced around the room meeting everybody in the place. A bit later we put the metal thingy on Adrian and she was soo shy! But we forced her up and got some random guy to play spoons on her! She was red as could be and it was adorable.
Things calmed down and we all headed out. I was sad and not at all ready to go. I danced down the street in a different way for each style of music we passed by. We came by a trance club and I so wanted to go inside and dance all night long - but I just kept on walking toward the cars with everybody else. We got there and we all gave our farewells to one another. I hugged Adrian goodbye to confirm my suspicion. I was right. Shook Chad's hand and thought of how genuinely nice of a man he was. I will forever be thankful of them both. We were back on the road soon. I drove out of the bright city into the darkness of the night. I watched as the stars showed themselves in the sky and in a dreamy daze of love and excitement I drove all night long with the exception of a couple short breaks where my step-dad drove for an hour. The trip back was quite filled with nothing more than the dark night sky.