Mom

Usually when she wanted something, she made her point, and then it was time to talk. She loved to talk. She’d talk anyone’s ear off if given half the chance. So to make a statement and then hang up… that definitely didn’t sound like mom.

"What you and Harold flyin’ down to Cameron for?"

JD smiled. "Harold wanted Kyle, Eric, and myself to fly down to Cameron with him for the grand opening of that new casino."

"You mean that one where the girls will be wearing those skimpy bikinis."

"The very one." Smiled JD.

"Sounds like fun. Mom know anything about this?"

JD shrugged his shoulders; "I’m not for sure, I think one of the guys told her. You know, as a joke".

"Good luck on not losing an ear when you find her" Paul said laughing. "What time are you supposed to leave?"

"Harold wanted everyone to be at his place at 10:20, and we would leave somewhere around 10:35."

"Well brother, you better get to steppin’ cause it’s now close to 10:25."

JD looked at his watch. There was no way he could make it to Harold’s by 10:35, and still find out what Mom wanted.

Paul could see that JD was having problems dealing with this, so he thought he might offer up some help. "Look JD, go on over to Harold’s and fly down to Cameron. I’ll find Mom, and find out what she wants. If you give me a call at home this evening, I’ll tell you what she wanted. I’ll bet she probably just wants to yell at you for goin’ to a casino".

"Ya, I suspect you’re right about the yelling. You sure you don’t mind looking for her?"

"Na, what are big brothers for? Heck, maybe I can even take the edge of her yellin’."

JD jumped out of the truck and started running towards the front door of his Moms’ house. "I’ll be back in a second. I’m going to call Harold and tell him I’m running a little late."

A few minutes later JD walked out the front door of the house, and over to the truck.

Looking over to Paul he said, "Want to take a run down to Hilda’s with me. You know, see if Mom’s with Birdie?"

Paul started walking towards the truck, "Sure, why not?"

As Paul was getting in he looked over at JD, "I guess you changed your mind about flyin’ down".

"Ya, I told Harold to go on without me. Something inside kept saying, before I leave, find out what Mom wants."

"Well, you know JD, sometimes it’s wise to pay attention to that little voice."

Paul reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wrinkled card. "Oh by the way little brother, Happy Birthday".

JD took the card, read it, then laughed loudly; "You old dog, you remembered".

Paul laughed then said, "You know, maybe Mom just wants to give you a birthday present."

JD looked at him for a moment, smiled, then said, "Maybe, but I really doubt it."

JD pulled his truck in a parking space just outside of Hilda’s Café. As they were getting out of the truck, he noticed a lot of commotion going on across the street.

Making eye contact with Bob Smith he yelled, "Hey Bob, what’s going on?"

"Accident just outside of town. It seems a car went over the guardrail just a little past the bridge. Henrys’ got his tow truck down there, but he thinks he’s just a little short of cable and maybe horsepower."

"Well tell Henry if he needs me or my truck, it’s his."

"Will do JD."

JD and Paul turned and walked into Hilda’s Café. Looking around they took a seat at a vacant table.