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OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE

 

BY LOREN MOORE AND TERRY EVANS

 

LOREN WRITES;

 

TERRY CLIMBED ON HER HARLEY AND HEADED SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 69.  SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHERE SHE WAS GOING.  ALL SHE KNEW WAS SHE WAS GETTING OUT OF THIS ONE HORSE TOWN WITH ALL IT’S GOAT ROPERS AND BOOGER PICKERS.

 

 

TERRY HAD LOST HER FATHER IN THE GULF WAR, THEN TWO YEARS LATER HER MOTHER WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK.  TERRY WAS 18 AT THE TIME.  THE HARLEY HAD BEEN HER FATHER’S AND THAT’S ALL SHE HAD TO REMEMBER HIM BY.

 

SHE HAD WORKED IN A DONUT SHOP FOR A WHILE THEN WENT TO WORK AT A CHICKEN PLANT, RUNNING A BAND SAW.  WHEN SHE CUT THE TIP OF HER THUMB OFF, SHE QUIT THAT JOB.  THEN SHE GOT THE JOB AS MANAGER OF THE LOCAL DOLLAR GENERAL STORE.

 

DURING THIS TIME SHE HAD A BOY FRIEND, BUT HE WAS MORE INTERESTED IN HER HARLEY THAN HE WAS IN HER.  THEY HAD A FIGHT WHEN HE WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF ON HER HARLEY WITHOUT HER.

 

I DON’T MEAN A SCREAMING, CURSING, CALLING EACH OTHER BAD NAMES FIGHT.  I MEAN A KNOCK DOWN, BLOODY NOSE, BLACK EYE KIND OF FIGHT.  THE NEIGHBORS CALLED THE POLICE AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY HAD TO DRAG TERRY OFF HIM.  HE HAD A BROKEN NOSE, TWO TEETH MISSING AND A CHUNK OF HIS EAR WAS GONE.  TERRY HAD BIT IT OFF DURING THE FIGHT.

 

TERRY TOLD THE POLICE HE WAS TRYING TO STEAL HER HARLEY SO THEY TOOK HIM TO JAIL.  TERRY WENT BACK INTO HER HOUSE AND LOOKED IN THE MIRROR.  SHE HAD A BLOODY NOSE, BUT SHE DIDN’T THINK IT WAS BROKEN.  HER LEFT EYE WAS SWELLING SHUT. AND HER HAIR WAS A MESS.  SHE GOT A FROZEN BAG OF ENGLISH PEAS OUT OF THE FREEZER AND WENT OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH AND SET DOWN IN THE ROCKING CHAIR.  SHE HELD THE BAG OF ENGLISH PEAS TO HER LEFT EYE.  SHE DECIDED SHE WAS GOING TO LEAVE MUSKOGEE AND SHE WAS LEAVING IN THE MORNING.

 

AS SHE CROSSED THE RED RIVER, SHE KNEW SHE WAS IN TEXAS AND ON HER WAY TO DALLAS.  SHE FIGURED IT WOULD BE EASY TO GET A JOB IN A BIG CITY LIKE DALLAS.

 

TERRY WRITES;

 

A FEW MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS, TERRY PULLS INTO A REST AREA TO STRETCH AND WASH OFF SOME OF THE SWEAT.  IT'S HOTTER THAN HADES, SHE THINKS TO HERSELF.  SHE GRABS A CLEAN SHIRT AND TOOTHBRUSH OUT OF THE SADDLE BAG AND HEADS FOR THE RESTROOM.     SHE STOOD IN FRONT OF THE SINK LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AND WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR THE BRUISING ON HER EYE TO GO AWAY.   SHE HAD SURE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THESE LAST FEW YEARS.  THE LOSS OF HER PARENTS HIT HER HARD AND IT TOUGHENED HER UP TO THE POINT SHE DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE A GIRL MOST OF THE TIME. SHE BRUSHED HER TEETH, WASHED HER FACE AND ARMS, SMOOTHED HER HAIR BACK WITH HER FINGERS AND CALLED IT GOOD.     A WOMAN THAT HAD BEEN USING THE BATHROOM CAME OUT OF A STALL AND NOTICED THE SHINER IN THE MIRROR.  SHE TOLD TERRY, "YOU REALLY OUGHT TO LEAVE THE JERK THAT GAVE YOU  THAT BLACK EYE, HONEY."  TERRY CHUCKLED AND SAID, "I DID, HE'S BACK IN AN OKIE JAIL SOMEWHERE."    WHEN SHE LEFT THE RESTROOM SHE NOTICED THERE WERE A COUPLE OF ROUGH LOOKING GUYS STANDING BY HER BIKE ADMIRING IT.  ONE OF THEM WAS TALL AND SKINNY AND THE OTHER WAS A BIG BRUISER LOOKING GUY.   OH GREAT, SHE THOUGHT, MUTT AND JEFF JUST WHAT I NEED NOW.     "NICE BIKE YOU GOT HERE LITTLE LADY," JEFF SAYS.  "YEAH REAL NICE, KINDA BIG FOR SUCH A LITTLE GIRL LIKE YOU," MUTT POPS OFF.  "THANKS," SHE SAYS TRYING TO MAINTAIN HER COOL, "IT WAS MY DADS."  "WHERE'D YA GET THAT SHINER?" JEFF ASKS.  "WELL LETS JUST SAY THE GUY GOT A LITTLE TO CLOSE TO MY BIKE," SHE SAYS, LOOKING JEFF IN THE EYE.    THE TWO GUYS BACK UP A LITTLE, MUTT HOLDS OUT HIS HANDS, GESTURING HE DIDN'T WANT ANY TROUBLE.  "JUST ADMIRING THE BIKE, MEANT NO OFFENSE," HE SAID. "NONE TAKEN," SHE SAID.  "JUST NEED TO GET MOVING AGAIN."     SHE PUT HER DIRTY SHIRT AND TOOTHBRUSH DOWN IN THE SADDLE BAG, BUCKLED IT UP, CHECKED THE OIL AND FIRED IT BACK UP.  SHE CHECKED HER MIRRORS AND TOOK OFF.   LOREN WRITES:

WHEN TERRY GETS TO THE DALLAS CITY LIMITS SHE TAKES THE 635 LOOP WEST AROUND DOWN TOWN.  BEFORE SHE KNOWS IT SHE IS AT DFW AIRPORT EXIT.  SHE SEES A HIGHWAY SIGN THAT SAYS HIGHWAY 360 SOUTH SO SHE EXITED THE LOOP AND TOOK HIGHWAY 360.  IN A LITTLE WHILE TERRY SEES A SIGN THAT TELLS HER SHE IS IN ARLINGTON.

 

“NOW HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?” SHE THINKS.  “I THOUGHT I WAS IN DALLAS.”  TERRY BEGINS TO SEE MOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ALONG BESIDE THE ROAD.  SHE IS HUNGRY AND MAKES UP HER MIND TO STOP AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT.  TERRY NOTICES A SIGN FOR AN I-HOP RESTAURANT AHEAD AND SHE PULLS OVER ON THE ACCESS ROAD THAT LEADS INTO THE I-HOP PARKING LOT.  THERE IS AN EMPTY SPACE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR AND SHE PARKS HER HARLEY IN IT.

 

WHEN SHE IS SEATED SHE ORDERS A HAMBURGER AND A CHOCOLATE MILK SHAKE.  AS SHE IS WAITING FOR HER BURGER AND SHAKE, SHE IS LOOKING AROUND AND SHE SEES THIS OLD GEEZER IN THE NEXT BOOTH STARING AT HER.  “WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT POP?”

 

“EXCUSE ME FOR STARING, BUT THAT’S SOME SHINER YOU’VE GOT THERE.  ARE YOU IN TROUBLE?” THE OLD GEEZER ASKED.  “MY NAME IS LOREN AND I USE TO BE A COP.”

 

TERRY WASN’T USE TO STRANGERS OFFERING TO HELP AND SHE KNEW THAT THIS OLD GEEZER WASN’T JUST HITTING ON HER.  HE WAS TOO OLD FOR THAT.  SHE STARTED CRYING.  “THERE, THERE” SAID LOREN “DON’T CRY.  WHAT EVER IT IS, WE CAN FIX IT.”  LOREN BROUGHT HIS COFFEE CUP AND CAME OVER AND SET DOWN IN HER BOOTH OPPOSITE HER.

 

JUST THEN THE WAITRESS BROUGHT TERRY’S ORDER.  AS SHE ATE HER BURGER SHE TOLD LOREN THE WHOLE STORY OF THE BLACK EYE AND WHY SHE WAS HERE IN ARLINGTON.  SHE TOLD HIM SHE NEEDED TO FIND A PLACE TO STAY AND A JOB.

 

“WELL A PLACE TO STAY IS EASY.  YOU CAN STAY IN MY TRAVEL TRAILER SETTING BESIDE MY HOUSE.  IT IS AIR CONDITIONED AND HAS A VERY GOOD LOCK ON THE DOOR.  AS FAR AS A JOB THAT’S UP TO YOU.  WHAT KIND OF WORK ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?”

 

TERRY WRITES;

 

"WELL," SHE SAID, "I'VE DONE A LOT OF THINGS.  I'VE WORKED IN A DONUT SHOP, A CHICKEN PLANT AND AS A RETAIL STORE MANAGER.   SO I GUESS YOU CAN SAY I'M PRETTY VERSATILE, AND I DON'T MIND HARD WORK."  

 

"HOW MUCH WOULD YOU CHARGE ME TO STAY IN YOUR TRAILER?" SHE ASKED.    "AND PLEASE DON'T SAY NOTHING, I JUST CAN’T TAKE HANDOUTS, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS AND HELP, BUT I HAVE TO PAY MY OWN WAY."

 

LOREN CHUCKLED, "YOU SOUND LIKE ANOTHER WOMAN I KNOW. YOU'RE GONNA LOVE JOHNNIE, THAT'S MY WIFE AND SHE'S GOT SPIRIT JUST LIKE YOU, SHE’S HAD TO PUT UP WITH ME ALL THESE YEARS."

 

LOREN THOUGHT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND FINALLY SAID, "WELL I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN FIND OUT ABOUT JOBS, BUT FOR NOW IF YOU JUST WANT TO FOLLOW ME I'LL TAKE YOU OUT TO MY PLACE, SHOW YOU AROUND AND INTRODUCE YOU TO MY WIFE.  THINGS WILL LOOK BETTER AFTER YOU'VE HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP." 

 

TERRY SIGNALED THE WAITRESS THAT SHE WAS READY FOR THE CHECK.   SHE DROPPED SOME BILLS ON THE TABLE TO COVER HER FOOD, HIS COFFEE AND THE TIP AND THE TWO OF THEM HEADED FOR THE DOOR. 

 

 

LOREN WRITES;

 

 WHEN TERRY AND LOREN GOT TO LOREN’S HOUSE, JOHNNIE WAS WORKING IN THE FLOWER BEDS IN THE FRONT YARD.  “LANDSAGOSION” WHAT IS ALL THAT NOISE?” SHE ASKED LOREN AS TERRY PULLED UP ON HER HARLEY.

 

“THAT’S OUR NEW FRIEND, TERRY.  SHE’S GONNA BE STAYING IN THE TRAVEL TRAILER FOR A LITTLE WHILE” LOREN ANSWERED.

 

TERRY HAD RODE UP IN THE DRIVE WAY NEXT TO LOREN’S PICKUP.  SHE TURNED OFF THE HARLEY AND TOOK OFF HER HELMET.  SHE SHOOK HER HAIR OUT AND DISMOUNTED THEN WALKED OVER TO WHERE LOREN AND JOHNNIE WERE STANDING.

 

TERRY I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO MEET MY WIFE, JOHNNIE.  JOHNNIE THIS IS TERRY.  “WELL HI TERRY, I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE GOING TO BE STAYING WITH US FOR A WHILE.”

 

“LOREN SAID I COULD RENT YOUR TRAVEL TRAILER UNTIL I FOUND ME A JOB AND A PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE.  THAT IS IF IT’S ALRIGHT WITH YOU MA’AM.”

 

“I WON’T HEAR OF IT.  WE’RE NOT CHARGING YOU RENT TO STAY IN OUR TRAVEL TRAILER.  YOU CAN STAY AS LONG AS YOU WANT AND IT WON’T COST YOU A CENT.”  JOHNNIE WAS OUT RAGED WITH LOREN FOR EVEN SUGGESTING THEY CHARGE TERRY RENT.

 

TERRY ANSWERED, “NO MA’AM I CAN’T DO THAT.  I’M NOT TAKING NO HAND OUTS.”

 

“OH, I SEE” JOHNNIE SAID, “WELL WOULD YOU BE OPPOSED TO WORKING FOR YOUR RENT?  SAY IN THE EVENINGS WHEN YOU NOT OUT LOOKING FOR A JOB.”

 

“NO MA’AM NOT AT ALL.  I’M A LITTLE SHORT ON CASH AND LONG ON BACK BONE.  I CAN DO ANYTHING IF YOU JUST SHOW ME HOW.”

 

“WELL YOU CAN START BY CALLING ME JOHNNIE INSTEAD OF MA’AM.  NEXT YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS YARD WORK.  I’M 70 YEARS OLD AND IT’S JUST GETTING TO MUCH FOR ME.  FROM THE LOOKS OF THAT EYE, I’D SAY YOU ARE LONG ON SOMETHING BESIDES BACK BONE.”

 

TERRY REACHED UP AND TOUCHED HER BLACK EYE.  “ YES MA’A …ER JOHNNIE, I GUESS I’M A LITTLE LONG ON FIGHTING WHEN THERE’S A NEED TO BE.”  SO TERRY TOLD LOREN AND JOHNNIE THE WHOLE STORY BEHIND THE BLACK EYE.

 

“WELL COME ON, LET’S GET YOU SETTLED IN THE TRAILER.  LOREN, YOU GO PLUG IN THE ELECTRICITY AND TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER.  BE SURE TO HOOK UP THE WATER HOSE.”  JOHNNIE WAS GOOD AT GIVING ORDERS.

 

TERRY TOOK THE SADDLE BAGS OFF HER HARLEY AND FOLLOWED JOHNNIE INTO THE TRAILER.  IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE JOHNNIE AND TERRY WERE BACK OUTSIDE.  TERRY ASKED JOHNNIE WHAT SHE WANTED HER TO DO.  “YOU CAN HELP ME WEED THESE FLOWER BEDS IN THE FRONT YARD.  THEN YOU CAN DRAG THE HOSE OUT HERE AND WATER THEM.”

 

TERRY GRABBED THE HOE AND WENT TO WORK WEEDING THE FLOWER BEDS.  IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE HER TEE SHIRT WAS WET WITH SWEAT.  “HEY, SLOW DOWN.  WE DON’T HAVE TO DO ALL OF THEM TODAY.  THERE’S ALWAYS TOMORROW” JOHNNIE HOLLERED.

 

WHEN TERRY STARTED WATERING THE FLOWER BEDS, JOHNNIE TOLD HER SHE WAS GOING INSIDE AND FIX SUPPER.  “TERRY, YOU’RE GOING TO EAT SUPPER WITH US TONIGHT AND I’M NOT ASKING, I’M TELLING YOU.  IF YOU WANT ANOTHER BLACK EYE, JUST ARGUE WITH ME.”

 

TERRY WRITES;

 

"OKAY, IF IT'S ALRIGHT, I'D JUST LIKE TO FRESHEN UP A BIT FIRST," TERRY SAID.  "FINE WITH ME, DINNER IS IN HALF AN HOUR," SAID JOHNNIE.    TERRY WENT INTO THE LITTLE TRAVEL TRAILER AND GOT CLEANED UP, BRUSHED HER HAIR AND WAS BACK AT THE FRONT DOOR IN 25 MINUTES.  SHE HESITATED AT THE DOOR, THEN KNOCKED.  "COME ON IN HERE," SHE HEARD JOHNNIE HOLLER.    SHE FOUND HER WAY TO THE KITCHEN AND OFFERED TO HELP.  IT WAS A NICE PLACE AND HAD A HOMEY FEEL TO IT.  TERRY WAS STARTING TO RELAX A BIT AND FELT AT EASE WITH THESE GOOD PEOPLE.    AFTER DINNER THEY WENT OUT AND SAT ON THE PORCH FOR AWHILE TALKING ABOUT HOW JOHNNIE AND LOREN MET AND HOW THEY GOT THEIR DOG LITTLE FOX.  TERRY WAS VERY TIRED AND BEGGED OFF TO GO TO SLEEP PRETTY EARLY.   THE NEXT MORNING LOREN TOLD HER HE WOULD SHOW HER AROUND ARLINGTON AND SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT GETTING HER SOME WORK.  FIRST SHE WAS TO COME OVER AND GET SOME BREAKFAST.     DURING BREAKFAST JOHNNIE TOLD THEM SHE MIGHT AS WELL RIDE ALONG BECAUSE SHE NEEDED TO PICK A FEW THINGS UP IN TOWN.  THEY CLEANED UP THE TABLE AND DISHES AND ALL OF THEM PILED INTO LOREN'S TRUCK.   DURING THE RIDE INTO TOWN, TERRY NOTICED THAT WHENEVER ONE OF THE COUPLE WOULD START TO SAY SOMETHING THE OTHER WOULD FINISH THE SENTENCE.  IT WAS SO AMAZING THAT THEY KNEW EACH OTHER WELL ENOUGH TO DO THAT.  IT WAS ALMOST AS IF THEY COULD READ EACH OTHER'S MINDS AT TIMES.  TERRY WONDERED IF SHE WOULD EVER MEET SOMEONE THAT SHE COULD LOVE LIKE THAT. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, SOMEONE THAT SHE COULD STAND TO BE AROUND FOR MORE THAN A FEW WEEKS AT A TIME.  LET ALONE YEARS.   LOREN WRITES;

THE FIRST PLACE LOREN WENT TO WHEN THEY GOT TO

TOWN WAS THE GENERAL MOTORS ASSEMBLY PLANT WHERE HE USE TO WORK.  HE PULLED UP TO THE GATE AND RAN INTO THE GUARD HOUSE AND CAME BACK WITH AN APPLICATION.  THEN HE ASKED JOHNNIE WHERE SHE WANTED TO GO.

 

“LETS GO TO THE WAL-MART SUPPER STORE.  I CAN GET EVERY THING I NEED THERE.”

 

“OH GOOD” SAID TERRY “I CAN PUT IN AN APPLICATION THERE.  I’VE WORKED IN A STORE BEFORE.”

 

“NAW” LOREN SAID SHAKING HIS HEAD “THEY DON’T PAY

ENOUGH, YOU DON’T WANT TO WORK THERE.”

 

“HEY, BEGGARS CAN’T BE CHOOSERS.” TERRY EXCLAIMED.

 

THE THREE OF THEM WENT TO WAL-MART AND HELPED JOHNNIE BUY GROCERIES, POTTING SOIL AND SOME MORE PLANTS FOR HER FLOWER BEDS.  SHE ALSO BOUGHT A PRETTY YELLOW SUN DRESS FOR TERRY.  JOHNNIE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE TERRY ANOTHER BLACK EYE TO GET HER TO SHUT UP AND ACCEPT THE DRESS.

 

WHEN THEY GOT HOME, JOHNNIE AND TERRY FIXED SANDWICHES FOR THEIR LUNCH.  AFTER THEY ATE JOHNNIE AND TERRY WENT OUT SIDE TO WORK IN THE FLOWER BEDS.  LOREN WENT TO BED FOR A SIESTA.

 

THAT NIGHT AFTER SUPER, TERRY HEARD LOREN ON THE PHONE TALKING TO SOMEONE NAMED GEORGE.  SHE COULD HEAR ENOUGH OF HIS CONVERSATION TO KNOW HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HER. 

 

WHEN LOREN CAME BACK INTO THE DEN HE ASKED TERRY IF SHE HAD FILLED OUT THE APPLICATION FROM THE G. M. PLANT YET.  WHEN SHE TOLD HIM NO, HE HAD HER SIT DOWN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE AND FILL IT OUT.

 

“I DON’T KNOW IF I WANT TO WORK THERE.” SHE TOLD HIM.

 

“WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRING HOME ABOUT $450 A WEEK?”  LOREN ASKED.

 

“YOU MEAN $450 A MONTH DON’T YOU?”

 

LOREN SHOOK HIS HEAD, “NO I MEAN $450 A WEEK, $1800 A MONTH AND THAT’S WHAT YOU TAKE HOME AFTER ALL YOUR DEDUCTIONS.”

 

“MAN I NEVER MADE OVER $100 A WEEK IN MY LIFE.  OH, BUT DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD HIRE ME?”

 

LOREN LAUGHED AND SAID, “I KNOW THEY WON’T UNLESS YOU FILL OUT THAT APPLICATION AND TURN IT IN TO THE PERSONAL DEPARTMENT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.”

 

“OK, I’LL DO IT.”  THE FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING TERRY CLIMBED ON HER HARLEY AND WENT TO THE G. M. PLANT.  SHE WALKED INTO THE PERSONAL DEPARTMENT AND HANDED HER APPLICATION TO A MAN STANDING BEHIND THE WINDOW.  HE LOOKED IT OVER AND THEN LOOKED TERRY OVER.

 

OH NO, HE SAW MY BLACK EYE AND THINKS I’M A TROUBLE MAKER.  HIS GOING TO THROW ME OUTTA HERE.  TERRY THINKS.

 

THE MAN HAS A DEEP FROWN ON HIS FACE AND POINTS TO A DOOR NEXT TO THE WINDOW AND TELLS TERRY TO GO IN THERE.  AS SHE STEPS THROUGH THE DOOR SHE HEARS SOME ONE SAY, “GEORGE YOU’RE WANTED ON THE PHONE.”

 

LATER THAT MORNING TERRY RIDES HER HARLEY UP LOREN’S DRIVE, JUMPS OFF AND RUNS INTO THE HOUSE.  “I GOT IT. I GOT A JOB AT THE G. M. PLANT.  I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.” TERRY SHOUTS.

 

“LOREN I KNOW YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS AND I’LL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO YOU.”

 

“WELL, WILL YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME?” LOREN ASKED.

 

“JUST NAME IT AND IT’S AS GOOD AS DONE.”

 

LOREN LOOKED AT JOHNNIE AND JOHNNIE NODDED HER HEAD.  LOREN ASKED, “WILL YOU WAIT FOR 30 DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE OUT OF THE TRAILER?  WE’VE SORT OF GOT USED TO HAVING YOU AROUND.”