Write Me a Love Story

Write Me A Love Story

By

Retta Michaels

Disclaimer:

If you are under the age of eighteen, or live in a locale which doesn't allow you to read these sorts of stories legally, then please don't. Come back when it's legal for you to do so and it will be great with us who are here legally. In fact, we'll support you and in the right circumstances help get you laid. Now, skedaddle and shut the door on your way out!

Now, for the rest of you who are supposed to be adults, act like it!

Notes from Retta,

Many of you have written you'd like to see "Write Me" go through the construction progress.

I'm happy I already had obliged before a major re-write had to occur. We will be getting to the construction process, but we have a few more characters to add to the story. We're still in character development which means the story as we know it is still building... amazing as it seems.

Secondarily, starting in this chapter, you the reader will see a new style of writing from me. I'm

doing my best to cut out the "I said" "He said". As a writer, that's been almost an addiction with me. I've been really afraid I was going to confuse you. Instead, I seem to annoyed the hell out of you. Over 50 emails and counting annoyed! I apologize and it's changed.

Chapter 5

When we left, Stu turned to me and asked, "What's on your mind?"

"I just worry about things. One thing you'll learn about me is I get into the plans of everything so much I become obsessed with it. With this, it's something which has your business face on the line and I don't want anything to be wrong."

"Jer, Jer, Jer, With everything as it is, how can you mess it up? Anything you do is going to be an improvement! You've listened to me through it all, and I'm trusting you because a lot of what I want is going into it. That not only makes me happy, it's making me proud."

"Well, I just worry."

"I know, you want things to go right and they will. I'm satisfied with everything you've done. It's strange because I've felt so stagnant for a while and now, it's like everything is breaking loose and going the right direction."

"I understand, it's the same for me. Up north, I was feeling smothered for so long and down here, I'm free. It's a great feeling."

"Tell me! Do you know how long Eddie's been dead?"

"No, how long's he been gone?"

"Ten years. For the past ten years, I've been going through the motions and I've just been doing things by wrote."

"That had to've sucked."

"Not really. I didn't realize it because I was so caught up on the mundane. Then, you walked in to my life and it's like a breath of fresh air. You call me on things like you did tonight and it feels good to have someone care."

"I didn't mean to get so dramatic there, but I heard Eddie's voice and he stressed something was wrong. He wants you to go."

Silence enveloped the car as we drove the narrow twisty blacktop down towards the lake. I wasn't really paying attention and when I looked up, I saw a deer to the right. As quick as a flash, he jumped out right in front of the car. I let out a yell and Stu attempted to swerve to keep from hitting him.

The car went over the middle line and we hit him with a huge bang. The hood crumpled and I wasn't really worried until Stu let out a yell. We plunged forward and went off the road. The car lurched downward and the ride became bumpy.

The deer was still being pushed by the car and up on the hood. He gave a look like he was panicked and I'm sure the looks on our faces were frightful. I know for me, there was no more yell. I was watching trees go by and I'm doing a long "whoa....oh....oh....oh...." when all of a sudden, I see the embankment rising upward at such an angle, I knew there was no way we'd be able to go up. I started to brace myself when WHUMP! We hit.

The air bags of the car hadn't deployed hitting the deer, but they sure did with a bang when we hit the embankment. The sudden stop and the force in which the air bag exploded surprised me. The long drawn out "Whoas" and "Ohs" I was doing went to "Eek " seeing the embankment to "Umph" when the car stopped.

Now, I don't know about other people's situations, but I'd always thought an air bag deploying was soft. I thought it didn't hurt. Man, was I wrong. It was like being hit with a pillow in a pillow fight but the pillow being about seventy five pounds. The dust that flew through the car afterwards burned my skin.

Don't get me wrong, I was thankful to be alive, but that poor deer was crushed between the grill and the hill. He didn't move and the odd thing about it was the headlight on Stu's side was still shining.

I looked over at Stu and he was sitting there froze with fear. I said, "Are you alright?"

"Um...yeah....that was something else. I'm sorry about your car."

"Don't worry about the car, are you alright?"

"Yeah, that airbag saved me, but man, that thing sure hit didn't it."

"Yeah, I thought they were soft."

"Mine wasn't!"

"Mine neither. That was like getting hit with a seventy five pound pillow."

"Make that a hundred and you're closer. That poor dear."

"Yeah, but the main worry is you're o.k."

"I'm o.k. Well, let's get out and see what we did."

I was able to open my door and got my seat belt loose. My seat belt was surprisingly really hot to the touch. "Ummm, watch out for your seatbelt, they're hot."

"Oh yeah they are, that's strange."

"I've never been in a wreck before, it's weird."

"Me neither...and the one I am in, I ruined your car."

"Stu, don't worry about the car. It's replacable. You aren't."

"That's sweet, but I'm glad you're o.k. Umm, Jer, I can't get out my door. It won't open."

"Then climb over this side and we'll get out this side. Oh my god, where's Gyp!"

Panic immediately came over me. I looked in the back seat and didn't see her. Immediately, the worst case went through my mind and I let out a strangled cry, "Gyp!"

I looked down at the floorboard and saw the box from the bar-b-que place. It was on top of her. I threw it off and she was laying there it looked like she was bleeding. I screamed and she jumped up looking at me. She licked my face and I smelled bbq sauce. I hugged her and started laughing.

"Is she O.k.?"

"Yeah, it was bar-b-que sauce. I thought she was bleeding."

"Oh, I couldn't face it if anything had happened to her too."

"She's o.k., I think she's happy to get the leftovers."

Stu started laughing and said, "That was a helluva delivery. Here kid, have a chicken leg at fifty miles an hour."

Gyp turned and looked at him. As soon as she realized it was him, she lunged from me to him. He gave her kisses and got the sauce all over him.

"Gyp, let me get out of the car and I promise the next chicken legs you get won't be so fast."

He handed her to me and began to climb over the console. I put Gyp down and said, "Sit."

She sat and I pulled Stu on over to the side With grunts and groans, we got out of the car.

Stu looked up at me."That was a helluva ride, wasn't it?"

"Yeah babe, it was. How far do you think?" I said looking up the embankment. I don't know, but it's going to be a helluva hike. That tow truck driver is going to have his work cut out for him on this one. You got your cell phone?"

"Yeah, let me see if we have a signal."

I pressed the green button and stood there. I waited and nothing. "No signal, maybe we'll get one up on the road."

"Let's hope. If we don't, then we'll have to walk to the nearest house which I don't think is close. It's probably a mile."

"Gyp, you stay close. Stu, grab my hand and we'll help each other up this...."

"Hey, you guys O.k.?"

I looked up to the road and saw someone silloutted by headlights behing them.

"Yeah, we're o.k., but the car's ruined."

"Stay right there and I'll throw down a rope...that way you won't have a problem getting up."

"Stu, grab the insurance papers from the glove compartment. I don't want to have to come down to get them."

"Good thinking"

We stood there and a few moments later a yellow nylon rope was thrown down.

"Grab ahold of that and hold onto it. I'll back my car up and it will help you climb the hill."

In theory, it would've worked. As soon as the rope started moving, it started going at an angle and up against the trees.

"Stu don't grab that. It's going up against those trees."

"Help me, I've got it wrapped around my hand!"

Stu started moving forward and I could see him franticly trying to get his hand lose from it. I started yelling, "Stop! STOP! STOP!" At the same time, I was having to climb the hill to help him. Fortunately, it wasn't moving fast.

"How'd you get it in that knot!"

"It wasn't hard, it did it itself!"

We were talking excitedly at the same time we were moving and trying to get the knot undone. It was like a noose around his wrist and all I could think was we'd made it through the wreck and I was going to see him hurt by the help we were receiving.

The rope stopped moving and I heard a car door slam.

"Sorry guys, I didn't think of it going sideways."

With the stopping of the rope, we were able to get the knot loosened enough to get his wrist loose.

"Is it o.k.?"

"Yeah, no damage. Let's get up the hill before it goes around our necks."

"Grab ahold of my belt loop and I'll pull us."

"I can get it."

"Stuart, grab ahold of me. I'll pull. You'll get too tired."

"Man, you're worse than him. Only my mom ever hits that tone of voice with me."

"Well, I'll be sure to let her know."

"She's dead."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"She would have loved you."

"I'm sure I would have loved her too."

He grabbed ahold of the back of my pants and I began pulling. The hill wasn't real steep. It was long though. I began to get winded fast and just about the time I was getting tired, I felt the rope began moving again.The man at the top of the hill was pulling it like a tug-of-war.

When we got to the road, I still couldn't see the man's face.

"Yyyyou o.k.?"

"Yeah, we're o.k. We hit a deer and then the world went insane."

"I saw it. Wwwwell, I saw your tailllllights go over."

"Wow, I know who you are now!"

He laughed and Stu smiled. "Hi Mel. How are you?"

"I'd bbbe doing fine if I didn't have to rescue your ass. If I knew it was you, I would have left you."

He said it with such a smirk on his face, I knew it was a good natured jibe. Stu smirked and said, "Well, under normal circumstances, I'd go back down and wait for someone else to come rescue me, but I guess I should be thankful."

"Yeah, you better bbbe!"

"You going to introduce me, or do I have to introduce myself here?"

Mel smiled, "I fffigured you two kkknew each other. You bbbeing in the same cccar and all." He looked down at Gyp who was at his feet and said, "Hi there! What's your name?"

He knelt down and Gyp immediately stood up on her hind legs to give him kisses.

"That's Gypsy Rosa Lee. She's the best trained cocker spaniel on this planet." Stu said with pride.

"Hi Gypsy! Man, would my little dogs at home like to play with you. What's that you got all over you?" He looked up at us and said, "She's hhhurt!"

"No, that's bar-b-que sauce, it got spilled on her in the impact."

"Well girl, you need to tell them to stop feeding you so rough!"

I chuckled and realized when he was in his falsetto voice, he didn't stutter. In his normal voice, he stuttered a bit.

"Try your phone and see if you can reach anyone."

Mel looked up from playing with Gyp, "There's no need. I hit my OnStar the second I saw you go over. They've got a highway patrol and a wrecker heading here."

"Thanks." We said in unison.

"Wwwell, it's o.k., I'll take cccredit for saving you, bbbut if word gets out I sssaved him, I'll be the lllaughing stock of Branson."

Stu decided to introduce me to Mel at that moment, "Mel, I'd like you to meet Jeremy. He's my new love. Jer, meet Mel....whom I hope will keep his mouth shut about saving me."

They both laughed and I went over and gave Mel a hug.

"I know who you are, we saw you back in 1977 in Quincy, Illinois."

"You must've ssseen sssomeone who lllooked like me as I'm nnnot that old." Mel joked."I'm nnnot a day over uh uh uh ...ttthhhirty nine!"

Stu laughed, "That's his story and he's sticking to it."

We all laughed when we saw a squad car pull up with it's light on.

"You boys o.k.?"

"Yeah, we're alright. The car's totalled, but we're o.k. We hit a deer."

Stu added, "When we hit it, I couldn't get it to steer. We went on over."

"One moment, I'll cancel the first responders, but I'd like to have the ambulance come to check you out."

"O.k."

I went over to the squad car and handed out my insurance papers towards the guy. He looked up at me and said, "What are those for?"

"I figured you'd need them."

"No, I'll just need to check your I.D. And whomever was driving the car. Any insurance issues will be between you and your insurance. I'll go ahead and look at them so you can have it on an accident report if you want one."

"I imagine we'll need one."

"What sort of insurance do have?"

"It's Progressive."

"Good, I'll give her a call. She'll probably come and cut you a check."

"That's fast."

"Yeah, she works fast. Amazingly fast. But make sure you both are o.k., before you take the check."

I turned to Stu, "He needs your driver's license."

Stu walked over and Gyp followed. She went right over to the patrol car and jumped up on the officer's lap. He looked at her and said, "Well hi there!"

She looked up at him, and gave him a look like, "Let me drive!"

"She's real friendly. What's that smell on her?"

"Bar-b-que sauce, she got supper spilled on her in the wreck."

"Oh, well girl, you need to get a bath."

I went over and took her and said, "We all do now."

Just then is when I saw more flashing lights. I heard a diesel engine and saw it was the tow truck.

Mel was standing in back of his Escalade. He went to get in and moved it forward so the tow truck could maneuver.

"Stu, Mel's not leaving?"

"No, he's going to give us a ride home."

"O.k., I need to make sure I get his address so I can send a thank you card."

"We'll invite them to dinner. You'll love his wife. The two of them are a tag team comedy act."

"Just the same, I'll get their address and send flowers or something. You two sure are friendly."

"Yeah, we started down here at the same time. The society circuit gave them a rough time and they ate with Eddie and I a lot at the Dairy Queen."

"Oh, sounds to me like they can be really hateful."

"No, they're a closed click and I'm pretty sure they exclude outsiders so they can't be seen for how ignorant they really are. The ones who are friendly are great though."

We were talking in front of the patrol officer and he was silently smiling the whole time. He handed Stu back his I.D.. He looked at me and said, "You're a bit far from home. It's not season around here for many outsiders."

"No, I'm down here writing a book and working construction on his business."

"You'll do good down here if you're legit and don't take people for rides."

"I'm legit and I hope they get their money's worth."

"You'll do fine then. You shouldn't have too hard of a time with the society crowd. I'll tell my wife and she'll get you invited to some things."

"Oh, I'm sorry if we offended you."

"No, I'm in complete agreement with what you two are saying. You couldn't have hit the nail on the head any harder. A lot of these people don't have good educations and they're a bit worried about being seen by newcomers as stupid. Once you get beyond that, they're good people and once they let you in, you'll find a culture which is amazing. The Ozarkeans are different and they prefer to stay that way. Their idea of culture is getting together for a quiet evening and singing the old country music and spirituals around a fireplace or outside around a campfire."

"That sounds neat."

"It is. I was from the outside and fortunately, I met my wife on her class trip. Since then, it's been great, I was accepted down here and I've been sheriff for almost twenty years."

"Oh, you're the sheriff. I thought you were the highway patrol."

"No, we get these calls. I take it you've never had a wreck before. Your driving record is spotless."

"Neither one of us."

"Well, down here, I'd say everyone's hit a deer or three. My suggestion is you take a look at all the four wheel drives around town and see the crash bars they've got on the front of them. Those are the people that've hit the three."

I chuckled and said, "A four wheel drive sounds like it'd come in handy."

"Yeah, but with the cost of vehicles now, you need to protect it. That's why they do the crash bars. If you're interested, I can introduce you to someone who will get you a good deal on some."

"That'd be nice, but I'm not sure what kind of vehicle I'll be getting."

"Well, if you stay down here, you'll probably want to learn all you can about driving up there in town. During season, you won't be able to get much movement during the hours after ten a.m., and that goes all the way up until eleven p.m.., I'm afraid. That's why we have a hard time getting legitimate contractors down here. None of them want to work with those hour ranges."

"Hopefully, most of my work will be done before that, and what I need will be delivered."

"That's smart on your part. Another pointer I'd recommend during season is to work all night long with spotlights. A number of the suppliers will work with you if you ask."

"That's great. I hadn't thought of that."

"When you two get invited to dinner at my house, I'll introduce you to a lot of people who will help you."

"That'd be great."

"And, don't worry about you two being together. We overlook those things."

Stu and I looked at each other.

"Boys, the way you two are together, only a blind man could see you aren't. Stu there has touched your shoulder a couple of time and once you were holding his hand."

I knew I let out a sigh of relief and so did Stu.

"Well, thanks."

About then is when the ambulance arrived.

"Boys one other thing real fast. If you have any problems with anyone...I mean anyone down here, you give me a call at home. I patrol these roads during the night for a reason."

The way he said that brought alarm bells off within me, but I'd never thought about the good old boys being vigilantes before, but then again, I wasn't from these parts.

"You shouldn't have a problem, but just the same, we'll trade phone numbers. You run that water show up there, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do, but he'll be running it with me from here on out."

"We're glad to have you. You don't charge a lot and the locals like shows which aren't all high in cost. That one up there has a row to hoe because he charges a high cost."

"I bet he doesn't know that. Do you think if he made it known he has lower prices for locals, they'd see him different."

"They might be better, but he hasn't yet, and a lot of people have long memories if he suddenly changed now."

"I'll talk with him. Coming from someone who's new down here, he probably will. It'd be nice if everyone would do that."

"Yes, it would, but some are just in it to make money."

"Well, let me see what I can do to change that."

"Boy, I'm liking you more and more. You don't think of yourself, you think of others. That's why you're going to do good down here. I can just feel it. But, do me a favor, don't run for sheriff."

He chuckled and I did too. "Wouldn't do it, a good friend of mine has that job already."

He patted my back and said, "Let's get you looked at by them ambulance people. I'll put your dog in my car for safe keeping."

Gyp hopped in his car and I closed the door. The sight of her watching us walk up the road was funny. I knew she felt left out of meeting new people as she saw the ambulance people.

Stu said to me, "Jer, that guy's really nice. I've never thought of that. I bet things will change once the shows all know that. As you can see, it's an us versus them mentality. What's great is in one full swoop, you've got them won over. I hate your car getting smashed, but maybe this is the best thing that can happen."

"Yeah hon, it'd be great if we could become one full town instead of severed factions as it sounds."

"Don't get your hopes up though, he wasn't kidding about some of the night riders being mean."

"What aren't you telling me? They didn't do anything to you did they?"

"Back when Eddie and I were first down here, we got shot at. We weren't hurt, but I think they wanted us to be scared and leave. That didn't happen....we were too far in debt to leave. Instead, we bought a gun and when we heard noises at night, we shot out the door and made sure people knew we weren't going to go easy. It seemed to work. Bullies only pick on the easy targets."

We went to the ambulance and got checked. Nothing was wrong with us except for the burns we received from the airbags. We were told to take showers and it'd heal on it's own.All I knew was it felt like a sunburn.

The wrecker pulled my car up and the sheriff asked, "You want to donate the deer or keep him?"

"Is it worth keeping? It got crushed by the grill."

"It was just it's legs, the upper quarters and flanks are all still good. It'll make some nice round steaks."

"Umm, I don't really want it. I'd like to keep the rack though. Do you know a family that could use the meat?"

"Yeah, one immediately comes to mind. I'll go give them a call and get it over to them. I think that wrecker driver was planning on keeping it for himself, otherwise, he would have left it down there."

"Oh, well, if someone needs it worse than him, then they'll get it."

"He'll understand. In a way, he'll look at you as being a man's man because you kept it. It's probably a good idea. That way, when he sees you around, he'll be less apt to run his jaws."

"I never thought of that."

"Yeah, and the family who receives it will be telling others about how nice you were to them which is also good. I'll get you a taxidermist who will not charge you much once he's heard what you've done."

We'd just gotten back to my car when I took a look at the damage. Stu paid the tow truck driver and said to go ahead and haul it to the impound lot. I got my tapes, cds, maps, and my St. Christopher's wings from it. I used the box which supper had came in. The box was still usable, but my car was worse than I imagined.

As we were looking at the car, the white Progressive truck pulled up. I looked at Stu and he said, "Guess who's switching over to them when it's time to renew my insurance?"

"Maybe we can do a joint account by then."

"That'd be nice, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, why don't we ask while they're here?"

"The Progressing woman got out and came over. She hugged the Sheriff and said, "Daddy, what've we got?"

"Baby, we've got some really nice guys. They hit a deer and their car got totalled."

"It does look that, doesn't it!"

She came over and shook our hands. We explained to her what happened and the sheriff handed her his accident form. She sat on the back tailgate of her truck and I saw the printer and laptop she had in it. The setup was something which amazed me. They certainly knew how to do business.

"Well, here's what I've got. Your car looked to be new and in excellent shape, right?"

"Yeah, there was a scratched spot on the driver's door, but other than that, it was in good shape."

"Daddy tells me the car was in excellent condition. That scratch probably happened on the way down that hill, so let's just get you the most we can, o.k.?"

I smiled.

I looked over at Stu and he was grinning like a cheshire cat.

She did her key work on her laptop and asked a few questions at to what my car had and didn't have as far as options went. I told her the truth and told her I had added wire wheel covers which weren't an option for that year which were the previous year. She nodded and said, "So, would you say those wheel covers were worth seventeen hundred dollars?"

I was shocked. "I don't think so, I only paid around forty dollars for them at a salvage yard."

She smiled, "Those wheel covers are a rare option on those cars. They're worth quite a bit of money. I imagine if you went to that impound lot to retrieve anything from the car, I'd suggest those wheel covers....IF they haven't been stolen already.

I do have a check I can draw you. It's the best I can do, otherwise we have to go into arbitration. I don't suggest that as I've embellished the report a little and you won't get as much as I've gotten you. I'll do this for friends, and family. My daddy basicly welcomed you into the family and you didn't know it."

"How much will I receive?"

She showed me the figure and I was impressed. The car was only three years old and she'd gotten me a total that only had me paying ninety dollars a year to drive it. It was paid off, so there weren't any attachments to the title.

She said, "Is this satisfactory?"

I nodded and looked at Stu. He wasn't able to contain his smile.

"O.k. Draw us the check and then we need to ask you a few questions."

She printed out the check and some forms and had me sign on the dotted line. By this time, Mel was over watching with interest. She looked up and frowned. She didn't say anything.

"Ttthat's quite a setup yyyou got there. I'm impressed.", Mel said.

"You probably couldn't get a good deal insuring through me." The way she said it was short, curt, and to the point. Part of me was irked by how she'd treated him, but I understood both sides didn't know the other's take on things. Immediately, I thought of the Hatfields and the McCoys and that mess.

"I don't imagine, everything's higher here than it was in Tennessee. That's why I've kept our address there."

Stu said, "Mel, I need to speak with you for a moment."

He took Mel over to the Escalade and I spoke with her. "He's probably over there telling Mel about what people really think of the stars here. Mel doesn't realize he's doing anything wrong by not discounting locals. I imagine by the time they're done talking, Mel will be discounting locals."

She smiled and said, "If he does, he'll find things suddenly get cheaper here in town. Was that your idea?"

"Well, it's credited to me, but not really."

"You'll fit in here. We don't care for someone who is only interested in the dollar bill. Our people have done without money for so long, they really resent it when that's all that some of these people are after."

"It might've been good to ask to speak with the stars and see if they would've gave discounts."

"No, then if it was given, it wouldn't have been from the heart. They've had time to realize how it feels to do without when we've been scalping them of those dollars."

I had the check in my hands and said, "Your mama is going to invite Stu and I to dinner, I'd like to get to know you better. You're someone who doesn't hide what she feels and I know where I stand with you. That's a quality in a friend I appreciate."

She smiled and said, "Stu's a good man. He's been through hell here. We basicly took a hands off approach with him because he was the lowest priced show up there. We didn't feel he was gouging everyone. When his lover died, we all felt a moment of loss. We could tell they loved each other. I know if you keep in company with him, you'll do good here. If you go with some of the others who are gay, you'll find a whole bunch of people will be turning their backs on you and life will get rough."

"I'm planning on taking it the distance with Stu. It's strange, but we've not known each other long, but the length of time doesn't matter, it's the quality he's shown me."

"You sound like it's came after a real bad affair?"

"It was. I jumped into something with someone and then didn't know when to jump out. Finally, enough was enough and I got out."

"That's a shame, even in a break up, you still don't elaborate on the bad things to others. I like that."

"It's a learning thing. Stu knows what went on and that's the one that matters. All the others don't. Now, if my ex's new love interest comes knocking at my door asking for a reference....well, let's just say I'd probably not be so nice."

She laughed out loud, "I probably wouldn't do any different. That's funny!"

She stood up and said, "Our business is done, Daddy has your dog over there and I think he's wanting to speak with me to make sure I got you two a good deal."

I put my hand on her arm, "Do you have a moment to spare? Stu and I have a few questions in regards to insurance. We could ask them later, but we've got you here now."

"Sure, I'll go tell Daddy you two are done up right and you go get him. If the other fella decides to lower his rates, tell him to come over and I'll lower mine too. I'm sure we can beat anything Nashville is making him pay."

I walked over towards them and heard them speaking. They were joking.

Mel looked up, "You done already?"

"Yeah, for my business. How about you?"

Stu interupted me by saying, "He didn't have any idea. He's going to change it starting tomorrow."

"Well, you might want to come over and discuss insurance. I think yours just got cheaper."

Mel smiled and said, "They're not different from Oklahoma at all. The indians over there did the same when dealing with us."

I turned to Stu. "She's going to discuss with us about insurance jointly. I've not asked yet, but she knows we have something on our minds regarding insurance."

We all walked back over and when we got there, she held out her hand to Mel and said, "Let's start over. You pretend you're a new star up on the strip and I'll pretend you didn't gouge us all those years."

I chuckled "Easy girl, if you pull those fangs in a little bit, you won't totally rip out his jugular."

She laughed a delightful chuckle, "Sorry, there's a bit of animosity there. I'm one that enjoyed your singing enough to pay full price. Your first theater was beautiful, but I won't go pay full price to see the second."

"I dddidn't realize that's wwwhat the problem was...honestly."

"There aren't many up there that do....well, Mr. Reddington over there is the only one. I think he just likes to keep his prices low as he has low overhead."

"I can't get my tickets down to meet his price. I've got over fifty people to feed."

"We're not asking for slash and burn pricing. We're asking for the time being having prices which give us a discount. Let's say.....forty percent."

"That's fair, I was gggoing to go lower, bbbut thats's fair."

"Man, I just screwed a whole bunch of my people." She laughed.

Mel chuckled and said, "No you didn't. That price will include everything in my building ffrrom the pppeanuts and pppopccorn to the tttshirts and so on."

"Oh, well that's not bad. Not bad at all. If you do that, then I think you'll find things a whole lot more hospitable in town."

"It's happening tomorrow morning and as soon as I get it done, I'll be making calls and getting a meeting together of all the others. I'm sure they don't know either. Stu said we could start checking I.d.'s and when we see a local, we could give them a local price. What would you suggest for a distance to go out...fifty miles?"

I noticed Mel hit a tone of voice where he was breathing deeper and talking a little higher. He didn't stutter nearly as much.

"No, probably about twenty five miles, but if you'd go fifty miles, it'd probably be better. "

"I'll get that into my manager's office first thing in the morning."

"That sounds great. When we have our hoedown to welcome Stu and Jeremy into our clan, we'll let everyone know what has happened. I think if we explain it right, you'll see there are a whole lot cheaper prices charged to you everywhere."

"That would be good. I'd like to speak with you about insurance, but I can wait. These guys want to ask you a few questions though."

She turned to Stu, "What can I help you with Mr. Reddington?"

"First of all, call me Stu, that's what all my friends call me."

"Alright Stu" She touched his arm in a friendly gesture and smiled. It was funny because I instantly saw her as being attracted to him. If he would've been straight, she'd be sighting him in as a target and he wouldn't have known what hit him."

"Jeremy and I would like to get the Waters over into our names and into an account with you. The ease and speed which you just showed me, got you the business."

"I'll be cheaper than the guy you've got it with now." Once again, she said it with a tone of voice that I knew whomever the insurance account was with wasn't someone who she liked. Stu took a look at her like he instantly knew she'd done a check up on who he had insurance. He hadn't stated with whom he had his insurance, and yet, she knew. The girl was definitely interested in him!

"We will be needing to get all my properties into that account."

"No problem, your vehicle and boat too?"

"Yeah."

"Get me the deeds and the titles, and I'll have it drawn up for you. When does it come due?"

"May."

"That'll be plenty of time for us to have things ready. It will be nice to have the opportunity to serve you. And, feel free to pass on the information to the other shows up there. When they see things suddenly can be cheaper, they'll really be interested."

"I'll do that!"

She smiled and said, "Do you all need a ride?"

"No, Mel's waiting."

"O.k., I was going to offer to take you around to the car lots and see if we could get you another vehicle. Then, I could get you signed up for that one tonight."

"It's nearly ten p.m.! We can't buy a car tonight!"

"Oh, you don't know how many times I've gotten someone out of bed. When someone wants to earn a commission on a car, they'll make it in....believe me."

"I bet they do."

She struck me as someone who definitely was a force to be reckoned with. I bet she could move a lot of people. An instant decision was made on my part to keep in contact with her.

Stu looked at me, "How about if I take Gyp home and you go with her. It'd work as a great connection to do some business with someone who knows the locals."

"O.k., you're o.k.?"

"Jer, I'm o.k.." He said it with a tone of voice which said he wanted it to be final.

"O.k., but we're going to get you an appointment tomorrow just the same."

"O.k."

"You two are great together."

I kissed him and he and Gyp went to Mel's truck. I watched them drive away and went to get in her truck.

When I got in her truck, I realized it was nice. It was four wheel drive and seemed sporty. When she told me the gas milage she got, I told her to take me to the Ford dealer.

As we drove, she asked about me and where I came from. I filled her in on everything and then told her about our plans at the waters. We drove by and parked in the waters' parking lot as I explained everything to her. She was pleasantly surprised and happy for Stu.

When we got to the dealer, we looked at the selection they had. One of them immediately caught my eye. It was burgundy with grey interior. It was brand new and what I had as a check from my car, I'd not be out that much difference.

She got on her cell phone and as soon as she spoke, "Jimmy?"

"Yeah, it's Donna, I need you to come down and open up for me as I have someone needing one of your Escapes."

She listened briefly and then said, "We'll be here" With that, she hung up.

"He's my cousin."

"Oh, must be nice having all that family around."

"Will be for you too. You're adopted now whether you like it, or not."

"O.k., that's cool. It'd be nice having an older sister who likes my man."

She laughed, "You could tell, huh?"

"Which part, the throwing your hair back, the touch of the arm, or the rest of the body language."

"I wasn't that bad, was I?"

"No, if Stu was straight, he'd be a goner. You're smooth."

We laughed together and she said, "Stu's a great guy. He's confident, self assured, and just damned good looking."

"He is that. I don't look at his looks as much, but his heart definitely has a lock on me."

"I can tell. One of these days, I'll find someone who isn't either gay, or taken."

"The good one's are usually taken....I've found...but, if you ever meet a guy named Dave, then come to me first. That one's a cobra...not just your typical snake in the grass."

"If he shows up down here, you call daddy. I bet he suddenly has a nice little stay at the county jail."

"I doubt it he comes down here. He's too caught up on himself to chase me anywhere...besides, in his own words, I was never a good lay."

"Tell me you decked him."

"Not over that, but I did knock the tar out of him for hitting me."

"He deserved it."

We got out of the truck and looked at vehicles. The burgundy one kept catching my eye.

"Jeremy, tell me, do you really need a suv, or will you need a truck? You'll be doing construction work, you know."

"I'd rather have an suv. If I need a truck, I'll buy one and remember Jimmy."

"Well, you don't have to buy one from him, I have other relatives at other dealers."

"Now you tell me! I've already got my eye set out on the burgundy one!"

"It it s cute truck. I like the way the lower moulding matches the rest of the truck. The insurance is low on them too. Also, the drive train is really reliable."

"That's good to know."

"Yeah, I've not had a speck of trouble with this one and it goes almost everywhere. The thing about the automatic four wheel drive is it does it without you even knowing it, but you can turn the knob and call it on full time which is good out on roads that are slushy."

Jimmy showed up and as soon as I saw him, my gaydar pegged. It wasn't that he swished, it was just at ten o'clock at night when someone is at home relaxing, this man was dressed like a thousand dollar bill.

He came over to me and shook my hand. The way he held onto it longer than normal told me he had my number too.

"Jimmy, this here is Jeremy. Jeremy is going to be doing construction down here and his first job is the waters down the strip."

"Oh, Stu's place."

"Yeah, Jeremy is Stu's new love."

Jimmy looked down and I knew instantly he was attracted to me.

"I really like that burgundy one over there. Could we drive it?"

"Sure, let me go get the keys and we'll get some tags on it and be out driving."

He started to walk off and when he got out of earshot, Donna said, "SO, what do you think?"

"Which part, the feeling I have you tried setting me up with your cousin, or the part that he's hotter than a two dollar pistol on a Saturday night."

"You could tell, huh?"

"Oh, I could tell and if I wasn't with Stu, I'd be drooling like a rabid dog."

"He's a sweetheart, but can't seem to find anyone. His hours are such he doesn't live the usual nine to five."

"I think I know someone who might be good for him."

"Oh really!"

"Yeah, that guy's hours aren't all the best and he's hot too. He's lonely too and can't seem to find anyone."

"Well tell me, who is he!"

"I can't say right yet as I don't have permission, but I'll get permission and then I'll bring him back by. For that matter, I don't have Jimmy's permission either."

"You're too nice."

"No, it's how I would like to be treated."

"Well you just got my respect even more."

Jimmy came back and when he crouched down to hook on the plates, he looked up and the baby blues the man had were to die for. Parts of me responded which shouldn't have and I went to the driver's door."

He clicked the key fob and I got in. Donna got in the back seat and said, "When we go out, you drive like you normally do and be sure to listen to the stereo and everything. If you are driving it slow, you'll not get a good feel for the truck. It's agile and you'll really like it. I had a BMW and mine is really the next best thing to it."

Jimmy came over and got in the passenger seat. He handed me the keys and once again he touched my hand longer than he should've. "If you'd like, you can turn up here and I'll show you a course which will take you back by your place. That way you get a good tour."

I adjusted the seat and mirrors and then began to drive. Immediately, I liked the feel of the drive and the visibility of the truck.

As we drove, Jimmy asked about the plans I had. He asked about my need for a truck and when he heard what I had planned on doing, he said, "Jeremy, stop and go back to the dealer."

"Why?"

"I'd not be doing you are anyone a favor to waste your money. You having to have two vehicles wouldn't have you thanking me down the road. We have another vehicle which I think you'll like. It's the same drive and feel of this one, but it's a truck."

"If it's an Explorer, I don't want it. I didn't like them when I drove one when I test drove it."

"No, this is a model they call the Sportrak. It's just like this, but instead of being an SUV, it's a pickup. The advantage of it is the warranty on this will be violated if you pull too heavy of a trailer for your business. With it, you'll be covered."

"I never thought about that."

"Most people don't. That's why I don't want to sell you something which you won't be happy with in the long run."

We got back to the dealer and he took me into the showroom. In the showroom was a Sportrak.

"Go ahead, sit in it. I'll get some lights on so you can see. If it's one you think you'll like, then we'll pull it out and you can drive it."

"It's not that burgundy color. I don't like the blue."

"That's o.k., I'll do a check and see if there's one locally that's burgundy."

I got in and Donna sat in front. "Jeremy, he's fawning over you like he's hot for you. Be careful not to break his heart."

"I told him I'm with Stu. He needs to realize that."

"Maybe he didn't realize your commitment."

"He needs to because I sure am."

"I'll talk with him and tell him you have someone else in mind."

"O.k., tell him I'll drive this one. I like it as it's almost identical. I still want a burgundy one."

She smiled and said, "I understand, I wanted a green one when I bought my BMW and instead got a red one. Every day I went out to that car, I thought to myself how much I'd like it better if it was a green one. The burgundy is beautiful."

She got out of the truck and then went over to speak with him. Soon, they came over and he opened the double doors. He pulled up the upper piece of glass above the double doors and said, "Jeremy, go ahead and drive it out, but just drive slow. The floors are slick."

I drove out and he shut the lights off and closed the doors. Donna got in and said, "He's excited about who it is you have for him to meet. He is let down you're not available though. He really likes you."

"He'll like the one I'm going to introduce him too. He's a hottie too."

"Oh really! From around here?"

"Yeah, he's talent up at a show on the strip. He works for Home Depot and hopefully will be working fro Stu and I."

By this time, Jimmy was close to the truck. He put the plates on it and once again, we drove the way he showed me. I really liked the feel of the truck. The sound on the stereo was awesome and the pick up of the motor was real nice. I really felt confident driving this vehicle and I said so.

Jimmy smiled and said, "One thing you'll really like is the four wheel drive system. It's not like the old four wheel systems and these are really fuel efficient. What do you think you'll want as far as options go?"

I know I definitely want cruise control. A stereo which has satellite. I'd really like another onstar system, but I guess Ford doesn't offer that...they should though...Leather seats are a must as I hate wearing dockers and getting static cling. Other than that, the four wheel drive system."

While we were talking, Donna was busy typing away on her laptop. Apparently she had a satellite connection with it because we went into some areas which I knew my cell phone wouldn't have reached.

"Jeremy, I have Ford's website pulled up and here's what all they offer. Basicly, I'm building as you talk. Do you want chrome wheels or aluminum?"

"Chrome's nice, but it doesn't really matter. How much is it different in the cost?"

"It's not how they have it. It comes with a chrome package. It dresses up the whole truck."

"O.k., get that...as I like a nice looking vehicle."

"You're up to over thirty thousand now."

"It's o.k., whatever I need to spend. I'm o.k. financially."

Jimmy looked over at me, "I'll give you my discount. So, that will take off a couple grand and then with the incentives, you should receive another fourteen hundred. That combined with your check should have you down to where it's a lot better."

I smiled at him, "Jimmy, if it gets you in trouble, don't do it."

"Hell, my daddy owns the dealer. Once he knows you're family, you won't have to pay anything!"

I laughed and looked in the mirror at Donna. "You just don't tell a thing, do you!"

"I'm not telling a thing until you do about that guy you're setting him up with!"

"I can't do that. Let me just say he's really cute. He's got an ass that rival's Jimmy's and he's hot."

Jimmy looked at me, "Hotter than you?"

"Way hotter than me. I'm nothing compared to him. And, he wants a long term relationship."

I thought for a moment about telling him more but I decided to wait until tomorrow.

"What I will do is when I come to pick up the other truck, I'll bring him along. Is that a deal?"

"Sounds good to me. What signal will I use to let you know I like him?"

"How about going over and asking him out? I'll let you know if he's not interested."

"O.k., that sounds fair."

"If he's not, then we'll work on finding you someone else. That a deal?"

"Yeah, it's just a shame you're not available."

"No, to me it's not. I'm lucky I found someone. Hell, I'm an old troll."

He showed me a turn and we turned. "Soon, we'll be driving up past the lake and where your cabin is located."

I was quiet for a moment and then asked, "How many incidents are there where the good ole' boys harrass gays down here? Your dad mentioned he patrols at night and Stu mentioned he and Eddie being shot at when they were together."

"It doesn't happen as much, but I'm not sure it that's due to dad patrolling, or if it's because people are getting more used to gays being around. What do you think Jimmy?"

"It's never happened to me personally, but I keep a low profile. But, then again, I've not been out publicly with another guy I've cared about. Heck, I've only been out a few times and that sure wasn't here."

I looked at him, "Where did you go?"

"Springfield has a few bars, and then there's some that's on down at O.k. City."

"You drive all that distance?"

"You better believe it! Heck, the day this area gets a bar, we'll be living on other planets!"

We all laughed and I looked at Donna, "Why haven't you found somoene hon?"

"I'm too opinionated for one thing and another is I'm not exactly wanting to settle down and play the domesticated servant role. All of the ones that I've been interested in either got sent to prison, or they were afraid of my dad. So, go figure."

"Well, maybe we can find someone who can catch your eye."

"Well, find me someone who looks and acts like Stu and who's straight and I'll take you up on that offer."

She laughed but it was hollow. I began doing a mental inventory of all the guys I knew who were straight and couldn't come up with many.

"One weekend, we'll go up home. You'll love my house up there and we'll stay and go to the Y.M.C.A.. It's interesting, but the best place I've found to scope guys is in the sauna there. Isn't that weird?"

"Well, it works for me. My main objective is they be employed and have their teeth. Sucking face with someone with rotten teeth or none makes me just want to gag."

"I hear ya. That would be enough to make me want to just be blunt and say, "sorry, this date can't happen.". Call me superficial, but if they can't at least go out and purchase some that make them look like they have them, I don't want to think about it."

I could tell we were nearing the cabin and asked if they wanted to stop in. I'd been away a while and wanted to connect with Stu. They agreed and I pulled in when I got to the driveway.

When we entered the cabin, I saw no one there. I told them to stay and went over to Stu's cabin. He had Gypsy across his lap and was typing away at the keyboard of his laptop. I knocked on the door and he yelled to come on in.

"That was fast!"

"We're not done. They're over at the other cabin. We're out test driving a truck and I wanted to connect with you as I was missing you a bit."

"You're too sweet."

Gypsy looked up from his lap and gave me a look like she was thoroughly pissed. She loved water, but hated baths. Whenever she got a bath, she thought she was being punished.

"Girl, you are so pretty! You like your bath?"

"No, she hated it. She thought I was being mean to her."

"I forgot to tell you how she is. I'm sorry."

"No, we took our bath together and she was better. So, after giving her a bath, I took mine. That helped."

I gave him a kiss and said, "You want to come over and see the truck? It's not the one I want to get, but it's almost identical. They're going to find one locally so I can get it fast."

"Give me a second and I'll shut down the computer. What kind is it?"

"A Ford."

"They're o.k., I haven't heard any problems with the dealer here, so they're reputable."

"We started off driving a truck like Donna's, but then Jimmy, the salesman, said he'd not be doing me a service if he sold it to me as I couldn't pull a trailer with it for construction. So, we went back and got this truck which is almost identical inside."

"That's good. How do you like it?"

"It's going to be beautiful. It's four wheel drive and it'll be burgundy. This one isn't, otherwise I would've taken it."

"Get what you want, you'll be happier. I had one that wasn't the color I wanted and I regretted it."

I smiled thinking about Donna.

We went over and as we were walking, I said, "You want to ride with us?"

"Not really, I'm a bit sore and would like to relax. I'll just look at the truck and go home."

"How about when I get back, I come over and give you a nice massage?"

"You might have a deal if you're not in too late."

"Oh, by the way, I've found someone I think for Jerritt."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the salesman."

"Uh, let Jerritt make that decision. A car salesman doesn't sound like someone I'd want to go out with."

"He's going to be taken over tomorrow so they can meet. I think they'll like each other."

We went into the cabin and I introduced everyone. Stu and Jimmy hit it off fantasticly. I was happy because Stu gave away so much to me in just his body language. When we were done chatting, I took Stu out to the truck and they followed.

He sat in the driver's seat and looked everything over. I could tell he liked it. He looked at Jimmy, "Can I take it for a spin?"

"Sure, go ahead. If Jeremy wants to go, we can stay here."

I went over and hopped in, Stu took us back the way we came. "Jeremy, this truck is nice. I'm sure you're going to love the feel of it. When we get back, I'm going to do something and I want you to just go along with me on it."

"What are you going to do? Because I've already got the best deal I think I can get. He even gave us his discount."

"Something which will make my heart feel better about wrecking your car."

"Stu, it wasn't your fault. So don't worry about that."

"No, I was driving, and I should've been more responsible. If I'd kept my mind focused, we wouldn't have hit it."

"That's insane. No one can stop an accident. Sometimes they happen."

"Jer, please...just go along with me on this."

"O.k., I'll trust you, but it wasn't your fault."

We turned around and Stu layed into the motor. "It's peppy. That's good. And, I like the four wheel drive on it. It's like mine in my Jeep."

"How much did you pay for yours?"

"Probably too much, but I loved it."

"We're getting this one for about three grand."

"They're robbing themselves. Be careful."

"No, you don't realize it, but we're inside of the local's group now and that's the way it will be."

"Jer, everything comes at a price. Just don't kid yourself."

"Stu, let's ride with it and deal with it as it comes."

"O.k., It is a good deal. I'm impressed with it."

"The only thing I wished it had was the OnStar."

"We'll get something which is comparable. I'm surprised Donna didn't mention it."

"No, not yet if she's going to say something."

"Well, there's a system which is a bit pricey, but it will hook into the on board computer and link into the satellite phone. We'll get it for this one and I'll get one for mine. That way we will be safe."

"O.k.. You order it and I'll pay halves."

"No, it's my treat. If it makes us feel beter, I'll do it."

"Stu, let me pay half."

"Jer, I love you. You're going to learn I'll do things like this occassionally and it's just best to receive."

"O.k., I'll take it. The deal is I get to do the same."

"O.k., that's fair."

We pulled back into the driveway. They came out to meet us and Stu walked over to Jimmy. "Would you come over to my cabin with me for a moment? Jer, you stay here with Donna. Jimmy and I are going to do some business."

Donna looked at me and I said, "He's such a man. He has to feel involved."

"He loves you. I'd kill for that treatment."

"I like it, but he feels responsible about the wreck."

"It wasn't his fault."

"I told him that."

We went in the cabin and Gyp came over to me. I picked her up and pet her. She was so soft after a bath it was amazing. Just like a fluff ball.

"He's going to talk with you about us getting satellite phones installed in the trucks and GPS trackers so it'll take the place of the OnStar."

"He doesn't have to do that."

"He wants to. He wants us to be safe. I think this wreck scared him."

"It would me too. I can see where he'd want the GPS tracking because if that wreck would've been worse and God forbid you both were unconscious, that OnStar would have saved your lives."

"O.k., but it wasn't bad and I really am not that worried about anything happening."

"I'll look at what it will knock off your insurance. It is a bit pricey and no one has the system down here. We just had a seminar on that last year. So, it is new. I do know about the satellite phones as my laptop has a connection."

They came back over and Jimmy shook hands with Stu. He looked at him and said, "I'll let you know when that truck comes in."

I looked at Stu, "What did you do?"

"I got the one you're test driving.. I like it and just made a deal with Jimmy. The other part is a surprise."

He came over and kissed me. "You all scoot and hurry home. You smell like bar-b-que sauce and would you mind if you stopped by Steak N Shake on the way home?"

"No, I don't mind, what do you want?"

"Get Gyp a couple of double cheeseburgers plain and a small vanilla shake. Then, I'll take a Cheddar n Bacon double with fries and cottage cheese. I'll also have a large strawberry-banana yogurt shake. You get what you want kiddo. Here's the money."

He reached in his pants pocket and pulled out a fifty. I took it, but remembered he bought dinner. I started to give it back to him and said, "You paid for supper, it's my turn."

"I'm also the one that made the back seat of your car wear the leftover's we were going to have. So, I'll get it."

"Stuart, stop beating yourself up over the wreck."

"I will eventually, by the way, I've made an appointment with a doctor online. We're going to Springfield on Wednesday, so put that in your planner."

"O.k., I'll go now and hurry back. Do you have any oils for a massage?"

"I think Eddie and I used to have some, I'll look and give your cell a call."

"O.k., I'll be back."

We kissed each other again and I went out to the truck. Once again, I drove and this time, I had a bit of a lead foot. Donna laughed and said, "You want to get home to him sooner, don't you?"

"Yeah, he's so special it's amazing to me."

"You two are good together."

"Jimmy, what did he say over there?"

"Not much, he handed me a check and said, for me to fill it out with the difference so you didn't have to pay a thing. Then he ordered this truck and is going to trade in his Jeep. He won't have to pay much as that Jeep is gorgeous."

"O.k., he's really beating himself up over that wreck. I'll take his money on this as I said I would, but I'll make it up to him some other way."

"You two are good together. I'd be worried if I didn't see you two trying as hard as you are, but I like what I see. I hope whomever you introduce me too is the same way."

"I think you'll like him. He's a really nice guy."

Donna looked at me from the back seat. "I'd like to meet him too."

"You will, after Jimmy!"

"You are so rough on me, how am I going to make sure I approve?"

In unison, both of us from the front seat said, "Wait!"

Note From Retta:

The story is starting to pick up the pace. I'm liking it more and more. The new style of writing is coming about and I'm liking that too. My fingers are numb from hitting the indent/tab key, but I think it's going to be worth it.

Please write and tell me what you think. Is it too confusing? Are you liking it better? I'd really like to know.

Copyright Notice - Copyright © November 2007 by RettaMichaels

The author, RettaMichaels copyrights this story and retain all rights. This work may not be changed or duplicated in any form, media, ( known or unknown) without the author's expressed permission. All applicable copyright laws apply.

Disclaimer: All individuals depicted are fictional, and any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental

From My Keyboard To Your Heart Rhett

Here is a list of stories I've written and where to find them:

With Love - Nifty - Beginnings Section Rural Love - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com Write Me A Love Story - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com To Love Him - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com Military Zone - Nifty - Military Section Evan - Nifty - Beginnings Section