It was a classified ad in one of those nickel newspapers. It read:
“Gray Ford. Half-ton. Stick-shift. Some rust. Needs TLC. Sneads, Florida. $800.”
My pal called about it. He needed a truck in a bad way. His old one had gone to be with Jesus, his wife was pregnant, and he’d just lost his job.
And in the days before texting, the only way to do business was to use the interstate.
Before we left, he went to the bank. He liquidated his account into a wallet full of eight hundred dollars.
I gave him a ride. We stopped at a gas station outside Cottondale. He filled my tank, then paid inside. He bought two sticks of beef jerky, two scratch-off lottos.
Thoughtful.
After a two-hour ride we hit a dirt road leading to a farmhouse that sat on several acres of green. Out front: an old man, smoking. He was bony, friendly, tall.
The truck was ugly, painted primer gray to hide rust. The bumpers were missing, the interior smelled like oyster stew.
“Runs good,” the man said.
“I’ll take it,” my buddy answered.
He reached for his wallet. And that’s when it happened.
His pocket was empty.
My friend went ape. He retraced his steps. We tore apart my truck interior, dug through seats, and cussed. When he finally gave up, he sat cross-legged on the ground. He cried until his face looked raw. It was a lot of money to lose.
The elderly man sat beside him. He wrapped his arms around him. It had been a long time since a grown man had done that sort of thing to my pal. My friend was a fatherless orphan, like me.
When things calmed down, the old man’s eyes were red and puffy. He wiped his face and said, “C’mon, son, nothin’s THAT bad. Cheer up.”
My pal didn’t answer.
The elderly man removed keys from his pocket and placed them in my friend’s shirt pocket. He said, “Listen, that truck is gonna need an oil change when you get it home.”
My friend just looked at the dangling keys.
“What are you saying?” said the kid.
“I’m saying she’s all yours. She ain’t worth that much nohow. I want you to have her.”
“You’re giving me a car?”
“No sir. I’m giving you a piece of crap. You’ll be cussing me later.”
Hugs ensued. Tears were shed. My friend drove that truck for years.
Anyway, that was a long time ago. I haven’t seen my buddy in a hundred years—I’ll bet his baby is already drawing Social Security by now.
Still, I’ve replayed his story in my mind until I’ve worn out the record. Because the truth is, I need to be reminded that kindness actually exists. I need to be reminded that this world isn’t full of angry, mean-spirited, selfish people.
I need this reminder because I know too many people have quit hoping. I know too many who believe this world has already landed in the outhouse. I know too many who think love is an elaborate myth.
Well. I believe these people are dead wrong.
And I’d bet eight hundred bucks on it.
Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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