A Drive in the Country

A DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY

Walter McCoy was tired. He was tired of the fighting and killing. He had seen a lot of both in his twenty years in the Army. His last ten years had been in the Special Forces, and he had been in the Middle East for most of it. When he reached twenty years, he walked away with his pension.

When he got out, he spent a few months with his parents in Virginia. He decided he needed a little break from humanity and took his 1969 Mustang (in mint condition) and headed across the country. He didn't want interstates; he wanted to see the real America and traveled the small two-lane highways that crisscrossed through the small towns of this country. He wanted to see normal people, people who didn't assume everyone you met wanted to kill you.

For the first two weeks he drifted through the south, thru North and South Carolina, into Georgia, and then Alabama. He would stay in small town motels and eat in little diners that he could find in each town. It was there he could find the people of the town. He enjoyed talking to them, finding out what was important to them there.

This is how he ended up in the small town of Jason, Alabama, just this side of the Mississippi state line. It was a town of 1,050, according to the sign entering the town. He checked into a motel and found the diner.

He ordered his supper and looked around at the people of this town. There was a young couple in the back and a businessman type at the counter reading a paper. There were a couple of young men sitting in the front corner booth. They looked like the punks he had seen everywhere. The waitress brought him his supper. He thanked her and began eating. It was then the boys began messing with the waitress.

"Hey, Susie, how about a little service over here?"

She looked over at them and said, "You don't want to order anything. You are just waiting for Billy Bob."

"We're customers too. We wanted a hamburger and shake. He can get what he wants when he gets here."

She ignored them and continued working. It was then that Billy Bob walked in. Walt took one look at him and knew him immediately. He had seen enough of them in the army. Entitled little bastards. His daddy's probably rich, at least rich in this little town.

Billy Bob sat down with his friends. One of them spoke up. "You know what your girlfriend did to us? She wouldn't serve us without you."

He turned toward Susie and looked at her with contempt. "Is that right, Susie? You wouldn't serve them?"

"No, I just told them they should wait for you so everyone can order at once."

He got up and headed over to the young woman behind the counter. "You shouldn't disrespect my friends. What they say, I say. You understand?" He reached across the counter and slapped her.

Walt had seen enough and started to stand up when the local sheriff walked into the café. He saw Billy Bob strike the woman. "Billy Bob, stop that. I don't care who your father is, you can't assault anyone you want."

Billy Bob laughed. "That's not anyone. She's just my girlfriend. This is my business, Sheriff. You just stay out of it. Never mind." He motioned to his buddies." Let's get out of here. We have better places to be than this." They laughed and headed out of the diner. "Remember, Susie, I'll see you later."

The sheriff had noticed that Walt had begun to stand up. He came over and sat down with Walt. "Stranger, I got here just in time."

Walt looked at the girl cringing by the counter and said. "Depends on how you look at it."

The sheriff looked into Walt's eyes before he spoke. "You are just passing through, correct?" Walt nodded. "That asshole's father owns this little town. He employs almost everyone here in his plant. He is not a bad man, but he has one blind spot, that asshole son of his. He won't hear anything about his son. You'd just be better off heading out in the morning."

Walt sat and slowly ate another bite of his supper. He finally looked up at the sheriff and spoke. "Sounds like good advice, Sheriff."

The Sheriff smiled and left.

When Walt finished his supper, he got up and went to the counter. Susie was wiping it down. "Are you okay, Miss?" He could see a tear in her eye.

"Yes sir, I am fine."

"Is that boy your boyfriend?"

"He says he is. He takes what he wants. He doesn't care about anyone but himself and does what he wants. The Sheriff was put there by his father, and he must be careful."

He thanked her and headed to his room.

Susan Ann Butler was born in LA. She went to UCLA and got a job in the finance industry. When she was 24 her world changed. Her parents were killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. In an instant, she was alone. No other relatives that she knew of.

Her company offered to transfer her to New York, and she accepted. During the flight to New York, the plane had to divert around the remnants of a hurricane from the south. Even so, it was a terribly turbulent flight until they were able to get to smoother air. When it came time to board the diverted plane to go on to New York, it took everything in her to get back on the plane. When they finally arrived in New York, she vowed to never get on a plane again.

After five years of failed relationships and a stalled career, she decided to return to LA. However, she decided to drive. She had never seen most of the country and decided to take her time and go through the south. She didn't want to use the interstate system, but drove through the small towns in the south on her way to LA.

That is how she ended up in Jason, Alabama. Her car had broken down, and she needed a temporary job to pay the mechanic to fix it. She had no one to call, no one who would help her. That is how she was working in a diner when she met Walter McCoy. The car had been fixed and paid for, but Billy Bob was preventing her from leaving. She needed someone who could and would help her. Maybe this man could be that person. She smiled at him and talked to him as much as she could. She hoped he could see her fear.

Walt was troubled by the look in the girl's eyes, but he eventually got to sleep. In the morning, he went to the diner to get breakfast. He didn't see Susie here and asked the old man who was undoubtably the owner about her. "She's not going to be here for a while. She is in the hospital."

"Why?"

"She got beat up last night."

"Where's the hospital?"

The owner gave him the address and shook his head as Walt walked out. Walt found the hospital easy enough. He went into the front desk and asked about the girl.

"Are you family?"

"No, but you know that, don't you? Everyone knows everyone here. Why are you asking?"

"Only family is allowed."

"Does she have any family here?"

"Just her boyfriend. His father is paying for everything."

Just as Walt was preparing to walk in without permission, the Sheriff came through the front door. "What are you doing here?"

"You know why. I went to the diner for breakfast, and they told me."

"There's nothing you can do here. It would just cause her more problems."

"I want to see her and have her tell me to leave."

The Sheriff sighed. "Okay, come with me." He led Walt into a room in the hospital. When Walt entered the room, he was shocked. He was not prepared for what he saw. Susie had her head bandaged and her arm in a sling. She had a black eye.

When she saw him, she covered her head with the blanket. "What are you doing here? Why did you come?"

Walt sat down in a chair and waited her out. She eventually pulled the blanket down and looked at him. He smiled. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay before I left town. Your "boyfriend" did this, didn't he?" She looked at the Sheriff. He shook his head, but she nodded anyway.

"Why don't you leave? The Sheriff would help you." He saw in the Sheriff's eyes a slight shake. So, he won't help her.

"I have nowhere to go, and no one to help me. I am stuck in this little hellhole. Please leave."

Walt squeezed her hand and motioned for the Sheriff to go out and talk to him in the hall. "What is the law going to do about this?"

"The law, as you put it, is whatever Winston Baker says it is.

"So, she gets beat up, put in the hospital, and because Baker pays the bill it all goes away?"

The Sheriff shrugged. "Welcome to small-town life. I wouldn't be a sheriff tomorrow if I caused problems for that bastard. I still recommend you head out."

Walt knew he was right. He was just traveling the country. He was tired of battles, and he didn't want anyone else's battle. But he was haunted by the fear in her eyes last night. She probably knew then what was coming. Someone had to do SOMETHING.

"I appreciate your advice. I think I'll stay around until she gets out of the hospital."

Walt went back and checked back into the motel. He asked the manager where Walt could find a garage. The manager pointed one out, and Walt drove in that direction. When he got there, an old man came out to meet him. "Beautiful car. What can I do for you, stranger?"

"Thank you. It appears I may have business with Winston Baker. I would like to keep my car safe. Is there somewhere here I could hide it for a few days?"

When Walt mentioned Winston Baker's name, the old man spit on the ground and stuck out his hand. "My name is Buckley Thurston. If you are going to mess with that bastard, I'll hide your car in the back for free."

Walt thanked him, handed him the keys, and walked back downtown to the diner to get lunch. He figured she would be out of there in a couple of days. If she doesn't have a concussion, she would be cleared to leave soon.

It was as he was finishing his lunch when Billy Bob and his friends came in. Was this the only place to eat in this town?

Billy Bob pointed at Walt. "Looky here, it's the stranger who is taking an interest in my girlfriend."

Walt ignored him and got up to pay his bill. "What's the problem, you afraid to talk to me?"

Walt paid his bill and headed for the door. Billy Bob's big friend stepped in his way. Walt looked him up and down. 6'2", probably two twenty. Built. He was obviously Billy Bob's enforcer.

Walt turned and looked at Billy Bob. "I think I'm going to leave now."

Billy Bob shook his head. "Oh, no. You aren't leaving until you understand something about our little town here. What I want, I get, and no one, you or anyone will stop me."

Walt thought though how it would go. Big Boy is probably right-handed. He will charge with a right-handed kill shot at Walt's jaw. He prepared himself and looked at Billy Bob. "Among the many things your father obviously neglected to teach you growing up was, never attack a man you don't know."

It was at that time, while Walt was looking at Billy Bob, that big boy decided it was time to strike. He launched a haymaker from the right. Walt was prepared and stepped aside. He then hit him with one punch from his left hand that landed on his jaw. As he staggered back, Walt kicked him in the nuts. He fell in a heap and didn't move.

Walt turned toward Billy Bob as his other friend headed for the door. Billy Bob started screaming, "You killed him. You're going to pay that this." He left his friend and followed the other man out the door.

He nodded to the manager. "You probably ought to call an ambulance."

Walt went back to his room and waited for the Sheriff. He was there in less than an hour. "I told you to leave. Did you think they would just let it go?"

"They won't try an open-air attack again. They will be smarter the next time."

"There isn't going to be a next time. You are either leaving, or I am arresting you for assault."

"It's that corrupt here, is it?" The Sheriff nodded. "Even though I have witnesses?"

"None of those people will tell the truth. You knew that when you defended yourself."

"How's the girl doing?"

"She went home this afternoon."

"Is there anyone to watch over her until she heals up?"

The Sheriff laughed, "Yeah, Billy Bob."

"Okay, you win. Give me her address so I can say goodbye and I'll leave."

He could see the Sheriff running through the possible outcomes confronting him. He apparently decided the least objectionable would be to let Walt say goodbye because he gave Walt the address.

Walt nodded and packed up his clothes while the Sheriff waited. The Sheriff then decided it would be best for him to lead Walt to her apartment.

When they arrived, Walt told the sheriff to wait. He didn't want to, but he decided it was a fight he didn't want.

Walt knocked on her door. After a couple of minutes, she finally opened the door. "What are you doing here? Haven't you caused me enough trouble already?"

"What have I done?"

"I have been trying to leave this God-forsaken town for six months. No one will help me because everyone is afraid of Billy Bob's father. Now look at me. I have a busted arm, a concussion they are ignoring and only my assailant as nurse."

Walt looked at this woman. She was very distressed and helpless to change her environment. He should leave right now and forget her. But she has the most intoxicating eyes he has ever seen. There was something in there that he couldn't put his finger on.

Susan figured it was now or never. She had pissed Billy Bob off enough last night to make him mad. And making him mad was a terrible risk. She hadn't figured he would hit her hard enough to knock her over the coffee table. She woke up in the hospital. Now she would see if this man had the balls or desire to rescue her from this hellhole. "Please, I heard what happened today at the diner. You are obviously able to defend yourself. Please at least take me to New Orleans. Once I am free of this town, I will be okay."

Walt knew this was coming when he went to see her. He couldn't blame her. If the situation was reversed, he would try the same thing. He should just decline and get out of her life. But with those eyes, there was something magnetic in them. "The Sheriff is right outside in his car. He said that if I don't leave town right now, he will charge me with assault. I need to leave."

She nodded. "I agree. But there must be some way I can sneak out and meet you later. PLEASE, I BEG YOU."

The next few minutes changed his life. He nodded and began telling her what to do after he left. He then went out to the Sheriff and asked him to take him to the garage where his car was.

He then headed to the motel and cleaned his room out, checked out, and the Sheriff followed him to the edge of town.

He got out and went to the Sheriff's window. "Thanks for the hospitality, Sheriff. I think I can cross this little slice of Hell off my bucket list."

The Sheriff growled. "See that you do. If you come back, it will not be good for your health."

The Sheriff rolled up his window and waited for Walt to get in his car and head west.

As Walt was heading for the Mississippi border, he hoped she could do what she had to do with one good arm.

Susie waited until everyone left. She then packed whatever she wanted to keep and waited until it was quiet. She walked down the street both ways for a block as he had instructed her to do. She was looking for any of Billy Bob's friends to see if anyone was watching her. It was quiet. She then went back and carried her two bags and put them in her trunk. He had told her someone would be watching the highway that night, and to find another way out of town. Fortunately, she knew of a little dirt side road that she found on one of her previous attempts to leave. She quietly went down backstreets until she arrived at the edge of town. She didn't know how far she would have to travel on that dirt road before she came to a way back to the highway.

A couple of miles down the road, she saw a sign about the highway. She came out to the highway further west than she had ever been before. The town's lights were down in the valley. She went over the hill and headed for Mississippi.

Walt was waiting in Meridian, Mississippi at the local bus station. He was parked in the parking lot. Meridian was a larger town and had a decent sized bus station. He was beginning to get worried about her making it when she pulled into the parking lot. He waved to her to follow him and drove to the back of the lot. It was about 9 P.M. She parked her car in a quiet place and got out.

When he got out of his car, she threw herself at him. "Thank you, thank you. I can take a bus and hope they don't follow me."

Walt knew better. They would be following no later than sunup. They would find her car and trace her to where she had bought a ticket.

He sat her down on the ground. "No, that won't do. They will find your car first thing in the morning. It wouldn't take Sherlock Holmes to find out where you had gone. No, we will leave your car here, and you will come with me to New Orleans. I know someone there. Put your bags in my trunk."

She was surprised. She hadn't counted on him wanting her to stay with him longer than necessary. However, it wasn't a bad idea. She quickly put her bags in his trunk and got into the front seat,

Walt slowly pulled out and quietly slipped out of town toward the west. It was less than one hundred miles to Jackson. They would spend the night there and drive to New Orleans in the morning. Besides, he had to prepare for them in New Orleans. He wasn't sure Ray would be happy to see him, but he would find out.

At first, she was excited to be free and talked for an hour. By the time they pulled into Jackson, she was running out of steam.

Walt looked for a motel that would be suitable for their purposes. Non-descript, but not rundown. He finally found one to his liking on the west side of Jackson. It was quiet, with a clear view of the street in both directions. It wasn't on a major street.

Before he went in, he told her the plan. "I am going to rent us a room so we can get some rest."

She wasn't sure about that. "Why not two rooms?"

"Because a man and a woman renting two rooms will stand out if anyone comes looking. A couple renting a room will be forgotten by morning." She had to admit he was right.

Walt went in, paid cash for the room, made a point of it being him and his wife and pulled the car to the front of the room. When he unloaded the bags, he pulled the car around to the back out of sight.

He walked into the room to find her sitting on the bed. "I don't suppose you took a shower before you left?" She shook her head. "Do you want to take one now? Don't worry. You will sleep on the bed, and I will take an extra blanket and pillow and sleep on the floor in front of the door."

Susie exhaled a little at that. She guessed he won't try and take his pound of flesh tonight. She got up and started pulling things out of her suitcase.

"Are you hungry?" She stopped and looked at him. She realized she was. "It is almost eleven. I thought I saw a fast-food place down the road. I will get us some food while you take your shower, okay?"

He told her to lock the door and went to find his car. In thirty minutes, he was back with hamburgers, fries, and a soft drink for each. She had finished her shower and was dressed in a pair of white shorts and a T-shirt. She didn't have a bra under the T-shirt, and Walt couldn't help but notice how firm her breasts were. He also couldn't help but notice her nipples were sticking out under the shirt. He wondered if that was a test.

Susie smiled as she watched him stare at her breasts. She did want to know if a pair of hard nipples would get his attention, and she was surprisingly happy that it had.

They ate their dinner and talked quietly about what was next. By midnight, they were both settled in for the night. Walt noticed she fell asleep almost immediately. He wondered how many good nights of sleep she had recently.

His sleeping in front of the door was one of the things from the Special Forces training. You should always be where no one expects you to be. And if anyone tried to jimmy the door, he would hear it. It had been a hard day, and he was asleep within minutes.