My dad taught me the meaning of honor.
I must've been... seven years old? A kid. My dad took me to the Carnival on the dramatized count of losing an inconsequential bet. After the festivities, we were heading back home in our old Honda Civic. Our mouths and minds filled with sodium infused buttered popcorn. And song.
When our tire broke.
Dad, a man's man, went out to fix it in his uniquely jolly way. That is, until he found out he'd misplaced the jack. My dad truly was an honorable man, and jolly, but most times he was just your average stoner.
Damn how I miss him...
So we sat in the Honda. Dad tried to keep the good moods flowing while we waited for the tow truck. After a while, a truck did come, but it wasn't the one dad called for.
"Ya'll lost?" The driver yelled with that southern twang.
"No, sir!" My dad said. "Just waiting on the tow truck!"
"Is that so?" The driver seemed to be talking to someone inside his truck. "So, um, you two stuck in the middle of nowhere, eh?"
"Sure are!"
The face the truck driver made was that of a simpleton's revelation. I still remember it today. He smirked, then leaned out the window. "Ya'll hol' on tight. We'll get you fixed."
Before my dad could respond, two big guys appeared from behind the truck. Dad told me to stay put as he got the glock out of the glove compartment. The fear I felt in that moment was sharp enough to transcend decades. But my dad understood that he had to do something. He tried to play it cool but I think he was nervous as all hell. He squeezed my shoulder and left the car.
"I'm sure the tow truck will be along soon." My dad said.
"I'm sure too," the simpleton driver said. "But why wait, eh boys?"
His friends smiled in a way that made them seem even dumber than the driver. My dad must've known the caliber of people we were dealing with.
He sighed.
"Open the trunk, old man." One of the oafs said. The bulge in his waist signaling he was packing. "Step aside, and don't be a hero."
My dad smiled in that characteristic way of his - lazy yet intent. "So, you want me to step aside, or open the trunk?"
That jape earned him a slap from one of the oafs, one that my dad retaliated instantly. His reaction was so fast it stunned the other two. They pulled out their iron and my dad did likewise. I remember whispering "No."
"You'd die here now over nothin'? The simpleton driver yelled, eyes caricatured.
"Hardly nothing, friend." My dad said staring through his nine. "Go on." He pointed towards the trunk. "Take what you want and get."
They looked at each other with questioning glances. My dad walked back slowly, popping the trunk without taking his eyes off the three. He stepped back, pointed again.
They approached with timid steps, two watching my father while the third started ransacking the trunk. After he filled a bag with our stuff, the three of them stood with guns pointed at dad. They seemed confused but sated. Dad would later tell me that that's when guys like these were the most dangerous.
"Now what, big man?" The simpleton driver yelled.
"Now you get! Unless one of you wants to test me."
"Big talk coming from a -"
"Joel! Quit it! Let's back!" The driver cut in. "We got what we came for..."
The tension didn't leave until they entered their truck and rode off. There were no wisecracks, no flaunting. Only side glances and snarls. My dad exhaled audibly as they were driving away.
I ran outside and hugged him. He rustled my hair, kissed my forehead. I cried, afraid and confused. He consoled me and kept me warm. When I calmed down he also made me promise to not tell mom about the incident. He said "Your mom's heart is like paper, let's not tear it needlessly." To this day, I think there was something more going on there. Bahh, the old man was filled with secrets.
A couple years later, several bears down sitting on our porch, I would ask him about the incident. I was curious why he would risk his life for a slap, why he didn't just give them what they wanted from the start.
"Son, people like that will take everything if you let them."
"But they did take everything, no?"
He poked my forehead. "We're still alive and kicking aren't we?" I nodded, slowly. "You get what you put out. I knew the type of persons we were dealing with, I felt like I needed to risk something drastic. Was it worth it?" He smiled at me. "I'd say so."
"What if they shot you?"
"Then I'd shoot one of them too." He shrugged. "They weren't willing to risk that. But one has to risk something sometimes to get ahead in life." He finished his bear. "I knew they were too afraid to do anything to your old man!" He pumped his chest, burped.
Damn how I miss him...
Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
This wa a fun write-up. 😁 For those curious my own dad was nothing like this one (kinda wish he was to be frank 😅). But, this tory just came out of me. Sometimes they do that. 😁 Hope you all enjoyed!
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Have a great day! Stay safe! 🙌
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