Bobby Cole - The dummy line

Elizabeth had no intentions of going all the way with anyone, but she liked Tanner more than she publicly admitted and was a little curious about a few things. A strict Catholic upbringing had guided her so far, and she didn’t intend to stray off the path…very much. Tanner was Southern Baptist; at this stage in his life, however, he wasn’t guided by much of anything except his hormones. Elizabeth was special, and he didn’t want to push too hard or too fast. He respected her. Tanner knew that he was in love.

Elizabeth insisted that they go someplace safe. Tanner had the perfect spot. His family owned 160 acres out in the county. There was no way in the world anyone would catch them out there. Tanner tried to sell her on the idea of watching for shooting stars. She knew what he had in mind. His second-biggest concern was draining the Jeep’s battery listening to the radio, but he’d solved that problem. He’d borrowed a battery from a seldom-used delivery truck at the lumberyard where he worked. No one would ever know. If his sound system drained the main battery, he was prepared. Elizabeth would be impressed.

The date started with a forty-minute drive to Tuscaloosa, western Alabama’s society hub and home of The University of Alabama. Most all of their dates started with a drive to Tuscaloosa, as there wasn’t much recreation for teenagers in Sumter County. Tanner had the top up on his Jeep so it wouldn’t be too cold and windy on the interstate. After dinner at Dreamland Bar-B-Que, they went on campus to Thomas Sewell Stadium, commonly called “The Joe,” to watch Alabama and Auburn play baseball. Night games were perfect for dates. The temperature was pleasant, the crowd was fun, and there was plenty of time to talk. They loved to talk. There was so much going on in their lives. College decisions were bearing down on them. Each was deeply interested in the other yet secretly suspected that their relationship couldn’t survive the distance. They both wished they could step back-let the world slow down. The young couple shared a Dr Pepper in a big plastic cup. Tanner loved sharing anything with Elizabeth.

After the ball game, they quietly walked back to the parking lot. He was so nervous that he forgot to open the door for her. Tanner usually had impeccable manners. She smiled, recognizing what was going on. She knew what was on his mind.

Once they were in the Jeep, Tanner wanted to ask her about parking, hoping she was still willing. So far he had played it pretty nonchalant, like he planned these events all the time. Inside he was a bundle of nerves.

Something in his back pocket started vibrating, making a thumping sound against the tight canvas seats. He had forgotten that she had stuck her cell phone in his back pocket on the way into the game so she wouldn’t have to carry her purse. The vibration really startled Tanner. Elizabeth got so tickled and laughed so hard that Dr Pepper shot out of her nose.

“Is that your butt vibrating?” she asked and burst out laughing again.

Tanner blushed and handed her the phone.

Elizabeth pushed her hair behind her ear and cheerfully said, “Hello,” while she smiled lovingly at Tanner.

“Yes ma’am, it was a great game. Well, except Auburn won.” She winked at Tanner. “It was nine-seven. We will…I promise. We’ll be careful. Y’all don’t work too late. I love you, Mom. Bye.”

“Checkin’ on you?” he asked.

“More like checking on you, to make sure you hadn’t kidnapped me,” she said with a grin.

“So, still wanna see the stars tonight?” he asked, starting the Jeep and giving her his best smile.

“Sure it’s safe?” She squinted at him.

“I swear it is,” he replied, making a cross sign over his heart.

“Let’s go!” she exclaimed, smiling widely, and then kissed him on the cheek.

Tanner drove holding Elizabeth’s hand while they listened to her new Kenny Chesney CD. When they finally got to the gravel road, Tanner dropped the Jeep’s top. The sky was clear, the temperature cool. No one to interrupt. The perfect setting for a few hours of stargazing.

The camp house was about 150 yards past the gate and stood silent, surrounded by massive pine trees. Enveloped in total darkness, Jake swallowed hard and hurried to park so he could turn on some lights. The darkness confirmed that Tate hadn’t made it. Tucked into the corner of the lot, off to the side of the main camp house was the Love Sub. He parked right in front of it and left the headlights on while he got out, unlocked the door, found the switch, and quickly flipped on the lights. Relief flooded him as much as the lights did the darkness of the camper.

Katy was right behind him, claiming the top bunk for herself and the Beanie Babies. Jake left her on the bed and went outside to unlock the camp house and turn on the floodlights. Safely navigating the sheer quantity of junk lying around outside required as much light as possible. There were old cookers, bald tires, and tree stands, and the grass was almost knee deep. I gotta tell Katy to stay on the path so she won’t step on a rattlesnake .

As each light turned on, Jake felt progressively better. He wasn’t scared of the dark, but at times, it got a little spooky. On the far side of Jake’s camper was an abandoned mobile home. It had huge holes in the walls, exposing the insulation, and all the windows were broken. Katy imagined it was haunted. Even at thirty-eight, Jake preferred not to think about it. This whole place was creepy. The camp looked like a Hollywood version of a Ku Klux Klan meeting place, complete with Rebel flags and animal skulls.

Katy was in the upper bunk doing whatever nine-year-old girls and Beanie Babies do as Jake moved their stuff from the truck into the camper. After turning on the electric space heater to knock the chill out of the air, he organized their gear for the morning hunt. Boots, long johns, socks, and camo, all ready for action. The only items left in the truck were his shotgun and his hunting vest.

“Let’s start a fire. We can play a few games of pool while it gets going,” Jake suggested.

“Oh, yeah!” Katy excitedly replied and began climbing down from the bunk.

One of the things Jake really liked about this camp was the outside fire pit. It was so relaxing to sit around a fire when the air was chilly. Jake loved the way it felt when his front side got warm and his backside was cool. He could sit for hours just watching the flames and periodically poking at the wood.

By placing a starter log with a few pieces of fatwood in the old ashes and stacking dry logs around it, he methodically built the fire. Then, to get it going as fast as possible, he soaked everything with lighter fluid. He dropped in a match. The fire flashed. He immediately felt the heat on his skin. Standing there for a few seconds, he watched the fire quickly overtake every inch of lighter fluid.

“Wow…that’s a big fire!” Katy exclaimed.

“Let’s play some pool. I’ll keep an eye on it. We’ll let it burn down some before we roast marshmallows. Did you get enough to eat? Are you hungry, thirsty?”

“I’m fine, Dad.”

“Well, come on. Walk right behind me. This grass is so high you might trip over somethin’. Let’s have the World Championship Pool Tournament. Loser leaves town,” Jake joked.

“You’re in trouble, big boy, ‘cause I’m gonna beat you like a redheaded stepchild!” Katy rambled, doing her best tough-girl imitation.

“Katy, where did you hear that?”

“From you! You say it all the time when you’re workin’ Scout at the river.”

“Well, don’t say that anymore. It’s not nice. It’s just an old-timey saying. Jeez, girl, you’re gonna get me in trouble,” Jake said, rolling his eyes. I’m gonna have to watch what I say around her. She’s a sponge. Walking toward the camp house, he remembered something else that might get him in trouble.