All Aboard! Romance on Route 66

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  At ten all the passengers were waiting for the ride to the dock. All the women were gathered in one ring talking hats. Carol was pouting that she didn’t have a new hat and suddenly she and Gloria ran back into the hotel to the gift shop. A few minutes later as the bus pulled up they came back out sporting new hats much to the women’s glee.

  Sam the Greyhound man was standing in the front with a running commentary about St. Louis and its famous starting point to the west. Nobody was listening to him and the chatter from the passengers was drowning out his voice and finally he gave up and sat down.

  Unloading at the dock and Sam making sure nobody was left behind he led them single file up the gangway to the deck of the paddle wheeler. Slim brought up the rear and noticed how big the paddle wheel was. This was his first time aboard a riverboat and marveled at the design of old craftsmen. Smoke was coming out of the stacks and a whistle sounded the all clear to cast off. The current took the boat slowly downstream and then the giant paddle wheel kicked in beating the water making the boat navigate under its own power. The horn sounded again and all the passengers were lined up on the railing watching the dock fade away. They were off and Lilly felt the excitement in her body like never before. She had never been on a boat in her life and was amazed how smooth it was gliding across the water. People along the bank waved and she waved back as did most of the passengers. The wind picked up a little and it was cooler on the water. She was happy with her new hat and glad she had a chin strap to keep it from flying off. Her new green print dress and new yellow sandals, to Slim, made her look lovely and he longed to put his arms around her, but now was not the time. Sam meanwhile was trying to get the passengers to follow him for a tour of the boat, but nobody wanted to move watching the shore line of activity and the other docks and barges being loaded made it much more interesting than a tour of the boat. Finally he gave up and leaned on the rail enjoying the sights as well.

  A while later they all agreed to the sightseeing of the boat itself. Like a snake they followed the head from top to bottom looking at things they had no idea what they were. Slim was constantly banging his head and finally gave up and returned to the top deck and when the rest of them found their way to the captain place behind a giant wheel seen only in the movies, Slim was deep in conversation with him. The captain looked like he was right out of Mark Twain’s novel dressed in all blue except a white shirt in 1850’s costume. Lilly fell in love with his hat and couldn’t keep her eyes off it. A gold braid and a gold anchor sat in the middle of the hat and for some reason could see her man with a hat like that on the farm.

  Lilly looked around and out of the window it seemed they were a long ways up and headed right for an empty barge being towed up river. Her heart was in her throat and it seemed at the last minute the captain steered away and back again like a car passing on a narrow road. Slick as anything she had ever seen. Lilly went back outside the cabin and let the wind blow through her hair after she took off her hat. It felt good and the river smell drifted up to her nose. She couldn’t place the smell but finally determined a mixture of wet earth, sewage and oil were the dominant odors. Not bad and one could get used to it if one were a river rat as she heard Slim refer to some of the folks working on the river.

  Slim came up behind her and wrapped his long arms around her waist and she rested her head against his chest. Both looked at the shoreline watching kids swimming near the shore and waving at them. Lilly waved back and said, “How can they swim in such waters as this?”

  “Easy,” said Slim, “you just dive in and windmill your arms and kick like crazy with your legs.” Lilly turned and slugged him in the stomach and he feinted hurt and she swallowed hook line and sinker thinking he really was hurt. Then he raised his head up and let out a barrel laugh that turned the heads of those still inside the captain’s steer house wondering what was so darn funny.

  Lilly went back to watching the shoreline noticing how many ramshackle places dotted the shoreline. I wonder do people really live like that. No wonder the water smells like sewage. She didn’t want to look at the scene anymore so she grabbed Slim’s arm and went down the stairs to watch the big paddle wheel go round and round.

  Slim and Sam had told them this paddle boat was first made in 1877 and completely rebuilt just a few years ago. It was spotless and it still held the historic feeling of that day and age. Lilly marveled at the large iron connecting rods that turned the big wheel. She wondered how they made them back in the old days and better yet how did they manage to move them into place. So much she didn’t know and if it weren’t for this trip, she would still be living under a mushroom unaware of the outside world. They had moved down the river and around a bend and now she saw fields and farms along the way. A small dock now and then told her how supplies were delivered by water rather than by road. Maybe in the old days this was the major source of transportation she thought. It is so peaceful here even above the noise of the paddle wheel beating the water into submission as it traveled down the way. She could imagine kids running along the bank following the sounds of the boat and the captain tooting his horn of steam sending a short burst of white clouds that quickly went away following the sound.

  Slim broke her daydreaming by saying, “Honey Al told me about joining us on a farm and helping out along with Sue.”

  “I’m sorry Slim, so much has been happening lately I haven’t had time to talk to you about it. Let’s discuss it when we return from this nice boat trip back to the hotel soaking in the tub.” A big white toothy smile crossed his face as she looked up his eyes. Lilly put her arms around his middle and laid her head against his body about belly button height. His arms went down her shoulders and came together on her lower back. She felt protected and secure with him. He was always looking out for her and making sure she was in his sights or knew her whereabouts. One thing she liked about him was his attention to detail. Like his bus, he always checked it out from top to bottom before allowing his passengers to board. Driving was the same. His eyes could see things she couldn’t and that was so important to a driver of a bus. She let out a big sigh and looked to the sky thanking God she had found him and found a new life too thanks to her mother.

  Sam walked up and told Slim that lunch would be served in the dining room in about thirty minutes. The boat would dock along the bank of an old farm under some giant trees that overhung the river. Slim nodded his head and they joined by Jasper and Frieda who were holding hands and their eyes were full of happiness enjoying the boat ride. Frieda spoke first saying, “I never in my whole life dreamed I would be on a paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River. Isn’t this the living end?”

  “I’ll say it is Frieda. And I don’t want this trip to end. Not here. Not Chicago. Not ever.” Jasper laughed and while Slim looked down on them he gave the impression Slim was one lucky guy to have found Lilly.

  “I know our trip is coming to an end soon and this experience is a once in a life time thing. I made some phone calls last night and want to tell you that my bishop gave the go ahead for me to marry you two in Chicago at his church. The documents are being made up now and all you have to do is fill in the blanks when we get there at the church. I wanted to tell you now so you can have peace of mind for the rest of the trip. It will be a glorious day for all and Frieda and I wish you the best for your upcoming new life together.”

  Lilly was crying and holding onto Frieda as Slim shuffled from foot to foot and hands together one moment and then arms moving around as a ducks circling for a place to land on the water. Jasper grabbed one hand and pumped it to slow his movements down. Lilly wiped her eyes with a new handkerchief she bought at the gift shop and then hugged her man. Sam yelled that lunch was ready and they moved to the dining room together as a unit rather than strangers. A tight group of friends in such a short time one could see by the warm friendly gestures of the passengers on a historic trip down the Big Muddy.

  The dining room took up most of the main floor. Where at one time gambling was prev
alent, now catering to the dinner crowd was in vogue. Usually the boat was docked and customers came aboard to eat a lavish dinner. During the day time tourists booked daily trips up and down the river. When the bus passengers walked into the dining room the section walled off for gambling was missing and tables sat from one end of the deck to the other. Special rolls of bamboo hung like drapes to block unwanted weather conditions like wind and rain. Today they were tied up and a fresh breeze off the river made its way across the dining room. Tables of checker clothe covered each of the many tables with waitresses dressed the same. Lilly thought it quite nice and sat down with anticipation of a nice time.

  For the first time the women were on one side of the table and the men on the other. Slim of course at the head of the table for his long legs and Sam the Greyhound man at the other end. Sam’s pasted grin never left his face. He was born to the new media of TV and would no doubt be a favorite in the Chicago area in the future. His voice was neither rough nor irritating. Lilly guessed his age about the middle thirties with slick black hair stuck to his scalp with heavy hair cream of some sort. She was not familiar with men’s hair cream and Slim never used any to her knowledge. He always had a hat on or let it fly in the wind looking like a tall scarecrow in a corn field.

  Lunch was a buffet of ubiquitous dishes stretched from one end of the room to the other. Lilly gave off a little gasp when she saw the abundance of food. The line of food didn’t go unnoticed by Slim as he licked his lips in anticipation of a making his mark in the long line of food. He said to Lilly, “I’m going after the fried chicken and after that, I will take on the ham. This is Southern style and that guy who is standing by the chicken and ham will not believe it when I’m through with this lunch.”

  Lilly smacked him on the arm and said with a grin, “Behave yourself Slim, but I know you and when we get to our farm, you will have to do with a lot less on your plate.”

  His face dropped and his eyes looked at her like a puppy dog and quietly said, “Ok, I will try my best to not make a fool of myself and now I see Sam leading the way, so let’s go girl!” And for once he scooted back and got up without spilling anything on the table and made his way leading Lilly by the hand to the end of the tables picking up two plates instead of the customary one plate. By the time he reached the end he pulled out the second plate from his inside his belt and told the guy to fill it up with the chicken of various pieces. The guy, once he looked higher and higher finally found the voice that was talking to him and with his mouth hanging open took his tongs and stacked chicken on it until Slim said to stop. Lilly behind him, Sue next to her giggled acting like two school girls and when it was their turn asked for a chicken breast and also a piece of ham.

  Slim, hands greasy from the chicken hardly took notice when the girls returned to the table. Up and down the tables one side was chatting with each other and the men were quiet enjoying the Southern lunch. Slim heard Herm say that this was the first time he had eaten fried catfish and it was delicious. Hugh was exclaiming about the southern fried potatoes and ham. On and on the raves of the food circled the table. Even Diane seemed to enjoy the food and apparently the boat ride had little or no effect on her condition much to Rick’s relief. Most all agreed that Rick was going through some tough times living with her condition and it appeared he was determined to see it through. No doubt he was in love and Diane was most aware of his feelings. Between bits and conversation Lilly wondered how it would all turn out for them in the end. Soon Diane’s mother and father would be in Chicago and a heavy gloom would settle over the aunt’s house. Lilly shook it off and returned to her lunch and took some notice of Slim and his pile of chicken bones clean as a whistle on his plate. A waitress asked him if she could take his plate with the bones and Slim nodded to her as he didn’t want to talk with a mouthful of potato salad.

  As most had finished lunch and were relaxing over sweet pink juleps Sam made the announcement that tonight they would see a Gilbert and Sullivan play at the local theatre. The play would begin at eight and a bus would take them from the hotel at seven thirty sharp. A smattering of applause and talk flew back and forth about something most of them had never seen before. Excitement grew and who and what were Gilbert and Sullivan. Sam continued on by explaining it was a comedy and hoped they all liked it. He sat down with his pie and coffee seemingly unaware of the talk around him. He had done his job and now it was time to enjoy the fruits of his labor: good food and plenty of it.

  After lunch Lilly and Slim sat on the back deck of the boat in rattan chairs enjoy the fine afternoon breeze over the water keeping the late August temperature to a livable level. They were deep into a discussion about joining forces on a farm. After ironing out the rough spots, they agreed to give it a whirl after the wedding and honeymoon. It was decided, as Slim pointed out, Memphis, Tennessee would be a good place to meet up or have a message delivered to a hotel Slim had said was reasonable and clean. Slim and Lilly had decided they would drop down to Tennessee and then take in Kentucky and a few other states around the region. Lilly loved Missouri, but was keeping an open mind on other places Slim had talked about where it was just as nice or even better than Missouri.

  In their talk about building a house for Slim’s comfort, Rick’s name came up as a guy who might want to help build a house in exchange for room and board and a little pocket money while waiting to see what happened to Diane and her future. Al said he would talk to him and left the group to find Rick and Diane. A few minutes later they came back and six of them sat around talking about the future plans. Lilly asked Diane if she wanted her to go with her when she met her parents. “I think it is best if I go alone and face the music by myself. I would like for you to go Lilly, but my parents don’t know you and maybe they would not be comfortable with you there as a supporter,” she said with more conviction in her voice and face than she really felt. Lines of a frown on her face together with hands that wouldn’t sit still gave Lilly the impression the poor girl was facing the crisis of a lifetime coming much sooner than she would have liked to see come.

  Lilly said, “Maybe your parents and aunt and uncle would like to come to our wedding. They could see what good friends you’ve made on this trip and maybe that would relieve some of the tension.” Rick perked up at the thought of meeting her parents and he had been wondering how he could introduce himself without creating more problems for Diane and her parents. His look of longing didn’t go unnoticed by all in the group as Diane thought about what Lilly had said.

  “I will ask them and call you at your hotel after the meeting. I have no idea what they will say or do at this time. I still want to go to college and my feelings for Rick are based on friendship and trust.”

  Rick’s face took a dive not really knowing what that meant until later when Lilly had a chance to tell him what Diane meant by her statement. Meanwhile, Rick was delighted to be included in their plans especially if it meant living somewhere near the King of Rock and Roll. Rick told them he had enough money saved up to last him awhile and if they could feed him and put a roof over his head, even if it was in a barn, he was their man to do whatever they wanted him to do. As it turned out much later, he proved his worth as a hired hand and in addition to his dedication to his work, other things about him revealed his true worth.

  Everything mostly settled between the six of them, they sat back and enjoyed the trip back up the river and waited to pass under the historic bridge where just yesterday they passed over the bridge. Slim was a bit mesmerized at the paddle wheel and watching the water falling that he closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the wheel propel them upstream. Lilly and Sue sat under their new hats and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the steam engine rumbling and the clear light blue sky streaked with high cirrus clouds in their futile attempt to block the sun. The temperature was perfect, but Lilly knew she would have a sunburn on her legs and arms after being in the sun. She smiled at the thought her mother would scold her for not protecting herself against the sun w
ith her pure white skin. Some color, she thought might look good against her otherwise pale white skin. Sue interrupted her thinking by saying, “Lilly, do you know how to can fruit and veggies?”

  “Not a clue,” she looked at Sue with a serious face and said, “How about you, did you learn how to cook and can anywhere along the line?”

  “Matter of fact I did,” with a smug look on her face. “My grandmother taught us three girls how to can in the summer time and it was my job to listen and count the ‘pops’ of the jars sealing. I also remember it being a hot job as big pots of things cooking on the stove and the pressure canner was something us girls could not touch as grandma said it was very dangerous if it wasn’t sealed properly.”

  Lilly slowly nodded her head thinking about canning watching a barge coming down the river passing under the bridge. It was heavily laden with grain most likely headed to New Orleans she guessed. After passing the barge and under the bridge the paddle wheeler turned and followed the barge downstream. Lilly looked at her watch and saw it was close to two pm and sadly this nice trip was going to end soon.

  Much to Slim and Al’s chagrin, they were dragged to a clothing store to be fitted for the proper dress for the play. Lilly and Sue had told them it would double for the wedding and not to mumble and complain. Lilly and Sue were giggling when they walked into a men’s store and saw the look on the salesman’s face when Slim stood there grinning at him, listening to Lilly telling him what they wanted and to have it ready by seven pm tonight. The owner came from the back when he heard his employee exclaiming they had never made suit for someone as big and tall as Slim. However, the owner was more professional and Lilly could tell he wasn’t daunted by the fact of Slim’s height. He brushed aside the employee and his measuring tape were hanging around his neck when he told the employee to find him a chair to stand on for taking the size of the Slim’s frame. Thirty minutes later both Slim and Al, measurements taken, suits picked out, the price agreed upon, headed back to the hotel while the girls took off to find a dress shop for the night’s excursion to the theatre. The owner promised to have the suits ready by seven and true to his word the suits arrived and were a perfect fit for both guys.