Salzy laughed again.“Yeah, that’s what they call them.The condo cab is like a tiny house, and the coffin cab only has a bunk bed, with a small amount of storage underneath the mattress.It really is like a large coffin.Feels like it sometimes, especially if it’s hot out.”
“Ah, okay.I get it now.”Jamie smiled.“I’ve noticed that on the drives from Atlanta and back.”
Salzy took a huge bite from his sandwich, that appeared to be ham with a lot of mayo and a bit of mustard.“That your Mercedes SL coup out there?”Speaking around the food in his mouth.
“Yeah.It’s kind of old, but it’s all mine and paid for.It’s in really good condition.My uh...father got it for me when I graduated culinary school four years ago.It was used then, but I’ve never had a problem with it, and I do like driving it.”
“It’s nice.When are you heading back?”Salzy asked.
Jamie shook his head.“I have no idea at the moment.”He shoved both hands in the pockets of his suit pants.He’d gotten it at one of the outlet malls on his way down from Atlanta when his grandfather had died.
“I’ll be here for a day, and then off again.It’s a short run this time.Only to Jacksonville and back,” Salzy informed him before taking another long drink from his glass of milk.“If there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know.Okay?”He looked directly at Jamie.“I really wished I could have been here for the funeral.I did try, but traffic on I-20 was nuts with all the road construction.”
“I understand,” Jamie said.“It’s the thought that counts.”
“I don’t own a suit either,” Salzy said, looking back towards the old white tile floor.“I’d have had to wear some old slacks I have, which have seen better days.”He grinned at Jamie.“I do at least have a decent tie and white shirt.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Jamie couldn’t help but smile.It was like being around this man made you want to smile all the time.He pulled on his own tie that wasn’t very decent and looked cheap...because it was.“I didn’t have a suit until Papaw passed.”
Salzy shrugged, smiled, and took another bite of his sandwich.When he’d swallowed it, he asked, “Want me to make you one?”
Just as Jamie was about to answer no, the little bell jingled.Jamie and Salzy walked towards the front to see who it was.The woman who stood there had a look of pure disdain on her face, with platinum blonde hair, a lot of makeup and pinched face.
“And what do you want,Mother?Money?”
Chapter Two
“That’s Marlene?”Salzywhispered from behind Jamie.“Yourmother?”
Jamie nodded.
Marlene looked at her son, the man behind him, then around the large dining room.When she looked back at Jamie, she said, “Now is that anyway to greet your own mother, Pierre?You didn’t even speak to me at the funeral or the burial.”
“Who’s Pierre?Salzy asked again in a low whisper.
“I thought you’d be halfway back to Texas by now.”Jamie stood there; his arms folded across his chest.“I didn’t speak to you because Ididn’twant to speak to you.”
