Toad Lick, TX. Pt 5

Toad-Lick, Part V
PART V
There’s Darryl Mcphatridge, and his lovely wife Darlene. They own and operate the last real Barber-shop/ Beauty Salon in the State of Texas. Well, probably not the last one in the state, but definitely the last one here. There are three other places around here to get your hair cut, all of them those trendy, new-style unisex places. Everyone over about forty here, is a little leery of them. I think that Pro-something, you know the one, it’s all over in the city, is some kin to that Hooter’s place. Anyway, Darryl and Darlene, or Double-D, because you hardly ever see one without the other, and they’re never more than yelling distance apart, have owned and operated the Barber-Shop since I can remember. Darryl gave me my first hair-cut, and had to suspiciously examine the cuts that Dave and I were sporting when we came home on leave from the Army. He cut my hair all my life that is, until a couple of years ago, I got a shaver, and started cutting my fringe myself. Nature had taken care of the top part, already. So, when they come into the coffee-shop for lunch, or when I pay a visit to them at the store, they always greet me by fondly saying, “Hi, Traiter! How ya doin’? Ready to come to your senses yet?”
Double-D always goes to the lake for a camp-out, and some fishing with their grandkids for spring-break. They figure it gives the kids something interesting to do, away from the pressure of school, and gets them out of their mom and dad’s hair for a few days. They were in here this morning, with the grandkids in tow, the RV loaded up, boat attached, and ready to set out on high adventure. Their grandkids are Tony, 13, Timmy, 10, and Rae. Rae’s a little sweetie. She’s 6 and wants to know about everything. I don’t see where Double-D get the energy for it, but bless them, they do. Their son, Darryl Jr., we all call him DJ, is ten years younger than me, and Dave. Darryl Sr. was one of the scout leaders in our town, and when we went on campouts, he’d always bring DJ. with him. Between the two of them, I don’t think there’s anything they don’t know about camping out, the woods, or fishing. DJ’s an insurance salesman now, up in the city, so the only time he gets to go anymore is the annual 4 th of July Picnic out at the lake. Donna and I used to go to the Picnic religiously, but since she died, and I took the job of Police Chief here, I don’t get the chance to do it for long anymore. Everyone usually goes out there on about the 2 nd or 3 rd , and camps out together through the 4 th , fishing, boating, hiking, or just lazing around, then they all pack it up and come back the 5 th . Nowadays, I get to go out there on the 4 th , usually for a couple of hours, but Toad-Lick always has a 4 th of July parade in the afternoon, and then a fireworks display right after sundown. Dave and I always have to be here, and on duty for that, so neither of us gets to go be with our friends for the 4 th anymore. I sure miss it, a lot. What I don’t miss is Double-D, or DJ, or Gary, Sam, one of the reverends, or somebody, or their wife more likely, always bringing some nice, middle-aged woman to the picnic, and just happen to think that she’d be a good match for lonely little ol’ me!
Sheesh! Dave says that I, being a single middle-aged man, am the talk of the town among the ladies, hereabouts. He says I’m a challenge to them, so I better just pick one of the ladies they throw at me, and settle down, or they’ll never give me a moments peace. I’m hoping to outlast them. Here’s an example.
This morning when Double-D came in for breakfast with the grandkids, they also had this nice-seeming, attractive woman with them. Turns out her name is Gloria, and she’s Darlene’s niece from the other side of the city. She’s a school teacher, ( they all have this thing that public- service professionals should be more attracted to each other, I guess. They’re always either school teachers, or nurses it seems to me, except one female cop, who turned out to be a Lesbian, {They hadn’t asked her beforehand, just sprung us on each other} that was memorable.) and had just gone through a nasty divorce. They’d just incidentally asked Gloria if she wanted to go camping with them this week, to get away. Then they sat at a table where there was no room for Gloria, knowing that, gentleman that I am, I’d invite her to sit with me. Ok, I did that. So they know their mark! So sue me. Quit snickering!! I hear you! Besides that, she is attractive, and smells good, too. So, Gloria and I had a nice conversation, in which we exchanged information about Double-D trying to set us up with each other. Seems that Darlene had told her all about me, over the last couple of weeks. Just kind of casually, you know. I found out right away that Gloria ain’t dumb. We laughed about it good-naturedly, and exchanged phone numbers. Neither of us are ready for more than dating right now, but having someone to date is an important step, right?
Ok, I said quit snickering, and I meant it. I’ll be looking for your old pick-up, speeding though my town.
So, after a nice conversation, Double-D, Gloria, and the kids all piled into the RV, and off they went to high adventure, down at the lake. Of course I told them I’d look in on them, and am supposed to go down there for supper with them one night this week. Gloria’s cooking, no less. Oh, yeah. Darryl let it slip that there’s supposed to be a full moon out this week, just in case we might feel like a little walk in the country after dinner. Gloria and I both just grinned at them. Can you say “Set-up?” I knew you could. Some of the older folks around here get pretty obvious about their matchmaking. I’ll bet you that Darlene is supposed to report in full detail to my mom, God bless her little pea-pickin’ heart, when they get back. Mom and Darlene have been thick as thieves for years. I think they’ve been volunteers at the same charity program 30 years, or more, and we can’t forget the weekly ladies bridge club, to which they both belong. Then there’s the “Red Hat Society.” Both of them are members in good standing. From what I know of the “Red Hat Society,” one must be female, over 65, possess a red hat, and be available for the monthly luncheons. I’m not sure I want to know more than that about it.©Texasfred