Coffee Break Escapes: Twenty Short Stories To Set You Free by Phillip Howlette

Author:Phillip Howlette [Howlette, Phillip]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2018-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Radio Man

A warm wind blew against the side of Jimmy Craddock’s caravan, rocking it gently, the motion easing him down towards sleep. He had one last thought before slipping away. At last. That bloody noise.

In a smaller caravan next door, Bob Dawson sat on the u-shaped bench seat, hunched over the dinette table, a set of well worn headphones jammed on his ears. He blew the steam off the top of a dirty old mug held in his meaty fist. With the other hand he fiddled with the dial on a large radio receiver. He looked up dragging the headphones from his head. “Goddamn wind.”

He threw the headphones on the table, ran a hand through a mop of dark hair, stood up, and with fists clenched, stomped out of the caravan. He marched the few paces to his neighbour’s van, slapped his hand against the siding and shouted, “Hey mister, can’t you keep this damn door from banging in the wind?” Bob grabbed the swinging door and secured it to the side of the van.

Jimmy Craddock appeared in the doorway, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Hey neighbour, what’s up?”

“What’s up is your damn door banging around, making a hell of a noise while I’m trying to -”

“Trying to what?”

“That’s my business.”

Jimmy smiled. “The sign out front says, “Nevada’s friendliest trailer park.”

“Just try keeping the noise down okay?”

“Look, I’m sorry about that. I just fell asleep after the long drive.” Jimmy thrust out a hand. “Name’s Craddock. Just arrived here today. I’ll make sure I keep things quiet from now on.”

“Well, okay then. I’m Bob Dawson.”

Jimmy’s fingers disappeared into Bob’s big hand as they shook.

“Pleased to meet you Bob. I’m sorry for disturbing your peace and quiet. Let me make it up to you. I got a bottle of fine Kentucky Bourbon here that’ll warm things up a little.”

“It’s a bit early in the day, but I won’t say no. I gotta get back so why don’t you bring it on over. I’m right next door.” Bob pointed to his van, turned and walked away.

Jimmy grabbed a pair of crystal cut glasses and a bottle of amber liquid. “As good a time as any to crack you open.”

With the bottle under his arm, he strolled the few yards to Bob’s van and tapped on the open door. He waited for a few moments and tapped again, a little harder. He peeked inside and saw Bob fiddling with the dial on a transceiver type radio.

Jimmy cleared his throat, and Bob turned and stared back, his eyes wide open.

“Sorry Bob, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Jimmy waved the bottle, held up the glasses and moved inside the van. He watched as Bob removed the headphones, placing them carefully on the table.

“Everything okay Bob? You look like you just got bad news or something.”

“What? No, everything’s good. Real good.” Bob was gabbling now. “I heard it again. I just heard it again. Wait a sec. I gotta write this down.”

Jimmy waited as Bob peered at the radio dial and wrote down a bunch of numbers on a pad.

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