Letters Book One by Michael Robert

Author:Michael Robert [Robert , Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Perry

The roads into Charleston were busy for a Wednesday and had me wondering what all the traffic was about. Pulling into a gas station with forty miles left on this leg of the journey, I decided to ask about it.

“Yes, sir, it’s definitely been busy today. Most likely due to Memorial Day weekend. It’s still early summer, so people keep coming until it gets too hot and steamy later into the season.” The polite teenager shared all this through my open window while wiping the bug splatter off the windshield.

“I’m heading to Charleston. Do you know of any shortcuts to help me cut out some of this traffic?”

“No, sir. It’s best you stay on I-26 straight into town. Otherwise, I’d be sending you around your elbow to get to your thumb. It’ll clear up a in a bit, and you’ll be fine.” He held my eyes, sincere and unfazed in his directness. I liked that in a person.

I’d noticed in the last three days that southern people were polite, direct, and matter of fact. The accent was becoming enjoyable to hear too. “Well, thank you very much,” I said, handing him an extra ten dollars as a tip.

“Kind of you, sir, thank you for this.” He held it up before stuffing the bill into his pocket. He had a sweet smile. It was obvious that he’d been raised properly. That got me thinking.

“Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course, sir. I’ll do my best to answer ya.”

I decided to do a bit of investigating on my own. “Were you born in South Carolina?”

“Yes, sir! Born and raised. Right over in Goose Creek. Have you heard of Goose Creek?”

“No, I’ve not, and not to sound weird, but I was wondering something else. Are you close to your mother?” This had to sound weird as hell, but I was testing Patsy’s theory about South Carolina boys.

“Well, of course I am, sir. I reckon my momma is the best thing in my life. Until I find myself a wife. And she better love her too, cuz Mommas my world.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

“Yes, sir, I do believe that.” He tipped his hat and turned away to assist another car.

My next stop would be Charleston Place, an exceptionally fine hotel in the heart of the city. Siri gave it five stars, and the nightly price agreed with her. I was enjoying the southern charm of the hotels, and the service had been exemplary. That was saying something, considering I was accustomed to the finest.

I’d come from nothing and had managed to accumulate more money than I’d ever spend, but I hoped I wasn’t coming off that way in my travels. In New York City, money like mine impressed no one. Everyone in the city had money. Some had less and some had more. I fell in the upper range of more. It had amazed me how quickly Jack and I had fallen into the traps of wealth. We ran with the moneyed crowd.

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