Washington's Travels: The Buck Starts Here Read online

  Sensing Bess watching him with worried eyes Carl chimed, “In forty years we’ve never been robbed, and we aren’t getting robbed Bess,” Carl said to her calmly. “Now just settle down and put out some fresh apples. It’s going to be a wonderful day,” Carl spoke happily convinced the day would be grand. Bess responded about something happening to Zack’s hardware store down the street and she just felt they should take precautions was all she was saying as she dusted the candy jars on the front of the counter. She went on to say the neighborhood just wasn’t the same anymore.

  An early morning regular customer came in and bought a newspaper and one of Bess’ fresh, homemade fried pies.

  “The wind has really picked up this morning,” he said as he took a bite of the still warm pie. I could almost hear satisfaction in his grin as he handed money to Carl. The old register had a quaint resounding chime when he rang up the sale; almost as if to announce the continuation of a life-long tradition.

  “You’re always the first one here. Thanks, Sam. Tell Susie hello for us,” Carl called out as the man left the store.

  “Sure thing,” he responded as the door closed behind him.

  Suddenly, I heard the glass front door open in a fury and bang against the wall. From inside the register I could hear Bess let out a small gasp as Carl said, “That wind sure is strong. May I help you find something, son?” Whoever walked in the store didn’t respond, but I could hear him approach the counter. Unexpectedly, there was shouting. I couldn’t ascertain the exact exchange of conversation but it sounded aggressive.

  Abruptly, the cash drawer was opened and the light was blinding. You see, I was on the top of the stack; the next to leave if I was needed to make change. Just as swiftly as the drawer opened an unfamiliar gloved hand reached in and starting yanking out the other denominations.

  “Not me, not me,” I pleaded. It almost worked; until the robber thought twice and reached in and grabbed my stack also.

  Shouting at the old man to stay down and not move, I could hear Bess sobbing somewhere in a corner of the store. He stuffed handful of bills into a backpack. I was halfway out and not very secure as he hurriedly exited through the same door he entered. Momentarily caught off guard by a gust of wind, he paused before he headed north on Front Street. However, that gust of wind had freed me from my precarious position as the last one in the backpack.

  Trying to stretch myself out to catch as much wind as possible, I wanted to float as far away from this misguided young man as possible. Temporarily caught by the corner stop sign, a second gust of wind blew me across Front Street where I landed on a brick window sill.

  Just as I noticed the paint chipping on the window sash, I was airborne yet again and finally came to rest on the windshield of a large pickup truck covered almost completely in mud. Sniffing the air, I wasn’t so sure it was mud. Quickly recognizing the smell as manure, I set about trying to free myself by lifting my edges and hoping one would catch the draught. Oddly, the sound of whistling could be heard over the wind as I anxiously realized I had gotten caught in the wiper blade.

  Almost as soon as I pondered who the vehicle’s owner was, I realized the whistling was coming toward me. Indeed, around the back corner of the truck came a red headed, freckled face fellow wearing a blue cap, plaid shirt and red suspenders. Still whistling he spotted me and his face lit up in a huge grin.

  “Oh, little Hannah will love this,” he mused as he rescued me from the wiper. Pausing to open the truck door he folded me and tucked me in his shirt pocket, which smelled faintly of fertilizer. Thankfully, I wasn’t drifting in the wind anymore, while, I admit, it was exciting and frightening at the same time; it was also quit dizzying.

  Riding in his breast pocket he continued whistling the same tune and was quite good. The truck finally came to a halt as he bounced out. This is a rather happy fellow I thought as I heard the sound of huge equipment and smelled the almost overpowering aroma of fertilizer. Perhaps, this must be where he works, I thought…and I was right.

  After an exhausting day filing fertilizer orders, we were, I hoped, heading home and relieving ourselves of this dreadful smell of fertilizer. Dozing as he drove and whistled, I was jolted awake by the shrill of a small child’s laughter. We had arrived at his modest home and a new smell filled my nostrils…pot roast.

  Suddenly, I was being jostled up and down as I realized he was bouncing the laughing child on his knee. She was begging for a present and laughing merrily.

  “Ah…a present ye want my dear, sweet, Hannah?”

  “Yes dada, yes! What have you brought me?!”

  Wrinkling his nose he thought for a minute. He usually brings her sugar cookies or a piece of Bess’ homemade candy. But today he didn’t have time to stop at the corner store. Although he remembered hearing sirens as he pulled away from the hardware store and made a mental note to stop by and check on Carl tomorrow.

  “Well then, ‘tis a present ye get,” as he reached in his pocket and pulled me out and handed me over to the child. Hannah squealed as she reached for me and kissed her father on the cheek at the same time. Her strawberry blonde hair and big blue eyes danced as she giggled to herself. Dismounting from her father’s lap she skipped down the hallway squealing with glee. Placing me on her soft pink bedspread she ran to her closet where she kept her box of treasures. Returning to the bed she placed the box on the floor then delicately picked me up only to sit on the floor beside the box and examine me. Flipping me over and over I was reminded of my flight down Front Street. Patiently awaiting her to satisfy her curiosity, I hoped it would be quickly.

  Seemingly happy with my less than immaculate appearance, even the remnants of the greasy thumb print, still faintly visible, Hannah gently laid me on top of the contents of the box, which she then put back in its former resting place. I was comforted by the fact that I was among her favorite things. Some of which I caught a glimpse of before she placed me in the box. If memory serves, there was the remnant of a pink tattered ribbon, a shiny brass key, a Barbie doll head, a reddish pink rock and a keychain with the name of the amusement park her father had taken her to last year on it. Yes, without question I felt honored to be counted among her favorite things.

  Bright and early the next day, however, I was called into action. Hannah opened the box and took me out. Folding me carefully, as if she were afraid to injure me, she placed me lovingly in her little pink purse. Not sure what she was so excited about, I just knew we were going somewhere that day. Hearing her father call her name and tell her we were going to be late she excitedly ran down the stairs and into his arms. The purse, bouncing around on her arm jumbled me about like popcorn in a bag. My anticipation was mounting.

  Her father told her to put her coat on or they would be late for church. How wonderful I thought, this would be my first trip to church. As the little girl climbed in the car with me in tow, all I could think of was how I had only heard wonderful things about church. Arriving a few minutes later, the little girl was a bundle of joy as she jumped out of the car and ran towards the church. Forgetting her purse on the seat her father called out to her, "Hannah, Hannah! You forgot your purse."

  Giggling, she came running back to the car sweeping her purse off the seat still giggling; then she turned swiftly around to run back towards the church. She certainly was a bundle of excitement. I heard her tell her daddy she wanted to find a good seat. Finding a seat quickly they sat down as she held me tightly on her lap; in her purse, of course.

  Suddenly, we stood up and I heard music start to play as everyone started to sing. The little girl sang as loud as she could with a smile in her heart. Seated again, she shifted her purse to rest beside her as the pastor started to speak to the congregation. From where I was inside her purse it sounded like such a wonderful service.

  Towards the end of the service I heard commotion in the aisles. Apparently, it was time for the offering. To my surprise the little girl reached in her purse and pulled me out. She was grinning from ear to ear as
she readied to place me in the offering plate. Her eagerness was overflowing causing pride and joy to swell within me. Her father suddenly spoke asking, "Are you sure you want to offer your dollar, sweetheart?"

  "Oh yes daddy, more than anything!" The little girl said in a voice beaming with delight. And as the silver plate was passed to her she gently laid me on top of the other offerings that had been made.

  Such a sweet child, I wish I had spent more time getting to know her. But as the nature of what I do, sometimes I move very swiftly into the lives of others. Not even to be taken home by some.

  Yet, as more and more offerings were piled on top of me I assumed they had a very large congregation that morning. At last, the collection was complete and I was stacked with some other offering trays and carried to a back room where I was very carefully counted out with the rest. Stacked neatly on another pile of bills, a rubber band was placed around us as we were then added to get another pile and placed inside a dark fabric bag. Suddenly I heard the zipper close and supposed I’d be waiting till the next morning to be taken to the bank for deposit. Therefore, I decided to retire for the rest of the day.

  ****

  It was going to be a long day at the bank the next morning as I found myself holding up a large pile of my peers. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind being on the bottom of the stack. To me, it doesn’t matter whether you are first or last. It’s the fact that you are present and ready to do your duty when called upon. And I was ready.

  Unable to discern voices throughout the day because of the muffling effect of my peers I entertained myself with the possibilities of where I might be needed next. Would I end up at a county fair? Or, a trip aboard a cruise ship to a tropical island? Or, traveling cross country with a band? The possibilities are endless.

  Lost in my daydreams I suddenly realized the teller was tallying her drawer to reconcile it with the computer printout. The bank was closing and I was still awaiting my next adventure; possibly tomorrow then. I had no choice but to wait.

  CHAPTER 3

  The Circus

  Tuesday morning proved to be much busier than Monday. Overhearing the tellers talking, they noted that it was the first of the month therefore, today would be a very busy day indeed. And they were right! I was out of the cash drawer and handed to an elegantly dressed elderly woman with a brisk attitude before noon.

  As she departed the bank she made a call to her daughter and arranged lunch at a little bistro across town. Ending the call she hurriedly got in her car and pulled out of the bank parking lot. Sitting at a stop light her phone rang. Answering quickly, she soon became annoyed with the caller. I wasn’t certain, but I assumed by her side of the conversation, it was her husband. Tossing the phone into her purse on the passenger seat she was muttering something to herself about always having to do everything. Understandably, I could sense her irritation.

  As she pulled up to the bistro she seemed to relax. Grabbing her oversized pocket book, in which I was safely tucked inside her leather wallet, she dashed inside to find a good table. As I recalled her telling her daughter on the phone, “Get there as early as you can dear. You know how all the best tables at Angelo’s go quickly.” I gathered this was an upscale establishment where fine dining was to be enjoyed. Thus, entering the large wooden, double front door she looked around in search of the maître d’. Not immediately spotting him, she asked a waiter standing nearby if Carlos was available.

  “No ma’am today is his day off.”

  “Well, fooee! I’ve come in from New York and this is the only restaurant within fifty miles where I’ll eat,” she stated flatly. “He shouldn’t have the day off when I arrive,” she retorted. Then she laughed gaily at the look of what must have been dismay on the waiter’s face. “Oh, go on then, seat me at the best table you have available. My daughter will be joining me momentarily.”

  “Mother! Mother! I’m already here. Come sit down,” a young lady’s voice called from somewhere nearby.

  “Julia, darling!” she exclaimed. “How ever did you beat me here Julia?” she said leaning over the table for a kiss on the cheek.

  “I took the expressway. It’s open all the way to exit 104 now,” Julia explained as she kissed her mother on both cheeks.

  Inside her Gucci handbag I could smell the wonderful aromas of French cuisine in the air. As they ate, I listened to the two women catch up on each other’s lives, hearing the slight hesitation in the older woman’s voice as she insisted everything was fine.

  “Yes, I know you say you’re fine. But what did the doctor say mom?” Julia asked. “And don’t tell me nothing; I can see it in your eyes,” pleaded her daughter.

  “Oh, you know. The usual,” her mother said sounding rather bored with the subject of her health. “They want to do more tests. But I’m sure everything will be just fine. Besides, I feel great today,” the elder woman said trying to dismiss the discussion.

  Not willing to push her mother, Julia didn’t mention it again for the rest of their meal. When it came time to leave the older woman pulled out a stack of ones, of which I was included, and laid them on the table.

  “Oh, I need those for the kids this weekend.” Julia said quickly. “Rob and I are taking them to the circus. Use this instead,” she said as she picked us up and put a ten down on the table. Stuffing me in a separate change purse with numerous other single bills, she zipped it shut and placed us back in her clutch.

  Yes, my travels had taken a turn; this time to the circus. And I could hardly wait.

  ****

  In Julia’s purse waiting for the weekend I discovered that she had two girls and a boy. There were the eight year old twins, Alyssa and Anthony; and her youngest daughter Maria, who was only four. T’was an enlightening week, I might add, as I learned about their lives.

  Saturday morning finally arrived, as if by magic, as the excited children were a bundle of eagerness that morning. Laughing and giggling at breakfast about all the things they were going to do, and see, at the circus. This, apparently, would be their first circus and they could hardly contain themselves. Yet, they had to practice patiencebecause the circus wouldn’t start until later that afternoon, and so they had to wait; a difficult task for precocious youngsters to do, indeed.

  Egads, I could hardly wait! Never brought to a circus either, my anticipation was bubbling over like Old Faithful. The hours seemed to tick by slowly as I tried to imagine all the exciting animals and circus acts that would be there. Oh, and the clowns. Perhaps, I’ll have a chance to see the clowns.

  Finally, everyone was preparing to leave as their mom was telling the children to make sure they used the bathroom and washed their hands. Good rule of thumb, surely to prevent unforeseen delays. After all the…um…necessities were attended to, we were off to the circus. As the twins loaded themselves in to the car, talking at the same time they asked their parents, “Will there be elephants?” Oh, I hope so, I thought.

  “Will there be lions?” Oh, I do believe that should prove rather exciting.

  “Can we play with the clowns?” little Maria piped in.

  Laughing their mother said, “No, Maria, the clowns have to stay in the arena. They won’t be able to play.” Although, I knew she was right, I could hear the disappointment in her daughter’s sigh. She must have heard it too, because she added that there might be clowns outside they could play with. This seemed to lift big sister Alyssa’s spirits because she started asking even more questions.

  Arriving at the arena we parked quite a distance from the entrance because we walked for several minutes before I heard the sounds of a crowd of people waiting to see the circus. I overheard several children asking their parents questions about the animals. And one young fellow asked if he could take a lion home, to which his father agreed at the sharp retort of his wife. All in fun, I quickly ascertained, as everyone laughed, even bystanders.

  Once inside the gates, Rob gave orders for everyone to hold hands and stay close. Even I could tell it sounded extrem
ely crowded. Barkers could be heard over the noise of the crowd, “Programs! Get your program!” Others were shouting, “Fresh hot peanuts! Get your peanuts!” Yet another was selling puppet monkeys, circus hats, toy lions and other items of interest to small children. Suddenly, Maria gasped, pointing her finger she giggled, “Monkey.” Then the other children spotted the man dressed in striped pants and a bright yellow silk shirt with red suspenders carrying a monkey on his shoulder walking toward us.

  Rob stopped so the children could get a better look at the monkey. The gentleman said to the children, “Hello, my name is Barry. Would you fine children happen to know where I can find my monkey Cirrus? He seems to be lost.”

  The twins burst out laughing and in unison, pointed and said, “He’s on your shoulder!”

  “My shoulder?!” Barry exclaimed in a loud voice as he looked toward his right just as the monkey went behind his neck and sat on his left shoulder. The children roared with laughter and said, “Your other shoulder!”

  “My other shoulder?” Barry mused as he looked toward his left shoulder just as the monkey preformed his disappearing act again and moved to his right shoulder causing the children to laugh hysterically. Then Barry looked down at little Maria and asked gently, “Do you know where Cirrus is young lady?” As Maria pointed to the monkey, Barry reached up with his right hand. The monkey grabbed his first finger and shook his hand. Maria and the twins giggled as Barry said, “Oh, there you are Cirrus ol’ fellow,” Barry said sounding surprised. “Well, now that you helped me find my monkey, could you fine young children tell me where the circus is?”

  Giggles exploded again as Anthony said, “You are here!” What fun the children were having and the circus hadn’t even begun.

  “Goodness, then I best be on my way,” Barry said matter-of-factly. “Good day to you. Enjoy the circus,” Barry said bidding farewell. I overheard Rob and Julia thank Barry for entertaining the children, and he was quite entertaining. Then the twins held their mom’s hands as Rob carried Marie and they set out to find their seats. Apparently, we were walking down a large corridor when Rob suddenly shouted, “There’s 301, over there!” as we may our way toward the section entrance. Following along, his wife held onto Anthony and Alyssa hands as we walked through the short alcove.