Lone Star - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

After the weekend, Big Thing started his new and unexpected life. He had done all the barn chores before heading to work, and he realized he didn’t mind doing the chores at all. They provided an outlet to let his mind wander and relax, and focus less on his past and his last run in with the fuel efficients. That bad memory had yet to leave his mind.

Big Thing was finally at work after being treated to another great meal, courtesy of Darla. He was serving all different types of cars that day: trucks, minivans and even fuel efficients. Rich had been right about the fuel efficients behavior at the gas station. They were very pompous, demanding the best fuel and service that could be offered. Big Thing heard them mocking the upkeep of the old truck stop, and he even heard one of them make a derogatory comment concerning May. He wished there was something he could do to get back at the fuel efficients, but he didn’t want to give the Lone Star a bad reputation for service.

One morning the station was not busy, and he was having a friendly conversation with a semi truck. The truck was telling him about his travels, where within a month he could travel to one end of the country and back. Big Thing was listening intently when he noticed three pickup trucks drive into the truck stop. He excused himself as he went to go provide the trucks with service.

“Afternoon, gentlemen. How may I serve you?” Big Thing asked kindly as he drove up to the three pickup trucks. They looked about the same age as Big Thing, but in comparison they were very rugged. Each truck was covered in mud and dirt from front to back bumper.  

“Hey, who are you?” asked one of the trucks, a lifted, blue 2004 Ford F-250.

Big Thing looked at the truck, a little confused. He was expecting the trucks to start rounding off their drink orders to him instead of questioning him.

“My name is Big Thing. I work as a waiter here at Lone Star, and I will be happy to serve you whatever you’d like,” Big Thing replied with a smile. He tried changing the subject, hoping he could avoid talking about himself. He was not one to let cars get to know him too well.

“Since when did Darla start hiring cars off the street? She usually tries to give cars that live here jobs before anyone else,” a black 2002 Dodge chimed in, looking a little irritated.

“And who are you guys?” Big Thing asked, curiously raising an eyebrow. It seemed like these trucks were residents of Clay, and acted like they owned the place.

“We live here unlike you, apparently,” the blue Ford replied mockingly. “My name is Beau Johnson, and me and my buddies have lived in Clay our entire lives.”

Beau gestured his tire to allow the other two cars to introduce themselves.

“I’m Luke Keeler. My pa owns a hog farm on the other side of town,” the black Dodge said.

“And I’m Austin Blacksmoke, and my family owns the feed store in town,” said the red 2005 Chevy Silverado, the only car who had not spoken yet in the group. He was chewing tobacco and giving Big Thing an uncertain glance, not knowing what to think of the outsider.

“So, where the hell are you from? You certainly aren’t from around here, and Darla NEVER takes in outsiders,” Beau scoffed. Big Thing suddenly felt very small for the first time in his life. This truck was headstrong, and his lift only made him appear bigger.  

“I…I’m from Houston. I started working here this week,” Big Thing replied weakly.

For a moment the three cars were silent. They looked at each other uncertainly, and then they all shot Big Thing menacing glares.

“He’s a city boy, a goddamn city boy!” Austin yelled out angrily.

“And we don’t like city boys,” Luke muttered, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Big Thing didn’t understand. What made it so bad that he was from the city? He was speechless as the trucks continued to bash him.

“All you city boys do is drive around and think you are better than us, and you look down upon our country roots,” Beau sneered.

“Yeah, couldn’t have said it better, Beau! Y’all drivin’ around with your fancy wheels and clean frames and all that other sissy crap y’all into,” Luke added, and started laughing.

Big Thing felt like driving away, but he couldn’t run off on the job. He had to continue to listen to their insults until they were done. He was slumped down on all four tires, cowering with a look of fear on his face.

“I don’t know how Darla let you work here, but she should be ashamed for letting a city boy live in this town!” Austin said, smacking his tire across the ground. Big Thing winced.

“Come on, let’s get the hell outta here. I know another place we can get some gas. I don’t want no city boy serving me!” Beau exclaimed, and the other trucks nodded on agreement.

Within an instant they were gone, kicking up dust as they went. Austin had spit his tobacco on the way out, leaving some right on the asphalt leading into the gas station. Big Thing scowled, and realized he would be the one cleaning it up. He sighed and tried to go back to work. He did not want to let the trucks insults get to him.

That night Big Thing was having dinner with Darla and her pickup truck husband, Buck. He was a brown 1980 Chevy and similar to his wife, Buck was just as caring and kind towards Big Thing.

Big Thing’s eyes and hood were lowered at the table, and when Darla and Buck parked at the table they took notice.

“Everything alright, Big Thing?” Buck asked.

Big Thing shook his hood no.

“Come on, boy. Tell us what’s wrong,” Darla said gently.

“Three trucks who live here came by the gas station today. As soon as they found out I was from Houston, they mocked me for being a city boy,” Big Thing muttered.

“Oh, and I bet these boys went by the names of Beau, Luke and Austin, didn’t they?” Darla asked sternly. Big Thing nodded his hood yes.

“Don’t listen to them, darling. They are afraid of outsiders who come to town, let alone anyone who is from the big city. They hide their fears through insults; so don’t let it bother you too much. Besides, they have no idea what you went through living in the city. To me, you aren’t a true city boy,” Darla acknowledged.

Big Thing perked up. He was so convinced after the three trucks mocked him that he was a city boy. “I’m not?” he asked, a little confused.

“No. You didn’t grow up in a fancy home or apartment, and get things handed to you. You didn’t work for a big corporation and you don’t have a lot of money to spend lavishly. I know that’s what those boys are afraid of and why they reacted to you so harshly, but you are none of those things. You fended for your life on those city streets,” Darla said, and touched his side with her tire.

Buck spoke up, and raised his hood confidently. “You don’t worry about those boys, you hear? You will get your chance to prove to them who you really are. A city boy is not one of them.”
Big Thing smiled. The words of his caregivers made his confidence rise. Buck was right; one day he would prove who he was to them, and how wrong they were. After their insults, the last thing he would look for in them was friendship.