Herb and Delores made their way to Fort Stockton from their farm in order to purchase a new truck in November of 1966.
At their age, they both knew it would probably be the last time they would go through the process, but that was something neither of them ever wanted to discuss. Having farmed for nearly five decades, they would be paying cash. Long term payments were not for people who engage in an enterprise whose profits are funded by nature. God can be a fickle employer.
Clive, the salesman they had always dealt with at Frontier Ford, “Home of the Straight Shootin’ Deal”, retired last year so they would be dealing with Jason, Clive’s nephew who’d taken Clive’s place. Change is difficult. But the young man seemed to know his trucks. He had a firm handshake. That’s important. He always looked both Herb and Delores in the eye when he spoke to them. He was respectful, taking nothing for granted.
Having been called ahead, Jason took the time to round up information on the inventory that was available. Five new 250s were in stock. He got to the dealership early that morning and parked them all together, just outside the showroom, saving the septuagenarians some steps.
His uncle had taught him that he wasn’t selling cars and trucks. He was the captain on a ship taking his customers to one of life’s major purchases. He took it seriously.
Over the phone Herb had told him they wouldn’t be trading in the ‘57 Ford truck which was the last one they had purchased. They were giving it to their oldest grandson who would turn 16 in two months.
Seeing the five trucks lined up, Delores went straight to the Springtime Yellow and Wimbledon White one furthest away. Herb goes to the plain Medium Green one in the middle. Herb had learned long ago that marriage is a dance best practiced to the song of compromise. Negotiations began on the yellow and white one.
Delores, however, had learned that marriage was a poker game. If you want to win, never show your cards.
She had also done the books for the farm for way over half a century, tucking away a little extra in each of the good years. Despite the temptation, she had never touched it in the lean ones.
The real reason she wanted this F250 was not the color, but the camper option. She’d called Jason’s cousin at West Texas Camper World just outside Junction and set up an appointment. Based on catalogs she had sent off for, she had already picked out the Winnebago pickup camper that would be mounted on the back of the new Ford before they even drove it home.
She wanted time with the grandkids. And Herb. And seeing more of the beautiful country beyond the boundaries of the farm. And enjoying the time they had left.
Although Herb wasn’t aware of it, based on her last doctor visit, there wasn’t going to be as much as she had hoped.
This one was a great offering from @DENWERKS, who also understands it’s not just about selling trucks. It’s about writing chapters, sometimes the final ones. Hope the most recent caretaker of this truck is using it like he uses time. Wisely. Making memories.
4 responses to “DELORES EMPTIES THE COOKIE JAR”
Awesome story Captain! Very sweet. So sad, but it happens too often. I am there now, fingers crossed. So far , so good!
Sweet story. Great pics, CapMyCap
In early 2005 I found myself in the market for a better, bigger pickup. The string of half and three-quarter ton trucks I’d been through were no longer going to cut it. An all out search began for a low mile, used one ton dually. Who can afford a new one? Several months later I grew discouraged and quit the search. Everything was either too beat up, too expensive or had too many miles. Finally one day in the summer of 2006 I opened the paper to the classified section just for grins. There it was. 1998 Chev dually with 14,000 miles for a good price. Had to be a misprint. Called the number. No misprint. Original owner bought it upon retirement. Bought a fifth wheel trailer and planned to your the country. Health went sour and he couldn’t go anywhere. Sold the whole package to another retiree with the same plan with the same result. Sold the trailer but couldn’t get the truck sold because it was 2wd (not popular in this area). So I bought it and drove all over the West with a camper on the back or a flatbed trailer on the hitch pulling antique tractors out of fields. It was a great buy for me.
P.S. If Herb and Delores bought this new, they probably did so in November 1965, not 1966.
The priest was preparing a man for his long day’s journey into night.
Whispering firmly, the priest said, “Denounce the devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!”
The dying man said nothing.
The priest repeated his order. Still the dying man said nothing.
The priest asked, “Why do you refuse to denounce the devil and his evil?”
The dying man said, “Until I know where I’m heading, I don’t think I ought to aggravate anybody!”