We all thought fall was here.  We’d broken out the sweaters and shifted to Pumpkin Spice flavored everything.  Then it hit 94 degrees here in Fort Stockton and put everyone in a melancholy mood.

Eventually, one by one, folks wandered into the Grounds for Divorce, trying to reset their internal thermostats. Neverenoughgold seemed a little out of sorts as he pulled up a chair. “If showing up in a robe and a tiara with a box of wine is wrong, then maybe I don’t fully understand how Casual Friday works,” he exclaimed. Lucinda brought him a cup and poured it to the top so she could put on a fresh pot.

Pastor Peterson from Almost United Methodist came in looking a little dejected.  “You down about the weather, or life in general in Fort Stockton?” Lucinda asked him.

“I was giving a talk on vestments to the youth group last night,” he explained.  ‘“Why do you think I wear this collar?’’’ I asked them.  “Some kid in the back said ‘Because it kills fleas and ticks for 30 days?’  I feel like I’m not making any progress.”

Capt Nemo came in.  Lucinda had a full cup in front of him before his butt even hit the chair.  “I got carded buying beer over at the Eggs & Ammo last night,” he said.  “While I was getting the ID out of my wallet my Blockbuster card fell out.  The kid behind the counter told me to never mind.”

Han2014 and KiwiinAussi came in with Gator Jones who’d pulled into the parking lot in his 1947 Lincoln Club Coupe.  Jet black over scarlet leather with a V-12 purring under the hood like a twelve cylinder kitten.  

Gator retired from the propane plant about half a decade back.  He was out at Earl’s Wrecking Yard and Formal Wear looking for an original dipstick for his Grand Marquis, stumbled on the old Club Coupe at the back of the yard and bought it as a retirement gift for himself.  He figured it would be just the kind of project to keep him out of his wife’s hair.  Rebuilt the V-12 on the kitchen table.  Repainted the whole thing under his carport.  He reupholstered the cabin with hides he selected himself out at the feedlot and died ‘em himself back behind the Lucky Lady.  Folks said, after it all came together, it was one of the best looking coups in town.  Started calling it the Navi-Gator.  We all admire it every time he drives over to the cafe for coffee, though most of the time he’s polishing it up to hire out for weddings.

Cornfield Dave walked in, taking the last seat at the table.  “You know you’re getting old when ‘friends with benefits’ means having someone who can drive at night,” he said.  Lucinda put on another pot.  “Didn’t expect to see you here, Gator.  Thought you’d be polishing up the Lincoln for a wedding tomorrow.”

“Bride called me this morning, out of the blue.  The wedding’s off.  Didn’t give any details, just said something had come up, she changed her mind and she was canceling the wedding.  Told me to keep the deposit,” Gator reported.  “I’m sure it caught her fiancé, Tyler, completely off guard.  He just got into town yesterday from Fort Worth for the ceremony.  Good lookin’ kid.”

“Tyler?  From Fort Worth?  Good looking guy?” Lucinda asked.  “He’s not staying over at the Naughty Pine Motel, by chance, is he?”

“Damn sure is. How’d ya know?” Gator responded.

“Figures,” Lucinda said.  She stomped back to the kitchen muttering something about men being no damn good.

Everyone deals with unexpected heat differently.  But a gorgeous Lincoln Club Coupe is universal.