At the “Gulf”
The gas station was the sexiest—most real—place in town. Puttering up to the “Gulf” gas sign perched above the bayou, Mamma checked her blonde hair in the rear view mirror, dabbed at her lipstick and finally exhaled. The delicate little wrists dropped into her lap (palms facing skyward) and her head— full of recipes, dry-cleaning stubs and “to-do” lists— tilted back, relaxing into the black, pleather head rest.
The air was thick with humidity but, finally, light with worry.
Mamma liked being served—she was quite good at it. Even at age 6, I enjoyed watching the men tend to her, put her at ease, buzz around the car to fill up the tank, wash the windshield, dip into the special cooler and offer us 6 ½ oz bottled Cokes. Peppery and alive—everything tasted and felt better on those afternoons. My favorite attendant at the full-service station was the owner’s son, with eyes as calm and blue as the gulf water just beyond the bayou. I learned how a man could make you feel. I learned about chivalry. I learned that a woman really could do everything on her own, but why would she want to?
June 7th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
Love it! So glad you’re back! I’ve been yearning for some Southern prose.
June 7th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
Love it! So glad you’re back! I’ve been yearning for some Southern prose.
June 7th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
Wow! Does this bring back memories! I don’t think I realized the power of my mother’s lovely Southern charm until I was older, but I certainly appreciate it now!
June 7th, 2006 at 11:55 pm
Ooooh…as a guy, I gotta say…that Southern charm is not only captivating, it’s hot! Something about that whole innocence, but not really, just turns a guy on…
June 9th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
I love it, I love it, I love it. It took moments to read and I was captivated from the beginning! Beautiful.
June 9th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
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June 9th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
This is why I suffer through an “intolerable cruelty” every time I date a Southern Belle…
I wouldn’t have it any other way- being a Mississippi boy.
June 13th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Very nice
April 19th, 2007 at 3:13 am
I love your writing . As lucid as the gulf water. Keep it up.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:50 am
This brings me back to the days when we go to the local store/gasstation/ice cream palor and sit on the long benches on the porch just to “see and be seen”. Before cyber cafes there was Mr. Jim’s store and oh boy so I long for those times.