September 1st, 9:01a.m. by Littlewing1957
I’m going a bit back in time with this one. You guys don’t mind, do you?
Mr. Newsome usually left the running of the business to his staff, but this morning he wanted to attend to a very special customer: a wealthy rancher and merchant who used Newsome’s exclusively for his tractor and combine needs. Mr. Newsome walked through the door of his business and noticed Jack Twist, his only combine salesman, alone at his desk. Jack looked up from a few papers he was sorting to offer his father-in-law a half smile.
“Morning, Pops Newsome! Didn’t expect you to be in today.” Jack remarked absently.
Jack became accustomed to Old Man Newsome’s tendency to show up at any time, and was always on his toes in case he needed to “pass inspection.” Mr. Newsome threw a glance at his son-in-law, but didn’t return the greeting.
“Is Mr. Blair here yet?” Mr. Newsome blurted out as he moved past Jack and swaggered down the hallway. Jack didn’t even have a chance to answer, as his father-in-law was already inside his office, the door closed behind him.
“I’m really sick of that old blowhard!” Jack thought bitterly as he took a seat behind his desk. And just as he was about to file away a few invoices, Mr. Blair walked into Newsome’s and offered Jack a warm smile.
“He in?” Mr. Blair asked Jack, pointing his finger down the hall toward Mr. Newsome’s office.
“Sure is!” Jack answered. “Go right on down. He’s expecting you.”
Jack watched as Mr. Blair walked down the hall to meet with Old Man Newsome. He observed Mr. Blair walking with a slight limp. Jack remembered that Old Man Blair used to ride the bulls in his younger days. Jack liked Mr. Blair, and often traded rodeo riding lies with him.
“Jack, bring me a bill of sale, pronto!” It was Mr. Newsome, as abrasive and condescending as ever. “I’ve run out. And Jack, get a move on. Mr. Blair ain’t got all day.”
Jack snatched up a stack of papers and moved toward his father-in-law’s office. He could hear the 2 men laughing and when he heard his name mentioned, he stopped. Jack tiptoed to Mr. Newsome’s office and put an ear to the door.
“That son-in-law of yours seems like a good old boy,” Mr. Blair remarked. Jack smiled and continued listening.
“Naw, he’s a bit of a pansy and I think he’s ruining my little girl’s life. You know Paul, just between the 2 of us, I would give that man a sizeable sum just to go somewhere, anywhere!”
Jack almost dropped the papers he was holding. He was not hurt, as he knew his father-in-law loathed him. Jack knocked on the door and entered. Mr. Blair averted his eyes, while Mr. Newsome held out a hand to accept the bills of sale that Jack handed him. No, Jack wasn’t hurt, but felt hopeful. He walked to his desk and looked for a postcard…