Chapter 6
Ernie and Louie walked a little farther down the road.
They soon came to the outskirts of Waterford and saw the "Welcome to Waterford. Population 2,459" sign twenty feet up ahead.
Ernie glanced down the street and saw the First National Savings and Loan. He also noticed that woods were at the rear of the building.
"There's the bank that Laurence robbed according to the newspaper and my grandfather," Ernie said.
Louie looked at the bank. "I remembered when they tore that place down and build that strip mall back in sixty-eight," he said.
"I remembered that. A couple of kids and I rode our bikes down there to watch," Ernie said while they walked past the welcome sign.
Ernie and Louie walked down toward the bank and were in awe of the sights of 1956.
"The town sure looks different," Ernie said then he stops and snaps a picture.
"The fifties were a different time," Louie replied.
Ernie and Louie continued their trek down Waterford Blvd that was the main street through town.
They saw the Waterford Majestic Theater across the street. The movie "The Killer Is Loose" movie with Joseph Cotton and Rhonda Fleming was on the lighted marquee.
"I remember my step-mom Beth taking another friend and me there to see the Beach Blanked Bingo movie in sixty-five," Ernie said while he looked at the marquee.
"Oh yeah, so many men fantasized about Annette," Louie said while he thought about her.
"Those theaters were majestic back in the day," Louie added while he looked at the marquee.
Ernie's stomach growled. "I don't know about you, but I'm a little hungry, and I know the perfect place," Ernie said while he glanced down the street.
Over at the car lot at the Whitfield Chevrolet dealership down on Waterford Blvd, Jesse worked as a salesman.
Jesse watched while Jacob Stone, a seventy-five-year-old lanky farmer in coveralls, walked around and checked out a shiny new red 1956 pickup.
"I know you'll love it," Jesse told Jacob.
Jacob looked at Jesse then looked at the truck.
Jesse glanced and saw Ernie and Louie walking across the street, heading to Woolworths. He looked a little suspicious of the two strangers.
Jacob kicked one of the rear tires. He rubbed his chin while he glanced inside the bed.
"Plenty of space for hauling stuff for your farming chores or crates of peaches," Jesse said while he followed Jacob to the cab.
Jacob looked inside the cab.
"AM radio," Jesse said he glanced across the street and saw Ernie and Louie standing by the front door of Woolworths.
Ernie and Louie stood by the front entrance of Woolworths. Ernie suddenly looked sad.
"I could never eat in this place when I got older," Ernie told Louie while he debated on walking away.
"Why?"
Ernie stared at the front entrance. He got up the nerve. "You'll find out," replied then he opened the door for Louie.
Louie went inside Woolworths and Ernie followed.
Across the street at the car lot of Whitfield Chevrolet,
Jacob smiled while he gave the pickup another glance. "I'll take her."
Jesse looked at the farmer and smiled, thinking of his commission.
"I'll pay cash if you give me a good deal," Jacob told Jesse then he headed to the dealership building.
Jesse followed but glanced back Woolworths. He got a little concerned when Ernie and Louie were not in sight. Something about the two strangers bugged Jesse.
Jesse glanced over to the side of the dealership where Laurence Lincoln, now twenty-five years old wearing overalls and rubber boots, wiped down a 1956 Bel-Air from it's washing.
"Lincoln, give that red pickup a washing for its new owner."
Laurence looked over at the pickup. "Yes sir," he called out then headed to a side door.
Jesse went inside the dealership building through the front doors.
Ernie looked around the inside of Woolworths. "This place brings back fond memories," he said then he and saw the food counter. His eyes lit up the second he saw Erica working behind the counter.
Erica was slenderly built with average looks and black hair down to her shoulder. She wasn't blessed in the breast department but had a huge loving heart.
"Mom," Ernie said while he looked at Erica.
"What?" Louie asked him.
"My mom works at the food counter," Ernie replied while his eyes got a little teary.
Louie saw Erica giving Howard Wilson, a twenty-one-year-old-year-old lanky man with average looks, a cup of coffee at the counter.
Howard gave Erica a warm thank you smile.
"This is going to be weird," Ernie said while he walked toward the counter with a smile.
Louie tagged behind Ernie.
Ernie removed his camera and placed it on the counter while he sat down.
Louie sat down next to him.
Ernie and Louie glanced up and saw the "White's Only" sign on the wall above the opening for the kitchen. They looked offended.
"I guess I don't remember this part of the fifties," Ernie said while he glanced at the sign.
"I do," Louie said while he stared at the sign.
Ernie and Louie grabbed a menu and looked at it.
"Wow, I should use your machine and come back here to eat. I love these prices," Ernie said while he looked at the menu.
Erica walked over to Ernie. "Good morning darling," she said and gave Ernie a warm smile. She glanced at his camera on the counter. She picked it up. "That's a nice fancy camera. Looks expensive. Are you a photographer?"
"Ah…," Ernie couldn't speak. He cleared his throat. "Thank you, and I am," Ernie replied and looked in awe that he was talking with his mom.
"What will it be?" Erica asked while she set Ernie's camera back on the counter.
"Toasted American cheese sandwich and Coca Cola," Ernie said.
"Good choice. My son Ernie loves our toasted American cheese sandwich."
Ernie got a warm feeling.
"I'll have a baked ham and cheese sandwich and cup of coffee," Louie said.
Erica got an odd feeling while she glanced at Ernie. "Do I know you?"
Ernie hesitated. "Ah....No ma'am," Ernie replied.
Erica couldn't shake this weird feeling. "There's something familiar about you. I can't figure it out. But I have this feeling we've met before."
"People often say that about me," Ernie said and wanted to tell her the truth in the worst way.
"Weird," Erica said then she turned around and headed to the kitchen.
"Ah, I'll have a cheeseburger and coffee," Louie said while he waved at her.
Erica glanced back at Louie while she walked away.
"I guess I'm not eating," Louie said and felt neglected.
Ernie watched while Erica went into the kitchen and placed the order with Leroy, an overweight middle-aged cook that wore a tee shirt with a white apron.
Back in the Whitfield Chevrolet dealership, Jesse sat behind his desk lightly tapping his pencil. He rolled his eyes while Jacob took his sweet time reading over the paperwork for his new truck.
Jesse lit up when he glanced over and saw Beth Whitfield. She worked behind a desk outside Billy Watson's office, the Sales Manager.
She glanced up and saw Jesse glancing at her. She gave him a warm smile then got up from her desk with a piece of paper in hand.
She headed down a hallway.
"I'll be back in a second, Mister Stone," Jesse said while he got up from his desk.
Jacob nodded while he continued to read over his contract.
In the hallway, Beth tacked up that piece of paper.
Jesse strutted over to her.
"Let's meet tonight. I'll tell Erica I'm working late," Jesse said the second he got to Beth and lightly stroked her right arm.
Beth looked a little upset. "Okay."
Jesse noticed she was upset. "Are you okay?"
Beth nodded while she gave Jesse a fake smile.
"I'll see you later," she said then gave Beth a quick kiss on her lips.
"Hi, Miss Whitfield. And Mister Jesse, the pick up is washed," Laurence's voice came out from the other end of the hallway.
Beth looked embarrassed by the sound of his voice.
Jesse gave Laurence a stern look. "Okay boy, go sweep out the service area."
"Yes, Mister Jesse," Laurence replied then turned around and walked away.
Beth looked concerned while she watched Laurence walk down the hallway. "Do you think he'll say anything?"
"Don't worry. The colored folks around here know to keep their mouths shut," Jesse replied while he had a horny glance at her cleavage.
Jesse gave Beth a kiss on her lips. She embraced him.
Back at Woolworths, Ernie and Louie finished their lunch. The bill was on the counter by Louie.
Ernie eyed Erica while she served a man his lunch at the other end of the counter.
Erica glanced back at Ernie and gave him a warm smile while she headed to the kitchen.
Jesse walked up to the counter and sat a seat down from Ernie.
Ernie looked over. He almost choked on the rest of his sandwich at the sight of his father, who looked intimidating.
In the background, Howard took peeks of Erica while he worked behind the camera counter. He was smitten.
Jesse saw Erica while she walked out from behind the kitchen, "Hey babe."
Erica smiled while she walked over to Jesse.
Erica leaned over the counter and gave Jesse a quick kiss.
"I'll get your lunch," she told Jesse then headed to the kitchen.
Jesse glanced over and saw Ernie staring at him.
Ernie smiled at Jesse and saw his brown snake skinned cowboy boots. A familiar sight.
"What the fuck are you looking at?" Jesse asked Ernie and looked irritated by his stares.
Ernie felt uncomfortable then leaned over to Louie. "We better go."
Louie gulped down the rest of his coffee. Then he placed $1.10 on the counter with the bill.
Ernie and Louie left the counter.
Jesse watched them leave with suspicious eyes.
Ernie and Louie walked through Woolworth and headed to the front door.
Ernie opened the front door, and his eyes widen at the sight of Matt in his Sheriff's uniform and cowboy hat.
Ernie was speechless while he moved aside.
Matt removed his cowboy hat while he entered the store. He glanced back at Ernie. "You from around here?"
"Ah," Ernie nervously replied and was still speechless.
"We're passing through," Louie spoke up.
"Passing through," Matt said while he looked at Ernie.
"Yes sir, we got laid off from Tom's Foods in Columbus. We're heading to Atlanta for another job," Louie lied.
"Laid off?" Matt said while he glared at Ernie, making him nervous.
"Yes, sir," Ernie replied.
Matt glanced at Louie. "What's your name?"
"Louie Rodriguez."
"You Mexican?" Matt asked Louie.
"Yes, sir."
"You look mighty familiar," Matt said while he looked at Louie.
"Ah, I get that a lot," Louie replied and felt a little nervous.
"And your name?" Matt asked Ernie.
"Err...Ah...Timmy Tyson."
"Timmy Tyson," Matt said then placed his right hand on Ernie's shoulder and squeezed a little to let him know he was in control. "I hope I don't have any trouble from both of you."
"No, sir. You won't," Ernie replied while he squirmed in pain.
Matt removed his grip off Ernie's shoulder. "Good. Enjoy our peaceful town," Matt said then he walked away into Woolworths.
Ernie and Louie rushed out of the store.
Ernie and Louie walked down the sidewalk away from the store.
"He's one friendly Sheriff," Louie said in a sarcastic tone and rolled his eyes.
"He's my grandfather," Ernie said and looked worried. "I think this might have been a huge mistake."
"Are you thinking we should head back home? Call this mission a bust and live with the future?"
Ernie glanced back at the front door of Woolworths. "I don't know. I just don't know.
Ernie and Louie walked down the sidewalk.
Louie saw the Waterford Majestic Theater up ahead. "I'll tell you what, let's go see a movie to give you some time to think about things."
Ernie looked at the theater marquee. "Why not," he replied.
Louie and Ernie headed across the street when it was clear of traffic.