Read Online The Year I Almost Drowned by Shannon McCrimmon - Free Book Online
Authors: Shannon McCrimmon
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straw.
“I’ve
wanted
to
go
to
Graceland
for
a
long
time.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “I’ve been an Elvis fan since I was a teenager.”
“Why
didn’t
you
and
Nana
ever
go?”
He leaned back, folded his arms and inhaled a long, deep breath. “Well, life got
in the way.” He looked at me and read my confused expression. “What I mean is,
with everything that happened with your dad and then running the diner, there
was
never
time.”
“I’m glad you finally have the time,” I said earnestly. My life wasn’t the only one
impacted by my dad’s illness. Theirs was affected in more ways than I’ll ever
know.
They
had
to
sacrifice
so
much.
“I am, too. Lilly never had an interest in going... she’s a Beetles fan.” He made a
disgusted face and then laughed. “Don’t know why. She’s always walked to her
own beat, though. That was one of the first things I decided I liked about her.”
“I
bet
she
was
beautiful.
She
still
is.”
“Not just beautiful, but different. I dated other girls, but she was the only one who
made me want to be a better person. She challenged me. That’s what love is. If
you find a mate who makes you a better version of yourself, then you’ve got
yourself a keeper.” He took another sip on his straw, slurping the last of the juice.
He shook the juice box, realizing it was empty, and pulled another one out of the
cooler. “Course you don’t want to hear about love from an old coot like me.”
“I
don’t
mind.”
“In that case, let me tell you about my first date with your Nana,” he began.
Ten minutes later, I had learned about their disastrous first date. How Nana had
told him at the end of their date that she hated him and to get lost. How he had
sworn he’d never take her out again, that she was more trouble than necessary.
It definitely was not love at first sight. He said that they kept bumping into each
other in town and one thing led to another, they went on another date and from
there
a
romance
had
blossomed.
We finished our lunch and set out for the rest of our journey–driving on highway
40 toward the city of Memphis with the convertible top open, blaring oldies tunes
and
embracing
the
beautiful
sunny
day.
***
It was night time when we reached The Holiday Inn, which was tucked away on
a side street right off of the interstate. It looked new, like it had been built recently.
I pulled the car up to a parking spot closest to the front entrance. I hit the button
to put the top on the car up and then we grabbed our suitcases.
The hotel smelled brand new, like a fresh coat of paint and newly installed carpet.
The floors were squeaky clean and recently polished. The woman at the front
desk greeted us with a warm, pleasant smile and said, “Welcome to The Holiday
Inn. How can I help y’all?” Her accent was slow and drawn out, a little different
than
the
people
from
Graceville.
“We’re
checking
in.
I’m
Charlie
Hemmings.”
The woman gazed at the computer screen and typed in some information. She
looked back at us and said, “Yes, Mr. Hemmings, we have you in room 212.
Here’s your key.” She handed him a plastic key the shape of a credit card.
“There’s a continental breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. And a swimming pool and
work out room. Can I help you with anything else? Recommend a place to eat?”
she eagerly asked. She had a sweet, peach shaped face that was smooth and
free
of
any
wrinkles.
“No,
thank
you,”
he
said.
“A recommendation for a place to eat would help,” I said to him.
She looked anxious to please and interjected, “Bo’s BBQ is the best place to eat
in
Memphis.”
“Barbeque
sounds
good,”
I
said.
“It’s the best in town,” she said enthusiastically. “Here, I’ll give you directions.”
She held a pen in her hand and wrote down the directions. She handed me
“I’ve
wanted
to
go
to
Graceland
for
a
long
time.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “I’ve been an Elvis fan since I was a teenager.”
“Why
didn’t
you
and
Nana
ever
go?”
He leaned back, folded his arms and inhaled a long, deep breath. “Well, life got
in the way.” He looked at me and read my confused expression. “What I mean is,
with everything that happened with your dad and then running the diner, there
was
never
time.”
“I’m glad you finally have the time,” I said earnestly. My life wasn’t the only one
impacted by my dad’s illness. Theirs was affected in more ways than I’ll ever
know.
They
had
to
sacrifice
so
much.
“I am, too. Lilly never had an interest in going... she’s a Beetles fan.” He made a
disgusted face and then laughed. “Don’t know why. She’s always walked to her
own beat, though. That was one of the first things I decided I liked about her.”
“I
bet
she
was
beautiful.
She
still
is.”
“Not just beautiful, but different. I dated other girls, but she was the only one who
made me want to be a better person. She challenged me. That’s what love is. If
you find a mate who makes you a better version of yourself, then you’ve got
yourself a keeper.” He took another sip on his straw, slurping the last of the juice.
He shook the juice box, realizing it was empty, and pulled another one out of the
cooler. “Course you don’t want to hear about love from an old coot like me.”
“I
don’t
mind.”
“In that case, let me tell you about my first date with your Nana,” he began.
Ten minutes later, I had learned about their disastrous first date. How Nana had
told him at the end of their date that she hated him and to get lost. How he had
sworn he’d never take her out again, that she was more trouble than necessary.
It definitely was not love at first sight. He said that they kept bumping into each
other in town and one thing led to another, they went on another date and from
there
a
romance
had
blossomed.
We finished our lunch and set out for the rest of our journey–driving on highway
40 toward the city of Memphis with the convertible top open, blaring oldies tunes
and
embracing
the
beautiful
sunny
day.
***
It was night time when we reached The Holiday Inn, which was tucked away on
a side street right off of the interstate. It looked new, like it had been built recently.
I pulled the car up to a parking spot closest to the front entrance. I hit the button
to put the top on the car up and then we grabbed our suitcases.
The hotel smelled brand new, like a fresh coat of paint and newly installed carpet.
The floors were squeaky clean and recently polished. The woman at the front
desk greeted us with a warm, pleasant smile and said, “Welcome to The Holiday
Inn. How can I help y’all?” Her accent was slow and drawn out, a little different
than
the
people
from
Graceville.
“We’re
checking
in.
I’m
Charlie
Hemmings.”
The woman gazed at the computer screen and typed in some information. She
looked back at us and said, “Yes, Mr. Hemmings, we have you in room 212.
Here’s your key.” She handed him a plastic key the shape of a credit card.
“There’s a continental breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. And a swimming pool and
work out room. Can I help you with anything else? Recommend a place to eat?”
she eagerly asked. She had a sweet, peach shaped face that was smooth and
free
of
any
wrinkles.
“No,
thank
you,”
he
said.
“A recommendation for a place to eat would help,” I said to him.
She looked anxious to please and interjected, “Bo’s BBQ is the best place to eat
in
Memphis.”
“Barbeque
sounds
good,”
I
said.
“It’s the best in town,” she said enthusiastically. “Here, I’ll give you directions.”
She held a pen in her hand and wrote down the directions. She handed me
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