Read Online The Year I Almost Drowned by Shannon McCrimmon - Free Book Online Page A

the
    piece
    of
    paper.

    “Thank you,” I said, taking it and placing it securely in my purse. My grandfather
    wrapped his hand around his luggage handle and wheeled it to the elevator. I
    picked
    my
    suitcase
    up
    off
    the
    floor
    and
    followed
    him.

    Our room was bigger than I thought it would be–complete with a separate living
    area which had a sofa and wide screen television. There were two queen-sized
    beds, a table and two chairs. The bathroom was spacious and had a large vanity
    sink covered in black granite. The floors were cream-colored and shiny. All of the
    amenities
    sparkled.

    This was my first time ever staying in a hotel. My mother and I never went on any
    overnight trips while I was growing up. Staying in a hotel made it truly feel like a
    trip–away from home, on the move, and in a foreign place. Even if that foreign
    place was Memphis, Tennessee. In one short day, I had seen two other states
    that
    I
    had
    never
    been
    to
    before.

    “This is a nice room.” I touched the soft, plush white duvet comforter. Two small
    chocolate mints were nestled close to a burgundy throw pillow on the bed. I
    picked one up, unwrapped it and popped the entire piece in my mouth. “Want
    one?” I asked him. He nodded yes, and I threw him the other one.

    He caught it with one hand. He bit into his, chewed and swallowed. He arched
    his eyebrows. “I’m sure your Nana wasn’t concerned about the cost. It is nice,”
    he
    said
    while
    looking
    around
    the
    immaculate
    room.

    “Do you want to go get some dinner?” I was famished. The drive had taken longer
    than nine hours and eating the snack foods Nana had packed us didn’t fill me up.

    “Sounds
    good.
    Let
    me
    call
    your
    Nana
    first.”

    While he was on the phone with Nana, I texted Jesse telling him about the drive
    up
    there.
    Jesse
    immediately
    sent
    me
    back
    a
    text
    message.

    “I
    miss
    you
    already.
    Glad
    you’re
    having
    fun.
    Love
    you.”

    ***

    The parking lot of Bo’s BBQ was full of cars. A long line of people waited from the
    entrance to the side of the restaurant. It was a hole in the wall, older than dirt, but
    that didn’t deter the customers. The smell of smoky meat permeating the air was
    so mouth watering I wouldn’t have cared if we had to eat sitting on top of garbage
    cans. Loud country music played through the speakers. A waitress took our order
    while we waited in line, telling us that when we got a table, our food would be
    ready. They had a systematic routine and were obviously used to having a full
    house
    each
    and
    every
    night.

    We both ordered the Memphis specialty: smoked pork cooked over hickory wood
    and covered in a dry rub full of aromatic spices. When we were seated, our food
    was in front of us in a matter of seconds. We both had macaroni and cheese and
    baked beans, along with sweet tea to accompany our pork. The pork was tender
    and juicy. The sauce was distinctive– full of tomatoes and vinegar. A sweet and
    tangy
    mix.

    “Since they put that bike trail near town, Lilly’s has been real busy, almost like
    this,”
    he
    said.

    I wiped the barbeque sauce off of my mouth and finished chewing. “It has,” I
    agreed.

    “Last month was the most I’ve earned in profits in years,” his voice trailed, and he
    turned his head looking around at the filled tables and the hustle and bustle of
    waitresses and waiters walking with trays full of food. “And your Nana’s pies are
    selling
    out
    faster
    than
    they
    used
    to.”

    “I noticed she’s been baking a lot more, and my tips have increased.”

    “The town is going through a re-vamp. I was real worried it was going to die.
    There was a time about five years ago, when businesses were closing and people
    were moving out. But that’s all changed. It’s becoming a destination for folks,” he
    said.
    “This
    hit
    the
    spot.”
    He
    pointed
    to
    his
    empty
    plate.

    I took my last bite of food and smiled. “It was good.” I patted myself on the