Things we learn ptII

  Larry pulled the bug around, still unaware of anything amiss, while we all stood there trying not to spoil the joke. He was quite excited abut seeing the completed car outside , with it’s new paint and shiny chrome proudly gleaming in the morning sun. He made several remarks about what a cool car it was, and how he would love to someday own one just like it.  I handed him the tags, and asked him to go get some tag screws and put them on, as the car was already sold, and the new owner was picking her up soon. He just let out a sigh, and trudged off to handle the tag installation. How he managed to install two personalized tags with his name on them is beyond me, but he did it, and parked the car on the front line of the lot. For the rest of the morning we would catch him peering out the window with a wistful look in his eye, and he caught us all snickering like children more than once.

  Finally, when we couldn’t stand the suspense any longer, I called everyone into the office for a meeting. We presented Larry with a cupcake sporting a single candle, and a card, which caught him unaware that we even knew it was his birthday.  As we sat down to enjoy our cupcakes and sodas, he seemed overwhelmed by our small gesture, getting very quiet, with a serious look on his face. One of his quirks was that he stuttered a bit, when around new people, when tired, frustrated, or excited about something, so when he did speak up just then, we were all somewhat surprised.  In a strong, sure, unwavering voice, Larry said these words.

  “Guys, thank you, this means more to me than anything.  My parents don’t celebrate birthdays or holidays, and I have never had a party before. I know I don’t understand some things, and I make you guys mad sometimes when I mess up, but I know what friends are now, and what it means to belong somewhere.”

I can see him, and hear those words today, and I’m not sure anyone has ever made a more meaningful speech. He was simple, and childlike, with no reservations of sharing his feelings, it was honest, truthful, and from the heart. He did belong, and he made each of belong to something as well, a moment in time that I doubt any of us will ever forget. Needless to say, there were emotions on the table, as each of us realised what had happened. The Other Larry(my second in command) reminded Larry that he had not opened his card yet, and pushed it across the table to him. He very quickly tore into it, remarking that he hoped it was money, so he could take his girlfriend out for a night on the town. We all knew there was no girlfriend, but had been playing along to that for some time. There was some goofy message on the outside of the card, with the words “from all of us” on the inside. There, below those words was taped a single silver key, with the VW logo etched in it.

 It became deathly quiet, Larry just sat and stared at the card, with all of the color draining from his face. All at once he smiled slightly, looked out the window mumbling “LRY BUG”, and began to sob like a baby. At that moment the world changed completely, and for the first time in his life, a 36 y-o man gained his independance, and a sense of self worth.  It was quite a humbling moment, we watched as something as simple as a car, something we all took for granted, became the most momentous occasion in anothers life. We all went outside, and watched as he fawned over his new toy, still almost unbelieving it was his. His life had been so twisted and messed up, he thought we were playing an evil joke on him, only to snatch the keys and laugh at him. That had been the story of his life, he was simple minded, and an easy mark, so many people, even family, had taken advantage of him all through his life. It was the ultimate cruel joke.

   I gave Larry the rest of the day off with pay, and told him to go enjoy his birthday, it was a nice day, the car was full of gas, and he deserved it. So, off he went to show everyone he knew his new toy, and newfound freedom. The sad part is, he had a very short list of friends, with us, and a few members of his church being his only true members of that club. Lunch was oddly quiet that day, with each of us contemplating what we had all been a part of, and more than once I found myself staring at Larry’s empty seat and hoping he was enjoying himself.

  We didn’t get much work done that afternoon, everyones mood seemed somber, and thoughts were of faraway places. But it was a good thing, something we all needed to remind us of what life really was about. Larry’s mom called about 2:30, and began using a string of heretofore unlinked adjectives that a sailor wouldn’t use, tracing my ancestry to several animal forms. I politely laid the phone on the desk, and went back to work, someone hung it up later.

The next morning Larry was at the shop when I arrived, prominantly parked on the side of the shop where the employees parked. I joked about getting him a sign that said “Larry parking only”. I shouldn’t have, he took me seriously. Before long, Larry had his own key to the shop, and his duties were to turn on the lights, air compressors, and the heat, if needed. Each morning whern I arrived shortly before eight, the lights were on, the office was clean, coffee was made, and Larry was waiting to greet me.

“Morning boss, hot enough(or cold) for you?”

He was like a puppy, loyal, loving, and dependable. I’m not ashamed to say I loved the big goofy lug, as aggravating as he could be, I couldn’t stay mad at him long. He greeted everyone the same- “hot enough for you?” followed by” how is (insert wife/girlfriend) today? Did she ask about me?” Yes, he was a ladies man, and given the chance would charm your woman away from you, or so he thought. It wouldn’t do to be jealous around him, he had no inhibitions, saying things like “hey baby”, or “you look hot today”, but the way he did it seemed harmless, and not “creepy old guy” in the slightest. He had the serious hots for my girlfriend at the time, and to this day asks me if I’ve seen her lately, much to the annoyance of my present wife. But, that’s larry.

  He worked for me for five years, until for a number of reasons I closed up and went to work for someone else. He went to work at Hills, stocking shelves and mopping floors, he seemed to enjoy that, as he was out and about, and meeting people.  He has a job at Walmart now, and has for a while, I think he feels at home there, and they take good care of him. My old girlfriend(his one true love) is pharmacy manager, so she is a familiar sight, and helps keep him straight. His parents are dead now, but an Aunt got him some assistance, so he lives alone, but in a monitored apartment environment. They have people to pay his bills, cook, and see to his needs, such as medication. He is almost 60 now, with graying hair, and a much slower gait, but his voice is still childlike, and everything new still amazes him. When he sees me coming his eyes light up, he dances a silly little happy dance, and I know I will be greeted with “Hey boss, hot enough for you?”

He still has the bug, and it’s now faded exterior still carries him faithfully along his journey.

Happy trails LRY BUG.