THE TALE’S START It was a cold day in north Texas. The wind was blowing with a cold chill in the air and mist rain was falling causing me to wear my rain proof jacket as I drove my car to Joe’s Pharmacy to open the family owned pharmacy for business. Soon customers would be pouring into the store for a hot cup of “joe java” and some friendly conversation at the old fashion soda fountain bar, now a coffee bar.The door was unlocked as he stepped into the store as a familiar voice greeted him.  Hey Joe, do you need a fresh hot cup of java to start your day? Asked Mary, the cafe/coffee bar manager. That would be great, answered Joe. Nice weather we are having today remarked Mary. Right ..boy that wind has a chill in it responded Joe, the pharmacy owner,third generation. I need a vacation to some blue sky and sunshine, remarked Mary. Here is your fresh cup of coffee, boss. Please don’t start this morning with your need to have your vacation approved before I had my first cup of coffee, Mary retorted Joe. Okay Joe, then can I leave early today to put my deposit down at Maggie’s Sunshine Travel for my sunny Puerta Vallarta Mexico vacation dream. Sure, replied Joe get Liz to cover for you and close. Great!! Finish your cup of coffee and then we can talk about my vacation calendar date replied Mary. Okay replied Joe as he stepped into his office and closed the door. Will this ever end…talking to himself as he sat down at his desk. I feel like I am a first grade school teacher passing out hall passes as he turns on his computer. Hey Mary! Snapped Jean the chief pharmacist as she walked in the store and walked back to the pharmacy area. Coffee by the cash register zinged Mary back to her. Excellent, I didn't even have to ask twice, retorted Jean,a top of her class Cowboy University Pharmacy grad. Is Joe here yet Mary? Called back Jean. Yeah, he is in his office, replied Mary as she quickly turned away from Jean and quietly waited for her to go off ... .You know Joe’s pharmacy is lucky to have me …I was top of my class..I could be in Indianapolis working for one of the top drug manufacturers. Mary bit her tongue and responded  Yes, we are fortunate to have you steering  the pharmacy ship, Jean. What an ego thought Mary.. rolling her eyes being careful not to speak what she was thinking to Jean. Just then the loyal,faithful,and regular store employees of Joe’s walked into the store to clock in for work. The regular’s were Poe,Mary, Chewy and Glenda. All of them called out Hey Jean! All of them were greeted by Jean looking at her watch and barked” Let’s get on the phones and get customer orders filled and processed for people”! Chewy looked and Glenda mouthing “Go team! Go team” Just then Jean shouted on the count of three everyone “Go Team Go “!! Poe and Mary grabbed their bluetooth headset and put themselves into ready to take calls and logged into their computers. Chewy started checking and data entering prescriptions. Glenda started pulling drugs from the storage inventory room and typing the prescription labels. Jean saw that everyone was into production and workflow. She decided now would be a good time to go visit with Joe about getting additional help before the morning got busy and chaotic. Jean slowly walked toward Joe’s office and knocked on the  white oak wooden door. “Come” shouted Joe from his office desk. Jean walked into his office sipping on her coffee. “I wanted to have a quick word with Joe before the pharmacy gets too busy about hiring a new person to help us," remarked Jean. Our production numbers are way up, continued Jean. Yelp replied Joe. The pharmacy is up 46% over the last sales quarter, almost double continued Joe.  I was thinking maybe it is time to reach out to Mark Personnel Agency and see if they get us some potential candidates to interview declared Joe. Great idea ! replied Jean. I was also thinking about reaching out to my alma mater Cowboy University asking them about  new grads looking for a potential entry level business management position. I am good friends with Dean Smithy at the business department.  Okay, but I don’t know if I can afford to pay a college grads salary requirements, remarked Joe. Sure you can! remarked Jean. Isn't the second floor of the store an apartment? Yeah, replied Joe. It was where my grandparents lived when they started Joe’s Pharmacy but it’s been vacant for over twenty five years, Jean. But if you spruce it up…get Pauley my contractor brother to update it. It could be part of a compensation package in an offer to a new college grad, continued Jean. I could get him to come over this afternoon and look it over. He could give you an estimate quote by Friday on the cost, Joe declared Jean.  Okay, Jean, give your brother a call remarked Joe. Great!replied Jean as she grabbed her phone from her white coat pocket and dailed Pauley as she walked out of Joe’s office and shut the door. Great thought Joe to himself, how much is this going to set me back? Looking at the pharmacy gross profit worksheet over the last six months, business was up 30%. That is a  $15000.00 increase in profit over last year already. But $5000.00 was already tagged for employee raises and bonus gratuity payouts. Better call Mark, my old college buddy and get him to started pulling and screening new hire candidates, thought Joe as he picked up his office phone. Looking out his corner office picture window,  Joe could see the very gray dark sky . Rain was pouring down in buckets, but we needed the rain, all the farmers were complaining about it being to dry for pasture grass to grow.  Hello Mark, old buddy I need your help, its Joe from Joe’s Pharmacy.  I need some new hire candidates for the store, declared Joe. Sure thing replied Mark. Let’s talk about over a round of golf at Twin Oaks say Saturday around 10am for a tee time? It’s a date replied Joe, got it penciled in on my calendar. See you then goodbye responded Joe.

                                                     THE QUOTE AND JEAN’S TWO CENTS     Later Monday afternoon, Jean’s brother,Pauley, dropped by the pharmacy. Hey Pauley !called out Mary how about a cup of “Joe Java” and a piece of homemade key lime pie. Sound great Mary replied Pauley taking a seat at the old fashioned soda counter. Walking over to Pauley with pie and coffee Mary ask Pauley “What bring you into the store?” I know it's not to visit your sister Jean. Well if you must know, remarked Pauley it’s to take a look at fixing up the second story apartment. What?? Replied Mary that place has not been lived in for over twenty years. Over twenty-five according to Joe retorted Pauley. Boy! Mary your Key Lime pie is still the best in town. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do!declared Pauley. Pauley grabbed his Joe Java to go cup of coffee and walked over to Joe’s office. The door was cracked so Pauley lightly knocked on the oak wood door. Hey, Joe I am here to take a peek at the second story apartment. Sure thing replied Joe as he reached into his bottom desk door. Quickly he tossed Pauley the key with the old wood carved horse figure attached as the key chain holder. Wow! Nice work on this key chain holder remarked Pauley. That’s my dad’s artistry, replied Joe. Whe he wasn’t filling prescription as a pharmacist, dad was carving wood figures,animals and toys. My fondest childhood memories are of me and dad out in the garage at his wood work bench carving and shaping small wood animals . Joe quickly pointed to the big picture window. The Noah's ark and animal set was on display in the window. You and your dad carved all of these figures, retorted Pauley. Yelp! Replied Joe with great glee, the best times I had with my dad. Well let me get up the stairs!! I will  look over the apartment and see what needs to be updated and fixed, responded Pauley. He quickly walked out of Joe’s office for the second story staircase just down the hall. The stair steps gave a clomp sound as the overweight six foot four Pauley climbed the stair steps. He easily got the second story apartment door to unlatch and open as he flick on the crystal chandelier light in the apartment living room. Wow! Exclaimed Pauley. Nice maple wood floors and cedar wood wall paneling. This was built and designed with taste and no corner’s cut on cost.   He walked into the middle of the living room looking up at the vaulted ceiling with a floral flower design painted on it. Beautiful craftsmanship ! expounded Pauley. “It sure is” announced Jean as she walked into the living room apartment. “Hey sis “ replied Pauley. Look at the beauty and craftsmanship  work done in this apartment! So this electric fuse box has got to be updated  to a modern breaker box declared Pauley. It needs a good cleaning and dusting  remarked Jean. Time to call Auntie May and her jolly cleaning maids replied Pauley.  I agree announced Jean. Her crew will make this place look like a million dollar penthouse on Fifth Avenue stated Pauley. Do you still have her number Sis?asked Pauley. Yes I do, replied Jean. I have her crew clean my house regularly twice a month, continued Jean. 

Good, give Auntie May a call and get her cleaning crew scheduled to clean this place by Friday remarked Pauley as he walked into the kitchen. Pauley then promptly opened the kitchen sink cabinet doors and uttered Yelp lead pipes..this will need to be updated immediately Jean. I am going to bet that the bathroom has lead pipes and will need to be updated asap too! Replied Pauley. Wow! look at this view exclaimed Jean as she  opened the two big picture windows  curtains by the white sheet covered dining table. Isn’t that Downey Park with the huge duck pond and gigantic white sand boxes that we played in after church with mom and dad declared Jean. Yeah, I would dig tunnels and then collaspe  and bury my matchbox cars pretending it was a California earthquake remarked Pauley. And I would build sand castles pretending to be the lovely princess of some far off exotic land  divulged Jean. “Good times” announced Pauley as he walked into the hall leading to the main bathroom and two bedrooms.  Pauley hastily opened the bathroom door and shouted “Hey sis” come look at this huge claw bathtub…they don’t make tubs like this any more…it's still in mint condition," declared Pauley. Nice remarked Jean, but the pipes in here are lead, that will need to be fixed. Look at the shower titles, all custom and hand painted garden flowers stated Pauley..really niceeeeeee sis. So when was this pharmacy store built? Asked Jean. Well the city building permit was dated 1939 remarked Pauley. I checked that at the city works department yesterday. I am guessing it took seven to nine months to construct this place, continued Pauley..this is an acme red brick building..it was cheaply done Sis. Well replied Jean, the chief Pharmacist, the store and pharmacy have always been a money maker. You know Joe’s grandparents were horse ranchers and they trained a couple of pretty good race horses. Bold Ruler was in the 1955 Kentucky Derby. Joe’s dad Joseph still runs Let Them Run Acres horse ranch continued Jean. Wow! Replied Pauley, Joseph has to be in his eighty’s. I have built a couple of the bunkhouses out at the ranch over the years.  It’s really scenic in Apple Blossom Valley with the Red River flowing through the middle of it and the well keeped white wood fences. My daughter,  April does her rodeo barrel racing practice out there, stated Pauley. I always thought the ranch was owned by some big racing syndicate out of Vegas continued Pauley. No just old man Joseph, replied Jean. The store and pharmacy have made a good fortune over the years. You mean Joe’s got money ?retorted Pauley. All I ever see is Joe driving around town in that old 1969 beat up Ford F-150. I dont think he has done any remodeling at the pharmacy in years. I think I put a fresh coat of paint on the store..what seven years ago stated Pauley scratching his head to remember. He is a tightwad penny-pincher for sure, declared Jean. But , why do you think I keep working here?exclaimed Jean. I get top dollar for working in this rural stick town,brother! It pays better than any  big city gig hands down continued Jean. So Joe can pay  for this remodel job in cash, sis? Stated Pauley. Yes, big brother replied Jean. But be fair on your quote..don’t fleece him Pauley uttered Jean the chief pharmacist at Joe’s.Okay Sis a good bottom dollar quote I promised replied Pauley. Let me go look at these two bedrooms and get Mat my  job estimator to crunch so numbers uttered Pauley. My break, well deserved is over… stated Jean. I need to get back to the very clean and spotless pharmacy. I am calling Auntie May as I walk back down the stairs called out Jean to Pauley. Good Deal replied Pauley as  he scribbled down some brisk notes on his yellow legal pad to give Mat. I had better get a couple paint chips to test if these bedroom walls are painted with lead paint and the kitchen as well. Pauley pulled out a couple of sample bags and  his Old Henry pocket knife to scrape the walls. The crown molding in the hall, living room and kitchen area have to be hand carved with the fine delicate flowers and tree leaves. This apartment definitely has charm and class though Pauley talking out loud to himself and jotting down a quick final note on his legal pad as he walks toward the stairs. He briskly locked  the apartment door and scampers off to Joe’s office to say his goodbye. Hey, Joe I got my list as he walks into Joe’s open door office uttered Pauley. A new electric breaker box, removal of the lead pipes in the kitchen and bathroom, and I have paint chips to test for lead paint in the hall, bedrooms and kitchen, remarked Pauley. I will get Mat to crunch some numbers and have a quote for you by Friday continued Pauley. I think my Auntie May is going to get her cleaning crew in the apartment to give it a good cleaning sometime in the near future remarked Pauley. Jean said she was going to give her a call and then update you Joe uttered Pauley. Sounds good, replied Joe as rose up from his desk to shake Pauley’s hand. THE GOLF DATE WITH MARK Hey, Jean called out Joe. I am going to leave alittle early today to go to the driving range and work on the golf swing, but I will be back in time to close up the store and the pharmacy.  Hey boss I need to leave early today to get my nails done called out Glenda. I can not cancel again with Flo’s Nail shop or I will lose my preferred customer status. Grandma Flo’s twenty percent preferred customer discount is hard to earn..you got to be a regular customer for three years remarked Chewy. By the way, can I take a long lunch to go get Betty washed at the car wash, Joe?uttered Chewy.  Yes..Chewy you can go get your 1964 Ford Mustang detailed, remarked Joe as he briskly closed his office door. Am I running a business or Am I a first grade teacher passing out hall pass though Joe as he collapsed in his old all solid oak wood cadillac and plush leather desk chair. I need to whack a few golf balls and work off some of my frustration from working here at the store today, thought Joe. Joe immediately grabbed his putter and a golf ball from his office closet. He instantly put his empty coffee mug on the red carpet floor in the big open space by the big wing backed chair for guests to sit in his office for meeting with him. He walked seven paces and put the golf ball down on the carpet floor and lined up his put. Instantly in his wild imagination zooms, he is putting for eagle at Augusta with Jim Nantz on the call saying..and here is the newest PGA tour member Joe Java putting for eagle on fifteen hole for the lead and possibly the win! Joes confidently strokes the putter and hits the golf ball square and drives it toward his empty coffee cup.  But it bounces left as it hits the rim of the cup and the crowd goes dead silent. Just then Joe’s office intercom goes off. Hey, Joe can you come help me check and fill some prescriptions? We are really swamped calls out Jean, the chief pharmacist.  Sure Jean, remarks Joe as he presses the button on his intercom. I will be right there as he swiftly puts up his golf ball, putter and coffee cup. Another time and another day to win Augusta speaks out Joe to himself as he walks out of his office for the pharmacy. Time to get dirty in the trenches of work as Joe puts on his white coat and greets Mrs Gad waiting to get her heart meds  to be filled. Soon both Jean and him are humming away as they check and fill prescriptions. Everyone else is pitching in as well and the phones are ringing off the hook. The coffee bar has all the seats filled and Mary is briskly making custom coffee orders for the faithful regular customers. The store is full and the buzz of people talking to each fills the air inside the drug store. A few laughs and giggles erupt too! Soon the afternoon rush was over. Joe quickly takes off his white coat and says to Jean, the chief pharmacist, I am stepping out to go to the driving range. Joe hops in his old Ford pickup and heads for his house to get his clubs. Looking at his Rolex watch it’s four o’clock as he drives. I got two hours and then I need to be back to close the drug store by seven o’clock sharp. Joe swiftly grabs his clubs out of the garage. He tosses them in the truck bed and climbs into his pickup and heads for the Sweet Cherry driving range. To his surprise, the driving range has only two other people out hitting balls. Great balls of glory! shouts Joe. I will not have to wait thirty minutes to get on the range to start practicing. Joe grabs his TaylorMade custom golf clubs and quickly pays cash for his biggie  bucket of golf balls. He immediately takes his favorite spot on the left side of the driving range and tee’s up his golf ball. He pulls out his Big Bertha Driver and lines up his first club swing. Soon a sharp ping sound fills the air as he hits the ball squarely. It sails to the 350 foot marker,”sweet “calls out Joe Java. Time flys as Joe hits all his practice balls in record time. Good thought Joe. I can go over to the putting green and practice on my standard twenty foot to the cup stroke for birdie.  The days quickly fly to Saturday morning.The buzz of his alarm fills the air, it’s eight o’clock am as Joe reaches over to turn off his very loud alarm. He slowly makes his way to the bathroom and jumps into the shower. He swiftly gets out his favorite golf shirt and pants to dress. I hope Mark Whole has a couple of good candidates lined up for me to interview. He grabs a travel mug for the coffee from the coffee pot that’s set for 7:30 am every day. He throws two breakfast burrito’s in the microwave for a quick to go meal and heads for the garage. Soon he is headed for the Twin Oaks to warm up and be ready to take on Mark Whole, last year’s club champion. Joe quickly get over to his favorite driving range practice spot and runs into his old high school golf coach, Tim Top. Hey, Coach Top, good to see out and about calling out Joe. Joe Java, my golf scholarship pupil, good to see you replied Coach Top. Still putting for birdie? Coach asked Joe. Yes, remarked Coach Top and dreaming I am putting for the win at Augusta on the eighteenth hole. Just then Mark Whole walks up to the two of them. Hey Guys replied Mark Whole. Good morning Mark..I want you to meet my high school golf teacher, Coach Tim Top. Good to see again Coach Top replied Mark Whole. Oh so you two know each other? Uttered Joe. Very much so remarked Mark Whole. Coach helped me cure my constant left hook drive off the hole tee box. Reigning clubhouse champ with helpful instruction uttered Coach Top. Team 10 to the starting box called out the club course starter. Hey, Mark, that's us! Uttered Joe. Coach again good to see you! Replied Mark. Yes, replied Joe. Have a good round boys!uttered Coach Top as he waved bye and walked to his car to go home.  Well Mark call it heads or tails to see who goes first called out Joe grabbing his lucky quarter from his pocket. Heads shouted Mark. Joe quickly tosses the coin and lets it land on the groomed tee box green. Heads it is cried out Joe. Mark promptly grabs his driver and puts his ball on its tee. Soon the whoosh and ping sound fills the air as the golf ball goes soaring down the fairway on hole one. Nice replies Joe. So Mark did come up with some candidates  for me to interview? Asked Joe. Yes, but only have two takers with the starting salary perimeters you gave me uttered Mark. Well I am trying to sweet the pie…Pauley Toe Construction is working on updating the upstairs apartment to make it liveable again. It will be part of the compensation package offered to the new hire uttered by Joe Java as he smashed his opening tee box drive down the right side of the fairway. I will send you an email Wednesday with their names and contact information uttered Mark. I will try to get my staff to see if we can get a few more potential candidates added to the list. But, adding living quarters to the compensation package is genius, remarked Mark. Good Deal replied Joe. Now Let’s play some golf, low score gets lunch and drinks continued Joe. Done uttered Mark as he shakes Joe’s hand to seal the deal!     Demolition Day and Surprise Monday Vistitor Okay guys let's get these lead pipes cut out and replaced shouts Pauley to his crew. Phil, get that fuse box nightmare electrical  issue fixed. I am going to tear out the old hot water heater and get the new one installed. Just then Pauley’s sister Jean walked into the apartment. So did Joe approve all your recommended updates ? asked Jean, the chief pharmacist. Sure did Sis! replied Pauley and paid me in full…CASH with 100 dollar bills! Told you! called out Jean. I even got April’s barrel racing practice compt for two months as part of the deal uttered Pauley. So how long is all this work going to take to complete? Asked Jean.  Should be done in a month, Sis uttered Pauley. Come on with me down stairs and I will buy you morning coffee big brother uttered Jean. You're buying…let’s go replied Pauley.  This new hot water heater install can wait uttered Pauley.. My little penny pinching Sis buying me coffee…this is my lucky day! I remember, replied Jean you bought my college textbooks for three years while I was in pharmacy school. So I did replied Pauley but, that’s what family does Sis! Soon both are laughing and joking about their fond memories about growing up as kids. Jenny quickly reminds Pauley of the time she baked him homemade apple mud pies. How Pauley asked their mother for a plate and silverware to eat them. How their dad went out and put a real apple pie in her Suzy Q play kitchen oven removing the mud pie in secret without anyone knowing he did it. How their mother exclaimed now hear this son…no mud pies on my fine china. But, mom the fairy baker changed them to a real pie come see. The shock on their mother’s face when they all three opened the Suzy Q oven. Just Dean Smithy walks in the store and heads for the coffee bar where Jean and Pauley are seated. Hey Professor Smithy calls out Mary…the morning usual? Yes please calls back Professor Smithy..double mocha double shot with whip cream. He quickly turns to Jean, the chief pharmacist of Joe Java and says " I got your email Jean from last week. “ And I have three top notch candidates for you to interview Jean. Great, remarked Jean. Professor How is that new tankless hot water system working for you? asked Pauley. Very nicely replied Professor Smithy..no complaints of cold showers from my two high school daughters or the boss,Sherry! Worth every penny Pauley…peaceful mornings in my chaotic house uttered Professor Smithy. So Professor Smithy have the  three soon to be grads go over to our webpage and fill out an online job application uttered Jean. Will do! Got to run !My first morning class starts in thirty minutes…thanks Mary, a great cup of Java !!calls out Professor Smithy as he dashes out the drug store front door. Just then owner Joe Java walks over to the coffee bar to join Pauley and Jean. Mary give me a black large Sumtra. So Jean..Mark Whole just sent me an email with a list of five potential candidates remarked Joe. I can add three more calls back  replied Jean.Dean Smithy just updated me about three new grads..when he came in for his morning coffee run..you just missed him boss, stated Jean. Wow !that must have been him in that  red corvette that zoomed by me, uttered Joe. Joe it doesn’t take much to out run your old Ford F150 pickup piped Chuck Mars the local auto repair shop owner, of Performance Care. My FordF150 will beat your old Dodge Ram  any day of the week Chuck! retorted Joe.  Well then Let’s race’em out at Big Steve’s on the third  Saturday of the month!! piped Chuck.  Done!!!shouted Joe clasping Chuck's hand to close the deal. Loser buys  coffe for a month, utters Joe. Done! Replies Chuck Mars. Hey, boss can we leave early Saturday to go see the races out at Big Steve’s uttered Macy and Glenda. Okay, but if I win, you  two will not ask me to leave early for the next three months. Done !shouted Macy and Glenda. THE BIG RACE AND CRAZY DAY With coffee break over and the pharmacy again running behind processing orders, Joe faithfully put on his white coat and joined Jean in checking and filling prescriptions. Everyone was busy doing their assigned tasks. Finally called out Jean, last customer Mr. Martin..Another day’s business rush handled cried Sid. Yea, thank goodness remarked Poe the phones were crazy busy. I looked at my watch at 4:oo o’clock thinking to myself are we going to survive the rush uttered Chewy. Another person on the phones would have really been nice to make thing less chaotic today exclaimed Mary. Okay everyone..this a team moment....everyone inhale..breathe in…now out ordered Jean, the chief pharmacist. Joe popped his head up  for the first time today from the pharmacy computer. Pushing back his right hand white coat sleeve, his watch read 6:55 pm. Okay everyone shouted Joe five minutes till we close..let’s land this plane and close shop. Joe, called out Mary. I am going to be here till 7:30 washing all the customer coffee cups. I really need another set of hands continued Mary. How many orders during rush hour? Cried Joe. 75 orders at $6.25 a pop replied Mary..I am beat. I need to take a quick break and got off my feet. How many orders for the day? asked Joe. 325 orders for the day cried Mary. What?? Remarked Joe..We never done over 200 orders in a day. Take a breath, Joe cried Mary we have been over 200 orders a day for the last three weeks…NEWS FLASH..we need help! Continued Mary. Business has doubled??remarked Joe. Yelp! boss replied Mary as she laid her head onto the soda fountain coffee bar counter. I need that vacation on the sunny calm beach really soon, cries Mary. Me too ..retorted Glenda. Me three ..uttered Sid in a low stern voice. All right people…enough with the vacation request talk , please.. remarked Joe…Let me get a new hire or two added to the team. Get them trained then we can move forward and start getting much needed vacations for everyone, continued Joe. I will give you a hand Mary washing dish cups replied Poe. I got all the customer online chats done. Good job,Poe uttered Joe. I need to go pay my dad a visit Jean…can you handle closing the pharmacy? Asked Joe.  Sure thing..go Joe..I got this replied Jean. Joe promptly walked to his office and hungup his white coat on the wall hook. He grabbed his keys from his office desk top drawer and headed for his pickup truck. Hey, Joe? Can you drop the daily bank deposit off on your way to your dad’s asked Mary..I have it done and sealed in the night drop bag. Sure thing, Mary called out Joe. Here..think quick ..as she tossed the night drop bag in the air to Joe. Score !! cried Sid. Touchdown by the teams prized team members! spouted Poe. Joe quickly tucked the night drop bag under his arm and said going..going GONE! All the Way to THE HOUSE! He immediately jumped into his Ford truck and locked the night drop bag in his glove box..just to be safe and headed to Thrive Bank. He quickly got there and deposited the night drop bag in the bank’s night lock box depositor. Now he dialed his dad on his cell phone before starting to drive to the horse ranch. Hello shot the voice answering the phone. Dad it’s me..hey, I am on my way out to the ranch..I need your help and your expert automotive racing skills, uttered Joe. Sure thing son laughed Joeseph. Meet you at the ranch shop. Sounds good..I will be there in about twenty minutes dad responded Joe.  See you then !uttered Joseph Java Sr. I wonder what is going ?thought Joseph to himself. It’s been thirty years since I touched a race car with Danny Rush Racing Team as chief mechanic. Horses and cars , my two passionate lovers in my life other than Gloria,my wife… God bless her soul..again Joseph Java Sr thinking out loud to himself. As he walked to the ranch shop. Just then the honk of Joe’s Ford F150 pickup  brought Joseph Sr back to reality and the present. Dad cried Joe as he jumped out of the Ford truck and gave his dad a big hug. Good to see you, son thanks for the hug uttered by Joseph Java Sr. Been missing you at church, son continued Joseph. Yeah, it’s been a couple of weeks..no excuses responded Joe. I need your help, dad, to win a bet with Chuck Mars. I need to beat his old dodge ram truck in the quarter mile drag race at Big Steve on Saturday. Let me get this straight…you are racing Chuck and “White Lightning”on Saturday in your 64 Ford F150 truck correct …replied Joseph Sr. Yes, but it’s an old dodge ram not “white lightning” remarked Joe. Son, Chuck back in the day..his dodge ram was white lightning on the track.. 9.2 seconds to be exact remarked Java Sr. You're kidding me! Right dad?? uttered Joe. No son, I am not replied Joseph Java. Chuck was reigning champ on the track from 1975 till 1985 when he retired from racing continued Java Sr. Pop the hood son let’s get started! uttered J Java Sr. So,you still got the original slant 6 engine in this Ford, remarked Java Sr. Son, that’s not going to work at ALLL  uttered Joseph. There is no way to soup it up, you know, put a supercharger and a blower on it, replied Joe. Yeah but son, that’s still not going to be enough horsepower to beat Chuck, replied Joseph. Come with me to the back shop area, son Joseph replied. Stepping lively Joe followed his father to the locked back shop storage area. Joseph popped the key out of his pants pocket and unlocked the door. Swiftly he flicked on the light. There in the middle of locked storage area were two pristine racing engines sitting on a large wooden pallet. Good as gold and never been fired up! cried out Java Sr to Joe Bought them two weeks before I retired, son uttered Joseph. Pick one and we will get started installing it into your old Ford replied Java Sr. Okay, but we only have till Saturday to be ready for race day replied Joe. So today is Monday we will be done by Wednesday and be ready to tune it for racing Thursday. Friday ,we can take it out to the track and give it a test run and you can get some practice time at the track uttered Java Sr. How is that dad? I don’t know anyone at the track remarked Joe. How quickly you forget sonny boy, Big Steve was my silent partner all those years I was racing remarked Java Sr. He was? Retorted Joe. Yelp, you need access to a track to practice and make test runs to be a winner, son replied Java Sr. Come on, let's get cracking! And turn some wrenches cried Java Sr with glee and excitement in his voice. Let’s take the engine on the left, replied Joe. Good choice, that’s a supercharged Ford Coyote uttered Java Sr. Soon,it was after midnight before Joe looked at his watch. Dad I got to go declared Joe.I need to get some sleep, but I will be back around two o’clock tomorrow dad uttered Joe. Can I take the Jeep to get home, dad? Asked Joe. Sure, son as Java Sr tossed him the keys. I had a great time, son..this bring back many happy memories for me, replied Java Sr. I miss mom too, dad replied Joe wiping a tear from his eye. There is some Goop on the workbench to clean up with real quick, son uttered Java Sr. I will lockup, good night son remarked Java Sr. Joe climbed into the Jeep and headed for home. This was mom’s favorite ride..man I miss her thinking out loud to himself. Slowly tears came into his eyes as he drove home. You would think I would be done with mourning the loss of my mom,Carol, it's been two years. Six years since Grace,my wife ,passed away from cancer.  Loss and grief gripped him. Please, Lord your help and mercy..Amen prayed Joe as he pulled into his house driveway.              



                                           THE NEXT DAY                                                                                                       The coffee put automatically went off at 7:30 am right on schedule. Joe half a sleep, pour himself a large cup of coffee..black. He quickly pulled out his day planner to see what “To Do’s” needed to be done for today, Tuesday. So I need to call Bill my accountant,then check on drug store coffee bean order from Ben’s in New Orleans coffee row.  I need to be out at Dad’s by 2 or 2:30 at the latest thought Joe. He grabbed two sausage biscuits from the freezer