Mango Bob (8 page)

Getting the motorhome into the McDonald's parking lot was going to be a chore, especially at this time of day. Too many cars, too little space to park.

Fortunately, the mall parking lot next to McDonald's was almost empty, so I parked there. Then got my breakfast to go and took it back to the motorhome.

As I sat eating breakfast at my dining table inside my new home on wheels, I felt a sense of calm that had been missing from my life. I was no longer homeless. And I had the freedom to go anywhere I chose.

After breakfast, I drove over to Value Self Store, emptied my storage unit, closed my storage account. Then visited Pack 'N Ship where I checked my mailbox. Nothing there today.

Then off to work.

The parking lot at the plant was empty except for two cars. Molly's and the security guard's. Allison from accounting had been paid earlier in the week, and was long gone from the plant.

With no other cars in the parking lot, parking the motorhome was easy. Pulled right up front, got out, locked the doors, and headed into the office.

The security guard greeted me, “Walker, you driving a motorhome?”

“Yep, finally have a roof over my head.”

“Looking good. My wife and I have always dreamed of having one of those. Maybe some day we will.”

We shook hands, “Probably won't be seeing you again. Good luck in whatever you do.”

“Same to you.”

I walked to my office. It was empty. Nothing there. Not even my chair.

With nothing to do, I went over to Molly's office.

Her office was empty as well, except for a single folding lawn chair. She was sitting in it, reading a book.

She looked up, “So you finally made it in. How was your first night in the Love Bus?”

“It was pretty nice. Soft bed, running water, even had TV. What more could a single guy want?”

Molly laughed, “From what I remember, a whole lot more. I know about single guys.

“So what do you think? Is the Love Bus going to work out for you?”

“I think it is. It was nice to sleep on a real mattress, have a room over my head.

"And get this, I met a retired couple in the park last night and they have a motorhome that looks exactly like the Love Bus.

“They took me by the hand, showed me how everything worked. It really is amazing how everything it in works together to create a comfortable home on wheels.

“So yes, I think I'm going to like it.

“And while I'm thinking about it, do me a favor and thank Raymond for the deal on the tires. He saved me a lot of money.”

“I'll do that. He called last night to tell me how much he loves his new truck.”

Molly paused, “Now that you have new tires, what are your plans? Are you going to stay camped at the park or are you going to travel?”

“I'm not sure. But thinking about driving to Florida. Maybe find a small town near the beach, set up camp, just relax a while.”

Molly nodded, “That sounds nice. Especially the part about camping near the beach.

“If you're going to Florida, I know a place you might want to visit. But before we talk about that, I need to give you your final pay.”

She handed me three envelopes.

The first had my regular paycheck for the previous month. The second had my severance pay – equivalent to one month of my regular pay.

And the third and final envelope had a check for four weeks of accumulated but unused vacation pay.

Adding these three checks together, the total after taxes was nearly twenty two thousand dollars! Woohoo!

I knew I was going to get vacation and regular pay and some termination pay, but I never realized it was going to add up to so much.

This day was definitely starting out well.

After I looked through the envelopes, Molly asked, “Any problems?”

“No, it's great! Much better than expected.”

“Good. Now I want to ask a big favor. A really big favor. Feel free to say no if you don't want to do it.”

I listened as Molly continued.

“My younger sister lives in Florida. South of Sarasota in a small town near the beach.

“We don't get to see each other much, but she did visit us about six months ago.

“At that time she was living with a guy who she thought might be 'Mister Right'.

“But there was a problem. Mister Right was allergic to cats. And my sister had a cat. One that had been with her for three years.

“Mister Right claimed he was so allergic to cats he wouldn't be able to stick around. My sister was going to have to choose – either the boyfriend or the cat.”

I was listening and wondering where this story was going and how it was going to involve me.

Molly asked, “Are you by any chance allergic to cats?”

18

“Am I allergic to cats?”

“No, not so far as I know. I've lived with cats in the past, had no problems. Why?”

Molly brightened, “Good. You could really help me out here.

“This past summer when my sister visited, she brought her cat with her. And when she left, she asked me to take care of it until she found out if her new boyfriend was really Mister Right.

“We already had two dogs and the two kids, and I really didn't want to take on another animal, but my sister has a way of convincing me to do things. So we kept the cat.

“It's been six months now, and the boyfriend is long gone. Turned out he was allergic to work as much as he was to cats. He was just looking for someone to support him and his loser ways.

“My sister kicked his butt out. And since then, she's been trying to figure out a way to get her cat back.

“There's no way I can drive to Florida to deliver her cat. I can't afford the gas money, and I've got kids and a husband to take care of here.

“My sister can't get away either. She has a small business and she can't take the time off to drive back up here to get the cat.

“Anyway, I talked to her, and mentioned you might be driving to Florida, and you might have room in that big motorhome for her cat.”

Molly looked up at me hopefully. “Before you say no, let me tell you a little about the cat. His name is Mango Bob.

“He's three years old. He's been neutered. He's real lovable and used to riding in cars. He's got his own travel cage and wouldn't be any bother.”

Molly was talking faster now. “He just needs a litter box, some fresh water, a bowl of dry food, and you'll never know he's there.

“He can keep you company on the trip. Give you someone to talk to.

“And if you do this, my sister says she has plenty of room behind her business where you can park your motorhome. It's only two blocks from the beach.

“You could park there and live rent free.”

Molly had my attention now. I'm a big fan of free.

“My sister said she might even have a job for you. It wouldn't pay much, but could be fun.

“So what do you think? Will you take Mango Bob back to my sister in Florida?”

I needed to buy some time to consider her request, so I asked, “This cat, Mango Bob. How'd he get that name?”

Molly looked encouraged, “It's a long story and my sister will be happy to tell you all about it when you get down there.

“So can Mango Bob hitch a ride in the Love Bus?”

“Molly, so that's your surprise? Inviting me to take a cat to Florida? In the Love Bus? To meet your sister?”

“Not to meet my sister. To take Mango Bob back home. And in return, you'll get a place to camp near the beach for free for at least two months.”

“You don't have to do it if you don't want to. But it'd mean a lot to me if you did. And it'd give you a reason to get out of Conway. To go to Florida. To start a new adventure.”

Molly was right. If I agreed to take Mango Bob, it meant I'd be committed to going to Florida. I'd be leaving my life here behind.

But I'd planned to do that anyway.

Besides, I owed Molly big time. She'd pulled some strings arranging the sale of my truck and getting me the motorhome at a great price.

But I wonder - did she plan it this way all along?

I'm pretty naive when it comes to women, and this plan sure seems to have fallen in place nicely for Molly, her sister and Mango Bob.

But so what if they'd planned it? I'm the one who ended up with a nice motorhome at a great price, and the freedom to go to Florida, and maybe even have a free place to park near the beach once I got there.

The only downside would be the long drive to Florida, the cost of gas, and the hassle of traveling with a cat.

Molly was waiting for my answer.

“I'm going out to the motorhome and think about it. I'll be back in a few minutes and let you know one way or another.”

“Okay, but don't just drive off and leave me hanging. I know this is a big favor to ask, and you can say 'No' if you want. But it would be great if you could do it.”

“Don't worry, I'll be back in a few minutes. I'll let you know then.”

I headed toward the parking lot.

19

I'd only had the motorhome for a day and already liked the idea of having my own private sanctuary. Just by stepping in and closing the door behind me, I could get away from the rest of the world.

But how would that change if I had a stranger traveling with me – especially a four-legged one that pooped in a litter box?

And where would I keep the cat during the trip?

The easy solution would be to put his litter box in the shower stall, put his water and food bowls on the floor by the bathroom sink. And just let him roam freely.

That way, he could always get to his litter box, and if he had an 'accident', I could just run it down the shower drain.

With his food and water near the back of the coach, maybe he'd stay back there, out of the way. Maybe sleep most of the trip.

I would have to be careful going in and out the doors. Wouldn't want the cat to escape.

But other than that, having a cat in the Love Bus shouldn't be a problem. And even if it got to be a hassle, it'd only be for a few days.

My decision was made.

I went back to Molly's office and asked, “Do you have a road atlas? I'd like to see what part of Florida I'd be delivering the cat too.”

Her face lit up, “You mean you'll do it? My sister will be so happy!”

She hugged me, “Yes, I have a road atlas out in my car! I can show you where my sister lives and the route we take when we visit her.”

Molly was obviously very happy about my decision.

She grabbed her things, “Walk with me to the front door. I'll give the security guard the go-ahead to lock everything up and we'll get out of here.”

A few minutes later Molly and I were in the parking lot by her car. She pulled a large US Atlas from behind the back seat, opened to the Florida page.

“Here you go. My sister lives right here.”

She was pointing about half way down the west coast of Florida to a spot south of Tampa.

“This is it. Englewood, Florida. A small town with miles of beaches. This is where my sister lives.

“From Conway to her house is about twelve hundred miles. An easy two day drive. Interstate most of the way.”

She paused as I looked at the map.

It was going to be a long drive. Half way down Arkansas, through parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and almost all the way through Florida.

Definitely a long drive. But too late to back out now. And anyway, I was doing a good deed. A favor for a friend.

And in return, I'd have a place to park the motorhome and live rent free close to the beach.

I may have mentioned I like free. And free rent near the beach was like a magnet pulling me in that direction.

My alternative? Don't take the cat. Don't go anywhere. Stay here and do nothing.

On the other hand, Florida would mean adventure, warm weather, new people, freedom and a new beginning.

“You say it only takes two days to get there?”

Molly smiled, “Last time we went, my husband drove. We left Conway at daybreak, spent the night near Tallahassee, and were in Englewood late afternoon the next day.

“It was a two day drive for us. But it might take you longer in the motorhome.”

Molly continued, “My sister Sarah will be so excited to get Mango Bob back. You'll be her knight in shining armor for bringing him home.”

“So when are you planning on leaving?” Molly paused, waiting for my answer.

“Tomorrow is Saturday, and I'm thinking it might be a good day to start my trip.”

“Wow! That soon. That's great!

“I should bring Bob and his things over this evening. That way you can get a early start and won't have to wait for me and Bob to show up in the morning.

“But only if that's okay with you.”