An Inheritance

Chapter 20

The lot was almost completely filled, and Sam had to park on the side where it was basically scrub grass which was used as an extension of the nicely paved lot.  Many people were milling around taking out coolers, baskets and chairs from cars and trucks; families with babies and young children in tow, teenagers, either as dates or in groups, and many of the older set too.

It seemed as though everyone knew at least several other groups because the yells of: “hey, glad to see you made it”, “where are you going to sit?”, “yep, we have the fried chicken and rhubarb pie, plenty to go around” reverberated across the parking lot.  Children were running after each other with mindful parents and grandparents keeping one eye on them as they walked toward the bandstand and talked with their friends.

Lauren grabbed the blanket and one of the beach chairs while Sam juggled the basket, the remaining chair and a low folding table.  Sam received many greetings and Lauren, more often than not, received a once over from the greeter along with a friendly smile.  The greetings were infectious and Lauren found herself saying hello to everyone who happened to cross her path. 

Even with all of the people already situated around the bandstand, Sam was able to find a clear spot on the grass that looked perfect.  The band wasn’t scheduled to start until 5:30, another 40 minutes, but some of the musicians were testing the sound system and their instruments.  Two guitarists were seated and playing a few tunes, that although not connected to the speakers, were loud enough so that Lauren could tell how professional they sounded.

Lauren put her chair down and Sam helped lay out the blanket.  He then set up the low beach chairs and table at the end facing the stage.  He motioned for Lauren to sit in one of the chairs and started to unpack the picnic basket.  As Sam placed each item on the table, he relayed in a very serious tone the contents of each container.  Gumbo came in a large thermos, then there were four containers that contained rice and beans, sausage, spicy shrimp and corn bread.  The second large thermos contained sweetened peach tea.  “And don’t peek, but there is a great dessert waiting at the bottom of this basket.” 

Lauren couldn’t figure out how they were going to eat all of this food, but she sure was willing to give it a try.  They both dug into the feast as though they hadn’t eaten in a week.

“Please don’t tell me you made all of this.”  Lauren begged as she licked the butter off her fingers that had dripped from the still warm corn bread.  She imagined she must look like a slob greedily eating this way, but the food was so good, and by looking around, everyone seemed to be enjoying their own picnic dinners without any dining protocol. 

He hesitated as though thinking of a response, then sheepishly replied “No, this is all from Bonnie C’s Café.  I’m a regular there, so they created this ‘spread to impress’.”  His lopsided grin grew broader and he at least had the decency to turn red a little. 

Lauren was amused.  He could never be an accomplished liar, his entire face rats him out. 

“You know, it seems as though you know much more about me than I do about you.  I know you said you were born and raised here and teach at the high school, but what made you stay here?  I’m sure there were many opportunities to go somewhere else.”  Oh, great, I’ve just insulted his hometown and his decision making.  How did that slip out that way?

But Sam didn’t seem disturbed by her question.  “You know, there were many kids I grew up with that had that same thought.  Graduate high school, go to college and get out of this hick-town.  And I was one of them.  I had this vision of getting out and seeing the world.  With my height and high school experience, I was able to get a partial basketball scholarship from LSU.”  He laughed.  “Not very far away, but it was a start.”