I Had Always Wanted ….. Part 1

I Had Always Wanted…..

For a long time, I had wanted several things, and one was my own Barbeque Stand.


I took an offer to buy the barbecue stand that had been my favorite since childhood.

The owner had died, but left his pit directions, sauce recipes and even recipes for fried pies that hadn’t been offered in my lifetime.

I spent time experimenting with frying fruit pies and, eventually put them on the menu at a very reasonable price. As they became popular, word got around and business began to increase considerably.
I had been operating as a “One Man” endeavor and it was getting close to being more than I could handle. I did have a lady who did the dishes and floors, but I did the cooking, serving, collecting, busing and socializing.

I soon was feeling the burden of a successful business and decided to hire a wait-staff to give me some relief.
I put an ad in the local paper and a sign in the front window.
The very next day, at the peak of the lunch rush, a cute young lady came in and asked me with whom she should talk to apply for the job. I told her to sit down and that I would be with her as soon as I could.

In a few minutes, a glass of tea was knocked off a table and she immediately jumped up, got the broom and dust pan and cleared the broken glass and tea.

I gave her a ‘thumbs up’ and a big smile. She returned the smile, then greeted, sat and brought water to several new customers as they came in, telling them that I would be with them shortly.

More than one of my customers complimented me on having her there and thus speeding up their lunches.

After the lunch crowd left, I asked her if she was hungry, brought her food and asked when she would like to start.

“Well, Sir, I would like to start as soon as possible. I am broke and just came into town with no place to stay. I grew up here, but haven’t lived here since I was 13,” she said.

“In that case, you started two hours ago and when you finish eating I will take your information, show you around the place, get you some waitress clothes and have you ready for the evening rush,” I told her.

“I can’t believe that you hired me so quickly,” she sighed.

“Well, you came in at the right time, did the right thing, impressed the right people, are one pretty little lady, soooo……, what else could I have done?” I said.
“You have just made my life a lot more comfortable, Sir,” she said.

“How old are you, and what is your name? My name is John Sherman, by the way,” I asked, “and please call me John or Johnny, if you will. I am a very informal guy.”

“My name is Jean Porter and I just turned 18, Johnny.” She answered.

“I knew a Bob Porter in High School, are you related?” I asked.

“He was my brother,” she said.

“He was a really nice guy and I am sorry that he was killed. I hear that he was a war hero. I never knew that he had a little sister, though. I do remember him having a younger brother, Gene, who should be about your age, now. I haven’t seen Gene since he was about 12, I think. Whatever happened to him?” I asked.

“I am really scared to tell you,” She said, “but he does remember you and thinks about you frequently.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you scared to tell me?” I pried.

“Because of how he turned out. You might not approve,” she answered, hesitatingly.

“Well, Hon, My memories of Gene are all warm and good. I doubt that I would disapprove of anything he did. He was always a sweet and caring boy, and I wish that you would tell me about him,” I explained, “and if he needs my help, I would be more than anxious to give it. I am not judgmental and make my own decisions about people based upon my relationship with them.

Gene probably saved my life when he was a kid, and I would love to see him and thank him again. When I returned from military duty, your family had moved away and I never found out where.
I heard that your parents divorced and that Bob was killed in action. Other than that, I never knew,” I told her emotionally.

“Are you sure that you would have no ill feelings about Gene if I told you?” she whispered.

“Sweetheart, I have always considered that Gene saved my life when he pulled me out of that wreck. I would do almost anything to help him, and most of all, I want to see him, if you will arrange it,” I assured her.

“Even if you found out that he has been in love with you since he was 12?” she asked, guardedly.

“Uhhhh, that’s hard to believe, but I would be flattered if it were true. I feel
that a person cannot help who they like or dislike and, more importantly, who they love. How can anyone find fault in love, or anything to do with love?” I replied.

“Johnny, he does, I can tell you that he was horrified when he saw that truck hit you and was so thankful that he got you out before the explosion. You have been on his mind ever since,” she said.

“Please get me in touch with him. I want to see him, badly. How soon can you do it?” I insisted.

“Johnny, I am Gene. Sorry if you thought “Jean” when I told you my name. I had no idea that you would remember me. When I read the article in the newspaper about you opening the barbecue stand up, I started planning to come here. My mom gave me bus fare, but we have had a very hard time these past few years. She told me that I would be wasting my time coming to see you, but knowing that I have loved you since we first met (which was when I was 10, by the way). Mom told me not to expect you to even remember me, but to try to get you out of my mind, once and for all. I have needed to tell you these things for so long and I hope that you will understand and not be mad or disgusted with me. Do I still have the job?” she said as she began to softly cry.

“How can I think of you as “Gene” when you are so NOT a guy? No promises, Miss Jean, but I am, simply, flabbergasted with all this. I think that you are one of, if not THE cutest girl that I have seen in a long time. I am trying to wrap this all around my head, and it already is starting to feel warm and comforting,” I said, “and we shall see what we see.”

“Really? Please don’t play games with me, Johnny. I feel as if I am standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down and wondering if I will fall.