Part 7
“What is this place?” Skylar asked as I pulled into the parking lot in front of what looked like a glorified shed.
“This,” I pointed to the building as I turned in my seat to face Skylar, “is a personal favorite. We broke down a couple miles up the road back in ‘98 and ended up here. Any time i’m driving West, I make sure to stop in.”
Skylar scrunched her face up still looking confused, “But, what is it?”
“The world’s largest salt and pepper shaker collection.” I replied and Skylar snorted, “What?”
“It’s just…not what I expected to hear.” Skylar smiled, pulling her camera out of her bag.
“Yeah, I know. I really don’t come here to see the salt shakers.” I replied as we both climbed out of the Bus.
“What…cute tour guide?” Skylar asked, raising an eyebrow as I reached her side of the Bus and led the way.
I chuckled, “You could say that, but Maude’s a little old for me. She works the souvenir shop anyway.”
“How old is Maude?” Skylar asked uncertainly, as we reached the sidewalk.
“94.” I shrugged, “Just a warning: she likes to fuss over people.”
Skylar gaped at me as I held the door open, “She’s 94 and still working?”
“She owns the place and she’s too stubborn to just stay home and knit while someone else runs it.” I shrugged.
I folded my arms on the ticket counter and grinned at the less than thrilled looking, rail thin 16 year-old redhead dressed from head to toe in black, Lauren.
“Hey, Pipsqueak.” I said as she noticed us, “Gimme two.”
“Hey, ass-clown.” she sighed as she punched buttons on the register, “I shouldn’t be charging you. You know that right?”
“I know that’s what Maude thinks, but I brought someone with me this time. That cancels out the special treatment, right?” I replied and Lauren raised a pierced eyebrow.
“She doesn’t look like the kind of girl you usually pay for.” Lauren shot back. “Anyway, I don’t really care about giving you special treatment. She gives me the money or, more recently, I pocket it before she has the chance to throw a fit. We don’t need her throwing as many fits now that she’s getting up there in age. I gain from you’re stubbornness either way.”
“Great.” I shook my head, “Maude’s in the shop right?”
“When is Great-Gran not back there?” Lauren asked with a laugh.
“We’re gonna go find her and at least she’s not stuck at home knitting you pink sweaters.” I laughed as lauren pretended to gag, “We’ll see you later.”
I Could have left Skylar to look around while I caught up with Maude, but I followed her as she looked around feeling nostalgic.
Skylar snorted and pointed to a set of salt and pepper shakers that looked like a butt when set side by side.
I laughed as I tried to explain, “My brothers found those in a thrift shop, like, 5 years ago. We sent them to Maude for her 90th birthday with a note that had as many butt puns as we could think of. I knew she got a kick out of it, but I didn’t know that she put them out.”
“The note’s framed behind them, too.” Skylar giggled as I dragged her away with a groan.
