I Found A Roof On The Edge Of My Parents Property.

I was cruising up I-85, doing about 80, heading North through South Carolina, on my way back to Delaware.

I left the Holiday Inn around 6 o'clock in the morning.

I had attended "Managers College" for the last four days, at the home office of the Waste Management Company I work for, in Houston, Texas.

You see, I've been busting my ass for the past 9 years, 4 of which I've been taking online courses in engineering, to prove that I had what it takes to be a Landfill Manager.

I got my bachelor's degree a few months ago, and when I was offered the position, I jumped on it with both feet. 

Now, I know what you're thinking... Landfill Manager. That's a real shitty job, and sometimes it is, but damn does it pay good.

Anyway, I was cruising, rocking out to Savatage's Hall Of The Mountain King CD, when I got the call.

If you don't know who Savatage is... we can't be friends... Just kidding.

Seriously though, I picked up my cell phone from off the passenger seat, and looked to see who was calling... It was my mother.

I turned down the radio, accepted the call, and said "Hey, Mom!"

There were a few seconds of silence.

"Jimmy!" she said softly, and immediately I heard the tears in my mother's voice.

"Mom! What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

"It's your Father, Jimmy! He's been hurt!"

I heard those words, and immediately slowed down, changed lanes, pulled over on the side of the road, put the car in park, and turned on the hazard lights.

"Is he okay?" I asked, "What happened?"

"Well, Jimmy! You know your father, Mr. Fix Everything Himself!

He was up on the ladder cleaning out the gutters, when "Thunder", the neighbors black lab came tearing around the corner, chasing Simon.

Simon is my parents cat. He's tan and white, and very fluffy.

Anyway, she continued by saying, "The dog hit the ladder, it began to fall over, your father jumped off of it, and landed down hard on the ground, breaking his leg."

"Oh My God!" I exclaimed.

"Honey! I know you're busy with your job and all, and I hate to ask, but we need your help Son. Your father is gonna be on those crutches for at least 8 weeks, and they'll be no one to tend to the farm. Please, Son! Please come home!", she said tearfully.

Now, I don't know any man, or woman, regardless of how bad your childhood was, or status of the relationship they have with their parents, if your mother calls you crying... you drop everything and go. Right?

And that is exactly what I did.

"I'll be there by morning, Mom!", I replied.

I swear I could hear her smile through the phone.

"I love you, Mom!", I said, "See you in the morning!"

"Okay, Jimmy! I love you too! Bye!" She replied.

I then hung up the phone, and put it back on the seat, next to my cigarette tin.

I grabbed the tin container with my tubes, tobacco, and roller in it, and rolled myself a smoke, and lit it.

I sat there on the side of the road, smoking my cigarette, to try and calm myself down after what I just heard.

You see, I roll my own cigarettes. Non-menthol of course.