The Tennessee Youngster

Chapter Ten

Outward Bound

Strange encounters seemed to be the norm now Tommy thought looking around the car at his mother driving the car and brother staring out the side of the window. So far summer has not been what he had hoped especially moving from one state to another. He just wanted to be at the new place. Kids are supposed to be having fun during summer and the third day of summer for him wasn't exactly what he had hoped it would be.

Besides, he never imagined in his short life he would encounter such strange occurrences. Tommy hoped they would drive to the police station and then be on their way to Tennessee. Back at the police station Stephen had now had time to think just like the Sherriff mentioned. However, lying down on the old army cot in the cell, his thoughts seemed to get interrupted by a neighboring snore. Whoever was in the luxury suite cell didn't seem to have a care in the world, let alone any respect for anyone else around. Well, at least Stephen thought so.

"Can you stop that snoring? Stephen turned his head to the left and spoke towards the person.

Nothing but moaning, a quick toss, and turn followed by a squeaking passing gas sound came from the opposite cell before settling back to a still.

This would have been OK, but where Stephen came from, it is disrespectful to ignore someone when they are talking to you. However, in this situation, it was a one-way streak.

"Hey, I said stop snoring. " Stephen mumbled at the other cell once again.

"Lee me lone, sleeping." Said the stranger.

"What did you say? I couldn't understand." Stephen replied.

"I said leave me alone."

Throwing back a blanket that covered the person spoke the stranger only to reveal to Stephen a familiar face. A face that had altered his thinking. The stranger sleeping in the cell next time was the very same person that he had spoken in confidence about their affairs that were kept in his car.

"You." Stephen jumped off the cot and lunged his arms between the bars hoping to get a hold of him.

This made the man roll and fall out of the bed onto the solid floor, not to mention gather the attention of Dottie the front desk deputy and Sherriff Daughtry. Stephen's anger rose and so did his voice. This was not happening and the only thing keeping him from laying a good beating down on him was the cell bars.

"Well, I see you boys are getting to know one other." Sherriff Daughtry said coming up to the cells.

"What is the meaning of this? That's the guy that stole our belongings. He's the one that needs to be in this cell locked up. Not me Sherriff."

"Oh relax son, this happens all the time."

"Bobby Ray, now why don't you apologize to Mr. Davidson for what you did and get on outta here. I think we have had enough excitement for one day, don't you think?"

"Yes, Sherriff. I am sorry Mr. Davidson." Bobby Ray said from on the ground.

"Now get yourself on up and back to the motel you hear? See you tomorrow at the same time?"

"Yes, Sherriff. Have a good day."

"Wait a minute, this happens a lot?" Stephen said with a complex voice.

"From time to time, but there is a story behind it. You see, there was an accident that took place oh I'd say a few years back where Bobby Ray took a nasty fall into a train cart and hit his head. Hasn't been right ever since."

"What does that got to do with him stealing my stuff?"

"Well, you recall the awful smell in the air around her don't you boy?"