Dale DeVoss

The Used Car Lot

A Short Story by Dale DeVoss

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It was the summer of 1958, and the oppressing heat was clamping down on the South- ern States. In the low lying hills, just outside of Milan Tennessee, the country spreads out far and wide, and is dotted here and there by small farm houses. The valley, protected by the shade of the hills, is a bit cooler than in town, but not by much. It was in this valley, on one of those farm house porches that Delbert Gibbons was chewing on a piece of saw grass. The massive chestnut tree in his front yard gave even more protection from the scorching heat and the little bit of breeze felt welcome. This easy feeling wasn’t to last long though, because this was the day that Delbert had to go into Milan, to the Govern- ment office and pick up his supplement check. There had been no work for three months now, ever since the defense plant shut down, and the little bit of farming he could do didn’t go very far. Delbert sold most of the land on his farm to help raise his seven chil- dren and pay the bills. Delbert never like the fact that he was getting handouts, the fact was though, he had to feed his family.

He climbed into his ol’ 46 Ford pick-up truck and headed down to town. He liked the feeling of the wind in his hair as he snaked down the country roads. He especially liked it when he came upon Jasper Gooley’s expansive spread. There lay some of the gentlest hills he ever laid eyes on, and speckled on those hills were the cattle that Jasper owned, gently grazing, although lately they were around the small pond by the shade tree. Del- bert thought that this piece of land was the closest thing to heaven he knew and it made him a little sad to think of what he had to give up.

He would make this trip to town every two weeks, and every time he did things were pretty much the same. Old man Lee would be sitting on his porch rockin’ and whittlin’. Most of the time old man Lee would just being staring out into space as though trying to remember something or waiting for something to fly down out of the sky. Delbert always honked his horn when he went by, knowing full well that Homer S. Lee would not wave, but also knowing somehow that he was there. Delbert remembered a time when he was eight or nine years old and ol Homer’d be there rocking in his chair , just the same. At that time he would play the harmonica and sing some Civil War songs, to the delight of all the children who would gather to listen. Shortly after is when he suffered his stroke, and that left him pretty much quiet since.

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When Delbert came into town he first passed by the barber shop, and outside on the bench were all the regulars, chewin’ and spittin and passing all the latest gossip and poli- tics. Delbert honked as he went by them too. When he pulled up to the Government Building all the usual folks were lined up waiting for their checks, just like him. The building used to be the Post Office before they built the new one in town and it dated back to 1851. It was quite hot inside as he walked down the hallway and when he got to the main office area there was only a large overhead fan, which only helped to push the hot air around. There was a huge picture of President Eisenhower on the wall dressed up in Ol’ Glory and the Confederate flag. There was smoke everywhere hanging in the hot

stale air. Some folks took up to smoking because they were bored or on edge from lack of work. Delbert never took up the habit though, although he did chew from time to time. When it came to Delbert’s turn, he went up to the window where Jes Parker would be and handing out the checks. Jes was a good ol’ boy. He lost his factory job too, but found work right away at the Government office, due to his business training.

“Say, hey there Delbert, how’s it with you, the wife and children?” Jes would pucker his lips when he greeted you to show you he was truly sincerely concerned with your well being.

“Oh, alright I guess, you know, we’re getting’ by n all.” They would shake hands then and talk some small talk as always, and then Jes cocked his head and started to stroke his chin. He looked Delbert in the eyes and spoke outside of the small talk.

“Look he’ah Delbert, I know this might not be your kettle o’fish, well, you see, I got this ah here letter from the main employment office, and well, seems that they’s lookin’ fer some workers up north yonder to work in them car factories. They’s payin’ purty good too, $6.00 an hour, and lots of overtime to boot. Lotta folks is headin’ up that way to make some money and come back after awhile to start over here. Now Delbert, we’ve been friends fer awhile, this could be jus’ the thing to get you goin’ agin.

There was an awkward silence between the two men for a few seconds as Delbert was taking in all the information Jes had just told him. What Jes said made sense, and it struck Delbert as a way to make his way back to respectability. The words came from his lips, but it was almost like someone else was speaking.

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“Well, it sounds alright enough, course I’ll have to run it by Jenny and all, you know.” Jes stood there shakin his head up and down.

“Well of course, you go on a tell Jenny all about it. You jus let me know when you know, okay?” Delbert, with his mind racing with all kinds of thoughts, now put his hand out to shake Jes’ hand and the two old friends smiled at each other in that familiar country way.

Delbert had many thoughts racing through his head on the way back home, such as, what would it be like up there in the North Country. He knew it would be big, bigger than anything he ever knew. He wondered also how he would fit in to the fast pace of life up yonder. Then the worst thought of all, how would it be to be away from his family all that time. Would he travel back periodically? Would he eventually pull up roots down here and move the folks up there. Delbert wondered how he was going to break all this news to his wife. They had never been apart in all the years they been married. There was one thing though, he had to go up there and make some money for his family, and that’s all there was to it.

*****

At dinner that night Delbert quietly told his wife about the prospects up yonder, and, how tough it would be for all of them. His wife patiently took in all Delbert had to say, and, for the longest time sat there just staring at her fork, then she bowed her head as though she was saying a prayer. When she raised her head up Delbert noticed a tear drop falling from her eyes. Delbert rose from his chair and went over to comfort his wife. He took her hand and held it very firmly and spoke.

“Jenny, I must do this, don’t you see, for us, for our children, for our future. I can’t take hand outs for much longer, it breaks a mans spirit not to be productive.” There was another long silence form his wife and then, “I suppose we must do what’s right Delbert, but I’m so awful darn scairt, is all.” She then started to cry uncontrollably.

Delbert raised her up off of her seat, and held on as tight as he could and felt he had to fight to not cry himself, to be strong. There was some more small talk later, but the fact of it was that Delbert was going to go up north to sign up to work in the car factories. He would go down and tell Jes and see what he needed to get started.

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The day that Delbert was to leave for up north his family all went down to the bus sta- tion to see him off. It was a tearful goodbye and he hugged his children and wife so hard that he thought they might burst. He kissed his wife for the longest time, and he told her he would write home to her every day; even if it was just a line or two. This time there were no tears, she stood there tall and proud to show she was all behind her man. When the bus pulled away the dust was flying up from the road, and when he looked back from the window they all stood there in the dust cloud like ghosts on the road. He then couldn’t help it any longer and he began to sob. He wondered what it was in this world anymore where a man has to leave his family to earn a living. Delbert watched now as the town became a little pin point in the horizon. He then pulled his hat over his eyes and tried to sleep.

When he woke up he was just outside the Ohio border line. He looked around and saw that the scenery was changing rapidly, from the beloved hills that he knew so well, to more flatlands and cities. The memory of his family seemed so long ago now and to keep from dwelling on the sadness of it he turned his thoughts to what it might be like to work in a car factory. He knew that they were big, much bigger than the defense plant they once had in town, and there lots of them everywhere, miles and miles of them. He felt like he was a time traveler, leaving an old world of the past going into the future. Delbert remembered what his wife said and now he too was scairt, scairt as hell.

The scenery changed dramatically from Toledo to Detroit. It seemed to Delbert that there was more and more cement everywhere the closer they got to Detroit. The cars were speeding by faster too, like they were late in getting someplace. It was all so darn flat and fast, flatter and faster, and it hurt his eyes to look at it too long.

When they finally arrived in Detroit the roads were all merging in to one another and Delbert wondered how all the cars kept from running into one another. He knew right then and there he was going to miss the hills and the slower pace of home. Yes, he only just arrived, and he was homesick bad, real bad.

The lumbering Greyhound bus pulled into the downtown Detroit depot and snaked its way in the tunnel that seemed so dark and cold. Delbert reached down in his pocket and pulled out an address that Jes had given him. It had a time and name written on it for the factory job. The address read 1150 Jefferson Avenue and he was to meet a Mr. Checker. Delbert went out to the street and began to look for a cab to drive him to the address. He had to admit that this part of it was pretty exciting and he felt like one of those big shots in New York.

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The cab driver took him to the address on the card and told him it was $1.25 which made Delbert flinch a little considering he didn’t think that they went very far. He gave him the $1.25 and then gave him a quarter tip. Delbert thought the quarter extravagant but he was in the big city now. The driver just grunted and sped off, leaving Delbert in a cloud of exhaust. Now Delbert Gibbons was truly alone in this strange new world. He walked with confidence into the giant complex which is the car plant, but first he had to meet the guard at the guard house. What on earth could these people being protecting themselves from he thought? It felt like a war zone. The guard gazed down at Delbert from his lofty perch.

“State your business.” Came the cold pithy bark of the guard.

“I’m here to look for work. I was given this card by my Supplement Officer back home.”

The guard took the card from Delbert’s hand and glanced over it like it was a passport or something. The guard then had a big smile spread across his face.

“Well, well, another Southern boy come up to work in the big ol’ Northern factory, eh?” But it wasn’t scorn that Delbert felt but compassion as the guard quickly became friendlier and told Delbert exactly where to go and had even wished him good luck.

Delbert tugged on the big door that had the sign ‘EMPLOYMENT OFFICE’ on it. He entered a long narrow hallway, spit polish clean, and at the end of the tunnel saw a long line of folks, he figured looking for work just like him. He soon began a conversation with the man in front of him. At first it started as small talk, weather and all, but then they started talking about where they were from. He was from Kentucky, and his name was Randall. Randall had pretty much the same story as Delbert, as just like Tennessee, Ken- tucky was hard up for work.

“At one time my family owned a horse farm and it was beautiful, but the depression hit us pretty good and we been scrappin’ for a living ever since.” His head bent as though he was ashamed of what he said. Delbert felt great appreciation for what Randall was go- ing through and he patted his shoulder and told him “Look we’re all in this together now, things’ll pick up, you’ll see, right now though we gotta get these here factory jobs and get stronger, you see?” And Randall nodded his head up and down and felt better.

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“Yeah, I guess you’re right about that, why I got a brother-in-law that’s already work- ing in a factory in Flint, and he’s makin’ $9.50 an hour too.”

“Whoee, $9.50 an hour for makin them cars?”

“Well, you see, he’s awful good at lectrical things and they’s got ‘im runnin' the de- partment.” Randall had a small smile of pride as he told Delbert this.

He told Delbert that it took between three to four weeks before you actually started working as you had to go through all the processing and health tests. This distressed Del- bert a might as he was not prepared to go a whole month without getting a paycheck. His wife was going to get the supplement check back home and feed the family and what Delbert could bring with him would only last a week or so. Randall told him not to worry about it though as the employment office had something call a temporary placement ser- vice that got you work until you were called. Delbert thought that was awfully nice of them to do that and he breathed a little easier now.

It seemed like a long time before the line got down to Delbert’s turn. Finally, there it was, just a small bit of space between him and the table where the two people to process him. They talked real friendly and all and treated everyone with respect. This was a good sign to Delbert. It meant the company made sure that you were treated right even if you weren’t an employee yet.

“Step up to the green line, sir. State you name and your nature of business with Union Motors.”

“My name is Delbert Gibbons from Milan Tennessee and I’m here to try and get one of them factory jobs. I have a card that was given to me by my placement officer at home.” Delbert handed the card to the woman that was on the left.

“Alright then, here take this application and fill it out completely and return it to us when you’re done.” Delbert took the four page document with all kinds of writing on it. He would take it back to the room and fill it out and bring it back tomorrow.

“Thank you. Uh if you don’t mind I’d like to ask you all a question.” “Yes sir. What would you like to know?”

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“Well, see here now, I’m not tryin’ to be no pushy sort o fellah or nuthin’ but I was told by my friend here that while I was a waitin’ on the factory job you all could find me some kind of temporary job in the meantime.”

“Well, yes, if we decide that we can get you into Union Motors we can find temporary work for you in the meantime. Please check back with us in 2 days and we should be all set with your paperwork, alright?” The woman smiled after she finished and put her hand out to shake Delbert’s hand. Delbert took her hand and shook it and then he smiled him- self. He was very satisfied with how things were going alright. He would write home to his wife tonight and tell her all about it.

Randall and Delbert left the big factory and headed over to the diner to get some lunch. Delbert was glad he met Randall and that he was from the South, it made things easier for him being up in this neck of the woods. Things certainly were going better than he thought they would. He would go after lunch and get settled into his room and then head on over to the park by his hotel. It was right by the river and Delbert thought he’d check out and see how the fishing was. Could be that he could catch a lot for his supper and save some money that way.

*****

Two days later Delbert headed over to the employment office just like he was told and was hopin’ they’d have some news about getting him some work. He didn’t like just loaf- ing around like he’d been the last couple of days. When he got to the plant he saw the same amount of people that were standing in line just like the day he went. He wasn’t so sure if that was a good thing or not, but he forced himself to believe it was good.

The employment people said that everything was fine with his paperwork and that he could be at the factory in about two weeks after all the tests were done for medical and what not. In the mean time the lady there told him if he wanted to work right away there was a job for a part time car salesman in the area. Delbert said he didn’t know that much about selling cars, or anything for that matter, other than crops and livestock. The lady told him that cars wouldn’t be that much different than livestock, and besides there would be someone there to help him learn the ropes.

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“What kinda clothes do you expect they’ll want me to wear selling them cars?” Del- bert scratched his head at this because he didn’t count on buying any clothes special like.

“Oh just a nice shirt and a tie will do. They know you’re only temporary and all.”

“Well alright then I’ll go down there to that Hudson’s store and get me a few things then.”

“Well that’ll be fine then, here’s the address of the car lot and you should report to a Mr. Ditters, he’s the used car manager.”

What a nice lady Delbert thought and then he thought that maybe some of these Yan- kees will be alright then, he hoped they’d be as nice at the car lot.

*****

It was strange to sleep in the city with all the strange noises and people up at all hours of the night. It was completely the opposite of what Delbert was used to. Most nights he was awakened by the screeching of tires, or sirens, or yellin’ and screamin’. By the third day though, he was so tired that the noises didn’t bother him; he would have a big day tomorrow going down to the store and then over to the car lot, all which were within walkin' distance from where Delbert was staying on Jefferson Avenue. He slept deep, but had some awful dreams of people chasing him and him jumping from one building to an- other.

Delbert headed down to the big department store in downtown Detroit. He stood there, in front of the store, just staring up at the tall building. He couldn’t believe that such a big place as this was all for buying things, he never seen anything like it before. Then Delbert went inside. If he thought the outside was big he was in for a big surprise when he walked inside of it. The doors that led into the store revolved around in a circle and a bunch of folks could go in at the same time. When the other folks got to the opening they shot out like they was fired from a gun and seemed like they all knew where they was going. Delbert just stood by the revolving door and looked around. There was people going up and down stairs and some of the stairs was moving. They went inside doors that swallowed them and then an arrow started to move up or down showing which way the folks was going. Then there was all the merchandise, everywhere. It sparkled like jewels and the place was lit up like Christmas. Delbert stood there like a deer in the headlights;

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he was simply stupefied by all this. He would have plenty to tell the wife tonight and he would make a promise someday to take her here. Now he wondered how he would find the place that would have shirts and ties. He spotted a uniformed guard over by the desk that said information and asked him.

“New in town are you mister?”

“Yes sir, up from Tennessee to see about working in one of them car factories.”

“Well then, Welcome to Detroit, car capitol of the world. We can use some good hon- est workers up here. Your shirts and such are up on the sixth floor. Have a nice day now.”

“Why thank you very much, mighty kind of you. Hope I do and same to you.”

Delbert took the moving stairs all the way up to the sixth floor and watched as each floor passed him by. Everyone had different things they were selling and every floor was filled with all kind of folks. He thought they sure must be pretty well off up here to be able to spend money in a store like this. When he got to his floor, a big gold sign hung overhead that said ‘Men’s Clothing and Accessories’. He wondered what those accessories might be.

His eyes opened wide when he saw all the clothes, shoes, belts, ties, perfume and all that was up there. Where do you even begin up here he wondered. He went over to the man behind the counter that sold cufflinks and such.

“Excuse me feller, but can you direct me to where the shirts might be.” “Why certainly sir, third aisle to the left, you can’t miss it.”
“Mighty obliged to you mister. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”

Delbert went down to where the shirts were and a man quickly asked him if he needed any help.

“Yes sir, need a couple of shirts, dress up kind.”
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“Yes sir, button down, open collar, cotton, silk, white?”

“Jes two white cotton button type shirts’ll do, thank you.”

“Okay, right this way please.” The man led Delbert over to where the shirts he asked for were. He tried on one of the shirts and he felt like he was getting done up for church. It felt odd to be wearing such a thing but it fit and Delbert grabbed two and then went over to pick out two ties. The total for the lot was $15.00 which was a lot of money for Delbert and he hoped that car selling business would give him quick pay backs.

*****

The walk down to the car lot was enjoyable for Delbert as he walked along the De- troit River and right by a huge park called Belle Isle. Everywhere people were hustle and bustle, and for the first time since he arrived he was actually happy to be a part of it all. He was heading to a place that was going to give him work and then in a couple of weeks he would be in the car factory. He was just a block away from the car lot now and all of a sudden his knees started to get wobbly. He could make out the sign now for the Car Deal- ership and it read ‘Maxwell Steele Chevrolet’. The sign was white with blue letters and there were flags hanging from it all flappin’ in the wind. Off to the side he saw a trailer that had a sign over it that said’ Quality Used Cars’ and so he headed over that way.

Inside the trailer there were four little offices set up and then one giant office. It was very cool inside and was a nice change from the heat outside. One of the people that had one of the little offices approached him.

“Yes sir, how can we help you today?” His smile was as wide as Delbert had ever seen a man smile, with pearly white teeth to go with it. The man stuck out his hand for Delbert to shake.

“Well you see this is it. I’m here to see a Mr. Ditters about a job, placement center over to the car plant sent me, give’d me this card here.” Delbert picked the card out of his wallet and showed the man with all the teeth.

“I see, well let me go tell Mr. Ditters you’re here, alright.” As he walked away and his back was to Delbert, he gave the other salesman a wink of the eye, as to say get a load of this guy, eh? When he went into Mr. Ditters office he made sure that he closed the blinds

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after pointing Delbert out to Dirk Ditters, Used Car Manager. They both laughed as hard as they could without being too loud.

“Will you get a load out of that guy, look at that shirt, and geesus h bananas he’s wear- ing a bow tie for chrise sakes.” Dirk managed to get the words out with his belly convuls- ing with laughter.

“Yeah and you haven’t even seen his shoes yet, wait’ll you see’m boss, they’re brown and white saddle shoes.” More stifled bouts of laughter came from the two. When they calmed down the salesman asked if he should let him in.

“Yeah, let him in, I gotta see those shoes.” He pounded his elbow into the salesman’s side. “Yeah go fetch him; I haven’t laughed this hard in I don’t know when.”

They comprised a strange crew this ‘Used Car Crew’. The Manager had only an eighth grade education and learned everything he knew from the streets of Detroit. The Assistant Manager, who is Jewish, was spit and polish clean and looked like a movie star. Of the other two, who were salesmen, one was a one time local wrestler named ‘Bobo’ and has only been out of prison for two months. The other guy was an Irishman, nick- named ‘Duke’, who was always smiling and whistling a tune. Duke could always charm the ladies at the parties with his rendition of ‘Danny Boy’. However strangely mixed they were they were the best selling used car sales force in Detroit. Nobody sold more cars than they did. That’s why, when the owner told Dirk that he was going to get him part time help, he didn’t care one way or the other, because most of the time Ditter’s ‘Crew’ would outsell everything and leave the new guy with nothing and they would quit before long. Dirk figured they could have a little fun with this new guy so he told Delbert,

“Welcome aboard, you can start tomorrow.”

“Well, if it’s okay with you I’d really like to start today, I mean no disrespect or noth- in’ but I ain’t got nuthin’ to do, an’ I’d really like to make some money, all I’ve been doin’ so fer is spendin’ it.” Normally Dirk wouldn’t back down on anything he said, once it was said from his mouth it was written in stone and everybody knew it. It gave him a little bit of a twitch when this nobody before him was going against what he told him. However, he felt a little pang of tenderness for this fellow, as much as he hated to show it, there was a compassionate man deep down in Dirk, it’s just that he had to suppress that weakness a long time ago just to survive.

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“Well I suppose we can get you started today. Go to the main office building and ask for Olga, she handles all the paperwork. She'll explain to you how the pay structure works. You basically will be working off of a base pay and then commissions on top of that. Olga will explain all of it to you. When you get back I’ll start you on the cards and what we have in stock and what we’re looking at to sell them. I’ll then give you the final instructions on when a sale is complete and walk you through it. Okay?”

When Delbert left to go to the main office the guys in the office fell back on their reg- ular routine, and now Dirk was ready for some fun.

“Hey guys, come here, I’ve got a good one for you.” The guys all gathered around by Dirks’ desk.

“You guys know that new receptionist, Olga?” They all nodded their heads affirma- tive.

“Well she doesn’t quite get all of our slang yet. Just get a load of this.” Dirk dialed the operator number and reached Olga.

“Halo, this is the operator, how may I help you.”

“Oh, yes, this is Dirk Ditters here, um, I need you to page somebody for me please.”

“Yas, who would you like me to page, sir.”

“Yes, could you please page a Mr. Mehoff for me?”

“Yas, I will page him right away, sir. Shall I patch him through to your number when I reach him?”

“Yes, please, thank you.”

The next thing the guys heard was “Paging Mr. Mehoff, paging Mr. Mehoff.”

Dirks eyebrows rose in conjunction to the announcement and he had that look of the cat eating the canary. “Okay guys now here comes part two. When Olga calls back I have a second part to the page. The guys were waiting for a couple of minutes and then Olga called back to Mr. Ditters.

“Yeah, Ditters here.”
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“Yes Mr. Ditters. I paged Mr. Mehoff again and there is still no answer.” Ditters eye- brows rose up again and he gave the guys a wink.

“Uh, yes thank you Olga, he might be in the service area, could you include his first name this time, and also Olga, could you please tell him to come in the reception area?”

“Yes of course Mr. Ditters, right away.” Now Ditters had everyone shutter over to the outside door which he swung open. He had his fist clenched in anticipation of what was to come.

“Paging Mr. Jack Mehoff, come in the reception area, paging Mr. Jack Mehoff, come in the reception area.” All the guys were just about pissing in their pants with laughter as Olga’s voice boomed over the parking lot. Of course nobody suspected anything and that was part of the joke that was special and the boys in the used car lot were busting a gut. Then Dirk’s phone rang a gain.

“Hello Ditters here.”

“Yas, Mr. Ditters, I’m sorry but I still get no response.” Ditters and the boys had to hold in their laughter and it was hard and they kept punching each other with mirth.

“Well that’s okay Olga, he’s probably left the lot by now, I’ll ring him up at his house later. Thanks again.”

“You are very welcome Mr. Ditters.”

So this was one of the many jokes and gags that the guys would pull all day long to get them through the tedious, long hours of a used car salesman’s day. The guys were still yukking up the Mr. Mehoff bit when Delbert returned from the main office. He thought it nice to hear the sound of laughter coming from behind the doors. It made him feel a might bit easier to know that everyone got along so well. Just before Delbert opened up the door he heard a voice from down on the lot.

“Excuse me young man, are you a salesman here?” The older gentleman and his wife reminded him a little of him and the missus, they had on clothes more suited for the hills than the city.

“Yes, but I just hired on heah. Let me get you one of the other salesmen to help you out.” The man just crocked his head a little, took off his hat and spoke again.

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“Say now, it sounds to me like you ah come from the same neck of the woods me and ma here come from, you all from Tennessee by any chance?”

“Why I sure am, Milan, Tennessee, where you all from?”

“Why we’re not far from there, we’re from Dayton jus’ down the road apiece.”

Delbert couldn’t believe it. Folks from his neck of the woods. He shook his head as he came down the steps to shake their hands. They spoke for quite a few minutes before an- other one of the salesman came out to see what was going on.

Bobo lumbered down the metal steps of the used car trailer and was presenting his big wrestler hand to the old couple to shake.

“How do you do folks, something I can help you with today?”

The couple and Delbert were taken aback a bit by this giant presence moving in on their gentle conversation.

“Well now young feller, me and the missus is lookin’ to buy a car, and was eyein’ that 51 Buick over yonder there, the one with the white wall tires. But if it’s all the same to you I would appreciate if you could let our new friend Delbert here help us out. Nothin’ personal mister, you understand, but we’d feel a whole lot more comfortable with one of er own.”

Now Bobo didn’t know what to think of this. Was this Southern man giving him a racial slur, or was it just a matter-of-fact way of talking for these folks? His vein in his neck was starting to protrude as it did whenever he felt anger inside. But he managed to compose himself and to think of Dirk’s philosophy of “A sale is a sale”.

“Well now Delbert it looks like you have your first customers. You folks have a nice day now.”

“Thank you and you too.”

Now when Bobo went inside to tell the assistant manager what took place he just told Bobo.

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“Well then, don’t sweat it Bo, Delbert will probably just fumble and he’ll need help and you’ll get your cut anyway. Let’s see how our boy from Tennessee is going to do, eh?

Bobo nodded his head and thought that was the best way too. He was happier now and began to whistle a little tune. Bobo was a mighty fine whistler.

Turns out that Delbert did quite well and sold the car to the elderly couple. In fact as the days grew on more and more people were enjoying the laid back style of Delbert and that fact didn’t get by Dirk Ditters at all.

“Well I’ll be a horned toad, if that guy ain’t selling more cars with all that southern charm of his.” He confided to Bobo. Turns out though, that there were quite a few folks that were coming in the car lot that were working in the car factories and were happy having one of their own to talk to. Yes it was working out quite well for everybody. Del- bert at first was working under Bobo’s supervision and the two of them actually hit it off quite well. Delbert and Bobo would occasionally walk down to the lunch counter and grab some food and strawberry malt shakes,

The car lot owner called in Mr. Ditters one day and complimented him on his sales for the month which had topped all previous months. When Dirk told him that the new guy was adding to the boost in sales the owner asked him if he would like to hire him on full time.

“Hmm. That’s a great idea J.R. This southern angle is putting us on the map. I think I will ask him to come on board. The boys seem to get along with him fine enough. Yes I think I will ask him.” Dirk had a great big smile on his face when he left the owners of- fice.

When Ditters approached Delbert with the idea of staying on full time with full bene- fits and commissions and bonuses he was stunned. He told Ditters that he felt mighty proud to be asked to join on, but could he have a few days to talk it over with his wife first?

“Why sure, go ahead, take a day or two and think it over, but I’ll tell you one thing Delbert, you are going to make one helluva car salesman.”

With that the two men shook hands. Delbert was so happy when he left the car lot that day he though he might be walking on thin air. He was doing pretty good now with mon- ey and more than working in the factory he could be outside and talk to folks too. He

Dale DeVoss The Used Car Lot Page 16

even took to whittling when he had a free minute or two. Yes he felt pretty good about staying on the car lot and now he would tell his wife, he was pretty sure she’d go along with it, in fact he couldn’t wait to tell her, he was that happy.

*****

The next day Delbert was excited when he came back to the car lot and told Mr. Dit- ters that he would be happy to come on full time and that his wife was all for it.

“Why that’s fine, glad to have you come on board Delbert. You better go over there to the office now and have Olga put you on full time, okay? And when you get back here I have a special treat for you.”

“Why thank you Mr. Ditters. You sure have been awful kind to me.”

“No problem at all Delbert, happy to be of help. But look here from now on you just call me Dirk, okay? You’re a part of the team now. No need to be so formal.” And Delbert set out to go over to the office and sign on full time as a used car salesman. The sense of pride he felt as he walked across the lot was unlike anything he experienced, except maybe when him and the missus had their children. His head held up high in the air and whistling a tune on a beautiful summer day. My how things have changed so much, so fast.

As soon as Delbert was out of sight Dirk motioned Bobo to come over to his office. “Yeah boss, what’s up?”

“Well Bobo, seems like you and Delbert hit it off pretty good there. Why don’t you take the day off and show him around town. You know he’s been cooped up in that hotel room of his, I doubt if he’s set foot outside of it but only to come here. Why don’t you take him to the ball game, Greek Town, and then later on take him to one of them girlie joints.” With that Dirk gave Bobo a wink of his eye.

“Okay boss, sounds good to me, I could use a little R&R time too.”
“You betcha, and don’t worry we’ll pick up the tab and pay you for the day too.”

Dale DeVoss The Used Car Lot Page 17

When Delbert got back to the office Dirk was waiting for him and told him to come into his office.

“Delbert, welcome aboard.” He stuck his had straight out like a shot. If it was one thing Dirk Ditters knew how to do it was to shake hands. “Now Delbert, you listen here, I’m going to send you and Bobo out to have a day of it before you start. I want you to go out and see some of what Detroit has to offer, all on us. You’ve worked hard and sold quit a few cars already and well, we reward such talent here. Now you and Bobo go and have a good time and we’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning, okay?”

“Woowee.” Was all that could come out of the mouth of Delbert and just like that he and Bobo were on their way to the ball park. Delbert had never been to a Major League baseball game before. Delbert was going to get to see one of his favorite baseball players, Al Kaline play. Al was a southern farm boy and was one of the few players that went from high school right into the majors.

*****

Briggs Stadium where the Tigers played was so big that Delbert had to take his hat off just to look up at all the flags and such that were lining the top sides of the stadium. Where they went in there was a big plaque commemorating the famous Ty Cobb, also another southerner. He was reported to be the meanest baseball player around and would intentionally spike the hands of players if they tried to tag him out. But there’s no deny- ing that he was one of the best there was.

Inside the stadium was huge and Delbert never in his wildest dreams imagined a place so beautiful and all to play baseball in. The vendors were already hawking there hot dogs and peanuts. For 50 cents Delbert bought a souvenir pin for his wife. Bobo quickly told Delbert to not worry and to get what he wanted, the boss insisted on it. Delbert was get- ting to like Bobo more and more lately. He was big, almost 300 lbs, but he had the sweet- est smile you ever saw, which was rare because most of the time he looked mean like, although Delbert now knew that there was a little child inside this great big man.

The Tigers ended up beating New York and Delbert got to see the might Mickey Man- tle and today it was a slug fest between Mantle and Kaline and today Kaline won having hit two homers and knocking in six runs. The crowd went crazy when Kaline smacked them, and one of the almost cleared the stadium, it went so far.

All in all it was a wonderful time at the stadium and now Bobo was taking him to someplace called Greek Town, which Delbert could only imagine what strange time he

Dale DeVoss The Used Car Lot Page 18

was in for. They drove by the big building s in Detroit which Delbert strained his neck to look at each and every one of them. Then Bobo took Delbert along the lake side which is known as “The Shores” where there was one big house after another.

“Who lives in all them big houses there Bobo?”

“Why all of them there rich folks, Delbert, all the ones that made money from the cars, like Dodge, and Ford, and then there’s the folks like the DuPont’s, and on and on they go.” Delbert was just so awestruck by it all but managed to ask Bobo.

“They’s must be awful rich to own a house like that, must be sumpin’ to keep it clean, eh?

Bobo couldn’t help but laugh. “Hell Delbert, they’s got more than that house, they got houses like that all over the world, and they don’t have to worry about cleanin’ and all that they got folks they pay to do all that.”

“Woowee. In my wildest dreams I would never even imagine such wealth as that. Wait’ll I tell my wife about this, she’s not going to believe that I was right here lookin on it all. Do you suppose one of the fellahs like Ford will be outside in the yard there where I can see him.”



Bobo broke out into laughter once again at his new friends back woods thinking.

“Hell no Delbert, you never see those guys doing any common things. They’re all too busy counting their money all the time to do ordinary stuff like you and me. They got all the money they ever need and more and all they do is want more, and worry about what they got. Is no kind of life I’d want, that’s for sure Delbert.” Bobo shook his head after he made that statement and Delbert agreed with a big.

“Yep.”

Before they got to Greek Town Bobo decided to stop at a sports bar he knew and see if there were any of the gang in there. Sometimes Bobo would come in this bar early in the day and stay until closing. It was one of those neighborhood bars where everyone knew each other. Today there was quite a crowd in there because of the ball game being over and people knew that sometimes the ball players would go in there.

Dale DeVoss The Used Car Lot Page 19

Well turns out that Bobo and Delbert never did make it down to Greek Town because by the time they got out of the Sports bar it was already getting late. Both guys were pret- ty gassed and the night air felt good as they were driving down Jefferson. Bobo remem- bered that Dirk told him to take Delbert to one of the strip clubs so that’s where they were headed now.

When they pulled up to the strip joint it was very dark and Delbert stumbled out of the car. Bobo helped Delbert get up and then was helping him across the lot. Then all of a sudden Bobo was going down and he almost dragged Delbert down with him, but he staggered off to the side. Delbert thought that Bobo fell down because he was drunk, but out off a shadowy haze he could see some figures lolling around Bobo. Then he heard voices.

“I think the big one is wasted now, go on and get the other one. Before Delbert knew it, he was on the ground, and being hit on all sides. Delbert could see out of the corner of his eye that Bobo was getting up again, but then he some somebody beating on him again and once again he went down. Then Delbert blacked out.

*****

Delbert spent two days in the Emergency Room at Grace Hospital but there was noth- ing they could do for him and he passed away on the third day. Delbert’s wife had been called and she came up to be with him and watched him pass. The Car Lot had put to- gether $500.00 to help with the expenses which Mrs. Gibbons thought was awful nice of them to do. She spent the last night in Detroit with Delbert and then he was shipped down south to the funeral home.

Delbert Gibbons is buried in the lush valley that he loved so much. Where most of his family before him has been buried. Delbert was only 51 when he died and most of his family lived good, long lives. From where his grave is you can see all around the valley and all the hills that Delbert liked so much. You could also see the wide expanse of Jasper Gooley’s place that Delbert loved so.

As his wife bent over Delbert’s grave, to place some flowers on it, she couldn’t help but start crying. She thought about what it must have been for Delbert to go up north to that foreign land and sacrifice for his family. What must it be like in those big cities with all them folks killin’ each other like they do, she wondered. It was so alien to her, and she bent down to pray for Delbert, and then she cried and cried, her salty tears gently resting on her husband’s flowers, and barely made out the words, “dust to dust, ashes to ashes.”