—Popular, Part VI—
—The Misadventures of ‘Lynn’ ‘Coon’ and ‘Tater’—
—Continued—
I had just been read my Miranda Rights.
Scared to death, I look at my Attorney and ask, “Am I under arrest?”
“It’s okay,” he said, “Standard Operating Procedures.”
“Wait, wait, wait. I need you to hear my side of the story,” I quickly said.
“Go ahead,” the lady, or Judge, said.
I begin telling my side of the story, the same story I’ve told you.
My voice was shaky, as well as my hands.
“You still did wrong,” the Judge said, “Do you know what it is you did wrong?”
“I really don’t. What?”
“You should’ve notified the Police. Period. You knew all of this and did not contact the Police.”
“Oh. Yes.” I said with my head hung low and my eyes staring at the floor.
“Fortunately for you, the owner is being very good to you boys.”
“I suspect next time; if there is a next time, you will go to the Police. But, to help you remember, I’m ordering you to pay 1/3 of the damages. Do you know how much the damages totaled?”
“It had to be several hundred dollars. They took a lot of meat.”
“$1200.00”
“Oh.” Embarrassed, I mumbled, “I knew it was a lot of meat.”
“You are ordered to pay the owner 400 dollars by the end of this week. You’ll go to the Restaurant and ask to speak with the Manager. You will do this alone. He wants to speak with each one of you boys individually. Listen to every word he tells you and take it to heart.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” I said.
“This could’ve ended much worse for you. If I were you, I wouldn’t be friends with “Tater” and “Coon” any longer.
“Don’t worry about that. I never want to set eyes on them again.”
I had to ask one last question, “Does this go on my record? Do I now have a record?”
“No,” the Judge said.
“Thank you,” I said to the Judge.
I then looked at my Attorney and said, “Thank you.”
On my way out of the Court House, I saw “Tater” and “Coon.” They were standing by Tater’s father. I walked over to them.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” I said to both of them, “But don’t call me anymore.” And I walked out of the Court House.
After leaving the Court House, I drove straight to the Bank to take out $400 dollars.
I then headed to the Restaurant.
At the Restaurant, I asked to Speak with the Manager.
I’m led to a table and asked to sit down and wait.
“He’ll be with you in a moment,” said the Waitress.
The wait for the Manager was horrible.
I felt sick, scared, and embarrassed all at the same time.
Finally, he comes and sits at the table with me.
I immediately burst into tears and told him how sorry I was.
I then asked if I could explain my side of the story. The Owner/Manager kindly lets me tell my side. The story you’ve been told.
He was very kind to me and told me stories of things he had done in his youth.
He then gave me some “Life” advice. Advice that I have kept close to my heart ever since.
In the end, he understood how I got mixed up in all of this.
He accepted my apology.
I then paid him his $400 dollars.
He shook my hand and gave me a hug before I left.
I’ll always remember how nice he was and how he handled the situation.
He was very Christian to people who had not acted Christian to him at all.
The next day, back at work, “Amy” walks over to my Department.
“So, how’s that ‘Popular’ thing workin’ out for ya?”
