Fare Tredici

Lucy jumped out of her car and raced up to the bar in Hunni’s Tavern. Her three friends followed at a more sedate pace. They had spent most of the day at Piney Willow Golf Club about 70 miles south down US 1. They drove the beer carts for Hunni’s annual golf tournament where Hunni and 53 of his fellow golfers teed up for a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. Aubrey Bosephus Hunnicutt, “Hunni” arranged for a chartered bus to transport tournament participants from the parking lot of his tavern to Piney Willow, all covered in the $60 entry fee. Hunni drove down in his Subaru with his friends Artie and Keith.

Keith wasn’t playing. His job was to sit under a tree overlooking the thirteenth green, drink beer and watch to see if any tee shots happened to roll in the hole. In order to have the tournament on a Saturday, Hunni had to purchase a prize package with hole-in-one insurance for the par threes. Hunni opted for a package with a $20,000 grand prize and $500 prizes for a hole-in-one on the other par 3 holes. The grand prize hole was the 13th. The business sponsorships on the other holes more than covered the cost for the insurance and most of the soda and beer Hunni bought for the beer carts.

“Aunt Jen, you wouldn’t believe how wild it was! Uncle Aubrey had Kayla and me park at the 13th tee and he had Piper and Merrie working the front nine. Uncle Aubrey hit first and he landed in the bunker, but then the other guy, I forget his name, hit a nice shot that landed on the green.

“Bobby Matthews stepped up to the tee next and it was cute, he waved at Keith up on the hill and Keith waved back. I was laughing and I saw Bobby’s ball arc into the air. It bounced once and rolled into the hole. Next thing, Keith was running down the hill, waving his arms, hollerin’, ‘It’s in the hole, it’s in the hole!’ I never thought anyone would actually win the prize!”

Jennifer Hunnicutt hugged her niece and said, “Your uncle called and said they were on their way. Bobby is riding back with him because the Golf Club wanted pictures as they presented Bobby his giant check for $20K. Aubrey didn’t want to hold up the bus departure, although he said they’d probably still beat the bus back her

“Your gram will be here shortly. I’m sure she’ll kick off karaoke with a Jimmy Dean tune instead of “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound.”

“It is June 13th. I had forgotten about that.”

“Jimmy Dean the sausage guy?” Merrie asked.

“He was also a singer and an actor and according to your Gram, very handsome and her mother had a huge crush on him back in the 50s and 60s. His Italian sausage is very good and what we put on pizza.”

Piper gave Lucy a sly look, “Speaking of handsome, did you get any actionable intelligence on that very fine looking man who managed the restaurant and helped us load the ice and beer into our coolers? I think his name was Eli Evans?”

“Eli and Debra’s son. They stop by every few weeks. They keep a condo at Piney Willow.”

Lucy rolled her eyes at Piper, “That,” she said nodding to Aunt Jen, “is all the actionable intelligence I am aware of. My conversation with him consisted of locating the ice machine and our beer."

Shortly thereafter, the bus lumbered into Hunni’s parking lot. Most everyone went inside for what they knew would be an open bar, at least for a while. Everyone asked Bobby what he planned to do and he said he’d make an announcement before karaoke started. “Right now, I plan to drink some top shelf liquor.”

Lucy helped Miles at the bar and delivered more than a few pizzas to nearby tables. She waved to her friends as they left, promising to return later.

Finally it seemed everyone had eaten and had a cold beverage in front of them. Lucy was surprised to see her grandmother seated at a table with her aunt and uncle. She pulled up a chair beside her grandmother. She kissed her on the cheek and said, “Hi Gram. You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you, darling, so do you. I hope you’re going to stick around and maybe do a duet with me.”

“Sure, Gram. I’d love to do a duet with you.”

At this point, Bobby stepped up onto the karaoke stage and tapped the microphone to get everyone’s attention. “Howdy, everybody.”

“I guess you all know my first shot was a hole-in-one on the only hole that would pay off $20,000 ”

“You also know my game went directly into the tanker after that. I never hit better than a bogey for the rest of the day. I can’t describe the sensation I felt when I saw the ball roll into the cup -- you’d think it’s mother was calling it home for supper it went in so straight and pretty -- it was surreal and slow motion and wonderful all at the same time. Ain’t no woman ever made me feel that good, no offense ladies.

“As for what I’m going to do with the money. I’m between wives and square with the tax people. I don’t have any gamblin’ debts that amount to much. What I would like to do is partner with some of the less posh courses in the area and run golf camps for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to ever swing a golf club. I work for a sporting goods store, so I can get equipment at cost.

“But I will need help. I’ll need other golfers to help run the camps. I need a lawyer and we’ll need transportation. I will be reaching out to some of you in the next week or so to see if you have any interest in helping out with this endeavor.

“That’s about all I have to say now. Drinks are on me for another hour and then you’re on your own.

“Now, I have the distinct privilege and honor to welcome to the Karaoke Stage, our very own beautiful Chanteuse of the South, Ms. Lurleen Hunnicutt!”

Lucy stood up and helped her grandmother out of her chair and watched her walk to the stage and take the mic from Bobby. Lucy walked over to the bar where she could better see her grandmother. She had dressed for the occasion, white jeans and a dark blue blouse with rhinestones with a matching beret. Her toenails, painted the same shade of blue, peeped through navy kitten heel sandals.

After the applause died and Bobby left the stage, Lurleen began, “On this date in 2010, we lost a fine man when Jimmy Dean left this world. Not only did he make the very best sausage, I used to watch him on t.v. once we finally got a t.v. What I remember most, though, was how much my mother loved him.

“She always told me that whatever problem I might have, I could probably find a song that had the solution to that problem. Or if not the solution, at least a song to make me feel better. But there was one song she played more than all the others when I was a teenager. She told me to take it to heart . . . and I did. Ladies, young and old, I think you should, too. It’s about men and what men do when scorned. Although, these days, women do it, too.” With a peppy harmonica intro, Lurleen snapped her fingers and sang the song the way Jimmy did in 1962.

"Well, my pretty baby just left me this mornin'

Said she didn't wanna see me no more

Told me not to call her on the telephone

And never come a-knockin' on her door

Well, I fumed and I fussed, and I might have cried a little

My head went a-spinnin' around

But with a little bit of luck, and my little black book

I'll have another'n before the sun goes down"

As she sang her way through all four verses, the entire bar joined in as she sang, “But with a little bit of luck, and my little black book I’ll have another’n before the sun goes down,” at the end of each.

When she finished, Lucy helped her back to her chair, “That was fantastic, Gram! I’m going to go catch some air out back. Do you want to sing ‘Aubrey’ together before you leave?” Lurleen agreed that was a good idea and smiled at her oldest son.

Lucy stopped and grabbed a bottle of water from the bar then walked outside and checked her phone. No messages. She watched the cars at the stop light down the street as she drank her water listening to the faint strains of “Livin’ On a Prayer” coming from inside.

She walked over to one of the tables for people who still smoked cigarettes and sat down and stretched her legs thinking of nothing when she heard a voice behind her, “I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you standing over there when I pulled into the parking lot. I thought I was going to have to search for you in that throng inside.”

Eli Evans sat down beside her, “You and your friends left before I could get your number or ask you if you might want to go out some time.”

“My friends will be very disappointed they missed you.” Lucy smiled. Eli laughed, “They were very nice, but,” he trailed off.

“You came all the way up here just to get my phone number?”

“Partly. I did plan to come to Raleigh, I just came tonight instead of in the morning. I am staying at our condo down in Piney Willow for the summer while I work at the club. Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday, so the family is having a little party. I surprised them earlier as they were leaving for cocktails and dinner with friends. I’m on my own tonight.”

“Well, hang out here and watch karaoke. Some of the regulars are pretty good. Some others, not so much.” They both laughed.

“Yeah, that wasn’t Jon Bon Jovi I heard as I walked back here. It’s a funny day. On the 13 of June, a ball hit from the 13th tee rolled into the hole on the 13th green. Fare tredici, to do 13 and hit the jackpot. Our golfer friend certainly hit the jackpot today.”

“Fare tredici? I’ve never heard that before. Most people freak out over the number 13.”

“In Italy, 13 is considered a lucky number. My mother’s family is Italian, my grandmother always celebrates Friday the 13th. I really would like to give you a call and take you to a movie or dinner.” He pulled out a black book from his back pocket, it took Lucy a second to realize it was his cell phone.

“That’s a cool cover for your phone, it looks like a black book.”

“It’s an added layer of protection between water, mustard, grease or whatever I have my hands in and my phone. Plus, it’s stylish, none of my friends have a phone case like this. My grandmother gave it to me last Christmas. It actually came with a little black journal, ‘for when you need to put ink to paper,’ is what she told me. I actually jot down random ideas in it a few times a week. Or use it for a list. I was really hoping to get the number of the pretty lady driving the beer cart today.” He smiled.

Lucy stood up and held out her hand, “Your grandmother, you say? Come on. Let me introduce you to Lurleen.”