TEXAS VACATION

I worked with Lawrence Everett in Alaska for over 25 years. We were not only co-workers, but good friends. Sadly, he passed away from a sudden heart attack soon after retiring in 2014.

I’d like to share a story that Lawrence told us guys one day at lunch. This was after he returned home from a vacation in Texas. You’ll have to read between the lines to catch Lawrence’s dry sense of humor.

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TEXAS VACATION

Most of the Everett family lived in Texas. When they all got together, a few nephews made mention of Lawrence being,

“Our rich uncle from Alaska.”

Every few years, he’d fly to Texas and visit them.

On this particular trip, Lawrence jetted to ‘The Lone Star State’ via commercial airline and quickly arranged for his cousins, nephews, and brother to go fishing at Lake Texarkana.

He prearranged to rent a boat for the day, splurged on a large rental car to get them all there, forked over cash for needed fishing gear and bait, licenses for those who needed them, and food and drink.

They fished most of the morning before stopping at noon to grill some rib-eye steaks. After eating, Lawrence and his entourage went back out for the rest of the afternoon. Driving home that night, the men were flat tuckered out. One of his kin piped up,

“That was the most fun I’ve had in ages. Wish we could do it again!”

Lawrence informed the man that they could. There was one simple stipulation,

“If everyone chips in $25.00 for gas, we’ll do it again tomorrow.”

That’s all he expected them to pay for.

Dead silence. Lawrence said he quickly dropped the subject.

A co-worker immediately asked,

“What did you guys do the rest of your vacation?”

Lawrence didn’t hesitate before replying.

“I’m not sure what they did? I left for Austin the next morning and had a great time. Saved a couple thousand bucks by doing so!”

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The whole room erupted in laughter. Almost everyone had experienced similar situations in their own lives.

Straight-faced throughout, not once did Lawrence crack a smile during his spiel. He was what I call,

“A master storyteller.”