Redneck love
June 26, 2009
I’ve been following them now for five stoplights, all of which have turned from yellow to red just as we approached. Sitting here, staring at the rodeo decals on the back of his battered ’74 Ford.
Hanging from the gun rack in the back window are the two prerequisites every teenaged country boy must display in his truck—an axe handle and a lasso. Neither of which seem to have been touched since he first put them there.
But I suppose he hasn’t had the time to either get into a fight or rope a steer. Not with the young lady beside him. Right beside him. The absence of bucket seats and a console has allowed her to sit practically on top of him. “That’s the problem with those old trucks,” the older men around town say. “No power steering. Takes a fella and his girl both to drive the things.”
The lack of power steering, of course, has nothing to do with it. Love does. Despite all the red lights, I should have been halfway home by now. I just happened to get stuck behind two people who consider a red light as the perfect excuse to kiss.
And boy, do these two know how to kiss.
It’s been the same scenario every time—red light/brake/kiss/breathe/kiss. And then, a few moments after the light turns green, she pulls away and mouths I love you. He stares, not quite believing someone this special, this perfect, could ever say such words to someone like him.
I could pass them. Could blow my horn to get his attention onto the road rather than her. But I do neither. Not because I’m some sort of highway peeping Tom. Because I am witnessing one of the truly great things in this cold, dark, depressing world.
Young redneck love.
It is a marvelous thing, this phenomenon. Not rare, at least around here. But special nonetheless. Here are two people barely out of high school, waging war together against both fate and circumstance. Common sense and reality says that neither are college material. Both have likely moved into the job force, occupying one of the many barely noticed positions in town. Cashier or factory worker, maybe. And whether together or apart, both will face the very future that so many here have been given: lots of worry, lots of struggle, and not a whole lot of rest.
Yet here they sit anyway. Despite all the odds. Because they no doubt feel the odds don’t matter. In fact, nothing matters. Nothing in the world. They are together. Apart they may be down and out, struggling to find their own places in the world. Powerless and lost. But together? Together there isn’t anything they can’t overcome.
Love does this to people.
It convinces them neither that the world is too big or too little, but that the world just doesn’t matter. They have their own world, one full of rainbows and blooming flowers. Dinner at McDonald’s might as well be dinner at Sardi’s. Watching the semi-pro baseball team play on the field behind the fire department might as well be watching the Cubs at Wrigley. To them, there is no best place in the world. The best place in the world is wherever they happen to be at the moment.
The final light turns green. One more kiss/breathe/kiss/I love you later, and he turns his signal on for the next right. I drive past and cast them one more look. She’s sitting even closer now, her head on his shoulder. Riding off into the sunset, just where they belong.
Tonight when my head hits the pillow and I thank God for both today and the promise of some tomorrow, I’ll pause and think of this young couple. I’ll say a prayer that the angels watch over them.
And I’ll say another that they hang on.
(First publishsed as a column for the Staunton News Leader on June 20)
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33 Responses to “Redneck love”
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I’m a writer whose first novel, Snow Day, will be published by FaithWords in 2010.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m just as confused as anyone.
And that is fine with me, because the great thing about wandering around in the fog is that you never know what you might run into.
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Beautiful, Billy – you don't just look, you SEE – thanks for sharing and making me take a moment to consider the wonders of love, redneck or otherwise.
Awesome as usual. See that a lot in our little town – sure wish I could articulate "home town honey" like you do.
What a gift you have! Thanks for showing us some redneck love
Ah,yes…redneck love. It runs rampant in our sleepy little town, too!
Another great post, Billy!
Darn it, why couldn't I have been a redneck?
Young love is beautiful…even more so…old love.
Keep up the God Work.
Lori
That is so sweet. Thanks for taking us along with you.
LOL, wonder if they were just driving around town, trying to hit all the lights.
Lord bless you & your family!
Thanks for the lovely story. It gives hope to a heart that has been so weary…
I bet their names were Bud and Sissy. Wait…that's Urban Cowboy. Nevermind.
Very nice.
I love this!
Thanks for seeing the world through the eyes of your heart, bless you.
Oh did I love this. What a lovely little story, and so masterfully told.
"The best place in the world is wherever they happen to be at the moment." That sums up young love as good as any one sentence could do it. Loved this post, especially since I fell (forever) in love at 16 and can vouch for the fact that a Hardee's Big Cookie was as good as the cheesecake at the Capital Grille.
Makes me think of my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. I often say they're joined at the hip! Young love is a powerful thing, but can lead to some of the worst heartaches ever. Great post, Billy!
You have a lot more patience than most people who sit in cars behind my boy and me.
Bob and I used to smooch at red lights.
Now that we have gotten older, he prefers that I keep my hands on the wheel when I am driving, and vice versa…even at stop lights..I miss being invincible..
I loved it, Billy! What I love most as I read through this post was the fact that you saw this with the eyes of your heart. Great post! as, always, I seem to love them all!
Aaaaand once again we have another top post from the famous Billy Coffey. If all of your stories were piled up in the middle of a room and I had to pick a favorite I would have them all tied!!! There's no earthly way to chose, they are all so amazing! Just as Jim H said it perfectly; you don't just look, you SEE!
Such a very beautiful and sweet and lovely story you've shared. It makes me want to drop my kids off at the babysitters, go back in time, and take a long drive with me hubby myself! Redneck love comes in so many different ways, by so many different couples, but in the end it's all the same love; hopelessly devoted to the other in paralyzed, heart melting affections only meant for that one and only special man or woman. That's the power of love.
"Young redneck love."
I'm sure I don't need to tell you that you're a wonderful storyteller! I suppose you've know that for a while now. As I imagine your time is valuable, let me say I value my time (mostly!) and it's a good moment to be able to say – those minutes reading your story – those precious minutes I'll never get back! I can truly say they were well spent.
Thank you! -Jon
Twitter.com/ofmercy
Congrats on the publication! I love the photo you picked with the post too!
A sweet picture once again painted of the simplicity of His love for us Billy!
There is nothing like putting our heads on His shoulder and knowing the hope tomorrow brings in His hands!
Blessings,
Jill
Now you done gone made me cry!
I remember being that girl in the middle seat of an old rattletrap truck, hoping for red lights–and my husband and I have been together for 13 years. Beautiful memories. Thanks for the story.
I'm like Jennifer…I have fond memories of being just this side of my then-boyfriend's lap, head on his shoulder as we drove down the road or cruised the avenue. I love how you captured the moment…and your patience!
nice writing!
Thank you, Billy.
Young, redneck love. Mmm, I'd probably have said something like, "Ugg – how sappy! Take off the rose colored glasses, little girl!"
Then I read this and I am convicted to see it in another light. A gift, a wonderful, blessed season of life. I see it through Billy Coffey's glasses and count my blessings. Feel closer to the Creator and smile!
How do you do that, BC
I know I already commented on this – but just wanted to letcha know I've got a little something for you over at my blog this morning. Come check it out.
Since the booster seat only fits on the side in our Dodge, I get to skinny on up next to my man, once again. Ain't county love grand?!
…especially in an old pick-up, tearing up a dirt road, windows down, music thumping, hair blowing wild, and crazy love flying 'round the cab…
Sorry I'm so late in getting here…I was out camping in my Redneck RV all weekend.
Who came up with the lousy idea of consoles anyway? I'll take my Chevy truck with a bench.
Fabo post as usual Billy.
Billy,
Redneck love never dies. After 48 years, my wife and I still smooch at the red lights. Never lost that where I am is the best place to be attitude either.
Do miss that old red pickup sometimes.
Larry E.
Ah I remember those times of innocent love. Where it is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. Nothing can come between them. It will last forever.
Ah if only for now, the feeling it creates lasts a lifetime, no matter what happens later.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
For some reason, this story brings to mind an item I recently read:
HUSSEY'S – MAINE'S LARGEST GENERAL STORE
Guns, Bibles, Wedding Gowns, Cold Beer
What an absolutely sweet story! I love that picture too! What a complement to your story. It really set the tone.