Tana Reiff - You Call, We Haul

A lex Dunn was a big guy who never let things upset
him much. Even when his marriage ended. He wasnt happy when he and Suzanne split up. But he had seen it coming. It was not a surprise.

The hardest part of the divorce was not living with his son, Ryan. At least he saw the boy often. His life was good enough.

But today was different. His hand shook as he held the pink slip of paper. Everyone at the plant got layoff notices today. The plant was closing, at least for a while. Alex felt as if he had been shot in the back. His boss, Joe Logan, had signed the pink slip. His friend Joe Logan. How can a guy have a good job for 12 years and then lose it just like that? Why didnt he see this coming?

As he left the plant, Alex asked himself these questions over and over again. It was all he could think about the whole way home.

Alex pulled his pickup truck into the garage. He went inside and sat down with a cold drink. He turned on the TV and just sat staring at it, holding the pink slip.

The next morning, Alex woke up with a stiff neck. He had slept all night in that chair. The pink slip had fallen on the floor beside him.

It was a new day. But he had nothing to do and nowhere to go. This is not me. I cant believe this, Alex said to himself. He hung around the house all morning. He felt terrible.

After a slow start, he filed for unemployment online. He hadnt even had a shower by the time he picked up his son at 4:00.

I lost my job, buddy, Alex said.

What are you going to do? Ryan asked. The question was hardly out of his mouth when he turned his eyes to the garage. Can I bring my bike along? He was ten years old. He loved to ride his bike.

Sure, said Alex. Throw it in the back of the truck.

Alex looked at his pickup. It was his prized possession, the only thing he owned that was worth any money. Thats when the idea came to him.

You asked what I will do now, he said to Ryan. What can I do when all I have is a pickup truck? Im thinking I could try to make some money with my pickup truck!

The truck was only two years old. It had a long bed and it ran like 400 horses. Alex had used it to move his stuff out of the house after he and Suzanne broke up. So why not use the truck to haul things for other people? Why not help people move? Or carry their junk to the dump?

There had to be money in hauling. Besides, the best place in the world was sitting in the drivers seat of that truck. Alex would love to work using his truck. And he had no idea if or when the plant would open back up.

Ryan rode up front with him. Alex looked back at the bed of the truck. The bike took up almost no room at all. Just think how much stuff could fit in that bed.

His mind was racing. He wasnt thinking about his driving.

Arent you going a little fast, Dad? asked Ryan.

Alex let his foot off the gas and tapped the brakes. Sorry, buddy, he said, laughing. Im sure glad I have you to keep me in line!

Alex started thinking out loud while he and Ryan were having dinner.

So Im going to look into this idea, he said. I can haul at least three loads a day, dont you think? That would be pretty good money. Between hauling and the unemployment money, Ill do fine. I mean, I wouldnt be able to get the full unemployment if Im making other money. But that unemployment money will run out in a few months.

Ryan really didnt understand the money talk. But he did think it would be cool for his dad to drive a truck around all day.

I could be your helper on Saturdays, Ryan said.

Hey, sure thing, Alex said. And summers, too. He looked at his young son. He didnt think the skinny little boy could be much help. But Ryan was fun to be with. The boy could at least ride along and keep his dad company.

Two days later, Ryans mom called. Im sorry to hear you lost your job, Suzanne said. So youre going into business for yourself, huh?

Im going to look into it, anyway, said Alex.

You had better make sure I still get my child support, said Suzanne.

Alex didnt like hearing his ex-wife say that. Dont worry about your child support, he said. Ill always pay it. The kid comes first.

Anyway, that isnt why I called, Suzanne went on in a friendlier voice. I called because my friend Natalie is cleaning out her basement. She needs someone to haul away the junk. I told her Id ask you.

Whats her number? Alex asked. He wrote it down. Ill call her. And thanks, Suzanne.

Laid off less than a week and he already had some work! Alex thought this might be the start of a good thing.

In Need of Work