Don Garlits was tired of yelling, tired of failing, and tired of the rear engine dream. He stared out the window, the wind blowing his hair wildly as he stared off into the swampy humid landscape.
Connie Swingle was tired of the Don yelling, tired of it not working, and tired of working so hard. He stared straight ahead, almost asleep.
Tom T.C. Lemons was tired and just wanted another beer.
Little was said except, "Park it behind the garage boys, I've had enough of that thing." He was already thinking about the fallback plan, Swamp Rat #15, another front engine dragster. Within minutes they sat around the frame work of the alternative choice. Feet up, silently having a cold one, the chit-chat was nothing important as they looked into tomorrow.
For the next few days they worked on Swamp Rat #15 and all went well. It was labor that they were confident with, did well and knew it would work. The little rear engine car was far from their minds. It felt good not to toil so hard on something that refused to give up her secrets. The humor returned to the daily talk. Swingle was busy welding; T.C. was sharing a joke with Swingle; Don was operating deep inside another Keith Black block.
The laughter got louder and louder. It was fun to work again.
Don was in the middle of one of his stories when he noticed Pat's silhouette in the garage doorway. Don went silent. T.C. pretended to be busy. Swingle was still laughing as he lifted his welding mask and then choked back the humor. She stood there with her hands firmly planted on her hips. It was a long burn down.
Don spoke up first, his voice sweet and gentle like. "What's the matter, honey?"
Pat: "Just what are you three doing?" Delivered like a mother of three naughty boys.
T.C. and Swingle had seen that look before. They both retreated further back into the shop until there was no escape, trapped.
Don: "Well, sweetheart, we're working on the car and..." He was unable to finish his sentence with an explanation that would hopefully soften the harsh stare the three were getting from Mrs. Garlits.
Pat: "Where is the other one? Why aren't you working on that one?"
Don: "Well, you see, honey..."
T.C. popped in to add, "See, the thing is..."
The three men were transformed back into that pre-high school "just-got-caught" look on their faces. Swingle listened as they were cut off mid-sentence with her clear and unmistakable message.
Pat: "You're not going to build that thing to race it. I don't want you in that dangerous thing any longer. You're not giving up on this great idea, and you cannot get back in one of those things that almost destroyed you! That other car is safer and you're smart enough to make it work. So...make it work." The no uncertain terms were delivered like the law from a county judge.
The men nervously moved about the room before heading out behind the garage to 'make it work.' The 14 was given another try. But this time they would find the answers and solve the mystery of the little rear engine car.
by Mickey Bryant & Todd Hutcheson
from our book, 'Putting it all Behind him'
Another story from the SeaNash Boys @ BackintheDayStore.com
