Free Mango Bob by Bill Myers

Englewood, Florida. A small town with miles of beaches. This is where my sister lives.
     
    “From Conway to her house is about twelve hundred miles. An easy two day drive. Interstate most of the way.”
     
    She paused as I looked at the map.
     
    It was going to be a long drive. Half way down Arkansas, through parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and almost all the way through Florida.
     
    Definitely a long drive. But too late to back out now. And anyway, I was doing a good deed. A favor for a friend.
     
    And in return, I'd have a place to park the motorhome and live rent free close to the beach.
     
    I may have mentioned I like free. And free rent near the beach was like a magnet pulling me in that direction.
     
    My alternative? Don't take the cat. Don't go anywhere. Stay here and do nothing.
     
    On the other hand, Florida would mean adventure, warm weather, new people, freedom and a new beginning.
     
    “You say it only takes two days to get there?”
     
    Molly smiled, “Last time we went, my husband drove. We left Conway at daybreak, spent the night near Tallahassee, and were in Englewood late afternoon the next day.
     
    “It was a two day drive for us. But it might take you longer in the motorhome.”
     
    Molly continued, “My sister Sarah will be so excited to get Mango Bob back. You'll be her knight in shining armor for bringing him home.”
     
    “So when are you planning on leaving?” Molly paused, waiting for my answer.
     
    “Tomorrow is Saturday, and I'm thinking it might be a good day to start my trip.”
     
    “Wow! That soon. That's great!
     
    “I should bring Bob and his things over this evening. That way you can get a early start and won't have to wait for me and Bob to show up in the morning.
     
    “But only if that's okay with you.”
     
    “Sounds good to me. I've got some errands to run today and don't know when I'll be getting back to the campground. I'll call you when you can bring him over. Sometime this evening before dark.”
     
    “That'll work. Just don't forget. Please don't leave without Bob.”
     
    I promised I wouldn't.
     

20
     
    It was settled. I'd volunteered to drive the Love Bus 1,200 miles to Florida to deliver a cat to Molly's sister. And I planned to leave within 24 hours.
     
    That meant I needed to get ready for the trip.
     
    After saying my goodbyes to Molly, I went to the bank to deposit my pay and withdraw some spending money for the trip. The three checks brought my account balance up to a little over sixty thousand dollars.
     
    I withdrew fifteen hundred in cash, all twenties. I figured twenties would be easier to spend and less suspicious than carrying around a wad of hundred dollar bills.
     
    My plan was to use my credit card to pay for gas and have the cash for food and 'just in case' expenses.
     
    After leaving the bank, I drove to the Walmart Super Center. They sold gas, so I topped off the tanks. Took thirty gallons.
     
    After filling up I went inside, and headed to the electronics section where I picked up a large screen Tom Tom GPS. Then over to the book section to get a printed US atlas – both would be handy in mapping out my route.
     
    Remembering what I had learned from Jack the night before, I picked up a small bottle of bleach, a spray bottle and sani-wipes. Then over to the food section where I stocked up on frozen dinners, peanut butter and jelly, bread, cereal and juice.
     
    From Walmart I headed back to the campground, where I was hoping to see Jack and Jean again. They'd been so gracious the night before, showing me how to operate all the systems in the Love Bus.
     
    They'd offered to share advice on the best route to Florida, which I now needed. And maybe they could offer some suggestions on places to camp along the way.
     
    When I reached the park, I was greeted by James, the ranger who I had met two weeks earlier. “Walker, see you're back with us tonight, Where's your truck?”
     
    “Sold it. Got this instead. Beats