Coke Truck

It was a very hot summer day. Berry, Pearlie Mae and their 4 children had been picking cotton. They decided to take a water break. They went to the house to get the water. Berry had a small amount of money. He asked if anyone wanted a coke. Of Course everyone did. He told them to rest, and he would walk to the store. The store was about 2 miles one way.

Berry took off walking to the store. Pearlie Mae told the children to do their housework, while she cooked lunch and supper. She knew all the work needed to be done and they would have to go back to the fields and pick cotton until dark.

Berry had to walk all the way to the store. Back in those days, there were very few cars. He did not see any cars on the way to the store. When he got to the store, the coke truck was there to refill the drinks in the store. Berry was very outspoken. He told the coke man that he had just walked 2 miles for a coke for him and his family. The coke man asked, “Where do you live?” Berry told him. The coke man then said, “If you wait until I fill the drink boxes then I will give you a ride home. I am going to pass your house on the way to my next stop.” Not only did Berry wait, but he also helped the coke man fill the drink boxes.

The Coke man drove and Berry rode on the side of the truck. The coke man drove slowly on the rough dirt road. Berry was very happy not to have to walk home toting the drinks. When they got close to his house, Berry jumped off the truck. Berry then ran ahead of the truck to show the way to his house.

Pearlie Mae and the children heard the truck coming and then saw Berry running in front pointing the way to the house. They started laughing. The coke truck stopped, and Berry got a case of bottle cokes. Pearlie then asks, “I know that you went after a coke, but are you buying the whole truck load?” She had never seen the coke truck deliver cokes to a house before.  Berry replied, “No, just a case.’

This story has been passed down through the generations in my family.