Teddy Bear




TEDDY BEAR

I was on the outskirts of a little southern town trying to reach my destination befor the sun went down. The old CB was blaring away on channel 1-9 when there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. And he said, "Breaker one-nine, is anyone there? Come on back trucker and talk to Teddy Bear."

I keyed the mike and said, "You got it, Teddy Bear."

The little boy's voice came back on the air, "'Preciate the break. Who we got on the other end?" I told him my handle and then he began. "Now I'm not supposed to bother you fellas out there. Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk 'cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and cannot walk."

I came back and told him to fire up that mike and I'd talk to him as long as he'd like.

"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said. "But I guess it's mine and Mom's now 'cause my daddy's dead. Dad had a wreck about a month age. He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. Mom has to work now to make ends meet. I'm not much help with my crippled feet. She says not to worry, that we'll make it all right. But I hear her crying sometimes late at night. Ya know, there's one thing I want more than anything eles to see. Ah, I know you guy's are too busy to bother with me. But, ya see, see dad used to take me for rides when he was home. But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone."

Not one breaker came in on the CB as that little crippled boy talked to me. I tried to swallow the lump. It just would not stay down as I thought about my boy in Greenville Town.

"Dad was going to take Mom and me with him later on this year. Why, I remember him saying, 'Someday this ol' truck will be yours, Teddy Bear.' But I know I will never get to ride in an eighteen-wheeler again. But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. Teddy Bear's going to back out now and leave you alone 'cause it's almost time for Mom to come home. But you give me a shout when you're passing through and I'll be happy to come back to you."

Well, I came back and said, "Before you go ten-ten, what's your home twenty little CB frien?" Well, he gave me his address and I didn't hesitate one second 'cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime and headed for Jakcson Street 229. As I rounded the corner, I got one heck of a shock. Eighteen-wheelers lined up for three city blocks. Why, I guess every trucker from miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call and that little boy was having a ball. For as fast as one driver could carry him in, another would carry him to his truck and take off again. Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear. And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair. Buddy, if I never live to see happiness again, I want you to know I saw it that day in the face of that little man. We took up a collection before his momma came home. Each driver said ood-bye and then they were all one. He shook my hand with a mile-long grin and he said, "So long trucker. I'll catch ya again."

I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes. I turned on the radio and got another surpise. "Breakeer one-nine," came a voice on the air. "Just one word of thanks from Momma Teddy Bear. We wish each and every one a special prayer for you, 'cause you just made me little boy's dream come true. I'll sign off before I start to cry. May God ride with you. Ten-four and good-bye."

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