Page 99 - my-people-abbie-harris-beck

ANNIE LAURA AND ABBIE'S RIDE TO ST. SIMONS

On one of our visits to Aunt Annie Dell Littlefield's, we spent 2 nights. I had
checked the map and realized that St. Simons Island was a short piece from Aunt Annie
Dell's house. Olive and Henry(friends of mine) had told me about St. Simons. They had
visited there. I didn't know why we couldn't go. Mama said we didn't have time, but
things changed. Mama and Aunt Annie Dell were to spend the afternoon visiting friends.
Aunt Annie Dell lived way out in the county. We had seen nothing but woods since we
came. Mama told Annie Laura we will be leaving in the morning and I want you to take
the car to the store down the road and get it filled with gas and buy all of you a drink and
candy. (Four of us ) Nancy Fouraker had come with us and Annie Dell's two boys. Annie
Laura filled the car, got our drinks and candy and I said to her that mama and Aunt Annie
Dell will be gone all afternoon, and why can't we go to St. Simons? Annie Laura said
we'll go ! So with our big orange and Moon Pie's, away we went. The boys saying mama
won't like this. We said that she won't ever know. As we came near the island we saw the
biggest, tallest bridge I'd ever seen. As we reached the bridge there was a small white
house with a motorcycle by the side. The oldest b o y , cousin said its a toll bridge! We
had spent our money at the store. Annie Laura said that we have an Alabama tag, so just
keep talking and I'll just drive on by. Away Annie Laura drove, we talked and laughed
like we wasn't looking. Then came the motorcycle and a siren. Annie Laura stopped as
we came to the top of the high bridge. The man told her she had to pay the toll of course.
Annie Laura said we are from Alabama and didn't know. We have a dollar between us.
He said you will have to turn around. From the high bridge we could see the Lighthouse
and the ocean. When we got home wouldn't you know things had changed. Mama and
Aunt Annie Dell were at home. The people they went to see were not at home. The two
boys said they would catch it when we left. Mama said "I told you that you wouldn't
have time to go to St. Simons". Annie Laurie and I said but we found the time. On the
way home as we told mama about our trip all she said as she laughed," I should have
given you more money."
When I returned to Geneva I told Olive and Henry. "Oh yes, I saw St. Simons
Lighthouse and the ocean." I didn't say I didn't get to St. Simons. The first time Lamar
and I went to St. Simons I couldn't help but remember Annie Laura's and my wild ride.