My new friend Edgar.
It was nearing 10 p.m. as my son Jonathan and I, rolled under the carport of a Comfort Inn just outside Frostburg, Maryland. We had been riding for eight and a half hours in ninety-five degree heat, and my stamina was fading. My shoulders were stiffening and my reflexes were becoming sluggish, I knew this meant I needed a light meal and some sleep. We were concluding the first of a three day tour of the Washington DC, and Baltimore, area.
As we parked the bikes and removed our helmets, I noticed an elderly man who had just exited his tan Mercury Marquis, slowly shuffling his way to the lobby. As I approached the front desk I overheard the night clerk explaining to the gentleman that there were no rooms available at this hotel, but that she had been in touch with another hotel just two exits east that did have some vacancies.
Armed with directions for the alternative hotel, the old man and I walked across the lobby together. I held the door open for him as I bid him a good evening. He returned the greeting and told me his name was Edgar, Edgar Garrison, from Athens, Georgia. As we stood under the black Maryland sky, Edgar told me he was 87 years of age, and that he was on his way to Baltimore, for his great granddaughter’s wedding, “she is pharmacist you know,” he proudly proclaimed. I nodding with approval then I shut the car door as he settled behind the steering wheel of his large sedan. Edgar stood about five feet seven inches tall, and slightly bent over; he was of slender build, and thick white hair that was disheveled enough to give him the appearance of a slightly mad scientist. He was articulate, and appeared to be of a gentle disposition. He reminded me of my grandfather who had passed away many years ago.
Jonathan and I fired up the bikes and jumped back on the highway heading toward the hotel and a good night’s rest.
8:00 a.m. came much too quickly, but after a long, hot shower and some hot hotel coffee it was time to move on. As we walked toward our bikes, I quickly surveyed the parking lot to see if I could spot the tan Marquis belonging to my new friend Edgar, but unable able to spot the vehicle, I assumed he must have found another place to spend the night. We threw a leg over the motorcycles and headed eastward. As I settled into the ride I continued to speculate if Edgar had found a place to sleep last night, perhaps I should have seen to it that he got a room.
I spent the better part of the next hour aggravated with myself because I didn’t offer more assistance to the old man even though he didn’t seem to need it. As we approached a steep incline on US 68 the Maryland scenery was stunning! I rolled on the throttle and eased my way into the passing lane as we flew by the heavy laden tractor trailers, whose engines were straining to make the steep climb. Then up in the distance I spotted a tan Mercury Marquis, I immediately identified the vehicle as Edgars, and within a minute’s time we pulled alongside of him. He instantly recognized us and he flashed a brilliant smile revealing his finely fitted porcelains, followed by an animated wave and a tip of the hat. That was all I needed, it seems my new found buddy was having the time of his life. I waved a final time and rolled on the throttle, content to know Edgar would be just fine!
