Two brothers, still reeling from their father’s loss, decide to buy his old vintage vehicle. They uncover a family secret that jeopardizes their beliefs. Jake and Drew stood at their father’s grave, watching as a spadeful of soil fell. “No,” Drew said quietly. “Not you, father!” His shoulders trembled as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Jake sobbed as he wrapped his arms over his identical brother’s shoulders. The sons of John Kincaid were not scared to weep. They’d grown up with a genuine guy, a strong, caring man. “He’s with us, Drew,” Jake said quietly. “He lives on in our hearts.” Drew groaned, “I miss him.” “Do you recall how he used to drive with one hand on the steering wheel and his cap thrown back?”
“Yeah!” said Jake. “I’m smoking a cigarette and singing terrible country tunes!” Drew’s head shook. “I wish he hadn’t sold that old vehicle,” he expressed regret. “It was fantastic. Dad was all over that vehicle. Do you recall going camping and fishing in that truck?” “Remember when he told old lady Hartness he’d take her pig to the vet?”
“Yeah!” Jake burst out laughing. “She didn’t inform him that the pig had diarrhea…” “Did you know that was Dad?” Drew spoke gently. “Always willing to assist, always nice…” Jake said, “You make him sound soft!” “He was the roughest, strongest guy alive!” “I believe he was strong because he was nice,” Drew replied. “He was, indeed, rough… He was a true guy, yet he could weep and laugh without becoming frail.”
“Let’s get the vehicle back, as promised to Dad!” Jake spoke up abruptly. “Come on, we’ll go back to Homer and purchase it!” Drew agreed, and the two young guys made their way to Homer’s garage. Jake said, “Hey, Homer.” “We want to repurchase Dad’s old vehicle.” “No way,” Homer said. “That is one of the beauties I am preserving for myself. It isn’t for sale.”
“Please, Homer,” Drew requested. “You know he died, and it means a lot to us. He was sorry he sold it, and we vowed to purchase it back from him.” “No!” said Homer. “Get moving, I’ve got stuff to do.” The two young guys were distraught as they walked away. “I wanted…” Jake explained. “I know it’ll seem ridiculous… But I wanted to have a cigarette and listen to the radio like my father…” Drew said, “You don’t smoke!”
“I know,” Jake said. “But that would be a little homage, you know? Remembering Dad for who he was, flaws and all…” Drew began to weep. “Those darn smokes killed dad, Jake,” he wailed. “He didn’t drink, so why did he have to smoke?” “That was his personality,” Jake said. “I suppose that was his one flaw. It’s a part of him, and we loved him for who he was, not just the positive parts.” Drew and Jake returned to Homer’s garage after purchasing a pack of smokes.
“Listen, Homer,” Drew instructed. “All we want is to sit in the vehicle for a few minutes and remember Dad. If you like, we can pay…” Homer shook his head, ashamed. “Guys, go ahead. I’m not bothered.” Drew and Jake boarded the vehicle. Drew slid open the package of smokes, and Jake lit the lighter on the vehicle. “It’s the music!” Drew sobbed. “Don’t forget to bring the music!”
When Jake turned on the radio, Dolly Parton’s voice filled the vehicle. “Dolly!” said Drew. “This is Dad’s favorite!” When he began to weep, Jake lit a cigarette and gave it to his brother. He held the cigarette and calmly murmured, “We loved you for our father, John. We are missing you. We want to make you proud!” Both lads coughed after taking a puff on their smokes.
“That’s one thing we’re not going to do,” Drew stated. “But Dolly… I like rock and roll more, but she grows on you!” The two lads sobbed and held each other as they spoke about John. They got out of the vehicle to see Homer waiting for them. “Take the truck,” Homer instructed. “It ought to be yours.” Jake and Drew began weeping once again.
They were driving the vehicle home when Jake accidentally struck the glove compartment, causing it to open. Inside was an old brown envelope. “I’m sure it’s images of his ex-girlfriend!” He smiled. When he opened the envelope, though, he became quiet. He whispered gently, “Drew.” “You must see this. It’s a DNA test that includes our names. He wasn’t our father…”
Drew frowned. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, Jake,” he remarked. “What exactly do you mean?” “Remember when I was three and you were four and your mother went away? This test was performed about that time, sixteen years ago “Jake said. “And the outcome… Dad isn’t our biological father.” “He knew?” Drew was astounded. “He knew, and he still raised and loved us…” “I don’t care what the newspaper says,” Jake said. “He was the greatest, strongest, and nicest guy I’ve ever met, and he WAS our father in every way that mattered!