BEST OF JODY’S BOX: “CRIPES! CUT ME SOME SLACK FOR A CHANGE”

By Jody Weisel

“Jody, are you busy on Friday?” asked Lovely Louella on Thursday night.
“Yes. I’m testing with Yamaha at Competitive Edge. I’ll be there all day. Why?”
“No reason?” said Louella. “I wanted you to go with me to the garden show in the afternoon, but if you’re busy, I’ll go by myself.”
* * * *
“What are your plans for this weekend?” asked Louella.
“I’m racing at REM on Saturday?” I said.
“What about Sunday?”
“I’m gonna fly up to El Mirage Dry Lake for the speed trials. Why?” I asked.
“No reason?” she said. “It’s just that this weekend is the big block party and I volunteered us to provide the refreshments. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it”
* * * *
“What is your schedule for the rest of the week?” asked Louella on Wednesday.
“Thursday I’m testing pipes at Glen Helen. Friday I’ll be in the dyno room all day. Saturday I’m racing REM, and Sunday I’m racing at Cahuilla Creek. Why?”
“No reason?” said Louella. “Your brother is visiting from Texas and he was hoping that he could spend some time with you this weekend, but I’ll explain to him that you’re busy.”
* * * *
“Jody?” said Louella on a Saturday morning. “Have you called your Aunt to wish her a happy 90th birthday?”
“I was gonna do it today, but I’m running late. I have to meet Jimmy Mac at the shop to rebuild his CRF250 engine. I’ll do it tomorrow morning.”
“Aren’t you leaving early tomorrow morning for the Zaca Station?” she asked.
“Oh yeah?” I said. “I’ll call her when I get back from Solvang.”
“It will be too late by then. There is a three-hour time difference between California and Pennsylvania.” said Louella. “Don’t worry. I’ll call her for you.”
* * * *
“Don’t forget that we are having Chicken Parmesan tonight?” said Louella as I threw my gear bag into the Jodymobile on Saturday morning.
“No,” I replied. “When I get back from the races, I want to go out to dinner at that new restaurant on Sixth Street.”
“I appreciate the thought, but when you come home from the races all you ever want to do is sit on the couch and moan. Don’t worry. I’ll cook dinner,” said Louella.
* * * *
“Jody?” said Louella. “I scheduled our Hawaii trip for the third week in October. We leave on the 21st and return a week later.”
“No, I can’t do that?” I said. “I have to be at a dealer show in Orlando that week. According to my schedule, I can go to Oahu on the 24th, but I have to be back three days later for a race.”
“I’ll call United and the Hale Koa hotel and see if I can change the reservations,” said Louella.
* * * *
“Jody, when we go surfing tomorrow can we stop by the date shake place in Laguna on the way back?” asked Louella.
“I can’t go tomorrow. I promised Dennis Stapleton that I would meet him at the track.”
“That’s okay?” said Louella. “I have plenty of things to do around the house”
* * * *
“Jody?” said Lovely Louella. “Do me a favor and don’t leave your dirty leathers laying on the laundry room floor. Please put them in the hamper.”
“Cripes!” I said. “Cut me some slack for a change.”