Columbus, Georgia. I was eating at a barbecue joint not far from the state line. Zombie Pig, the joint was called.
My cousin, John, insisted that Zombie Pig serves the best barbecue in state of Georgia. He made me promise to try it.
I walked inside. I ordered the ribs.
I ate them without sauce. The true test of ribs is to eat them dry. Barbecue sauce is like a beautiful woman. If she’s too sweet, she’s hiding something. If she’s too spicy, you’re going to be sorry in the morning.
Behind me was a young couple, eating. Early 20s. Maybe late teens. I could hear their conversation.
“Has your mom texted yet?” said the young man quietly. They were eating a massive plate of smoked meat.
“No,” said the young woman. “Not yet.”
“Do you think she’ll text you?”
“Don’t know. She’s definitely mad.”
“Bad mad?”
“Yes.”
“You think she’ll ever forgive us?”
The girl spoke with a mouthful. “I don’t know. She doesn’t like that we snuck off to get married.”
“‘Loping.’ I think that’s what they call it when you run away to get married.”
“She doesn’t like that we loped.”
“I can’t believe we did it. Can you?”
“No.”
“We’re really married.”
“I know.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
“No.”
“Me, neither.”
“I’d do it all over again.”
“Yes.”
I ate my ribs and listened. I have my mother in me. I can eavesdrop with the best of them.
The boy was chewing as he talked. “I think lots of people’s grandparents loped. My grandparents went to Donaldsonville to get married. You could get married young back then, without your parents permission. If you went to Donaldsonville.”
“Really?”
“That’s what Granddaddy told me.”
“So how can it be so wrong if our grandparents did it? I mean, what’s the difference between us and them?”
“No difference. Except they’re super old. My grandma just turned 60-something.”
They ate without conversing. I could hear them smacking their lips.
I turned around to sneak a glace at them. She was pretty. He was so skinny, God love him. He would’ve had to stand up five times just to make a shadow.
They were sitting on the same side of the table.
“My mom will come around,” she said. “As soon as we get good jobs. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll start looking for a better job as soon as we find a place to live.”
“God. Where are we going to live?”
“Anywhere. As long as I’m with you.”
More quiet. I started working on my coleslaw.
“How much do we have?” said the young woman.
“Money wise? I have $329 in my checking. I have a paycheck coming this week.”
“That’s not a lot.”
“Yeah, but that guy said he’ll rent us the apartment, so we’re good. We can afford this.”
“Can we?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes. I won’t be a loser forever.”
“You’re not a loser.”
“Yes, I am. But I won’t stay one. I’m going to make you a good husband. I’m going to show the world how much I love you. I’m going to break my back proving it. For as long as I live.”
“I’m going to do the same thing.”
“Maybe one day, our grandkids will be talking about how we loped, the same way we talk about our grandparents.”
I heard the sound of a quick kiss.
Best barbecue in Georgia.
6 comments
Hawk - February 12, 2024 1:25 pm
“The best”, but especially if it’s off the lips of the one you love more than life.
David in California - February 12, 2024 4:16 pm
I hope they make it. My “loped” parents lasted 20 years. Their divorce was the hardest thing I ever dealt with (and I was almost out of college back then).
Not sure whether my grandparents “loped,” but they lasted ’til death parted them.
Rene - February 12, 2024 7:27 pm
My parents “loped to Mississippi in May of 1957. She was 17; he was 19. Her daddy cried when he found out. He had dreamed of his smart baby girl going to college. Their love carried them through lots of lean years, four kids, and an ocean of Falstaff. He died at 66. She mourns him still.
David S Doom - February 12, 2024 10:22 pm
I keep getting dropped off your mailing list. Am I doing something wrong, or is it a flaw in the internet?
Catherine Watson - February 13, 2024 2:51 am
Brightened my day & warmed my heart…and since lm in Minnesota, that really means something! Thank you!…Catherine Watson
Barbara Price - February 17, 2024 5:15 pm
I remember “loping” back in 1970 to Dothan, AL…lasted almost 40 yrs. no regrets but if I had it to do over…oh the places I would go!