Bud parked his 1971 Chrysler Sheriff's car at the Sheriff's office and walked about a block up the street to Celia's Diner. It was a typical eating place for the area, everyone knew everyone, there was a radio playing country and western in the background, florescent lights and some tables scattered around with a eating bar and a few booths. It wasn't anything fancy but it was the only game in town, but Miss Celia made sure that the food was good enough to keep the competition away. 

Bud walked into the diner and there was the usual assortment of characters. Mostly blue collar types on their way to work, or some of the farmers gathered in the corner talking about the news of the day. The topic of the day was President Nixon and how he was the right man to turn Vietnam around. There were a couple of people who called out to Bud, and he politely replied, "[color=00a651]Mornin' all[/color]." 

Bud sat an open table and within a few seconds Arlene his usually waitress walked over wearing a brown t-shirt and blue jeans. The red haired beauty asked while giving Bud a copy of the morning paper, "Hey there Bud. Your usual?"

Bud nodded taking the paper and saying, "[color=00a651]You got it young lady and thank you very much.[/color]" 

She gave a quick wink and said, "I'll be back with your coffee." 

Bud gave another nod and replied, "[color=00a651]Ahh nothing better than a cup from here[/color]." Arlene walked away and Bud opened up the paper. It wasn't a local paper because the town wasn't big enough for a local paper. It was from Siler City about 25 miles away but they had been known to write about O'Connor County from time to time. Bud started skimming through the paper when one of the patrons asked, "Hey Bud, your boy gonna lead us to one more State Title run before he goes off to college?"

Looking up from his paper Bud thought for a moment and replied, "[color=00a651]I like to think so. It's gonna take a huge effort though from the secondary. Lonnie Jenkins and Andy Polly are two huge losses to overcome.[/color]" There were a couple of nods as Arlene came back with his coffee and said, "Breakfast will be coming up in just a bit Bud." 

Bud replied, "[color=00a651]Thank you Arlene.[/color]" Taking a sip of his coffee, which had two sugars and a tablespoon of cream, Bud was a bit lost in thought about Eddie's last year. He had two scholarship offers on the table. One from Mississippi State University and the other from the University of Georgia. He and  El were hoping for MSU because it was close by, but Eddie was leaning towards Georgia. He was longing for adventure in the big city, and the Dawgs were coming off of an 11-1 record while MSU was struggling. Bud and El told Eddie that the decision was his to make and they would support him, but Bud knew watching his son leave was going to hurt him. It was going to hurt him more than he could ever admit even to El. Eddie was his first born son, and it was another sign that things were about to change. He loved Ruth-Ann and was proud of her. Bud knew that his one regret so far, in terms of his plan, was that he would probably not be there to walk her down the aisle. That hurt him as well but he knew what needed to be done.

Just then one of his deputies Leroy Biggs and his wife Janet walked into the diner. Arlene walked over and greeted them and ushered them to a table. Janet was about eight months along as Leroy helped guide her to table. Leroy looked over and saw Bud there he said, "Mornin'." 

Bud raised his cup and said, "[color=00a651]Hey there Leroy. Mornin' Janet. How are things coming along?[/color]"

Janet replied, "About another three weeks. Doc Leonard says everything looks just fine."

Bud gave a nod and said, "[color=00a651]Great to hear[/color]." Leroy said, "I'll be over to the office as soon as I can." Bud shook his head once and raised a hand slightly said, "[color=00a651]Don't worry about it. When the new boss in your life shows up in about three weeks chances for you and Janet to get out will be very slim. Take your time I think we can hold things down for a couple of hours without you[/color]." He shot a wink to Janet as Arlene came over with a plate of four pancakes, three strips of bacon, and two slices of toast. She said, "Here you go Bud." Bud looked up at Arlene and said, "[color=00a651]Thank you very much dear.[/color]" 

As Bud began to eat he glanced over at Leroy one more time and then concentrated on his food. Leroy was one of three African-American deputies on the force. He brought Leroy on about a year ago while Trace Sanders and Brian Watson right after he was elected. Bud felt an enormous sense of gratitude to the African-Americans in the town especially the Sanders family. During a bad rain storm in 1962 the river threatened to flood the town, and everyone was pitching to reinforce the levy with sandbags. Bud's father John fell in the river and almost drowned. Until Emmett Sanders jumped in and saved John's life. From that moment on Bud vowed he would help the African-Americans in anyway he could. He had it set up that when he met his "untimely demise" Trace would takeover as acting Sheriff. 

After he finished his meal Bud walked towards the cash register. He looked over at Leroy and said, "[color=00a651]See you in a couple of hours[/color]." He replied, "Yes sir Sheriff Dawkins." Bud looked at him almost disapprovingly and said, "[color=00a651]It's Bud remember that please.[/color]" He looked at Janet and said, "[color=00a651]You need anything give us a call.[/color]" She replied, "Thank you Sheriff." 

Bud smiled as he turned back to the register. Celia Tyner walked over and said, "Hey there Bud nice to see you as always." Bud replied, "[color=00a651]Likewise Celia.[/color]" Celia leaned in and said, "Clem wanted me to tell you that he found the varnish for the rocking chair for Janet. It'll be ready next week." 

Bud nodded as he glanced over to the Biggs' table and then back to Celia and said, "[color=00a651]Great to hear. I know Clem doesn't do much wood working anymore, but there's no one else I trust for this job except for him. Thank you Celia."[/color] Bud pulled out two fifties he said, "[color=00a651]One is a little extra for the work Clem has done for me, and the other should cover my bill and anything that Leroy and Janet want. It's on me.[/color]" Celia, with her mouth open, said, "Bud you don't have to do that for us." Bud nodded and replied, "[color=00a651]Oh yes I do. Now take it or I'll have you arrested for annoying the Sheriff.[/color]" Celia took the money and said, "Well I can't have that." 

With a quick wink and a smirk Bud replied, "[color=00a651]That's more like it[/color]." He gave a nod and walked out of the diner and onto the office.