Reference of a character

To understand Fred's News is to understand the diversity of its' patrons and friends. Where else could people go and immediately become one of the "regulars"? It is not a bad thing, actually having a "cast of characters" for an extended family can be quite heartwarming. Many times people would come in, perhaps having a bad day or just feeling down. They knew they could count on this extended family to immediately change that. Even if the conversation had nothing to do with their problems, it made them forget,if only for just a moment. Who knows it might have just given them enough time to gather their thoughts, regroup and have a different outlook. Then maybe, just maybe the problem is't that bad after all.

Big Dick was one of those characters. He had been one of the regulars at Fred's News long before we took over. More importantly he has been a friend of ours for many years. Big Dick, real name is Richard but family called him Dick, was an only child. Big Dick had grown up in this Town,Dad was the Chief of Police,(and my kids thought they grew up in a fishbowl!), Mom was a homemaker. Their lives were centered around their son, Dick. Dick loved a good time, never a vicious person but sort of a wild child. Someone asked him where his quick wit and fast comeback lines came from. "With a name like Dick what the hell do you expect!", was his poignant reply. Why did we even ask! One day when walking to the first tee of a golf game someone yelled "Got any gum on ya Dick?" "Only if you put it there!" was his smart ass reply. For a split second was there an uncomfortable silence and then uncontrollable laughter.

Politics was another subject at Fred's News that should have been taboo, but in the spirit of the place, it wasn't. Local politics was even nastier than national only because you knew everyone. One patron told Big Dick he should run for the top spot in the municipal elections. True to his form, without batting an eye, he announced his campaign slogan, "Dick Simoneau before he dicks you!" That ended that conv ersation rather quickly but the crowd just loved it! Later on in the conversation someone asked Big Dick if he had the time. Right on queue "Sure, what ya got in mind?" Some people just never learn!