Hickey Theology

Growing up the privilege of drinking pop, soda or Coke, whatever it was called in your neck of the woods, was rare. The only time I drink pop was when I went to my Uncle Ed and Aunt Jo’s or to the restaurant in Corpus called Ship Ahoy.

When we came into Aunt Jo and Uncle Ed’s kitchen, the bottles of 7-up and Big Red sitting next to the refrigerator. I really wasn’t that interested in pop because there was always Uncle Ed ‘s famous Sweet Tea. 

I will say when I partook of their stash of pop it was Big Red. The only sweet drink that we could afford in the Hickey House was Kool-Aid

Even when I walked hand in hand with my grandfather to the local grocery store, Feudo’s to get Grandpa’s Camel cigarettes I ran to the Kool-aid isle oblivious to any machine. I am sure there were Coke machines around after all it was 1962, but for the life of me I never noticed. 

Until…..

It was my third day on Dewberry Lane. Our house was very close to Pasadena Blvd., (two houses) but across the street was a shopping center that would become over the years, kind of be a safe place.

In the shopping center was a laundromat, Reed’s Bakery and Epp’s Supermarket.  Epp’s was big and had a grill where over time I would enjoy wonderful hamburgers and fries along with refreshing cherry cokes with my dear friend Steve Speer. But, on this day I didn’t notice a grill but THE MACHINE. It sat over in the corner, and I could swear there was some magical power pulling me to THE MACHINE.

I walked towards THE MACHINE like I was approaching some mythical god. I stood and stared for what seem like an hour, until an Epps employee asked me if I needed help. I turned to find a kind, older lady smiling at me. She then asked me if I wanted a coke, I told her I didn’t have any money, to which she replied, “stay here”. I thought I was in trouble, that there was some unwritten rule that you couldn’t stand in front of THE MACHINE for a very long time.

She wasn’t gone long so I didn’t get a chance to run. She asked me to open my hand, and when I did, she placed a nickel and a penny in my hand. She then showed me where to put the money in, then once I did that, she had me turn the crank. As I turned, I could hear the bottle falling into place to be delivered to a very excited little boy.

The bottle of Coke was delivered; I took it out of THE MACHINE. It was so cold I could see I ice crystals in the bottle. The lady showed me how to open the bottle, and I took my very first sip of my first Coke from THE MACHINE.

It was like the heavens opened and the heavenly choir was singing Hallelujah. I know a little dramatic, but it was fantastic. The lady took me to where you returned bottles are deposited and show me how to get refunds so I could visit THE MACHINE often. I would certainly take advantage of this quite often!

She took me to the grill and let me sit on one of the stools to drink my Coke. She introduced herself as Nell Speers, that’s right she was the mother of someone who would become a life-long friend and someone special that I would share many adventures with through our childhood.

Mrs. Speers and I always had the story of THE MACHINE and how we met, but even more special was how I found a dear friend, Steve Speers! Thank you, Steve, for being my friend and your mom was the best!

As I have looked back at this moment, I can see God taking this simple moment to give me another special family connection that would give me people in my life that would forever bless me!

Until Next Time………

Grace and Peace