Pres & Ed's vs Mom

Prelude: Back in 1970, after ditching college in Gainesville, Florida, I moved into a dilapidated house with a group of musicians and ne'er do wells near the train tracks that we called "the gateway to the ghetto." It was the era of muscle cars, and pimped-out models routinely blew past us during our frequent Frisbee-tossing sessions. We were the long-haired white kids who rode bikes, and were fortunately considered harmless by our neighbors. 

This was advantageous, for deep inside the bowels of the 'hood lay Pres & Ed's Barbecue Shack that served up beef ribs slathered with their famous Mama Jama Hot Sauce. Their logo, "There's no place like this place near this place, so this must be the place," was accurate. Finding it on those dark, unpaved streets was no easy task. On the evenings we located it, we would join the queue and place our order meekly requesting their mild sauce. This delighted everyone within earshot since they never heard anyone order anything but hot.🔥

It was 1996 and University of Florida graduation time for my twin nieces, Cara & Lea. My parents would be there along with our immediate family and loads of friends. It was a big deal. 

My girlfriend and I had driven down to Jacksonville Beach from Atlanta the day before to visit my friend Maybank from those kinetic 70's days and, along with his wife, the four of us left for Gainesville the next morning. We were on Hawthorne Road headed for the ceremony when something caught my eye.

"Did any of you all see that sign?" I hollered, "Ed's Barbecue! We're turning around." We made a U-turn and pulled in next to a small concrete-block building with smoke pouring from the chimney. I leapt out and ran inside where a well-fed black woman with a pleasant smile greeted me with "What can we get you, honey?" 

"Is this Ed of Pres & Ed's?" I practically shouted at her.

"It sure is."

"Do y'all have beef ribs?" 

"We sure do."

"Hang on!" I dashed back to the car and hurried us inside.

Maybank asked, "What about the graduation ceremony?" 

"It will probably go on for awhile," I said assuredly. "We will have plenty of time." We frittered away a glorious forty-five minutes wolfing down Ed's ribs with Mama Jama Sauce (mild, of course.) along with pitchers of sweet iced tea. Contented, we hustled back into my vehicle and booked it up University Avenue. When we turned onto the entrance for the venue, cars were streaming out of the half-empty lot. 

We had missed their graduation.

I caught hell for that one from my mother, father, sister, brother, a cousin or two and a few folks I didn't even know. Maybank and company were none too pleased either and I truly felt bad about missing my beloved nieces graduation. If I had the opportunity for a do-over, I would not change a thing. Those ribs were just too damn good.😋

(Epilogue: A few years later I was passing by on I-75 and made a detour for Ed's. Alas, the building was deserted with a For Rent sign posted in front. Life can be so cruel sometimes.)