“My house burned down on September 17. Something woke me up, and I saw the smoke. The fire spread so fast, but I got out in time. My parents had that house in Fairhope for twenty-four years; now I live there by myself. I lost almost everything. It hasn’t hit me, yet. I just try to go to work, laugh, joke, and watch sports. But I know the tears are coming. 

Our house was the family spot. Everyone gathered there. Mama did all of the cooking and was the glue that kept us together. She loved baking cakes and making them for others around the holidays. Carrot and German chocolate cakes were the most popular. 

Mom grew up in Fairhope, and her first job was at the Grand Hotel. Dad was born in 1937 and lived in Barnwell. He farmed and also worked at the hotel. He became captain of the Golden Club for people who had worked at the Grand Hotel for over twenty-five years. The company sent them on a free vacation every year. Dad worked there for forty-five years, Mama worked there for thirty. 

I’m the youngest child by a lot. My brother and sisters are old enough to be my parents. I loved being outside and playing sports. But starting in seventh grade, I had three major surgeries: a hip replacement and two knee surgeries. It was rough because I saw the people I grew up with playing high school sports; I wanted to get out there and do it, too. For a while I was like, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ My parents told me to stop questioning because God does everything for a reason. 

I was hanging with the wrong crowd and going in the wrong direction. I got a little wild. Then my cousin told me to come work at Bill E’s restaurant. That was in 2016. They needed a dishwasher, and I needed a job. I worked and worked. Then they started me cooking. I was nervous at first because I never saw me cooking. This restaurant and the people who work here saved my life and became my family. When the high schoolers who work here graduate, I give them a card with $50 and a note telling them to stay out of trouble and always be smart. I want them to know someone cares.  

Mom passed away from COVID in 2020. She saw me working and staying out of trouble. She was proud of me–that still makes me feel good. My dad is 87, he went into a nursing home earlier this year because he got an infection in his foot and can’t walk anymore. I see him before and after work every day. I take him food, and we watch TV and talk until he falls asleep. I’ve always been with my dad. His nickname was ‘Bean’ because he was skinny and tall like a string bean; people called me ‘Little Bean.’ I’ve grown a lot since then, so I’m just ‘Bean’ like my dad.

I thank God every day that Dad was in the nursing home and not in our house the night of the fire. I couldn’t have got him up and out. We would’ve just died there together. 

I’m starting over from scratch. I’m grown and will figure this out. I’ve been staying with friends and at a motel. I have to find a place to live and start saving up to buy a second-hand trailer to put on our land. Things like this are a wake-up call. I just have to keep the faith, keep my head up, and pray everything will be alright.”

Maurice

Here’s the link to a GoFundMe set up by Bill E’s restaurant to help Maurice.

There is also a BBQ fundraiser at Bill E’s on Monday, October 7. Plate of BBQ ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, and bread is $25. Pre-order your plate by calling 251-181-2663. Pick-Up will be Monday for lunch.