Page 4

Don’t worry Virginia, you’re almost there. Check into the hotel; take a shower and then crash. A good night sleep is all you need to get you through tomorrow. She desperately tried to trick herself into thinking she was worried over the class; anxious over the promotion. She could be nervous over the economy, the war, terrorism, fucking aliens…but she could not admit she was worried about Jeff. To admit this would raise panic. She cared too much for him.

The mountains of New Hampshire were overwhelming, they looked like massive sculptures carved by the mighty titans in Greek Mythology. The sun had already begun to sink behind them. As the daylight began to disappear and make way for the night, a sense of dread tore through her. She felt the hairs on her body stand on end as her mind began to race.

As she struggled to stabilize her thoughts the radio went to static. Startled yet annoyed, Virginia immediately reached down and turned the station. More static is all she got. She got a collage of broken notes, chopped voices, and ominous static. Frustrated she turned the radio off.

Silence. She could deal with silence.

"Mountains must be blocking…" but before she could finish the radio shot back on. Static, noise and voices.

"You…can’t save…dies along…Jeff…will you try…collapse." A voice spoke between the static. Suddenly the static dropped and the song "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison played.

Panic ran through her body as she stared at the radio. Did she hear that right?

The radio mentioned Jeff by name.

A horn honking pulled her attention back to the road. Headlights were barreling toward her and she jerked the wheel hard, narrowly missing the head on collision. The car spun out in three complete circles before coming to a stop on the side of the road. Virginia sat there pale, her hands cemented to the steering wheel.

"A candy colored clown they call the sandman, tiptoes into my room every night, just to sprinkle stardust as he whispers, go to sleep, everything is alright." Roy Orbison sang as Virginia sat there, still in shock of the radio message as well as the near death experience she just had. She beat her hand off the steering wheel.

"Fucking goddamn it Virginia. Get a grip on yourself. You are nervous, you are distracted and exhausted. The hotel is close. Let’s just focus in order to get there. Now get your fucking head on straight and just drive." She sat up tall and put her car back in drive and pulled on. As she cut through the New Hampshire night to Roy Orbison she could not help but wonder about that voice on the radio.

Jeff, in a desperate attempt to distract his mind, ran his finger across his record collection. Although he loved all his records, among his favorites were records from the 1950’s, the golden age of rock. He read the titles. The Mad Lads, The Platters, Buddy Holly, The Spaniels, The Duprees, Dion and the Belmonts, each record was like a time machine to an era he wished he could live.

Jeff picked up a record by The Duprees and placed it on the player. He dropped the needle as the song Have you Heard dreamingly slipped out his speakers. He lay down on the couch and closed his eyes.

He lost himself in the song as he envisioned himself alive in the 1950’s. He owned a Chevy Fleetline. The color was black with a red interior. The glow from the radio lit up the cab as she stared into the eyes of a high school sweetheart. They were at a secluded area, lost beneath the endless stars and intoxicating moonlight. The girl had beautiful green eyes and black hair was all done up, she was…

"Virginia." Jeff whispered as he let Virginia’s face enter the blank canvas of his fantasy girl. He ran his hand through her hair as he took in her perfume. The gentle breeze creeps into the vehicle as Jeff runs his hand down her shirt and cups one of her ample breasts. As he kisses her neck he hears her moan. When he lifts his head he catches a glimpse in the rearview mirror out the corner of his eye.

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