Vivian Confidential - Part Five

The Texas state line was only a short distance from the Tastee-Freez - no more than a few miles. Ray and I were still in the back seat when we reached the gas station there. The station's owner was a some-time actor and had appeared in several John Wayne movies. He was working the cash register that night, reading a newspaper and oblivious to the four Vivian teens buying gas at his station.

"Why don't you let me drive from here," I suggested. "I know the way and Ray can sit in back with S.I waited for G to protest.

Instead, she said, "You can ride in front with me but I'll drive."The turn-off to Stratford Lake lay a mile down the road. There were no street lights, only brilliant, golden, full moon illumination marking the way. When G slowed the Fairlane to turn on the dirt road to Stratford Lake, I experienced a moment of apprehension, and perhaps a slight twinge of guilt.Soon, even moonlight ebbed as we entered the dense, East Texas pine forest. G slowed to a near stop after bottoming the Fairlane in a Texas-sized pothole.

Long before we reached the lake, S spoke up from the back seat."This beer is going right through me. Can we stop for a minute?"

G slowed the car, then pulled it to a stop by the side of the road. We didn't have to worry about anyone hitting us. There wasn't another car within fifteen miles of our location. By now, Ray was holding S's hand.

"Want me to go with you?" he asked.

S didn't answer. She just made a face.

G laughed and said, "Get real."S climbed out of the back seat. When the door closed, the dome light went out. We sat there in total darkness, temperature in the car quickly warming, my glasses fogging in the humidity. Ten minutes passed.

"Maybe we better check on S," Ray said.

http://www.ericwilder.com http://justeastofeden.blogspot.com http://ericwilder.blogspot.com http://energyissues.modblog.com