Daytrip IV

 Nick dials home after Noreen checks in with her sister-in-law.

"Hi...yeah...turns out her brother is at a drag race and won't get home till later. Yeah Noreen figures he'll come to rescue the jeep and we get to ride along...yeah, we checked in and then walked to a KMart...oh about, less than a mile, got some toiletries and then grabbed something to eat...yes I'm minding my manners and no I haven't been making body noises, sheesh. She's just over there reading one of those auto trader things they had at the desk...oh, yeah, says she's gonna find a jeep that runs..."

Noreen just shakes her head and tries not to laugh.

"She's geeked that we get to watch Start Trek later...yes she knows I'm the bigger geek, alright... do you want the number? OK lemme see..."

Nick hangs up, "Think I'll hit the shower."

"Don't drop the soap," then watches her turn away and cover her mouth.

He enters the bathroom to find she had hung up her swimsuit on the hook that came with her mermaid T shirt, and he can't look away from it, until he realizes it's been a long-ass day, he's the good kind of tired, takes a long soak and uses half of the remaining half of the little shampoo bottle.

After drying off he has to ask her to fetch the boxers, she tosses them so they land about three feet from the door. He uses his towel to reel them in, then emerges wearing those plus his T-shirt. "You make one hell of a roommate you know that?"

She finally explodes laughing, to the point of tears and buries her face under an arm.

He spreads out his beach towel on the further bed and fires up the ol' tube, finally settling on reliable NBC Thursday Night Musty TV, deep in the throes of summer reruns. They had been running the wall AC on low and he asks if they still need the noise, she says try it off for a while, so far so good, might be OK with the sun going down. 

Nick just closes his eyes and lets the TV become noise of familiar cadence, the day is now its own rerun, he feels like he's known her all his life, or at least for every day of the past three and a half years, same span as the tribulation preachers preach about. He thinks he dozes off a couple times. He looks over and she had found a handout in the motel office that had a blank back page, she seems to be drawing and in her own world. Good for her.

He hears the Cheers cold opening and repositions to give it a college try, hadn't seen many of these. In the early years the Diane character drove him nuts most of the time, now he is starting to understand why, having a similar caliber of babe on the next bed, she just gets under your skin in all the right ways, keeps you guessing, and when you untie one knot you find another inside it and you can't wait to start all over again. 

Thinking out loud, he says, "I wish we'd grabbed candy bars or something."

"I think there's a machine close by, I'll go with."

Between his loose change from the day and cajoling a dollar bill they each got a Snickers.

"What are you drawing?"

It's the face of a rugged looking man, white and eastern, maybe Siberia. Thick brows and mustache. 

"Boy he'd kick your ass soon as look at ya. Is that Big Brother?"

She looks up at him, "No more than I'm Julia."

He picks her up and jostles her around, they embrace, she says, "Did your mom sound OK with all this?"

"Yeah she was having fun with it."

"You know, with you out of the house there's no telling what they'll be up to..."

Nick winces, "Please-"

"Maybe even in your bed."

He reaches for his forehead.

"OK I'm gonna get sleep ready before TNG."

He pinches her bum, "Make it so."

Nick throws away his Snickers wrapper and takes a drink of water since he'd already brushed, good thing for those wrapped plastic cups they leave in here. He secretly hopes the tap water doesn’t come from the lake.

He plops back down as she emerges from the bathroom and kills her light. He's hesitant to look. All of a sudden she's standing next to his bed with her towel, "Scooch."

"What are you doing?"

"We're gonna watch Star Trek, right?"

He just looks at her for a second, then gets up to move his towel. After they get situated he realizes he can no longer bend to see the screen, gets up and grabs a pillow from the other bed, then lies straight. 

She must have thought this a good idea and follows suit. Night Court is finishing up, never one of his favorites but, hey, Markie Post. It seems these last seasons have gotten a lot better than when he was in high school, some of those were embarrassing to watch with the 'rents.

When he reaches for the remote to switch channels she grabs his left arm and puts it beneath her head so she can put her back against him and see the screen. 

The cold open starts, she says, "Ahh, the Crystalline Entity." Nick had remembered one of the early ones dealing with it. About three commercials in he hears her doze off. His arm is thankfully not falling asleep too but he's not used to this, kinda needs to move it a tad, but this is not the time.

Eventually she stirs and flips around, head on his shoulder. Funny how if she were across the room he'd have a hard time not ogling, but this somehow takes the view of her legs, and the bralessness, not to mention soft buttocks beneath the long mermaid shirt out of the equation, it makes her a someone again. 

About the time that the visiting scientist completes her plot to destroy the entity, she lifts her head up, looks at the screen, "Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That's usually the best sleep you'll get."

"I know, but -"

"Noreen, this is as good as good as I've ever had it."

She just looks at him, plants a kiss, holds a gaze, then finally, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Is it OK if I call you babe?"

"Um, yeah. I guess I let it slip a couple times today."

"Thank you." She then touches his face, then snuggles back onto his shoulder. 

TNG wraps up, bum-bum-bum-bum. "Well it's pretty much reruns or bad news at this point. I'm ready to call it a night if you are."

"Turn it off if you want." So he does, and she repositions so she's just holding his left arm.

"Noreen."

"Yes."

"Did you ever intend to sleep in the other bed?"

"Go to sleep."

He drifts off fairly quickly, then awakens, has to pee already, does that, back down in his spot and lies facing the back wall this time. This is still strange in a way, but good company has it's way of transcending just about anything. He drifts off again.

"BANG BANG BANG" on the door. They both jump up, she whispers, "shit." 

Another round of bangs. She gets up and a few seconds later the bathroom light comes on. She fiddles for her knife, and Nick unplugs a lamp and stands with it in front of the bathroom door, his heart pounding in his throat. 

Next there's an unintelligible voice from behind the door, then a cough. 

Noreen whispers, "some goddamn drunk."

Nick rolls his eyes. The sound of dragging steps, more slurred speech. After a couple of quiet, seemingly endless minutes a car pulls up, then a clear voice, "Hi there Charlie, made it this far tonight did we?"

Another voice, "get him over here in case he has to yack."

"God I hope he doesn't yack," Nick says to her as they stand down the alert. 

She uses the bathroom as he goes back to his original position, this time with pillows surrounding his head.

He faintly hears a flush, then shortly thereafter, "You OK?"

"Yeah, that was a bit much though."

She pecks his cheek, spoons in behind him and rubs his forehead and part of a temple. Once his breathing slows down she rests her hand on his head and they drift off. 

Nick awakens at one point with an understandable log in his boxers, but it's mostly just that time of the night, plus the fact that he had an accompanied discharge yesterday, almost as intense as their original encounter, and it seems lucky boy always expects an encore at a certain point thereafter. 

He can think of voices he's heard, asking why you don't just go for the gold. After a few distraught minutes he concludes, shut the hell up, this is the gold.

She's sleeping soundly and he finds that reassuring, soothing. After the hydraulic situation calms down Nick has he best sleep he's had since the month-long holiday break before last Christmas.

Daytrip III

After their umbrella-shade lunch they take a drive around the lake, to fill in the blanks from the previous limited vantage, and see the beach from the side they were staring at from inside the water. Nick finds out what it feels like to be the one riding in a jeep with a babe, a cool babe. A thinking babe. A someone. The slightly humid air feels like the water did earlier, it bathes and gives buoyancy. Everyone about seems carefree as they are. Summer is supposed to be this.

She parks it and powers down near a pier, in the shade and they take a short walk.

Then they return to the beach and get back into the water, there's more activity now, prime time, but plenty of room for everyone, they just float, play tugboat, and let innocence take center stage.

"So were you a feisty girl?"

"What do you mean were? So, WERE you a stubborn child?"

She floats to his side, he holds on to her, she launches off and swims a few yards, then back, repeat. The clock moves when you don't watch it, but at some point the sun's angle taps you on the shoulder.

"Nick what do you think? I was hoping we could take our time getting back, grab another bite, then see the sun setting again from campus."

"I think you have something there."

They slowly make their way to shore. "Oh," she adds, "I wanted to stop by the drug store for something, then we'll come back here for a few for the restroom."

"Everything OK?"

"Yeah, but just to be careful, lake water and all."

"Ohh, OK."

"Yeah."

So they pack up once again and head back over toward the main drag, which has a Walgreens or such.

While in the turn lane the jeep starts to stutter, and she guns it to get into the lot, where it nearly stalls out. They get to a spot and it dies before she can shut it off.

"Rut Roh." she says. Tries to start it up but it won't catch. Battery seems fine.

Nick gets out and pops the hood, removes the intake. "What's the gas gauge say?"

"Just over half, was gonna stop on the way back."

"Wish I had something to stand on to see down the throat, but can you tap the gas?"

She does. Nick doesn't hear anything flow from the jets. "Are there any tools on board?"

They find two screwdrivers and a pair of channel-lock pliers. Perfect. He's not entirely comfortable with this, but does it anyway, takes off the fuel line from the carb. "OK, can you try turning it over, just for a few seconds?"

She does that and his instinct was right, unfortunately, "Shit. There's no gas coming from the pump."

After a few quiet seconds he finds her just head down against the wheel. "Noreen? Hey..."

She just shakes her head slowly.

"Come here," and he scoops her off the seat.

She draws a breath, forlorn, "I wanted this day to be perfect."

Nick puts everything back where it was and closes the hood while she thinks. He puts his arms around her. "Hey these are older machines, it happens."

Slight smile, "glad you see it that way." Then thinks a bit. "Is there a pay phone around here?"

Nick locates one outside the drug store. "Yep straight ahead six O'clock."

Noreen grabs her purse and they proceed, digs out a calling card and punches in numbers, waits for ringing, "Hey, is turdball there?" She listens for a bit, looks around, then finally, "OK, well the fuel pump in this thing is out. I don't think he'd want anyone else working on it, so...yeah, well, we're at a pay phone right now, should I try in an hour? OK, thanks hon, will do." Hangs up,

"Well he's not around and she's not sure when he's getting back."

"I can see if my folks can come get us, but I guess then we'd have to leave it."

"Nick I'm so sorry."

"Hon don't be sorry, this is an adventure, it's nice out, we're here."

She kisses him for the untold time today. "Well, that's a last resort, " pointing to the motel across the lot. "I'd put it on my card, of course, and settle up with my brother later."

"I've got some cash too if we need it."

"Nick, this isn't your problem to solve."

"Still."

"Feels like we're stuck."

"I'm gonna call home."

She insists on punching in her card number first, it rings, Irene answers.

"Hey."

"Hi Honey, are you two having a good day?"

"Yes we are, just hit a snag though, fuel pump went out."

"Oh, is someone coming to get you?"

"We will find out in about an hour, she borrowed her brother's jeep."

"I can see why on a day like this. Is there someone you can stay with if he can't get to you?"

"Well, we'd have to stay in a motel."

"I understand sweetie, these things happen. Just keep us in the loop, it will all work out."

"I know, we aren't worried, she just wanted the day to be perfect and is kinda down."

"She seems like a good lady Nick, just be a gentleman, I know you are."

"I will Mom-"

"Oh, before I forget, your professor called today, about the job, said he wants to set up a meeting with you and the dean, what's her name?"

"Sue Richards, wow, cool."

"Yes I agree. Well I won't keep you, just call when you find out."

"I will, love you."

He hangs up.

"That was sweet, Nicholas."

"Well, she seems cool if we have to check in over there, told me to be a gentleman."

She hugs him. "We might as well take a walk around the storefronts."

They change into better shoes and take a stroll within eyeshot of the jeep, holding hands, not saying much. The world around them is still bustling, people making supper in the surrounding homes, grilling out.

"So, if he can't make it up tonight, we can just check in then hit the drugstore for some things, to brush our teeth and stuff."

"Think we could make it clear to KMart?"

"That's a good idea, they might have a cheap T-shirt to sleep in."

"I'm liking this more and more."

"Nick you're incorrigible. I'm going to try to behave, I can't speak for you, but I didn't plan it his way."

"I know, let's just relax and watch some tube. You know what's on later..."

"TNG!!"

"And we won't have to be over the phone."

"Here we are colluding...I still need to call him one more time to be sure he's not on his way already."

When they make it back to that phone it had been just shy of an hour, and of course Bart was nowhere to be seen. "OK, we'll go ahead and check in and I'll get you the number, OK, thanks, bye."

"Should we push it closer to the motel?" he asks, then they do just that, under a light and snap the cover on. She re-deploys her knife before they go any further.

They find the motel clerk next to a fan, feet on counter, and staring glass-eyed at a small black and white TV. He asked to see Nick's ID, even though his beard had come back, and Noreen grabs it and says, "thanks for telling me when it was your birthday dork."

"It never came up."

She just rolls her eyes and asks for two beds, then adds she's a restless sleeper before making a goofy face back at Nick. They are pretty much all vacant ahead of the weekend but choose closest to the office with a clear view of the vehicle.

Before they get a look inside she muses, "I'll probably sleep on my beach towel nomatter what."

Nick agrees. They unlock to find the expected, drab walls, institutional drapes, that timeless dank formaldehyde aroma, but everything seems to have been cleaned since the last use.

"Hey I'm gonna go ahead and shower, do you mind?"

"Knock yourself out."

She disappears into the bathroom so Nick lies back on the furthest bed and clicks the TV on.

About 20 minutes later, after he's dozed off a couple brief times, she emerges to find him staring at MST3K. "Oh I love these, they're such smart asses. Hey I'm ready when you are."

"I'm all set babe."

She gives him a wry smile. They head out, hand in hand. Once past the drug store, she asks, "Have you hacked any Pentagon stuff with that modem yet?"

"Well I found a few utilities here and there, and that Jameson has a vibrant underground Chess club that exchanges barbs on the newspaper board. I keep expecting something dark or pervy but I suppose they'd put the kill on that."

"One would think."

"So could two home users with modems connect to each other?"

"Absolutely. Yeah you can exchange files, albeit small ones, and slowly, and type back and forth for what it's worth."

"Hmmm. Can you connect to anything at the campus?"

"I think the VAX has a modem line but I haven't logged into that for months, might - OH, did I tell you what Mom told me? Goody called and wants me to meet with Sue Richards about the lab tech."

"NICK!!" She jumps on him and they nearly fall over.

"Don't take it so hard."

"Shut up you dick, that's freakin' awesome and you know it."

"Well I don't know if it's an interview or what, I'll talk to him after we get back."

She just keeps her hand on his arm. "I don't have to say how proud I am of you."

"We'll see how it goes."

"I know you aren't the excitable type, it's just so cool. They gave me a solid 80% plus of having a couple lectures in the fall."

He kisses her forehead. "So what got you into English Lit?"

"Just always loved the accents."

"I can tell."

Sticks out her tongue. "It has a fairy-tale kind of quality, and so much of later fiction and life as we know it are based on those works."

"Holy Grail."

"Oh Holy Grail...yes, and even more subtle things, similar to the nursery rhymes we all know, stuff like that, it's impossible to separate out from our culture, it's so ingrained."

"Wish I would have had you in high school."

"Umm..." and she raises an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean."

"Who all did you read?"

"Senior year I had Mrs. Walloughby, from, well, a few counties south of here. I got along with her great outside of that class, but, God...got off to a rough start with BAYOH-wulf."

"Oh my, that would tend to let the air of of things."

"I couldn't tell you a thing about the story. Ended up pulling a B+ out of the semester. MacBeth was a little better but I think we had hit on that in an earlier year."

"Yeah love Shakespeare of course, you always catch something new. Howbout Hamlet?"

"Ahh, Hamlet was the year before, different instructor, she was awesome, we did some parts when this drama group came in."

"That always helps."

"Well it's about an angry young chap so I could get into it, he was pissed and someone had to go down."

"I'm impressed with that synopsis, Nick, umm, should I be concerned?"

"I think we covered that this morning,"

"Uhh, yeah, fair point."

Nick just looks ahead at the sidewalk.

"You OK?"

"Just remembered, before Hamlet we did Orwell."

"Oh GOD, Orwell is so depressing, I avoid him like the plague."

"Humanity at it's worst, but...Julia...."

"Julia?"

"That was just after our encounter...they were sneaking around, finding, well, the only love they would ever know."

Noreen pauses a bit. "Nick, I don't know what to say. That's...wow, never thought of it that way."

"It brought some hope to the story for me, well, for a while..."

"Do you see any scars up here?"

Another peck on the forehead and they press on, KMart within sight, then they move over for a couple juveniles on bikes, one who shouts, "WHY DON'T YOU FUCK HER? I DID!"

Noreen whips around, "Hey you better get back to your mommy I bet she's horny again by now!"

Nick is blown away, "Oh my GOD!"

She's still looking backward, and before he can look for himself she covers her mouth, busts in laughter, and has to kneel on the sidewalk, "oh that dumbass."

Nick looks back to see one of the kids lying on the sidewalk, next to his bike, and the other one riding around waiting for his buddy to get up.

"That little shit turned around to flip me off and ran right into that post," and she can't stop laughing.

He gathers her up to her feet, "let's get the hell outta here."

They continue on to the Mart of K, where the air conditioning hits the spot. They grab cartage and head toward HBA. Tooth brushes, Colgate, deodorants, he asks her if she still wants to fulfill the drug store visit and she does, can't hurt, he resists the urge to ask to watch. They stroll toward the softlines and she finds a $3 clearance T shirt with a mermaid.

"Will this do? And why did the suggestion peak your interest?"

"Those legs..."

"Whatever, although they have gotten me this far I guess."

"Back in junior high track it was a treat to see a girl running in a t-shirt long enough to hide her shorts. We called it: inspiration."

She pokes his left rib and he jumps. "Did you want to look for anything besides inspiration?"

"Think I'll grab some boxers."

They head back to the men's and he finds standard red/black scotch pattern. "Eh?"

"Will it all fit in there?"

"Both of us?"

She grabs the boxers and throws them in the cart. "By the way, all this is getting charged to my brother, no arguments."

"I'm still getting us dinner."

"’Kay."

After checkout they still had to pick something from ye olde restaurant rowe. He points to Taco Bell just because it's closest, but

"That always gives me the shits," she warns.

"Well there's the little Chinese place,"

"How about some other time, I have a wok by the way."

"There ya go. Didn't we pass a Wendy's?"

"Oh I could go for a baked potato. Are we gonna just grab n go?"

"I'll grab you go," and she jumps clear before he can get a hold of her.

There's no blood or carcass at the scene of the bike wreck, and they agree in hindsight they – supposedly being adults - should have waited around to make sure the kid got up. They gradually find the parking lot, the jeep, and the motel just where they'd left it, just not as well lit and maybe a tad cooler.

"I didn't see a sign, does our fine hostelry even have a name?"

"We'll make one up if we have to."

Daytrip II

They head toward the water as Nick tries to stand back and inconspicuously take her in some more. Toes indicate the lake is still in springtime mode, but they ease into it. She develops goosebumps, at some point she looks down her swimsuit top, "down, boys."

He gets the feeling life will never be the same after today.

Noreen looks up to see him looking her way through his shades and splashes him with the water. He returns fire by scooping with both hands. This eventually gets them further off shore. Once about waist high she gets behind him, back to back and locks arms, 

"Carry me onward my fiery and vicious steed."

Nick takes them further from the shore, "What's that from?"

"I dunno, just sounded good," as he tries to assess exactly what he’s feeling against his back.

A few more beachgoers have come and gone, about half a dozen other towels on the beach at this point and there are just some kids playing at the other end.

"Where to m'lady?"

She lets go and Nick turns around to find her doing a backstroke. "I never learned to do that."

"We always had a pool."

"They tried twice to get me through swimming lessons, just didn't like my face going under."

"You'd probably do better to teach yourself, Nick."

"Story of my life."

He starts lifting his feet but it's too shallow to tread water. Gradually he realizes how relaxing this is, the breeze is gentle and there hasn't been any boat wake yet. The opposite shores that are visible are lined with docks, roads, some mobile homes, and the commercial row appears to be right past some of it.

Noreen is just making little circles with the back stoke, eyes closed.

"This was a great idea," he observes.

She reaches out her hand and he grabs it. Not sure what else to do, he just pulls her along and heads out a bit deeper, till it's at his collar. She pulls herself closer, and he holds her as if carrying, she leans on his shoulder.

At some point the kissing begins, no one knows who started it. Nick has his hand behind her neck and gradually she turns and embraces him full astride. He feels her back, massages the back of her neck, pretty soon he feels the warmth of her promised land against his counterpart.

She pauses the kissing and takes down her straps, holding her shoulders beneath the water. With one hand he massages her breasts, still firm as he remembers from that fateful night, generous nipples are quite angry.

"Don't be shy," she whispers, eyes still closed.

He explores her hips, what some might call breeders, she's a bony girl after all, then under her swimsuit, more goosebumps. He wants to touch her anus but doesn't want to give the wrong signal.

Nick navigates her long pins, symmetrically, and despite being gentle finds out her feet are quite ticklish. "Sorry."

"Don't ever be."

Now there's one thing left, the unseen. He makes his way there with the thumbs first, she wiggles her hips and keeps her head leaning on him. It seems she keeps things groomed down there, Nick hadn't thought about taming his own lands, oh well. After pulling the isthmus of her swimsuit aside he begins massaging, exploring, trying to keep it gentle, so far so good. It seems the hood of the little nose thingy is where it's at for her, so we'll rub that a while, then underneath.

"That's it."

After a little while of this and a few gasps, she reaches for his trunks and finds it has a front hatch. Gently she finds what she's looking for, takes his member in one hand and firms it up just a bit. Her other hand finds his sack, "now these I remember."

"Mmmmhmmmm."

She repositions and touches the end of his to the part of hers that he was just warming up, and starts rubbing. And rubbing. "Sweetie it's OK, just let it happen."

The rubbing continues and it was going to happen, no doubt. Nick looks out at the newly familiar shoreline, cars going their way, some boats in the water, did they have any idea how powerful-

They both moan softly as it lets loose in a gentle sting, and she gives him a final squeeze then tucks it back inside the trunks. "How was that?"

"Let me hold you some more."

Still topless, she turns around to face the other shoreline and reaches around to support herself against the back of his neck, and he holds her midsection.

A few clouds go by and she turns her head for a kiss, then Nick starts kissing her neck.

"Nick that will land you in trouble."

He reaches for a breast, massages it back to the enraged state, then reaches downstairs and picks up where he left off. Eventually they reach an equilibrium where he can hold her and she can let her legs float, he just rubs where he had been, and eventually with the other hand he can find the back door, massage it gently, start to penetrate just a tad.

She turns to her side and holds onto his shoulders, "Put your fingers inside me."

And so he does, gradually exploring the depths, reaching the nub the end, can't remember the clinical term but still, there it is -"

"Right there," she admits through clenched teeth. He hits the same spot best he can, then is able to probe once more at her puckered anus, and then he feels a twitch down there, she gasps then melts into his arms.

Nick feels a bit wiser as he peers at that shore. Noreen dozes off for what seems like just a couple minutes, then kisses his cheek.

She stretches her neck a bit then moves to get back to her feet, then replaces her straps, then finds his hand and they head to the shore.

Back on their towels he sits facing her, she re-applies lotion, has him refresh the same as before, then stretches out on her stomach. Eventually Nick does the same thing.

"You are going to spoil me, aren't you?" She asks from beneath her shades.

"I just want to get things right."

"You did it right, no doubt about it."

"Haven't you had better?"

"Nick, it's not been like that at all...I haven't had good luck, guys don't really seem to get me...back in college I was around music and artsy types, one of them turned out gay, at least the one that I’ve confirmed and some others were just weird or...kinda pervy. It seemed I should be having more fun, or enjoying something, girls seemed to like giving hand jobs and other stuff, but then, a lot of them just liked the power it gave them. I would get alone with a guy and he didn't seem interested, then one time I gave this guy a boner and it kinda freaked me out, i tried it in my mouth and almost gagged, finally was able to finish him off with my hands and then, it was awful, we didn't have any chemistry, I just cleaned things up and he drove me home without saying much." Her voice started to break as she spoke.

"It's hard to believe, you're amazing."

"You are so kind."

"I mean it, your body, you have such a confident posture, like nothing can stop you."

She turns his way and kisses him. "I'm serious, after a while I just gave up, even wondered if I wasn't, you know, into other girls, but that wasn't it. I just wanted to teach and play, did some craft show stuff for a while, my brothers were married and having kids so I got to be Aunt Nori, and that seemed to be it."

"So three years ago..."

"Yeah, it was a weird time, and things started stirring inside me. I had gotten to the point where I didn't think about guys, or really feel, you know the needs, and I couldn't remember the last time I had, well, done anything in the shower -"

"Not sure what you mean, can you demonstrate sometime?"

"Hey that's not a spectator sport, it requires audience participation."

"That works."

"AHEM as I was saying...for whatever reason, around Christmas that year I started getting twinges, wondering if a new season was approaching, maybe I'd meet someone and then, who knows."

"Well you kinda did then."

"Yeah...and, like I said, my mind was swimming and I just went for it, that night."

Nick pauses a second. "Noreen, I have no idea why I did things the way I did, everything was right there and, well, you're nice and tall..."

"It was different, that's for sure, but I would have stopped you if I weren't comfortable, I was pretty curious."

"To be honest, actually..."

"Go on."

"Well, I've never had the desire to impregnate a female, or even risk it, if that makes sense."

"It does, some of us are just not into starting a family."

"Back in the grade school years, a bunch of us would run around the church parking lot after service. At some point the other guys would disappear and I'd go back in, and there they were in the nursery holding these little kids. I would just, like, stop right at the door, couldn't understand how it took that kind of turn."

"And do those guys have their own kids yet?"

"One of them got a girl pregnant early in high school, the other one is with a gal who already has a couple."

"I've been waiting for the right time to tell you something..." then she flips over and pulls her swimsuit up at the hip to revel the lower tummy. "See the scars?"

"Oh yeah." as he tries not to let on that he can see a wee bit of patch.

"I had to have surgery last year."

"Are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm fine now, had some cysts, not malignant thankfully, but it knocked out my chances. Nick, I am open for business."

"You mean-"

She giggles, "you know I'm not trying to pressure you, but yeah, I can't conceive."

"Oh." He thinks a minute. "So are you, I mean, OK with that…um…psychologically? Or -"

"Yeah I am, like I said, after our first encounter, something just told me that was a sign that I should just settle on the fact that I wasn't going to have kids, and that was very liberating, I felt I could go on with life, figure out what to do with it."

"Teaching."

She taps his nose. "Doors have started opening up. And then, of course, once I started feeling like shit and got the diagnosis, that all seemed to fall in line with what I already knew."

"Funny how that works."

"Do we have the craziest story ever or what?"

"I never mentioned, to anyone, even meeting you before, feels like a betrayal."

"I think it's nice we have a little secret, I'd say things are working out nicely, at least for me."

"Same here."

She looks out at the water.  His stomach starts to growl.

"Did you wanna get lunch?"

"Yeah, shortly, howbout we get out of the sun for a bit then head to that dairy stand?"

So they pick up and flip flop back to the jeep, still shaded.

"By the way," Noreen says, "remember when we were back to back?"

"Of course."

"Um, I did that so I could pee."

"You could have done that while we were front to front."

Her eyes get huge, shimmering in the shade, "You are a bad bad boy Nick Swanson."

"Complaining?"

"Get in your seat."

And they proceed over to Daisy's Dairy, decide on splitting a shredded chicken, fried mushrooms and mozzarella sticks, Nick gets a lime slush and she does a mocha shake.

Daytrip I

Nick arrives at the near-desolate campus lot with a beach towel, trunks beneath his shorts, a small bag with some tennis shoes, an extra t-shirt and standard issue low-rise briefs. They had agreed on 7:30 in order to soak in all the daylight that could be squeezed out of a summer day. He also had stopped for donuts for the trip, leaving about 77 bucks in his wallet.

Just as he stands up he can hear a mild roar approaching, sees a dark jeep with top down and a driver with flaxen locks blowing all around. Somehow the doubt actually grows as the jeep makes its way right next to him, Noreen just grins beneath dark glasses, and he remembers to grab his shades from the Cordoba as she powers down.

"Whacha think?"

Nick just shakes his head. "Did you somehow plant that little vision into my head subliminally?"

"Would you believe me if I told you?"

"Alright lady, I'm all yours, sorry 'bout your luck."

She had walked around to meet him and he picks her up in a hug.

"OOOHH that's good for my back."

"Glad to be of use."

"Stop it. So, the engine is a bit loud and you know it'll be blowing, here's the deal - ever been to Grant Lake?"

"Heard of it, we used to camp up at Sangchris a time or two."

"Splendid, well this is to the south and east, just over an hour, not quite into Indiana."

"Got it. Can't believe we finally get to get away."

She leans in for a two-beat kiss, "ready? ...set..."

"Oh, does it have a cover?"

"Yeah, its tucked away back there just in case but I think we'll be OK."

They get going, munching on donuts. Nick had been part of this way at some point but most of it was new, all his relatives are along other vectors. Just a few passing clouds so far. He's starting to wonder if there's a V8 in the doghouse, it has the feel of someone's toy, decent sound system too. Noreen had put it on an oldies station at first, eventually they whip out the Stones' Tumbling Dice, one that he'd never really caught before, but sure is perfect for cruising in this weather. Eventually she motioned him to shop around the dial if he wanted, dangerous to offer that to a radio geek type.

At some point he finds En Vogue's recent hit, Never Gonna Get It and she cranks it, he can't tell where the bass is coming from, must be a sub hidden somewhere, but damn it's thick as a poured wall. She grooves and teases the words at him.

The commercial hits quick and he is the first to cut it down, then eventually finds that new Poison track starting up, So Tell Me Why, turns it up some, and she again bumps it the rest of the way. Nick waits for the one line...girl i'm gonna do to ya things that ain't never been done, then runs a finger down her arm. She just reacts to the tickle then squeezes his hand.

After that track he just looks for somewhere to park the dial, finds oldies again, wealth of scenery to take in. He's ever inspired by rides like this, even in flat lands, to some it's all the same but there's always a nuance, a lonely bobbing oil rig, remains of an ancient tractor, rolling fields. He could do without some of the dairy-air from the huge cattle farms but ain't that America. The radio hasn't played that particular Mellencamp tune yet but he sure wouldn't mind.

Noreen has on tan plaid shorts over her navy blue one-piece and a white tank top, and they're both wearing flops. She appears to have gelled her hair as usual, but again, who's noticing. He wonders what she's thinking about, probably in high English accents. Every once in a while she glances over and smiles. One thing's for sure, she's no stranger to a stick shift, jams it around like a senior enlisted base chauffeur. Nick had always wanted to drive a stick but hasn't yet gotten the chance, seems those are less maintenance than an automatic but no one in his family wants to fool with it in town with a lot of starts and stops.

Eventually he sees the brown sign for the public beach access, and she grabs a spot right by the sand, in the shade even. This is why you do this on a weekday, beach has just a woman and her small kids wading a few feet into the water, seems a bit early to get in yet.

"It's a pretty lake," he observes as soon as the engine is off.

"Yeah we used to come down here a lot. There's camping on around that way, and places to eat, hell you could almost walk from here."

He takes a deep breath and gets out. Trunks are sticking to the cheeks just a bit already.

"Anything you want locked in the glove box?'

He sticks his billfold and keys in there, not wearing a watch.

"You'll love this..."

Noreen looks around, then stands between him and the jeep, reaches under her tank top and produces a good size knife in a sheath, probably 5 inches of blade and slips it into the glove box. "Hey, you never know."

"You can take da girl outta da south side..."

"I'm sayin', honey." She puts her small leather purse in there, locks it, snaps the key ring onto a looped rope and puts that around her neck, makes a comical grin to Nick, "ready Freddie?"

Nick can't resist a quick Elvis via Freddie for the chorus, Crazy Li'l Thing Called Love, then doesn't wait for reaction, "By the way what's under the hood?"

In a sultry purr, "Why, you scoundrel."

"We'll get to that, but how bout this beast?" and smacks the hood. It's 70s vintage, not babied but well cared for, plenty stories left to tell.

"Pop the hood and take a gander."

So he does, 8 cylinders, dual exhaust.

"I think it's a 304."

"That sounds right, AMC's five-liter, this could have come from a Matador or such."

"I drove this puppy to high school, but with the original engine, again, my brothers..."

"Well hell of a job, I'd love to redo the Cordoba but you know, too many things with wires, " and then takes several angles of views at the doghouse.

"Are we gonna stand here and yank it all day?"

He slams the hood, "Alright alright, where to first?"

They take slow stroll along the land-pier that extends out next to the beach. Seagulls are in full-on mode.

"Do they have boat rental around here?"

"Yeah but they all have motors I think, I'd rather canoe or do the foot paddles."

"Could rent a pontoon."

"But then how many times would we get buzzed by some stupid water skiers."

"Yeah I spoze. Canoeing is better in a small lake or a river. We did that a couple times with the church."

"That reminds me. Do you still go, to the church?"

"My folks go to a different church than they, well we, used to. Another long story."

"I got time, and I'm curious, I'm supposed to be Catholic but my parents didn't stick with it. They put us kids through catechism but then we just had our own traditions that we try to keep going."

"Yeah my folks started going when I was in grade school, and I never really got it. In fact, well..."

"Tell me."

Nick spots what must be an ill-fated fish that was partially gobbled up by gulls, but pushes that aside and continues, "I ended up in jail a few years ago."

She stops walking and takes off her shades. "Nick?"

"Yeah...it was my sophomore year, our youth pastor Kevin was frustrated with the leadership and the elders, the board...the way he saw it they were just worshiping the status quo - that's how he put it. They couldn't handle new ideas and basically equated those with sin, or communism, or wherever the fuck."

"Nick we don't have to talk about it if it's sore -"

He reaches across her shoulders and draws her close. "It's fine, I should probably get it out in the open, don't think about much anymore...and you're great to talk to about things."

"I'm glad."

He holds her hand. "So, we got to talking and he knew a guy from college with access to some sound equipment, and figured we'd shake things up a bit."

"And how'd that go?"

"We snuck everything in on a Saturday night, didn't get to test it, pastor was out of town so we could keep it all hid. During the service we put in a CD of some sound effects, rushing winds, thunder - we were back there with our heads between our knees it was so freaking loud. Then his friend, had put on a sheet - and this was just plain dumb, but he was going to go out and we would kill the lights and he'd just show up looking like a, well, a returning Christ."

"You didn't."

"Like I said, the idea was to shake things up. Unfortunately it damaged some windows, and - oh, Kevin's friend, who had access to those subs, he had just taken an allergy medicine he'd never taken before, so he was pretty loopy, didn't even get fazed by the sound....OH, and the best part, Jameson's police chief lived two doors down, thought a damn bomb had gone off -"

She had her mouth covered, "Nicky...I know you’re not a radical, but this is so hard to believe."

"Well it's a bunch of idiots getting what they deserved, and, well, I mean the four of us involved, we didn't intend for it to go that far. Some lady had to go to ER with chest pains but she was OK, and...this is awful, but we had a man who isn't all there, if you know what I mean, pissed his pants -"

"Hold on a sec," and she leans against a tree.

"You OK?"

"Yeah, just, wow...."

Nick looks around and hopes he hadn't freaked her out too much. "It's a lot, yeah, and we got picked up and questioned, I called a lawyer friend of mine. After about two hours they told me to go home, I just walked, took my time. Mom and Dad were driving around looking for me, they were just freaked out and worried."

"Oh I bet." She reaches for his hand. "Nick, I had no idea. It seems you and your folks get along wonderfully now."

"Yeah, it was weird at first, they didn't go to service for a couple of weeks, Kevin was dismissed by the board, no surprise, and I, well, I think some of the folks blamed my parents for me being involved, or else it kinda got nasty. They started attending another church and didn't expect me to go, they would ask and sometimes I would, but it's just not my thing, not really into people."

"Well we all have different needs and comfort levels. Sounds like your folks stood up for you and did the right thing - I mean, if I can say so."

"Yeah they really did. And Tim was pretty close to going after the chief asshole on the board who was trying to throw us under the bus, Dad had to stop him. But Tim wasn't really involved at that church, he pretty much ended up wherever...this or that girl went, and then he was off to Uncle Sam soon anyway."

"Your brother?"

"The one and only."

They stroll back toward the jeep and get their towels and sunscreen from beneath the seats.

Nick asks, as they head to the sand, "So, any notable drama in your life?"

"Can't compete, was engaged about 10 years ago, his family was very religious and conservative, I think I was a bit too free spirited, he sent me a letter and called it off. Last I heard he'd gone into the Navy."

"Aren't there all kinds of trouble to get into in the Navy?"

"Yeah don't think about it too hard, I'm pretty sure it was his way of getting out of the house. Nick I'm not really good at talking about myself, but just ask me questions, I don't mind, and if I do mind I'll kick you in the shin and run."

"I thought that means a girl likes me."

"That's if she gives you a wedge. Well, sometimes."

They spread the blankets, she turns away from him to release the beast, first the tank top, then the shorts. He tries not to stare but he's waited so long, she's just fascinating, and, yes being with an adult woman is still a novelty. She starts to turn around and he whips his shirt up and drops his outer shorts.

She smiles and hands him the sunscreen, "I don't think you'll mind," turns around and sits down. He tries to be gentle on her shoulders and neck, top of the exposed back, down both arms as he leans in, and manages to sneak a peck at the nape of her neck while she's still facing downward.

After a slight jerk and ghasp, "Alright sport I'll take it from here, then you need some, that's an order."

"Yes m'aam. Yeah I bet you'd crisp up pretty quick, are you full Irish?"

"Irish, Scots, some German, the usual."

"I think we are British and Irish, maybe some Welsh."

"Anglo-Celtic."

"And then there's Dr. Stone."

"Oh that one, yeah he's the real deal, tepid eyes, but never an unkind moment, I think he taught at my undergrad for a while, but after I was done."

"Where was that?"

"Main campus of the U."

"OHH OK, so you just did the half and half."

"Yeap, I'm a total geek, just kinda blew through it."

"And learned the violin."

"Well that started when I was young, Mom's idea, she loves when I play."

"Should I ask?"

"Yeah...well, Mom is still alive but in a home. She has dementia."

"I'm sorry babe."

She scoots closer and takes his arm. "Us kids take care of things, the way we've always known. Dad passed a few years ago."

"I can't imagine."

"Well, don't, just don't be thankful. Remember I'm the baby and my parents are older."

"So you all took a trip last summer?"

"Yes we did, late summer actually, it was awesome, we got a group rate and we took Mom, probably the last - shoot, I don't want to dwell on that, sorry, but yeah a sister in law took that picture when we were all there, I didn't really want her to but now I'm glad I had one to make for you."

"We both are."

"So do you all live close?"

"Oh too close, some of us are still on the property, it's in a trust, my brothers keep the shop going and I took the cabin."

"Cabin?" Nick lights up.

"Yes, Dad built it back when I was a kid, just to have a place for guests or to hang out. Since my marriage plans didn't work out, for the better, I just gradually took it over and had the phone line put in."

"Is that where you paint?"

This gets a fresh smile. "Sometimes, when I get inspired," and offers another peck. "So, do you have anyone you hang out with very often?"

"Not so much anymore. I used to hang with Vance quite a bit, but then not so much after the, well, what I told you about over there."

"Oh was he part of it?"

"Yeah it sounded fun, but then when shit got weird, things weren't the same. He started playing varsity hoops right after that, I went to some of the games with Dad. We didn't hate each other or anything, just didn't have as much in common I guess."

"Sometimes that happens. Are you close to your brother?"

"Ehh, in all seriousness we keep in touch through Mom since he enlisted. Just started another hitch, he must be worth the space he takes up, wants to make sergeant I guess."

"Sounds about right. Has he made it back yet to visit?"

"I think in a couple weekends. I dunno, with school and stuff, it's all just happening, you hang out on campus -"

"Do you know how many parties there were Friday night?"

"One of the MET guys from one of the towns, I forget, said there was one at some bar."

"Yet both of us went home and got comfortable, at least I did."

"I showered and watched Star Trek on the couch."

She lights up, "The Next Generation?"

"The one and only."

"Oh Nick I never miss it!"

"Maybe we can watch over the phone sometime. I need to catch up on those, all this school stuff kinda threw me off the wagon."

"Maybe we shall, one of these crazy ol' nights. Hey it’s getting, um...wanna cool off?"

Closing

It's Tuesday night and Bain is in town. Nick gets to work in jeans, any collared shirt and his name tag, usually in brown leather shoes. He could go a tad more casual but likes the extra cut above expectation, and keeps him ahead of some of the other part timers.

Recently there had been a tad more shrink in the books and Nick was the only one there who Bain had told, besides the sole full-timer Jim who was the defacto manager, but not officially, just the one who could be there most and who Bain trusted. Nick was in line to become manager but had not been able to make the commitment, and if things worked out with the campus soon he could avoid it cleanly.

So Bain has not filled the manager here but keeps close, and tonight he had one of his hunches. He'd asked Nick to stick in the back and they would watch the floor from the two-way window that was creatively worked into a display at the rear of the store, yet offered close to 90 degrees or so of view.

Things were typically slow for midweek but that's usually the prime pickin's for these types. Nick had only seen one shoplifter, and it was by chance, and was able to get the plate called in. They were outside city limits so you call the sheriff and they usually have a car within a half mile of here to respond. Whenever someone came in they would wait a few minutes to see if they were gonna play the field or stand at the counter and wait for help, so after a minute ten seconds (as not to chime with anyone's internal clock) Nick would emerge and engage.

Around 8:30 the first visit in about 50 minutes happened in, tall middle-aged fellow who walked with a purpose, and seemed to be after something specific.

Nick confirms in a whisper, "he's kinda familiar."

They gave him a couple minutes and he never looked around. Then a woman walks in, then appears to look toward the back for a clerk, and then stands at the counter, checks her watch after a little bit.

Bain whispers, "alright, on my mark go see what she wants, I'll stay on this one."

Nick casually walks out, asks the man if he needs any help, answers a question about meters, then heads to the counter. Turns out she needs a battery for something specific, not sure the size, so they start down that road.

The man heads out and Nick thanks him for stopping by, the man acknowledges, and Nick turns back to the woman. No sooner than he leaves the door here comes Bain running out, "got 'im, call it in."

The standing policy is to not apprehend but to call it in with as much detail as possible, plate, car description and definitely a personal description and, if possible, where they are headed on foot.

Nick excuses himself and dials the sheriff.

The woman, fidgets for a few seconds, looks around, then says, "I can see you're busy, I'll stop another time."

Bain comes back, "he's headed toward the Ponderosa."

Nick starts the report, "Hi this is Nick at Radio Shack, we need to report a shoplifter, headed toward the Ponderosa...yes, he's wearing a..."

Bain leans in, grabs the handset and and continues the sentence, then motions Nick to watch the woman who is leaving. He gets near the door and sees her getting into a car, then sneaks out and gets behind a pillar. She pulls out as to turn facing the other way, and he has no problem getting the plate.

Back in the store Bain is listening, "Red Dodge, TFH 559."

Bain reports this, "get a heading if you can."

Nick steps back out and sees her circling the Pondo. Back in to report this. Nick heads back out and sees the squad car heading in, then another.

About 20 minutes later a deputy steps through the door, holding a $40 test meter. "Does this belong to you by any chance?"

Bain steps up in his proudest moment, "Why yes it does, thank you so much officer, great work as always, do you need a statement?"

So they head toward the back. Later on Nick learns the clowns had tried to ditch it in the bushes outside Ponderosa and had a prior record, and Bain figures they pull this shit to spice up their sex life.

Nick gets home about 25 till 10, showers, turns on TNG but ends up copying a slow Morse code contact around 3.553 MHz, he can tell they are using straight keys and just chat away without a care.

Star 70

 Sunday, June 14, 1992

Modem handshake noises fill the room. Windows are open in late morning and Nick's got the classic rock 94.7 on low thanks to the TV antenna. His folks are at church.

After a modest sleeping in and a bodacious breakfast of Irene's Famous Flapjacks with bacon, Saturday started with a bike tour of Jameson which took him past the Gazetteer building which in turn reminded him they have a dialup BBS number for modems. Since he had no other immediate plans for that graduation money he figured this might be the ticket. There were rumors of other BBS-es locally and it seems the VAX at campus cold be accessed that way, not that he had much use for it at this point, but who knows.

Sometimes these whirlwind-inspiration projects are just what one needs to help turn a corner.

For that PS/2 he wasn't about to pay IBM however much they wanted for that microchannel jive, so the answer was a serial port kind. His employer, to which he'd return at full force at opening tomorrow, only had ISA boards, so it's on to see what Fred had over in the strip mall.

He had known Fred Cribb most of his life. Fred had been his dad's mentor at the plant before semi-retiring into free enterprise, sensing a gap needed filled in the small-scale computing sector. Turns out he was right.

Nick talked his dad into riding along for old times' sake, Ned says, "You really want a deal don't you?"

Pro Digital Systems is in the same lot as Nick's previous gig at Schroder's Value. They hit the door mid-afternoon, it smells similar to Radio Shack for some reason. Fred is with someone at the counter but grins wide, look and shouts "Come on in, boys, look-arounds are free of charge."

So they look around a few minutes then get Fred's undivided attention, catch up, and they look at outboard modems. He has a 4800 baud for about what Nick wanted to spend, but then those are sort of a step-child in the grand scheme and lack some features of the 9600. He only has the 14.4 in internal and those are still kinda pricey.

"Tell ya what kid, I'll be glad to give you the 9600 at cost, and, what the hell, Happy Graduation, 10% on me."

At one point Nick gets around to mentioning he works for Emmett Bain and Fred nearly loses his mind, then surmises,

"Yeah we tried to work together but it fell through, he's awfully good at what he does. Nick you always have a job here if you need it, don't forget that."

Fred also had a good ol' time trying to sell Ned on the need for his own desktop but for now one at work is plenty. Plus he as a geeky college graduate on hand who can handle anything that comes up.

Last night, Nick started to hook it up then realized it didn't come with a cable. Nick recalls how they had distracted Fred with all the bantering and none of them though of it. But then the RadShack employee discount saves the day one more time. He'd gotten the com program set up and talking to the modem, the lights would blink as it clicked and acted like it knew what to do, but at that point it seemed best to not hook in the phone line, his brother usually called on Saturday evening, evidently he can't play cards or get laid.

He switched to organizing his hard drive and dug out his book-bag floppies to see if there were any forgotten games harvested from the campus lab, then played some pinball for a while, then shut it down and headed back out on the bike for the evening watch.

With the house desolate and minimal chance of someone calling, Nick dials the Gazetteer's BBS but getting a busy signal, maybe someone else was out to christen a modem. Fred had given him a few other numbers to try, some out of local exchange but those were a last resort or during night rates. The second number in the list actually connected, at least the hissing noise stopped and he gets a menu. Cool.

A preamble message is welcoming at first but then has a dire admonishment to not just drop session and to always exit from the menu, since an abrupt drop will cause the system to hang up and be unavailable until the admin/sponsor can reset it. For those will call waiting the suggestion is to preface your dialing with *70 for most local exchanges but to contact your phone company if unsure. Evidently this BBS is privately provided courtesy of someone's basement.

Looking around the menu for a few minutes reveals a discussion area, group chat, file uploads, and the namesake bulletin board with subjects ranging from politics to lost animals to various announcements. There's a messaging system, and it asks him to choose a handle to identify. He thinks about this for a bit, too much, as would be expected, but is starting to lean toward exiting out of this for now and coming back to it, when -

He hears a click in the modem, and then realizes he is frozen on the same screen, no key will unfreze it, click-click-click...no response. He hopes his line didn't drop and cause a system failure, maybe it would have been better to disconnect and re-dial using the star, um, what was that code? Didn't think to write it down, crap, now he'd have to try to find it in the phone book.

First he disconnects the phone line from the modem, then plugs it back into his phone to see if there's still modem noises from the other end, but here's nothing, then hits the hook, -

"-ick...Nick, are you there?"

"Mom?"

"Hi Honey, did you want to meet us for lunch?"

"Umm, well, I could -"

"We thought we'd hit the buffet with some of our church friends, they’d like to congratulate you.”

"Do I ever turn down a free meal Mom?"

"Who ever said that? We thought this should be your treat."

Nick sighs.

"Just put on a button-up shirt and look decent, your father and I are going to go for a drive."

"I'll try to find some pants too. Have fun guys, see you there."

He was starting to wonder when it would ever be a good time to use the modem, but then, for only half an hour at a time should be fine. At this point he's definitely glad he didn't choose an identity on that one board yet, yeesh.

Thankfully the phone book mentions the *70 trick if you don't want interrupted, and so he braves up and gets that worked into the connection params for the newspaper's BBS. This errors out at first then he digs out the little manual for the com program and that does the trick. For once he gets an answer and finds a very similar menu but with a slightly more professional feel, similar options, wonder if there's anything interesting on here, but sometimes it's more about the trip than the destination.

Gazing at him from a nearby corkboard, next to Paps' legendary radio QSL card, is a 5x7 picture of a female, an adult female, who'd defied all physics by giving him this photo as she would to a peer. She's slightly more tan than he's used to, in a hazy sun and with a beach behind her, plus, according to what she'd written on the back, the gulf waters from last summer with her extended family. There's more freckles than he remembers but those may have gone the way of last summer's tan. Naturally the water affects her eye coloring in ways he tries to ignore. She appears content, at least for the moment, but lacking the ardor, the spark, the joie de vivre he's come to know.

It's a hell of a pic tho, he'd never seen her in still form, she's a highly kinetic phenomenon, but it does her justice. His mom thought it was beautiful and Ned just added "at's muh boy." The card was from a store this time, depicting a scroll and mortarboard, and sans printing inside, just her phone number. Same area code as his but wasn't sure the town, and the exchange wasn't in their local directory.

Lunch is great, and a modest card from the church office, which is nice. The buffet has those breaded okra, Irene always says she'll make some but then forgets. Nick takes a drive after they settle up.

He's been feeling a bit of urgency to put his hat in the ring for the lab tech position. It would be an honor, Nick admired Brian in many ways, getting to be there but in a super-role of sorts, you get to set the rules instead of follow them, and if you know when to keep your mouth shut people respect you. Ned had already weighed in, his mom was just being her supportive self. It didn't sound like anyone else had been considered yet but no one knows for sure. For a bunch of reasons, some obvious, some not, it just seemed right to stay connected with campus, at least for now.

Nick gets home and reaches for that card on his shelf. He had already talked to his mom about calling long distance, he'd be doing mostly night rates and will cover it when the bill comes.

"Nick, we'll work it out, don't worry, that's what the phone is for after all."

It's the middle of the afternoon on a nice day. He grabs the cordless and heads onto the porch with the number on a piece of scrap, waits a second then starts dialing, then hits the hook. It feels silly to have to mentally rehearse what he'll say if he gets a machine or has to leave a message with someone. He has to push back the the thought of what to say (or think) if a male voice answers.

Nick takes a deep breath and dials. After a couple clicks it rings, but doesn't sound like he's used to, and then,

"Hello you are the lucky seventh caller on the WYOJ contest line what's your name and are you ready to PLAY to-DAY?"

It's a male voice in a rather convincing fully wired DJ mode.

"Um, Nick."

"Well um Nick this is your LUCKY day if you can answer our -"

Then the sound of scuffling, and Noreen's voice in the background,

"You motherf-" then muffled voices and more scuffling, "Nick? are you there?"

"Hey, what did I win?"

"Well you get to talk to me, but my dickhead brother just won a trip through the door - hang on." Followed by about twenty seconds of more hand-muffling.

"Okay, hi, sorry, he comes over here to hide from my sister in law when he's supposed to be doing whatever."

"Oh no worries. So do they live nearby?"

"Too close, another, yeah another long story, I keep saying that but we'll get there. So what's up? Glad to hear your voice, Nick."

"Love the picture."

"Thanks, but you're always too kind."

"No my folks do too, my dad practically congratulated me."

"Well then, I guess I'll take that. But then they don't really know me."

"That will change in time."

"I hope so. Have you been resting?"

"Yea, rode the bike...got a modem, and had lunch with some grandparents, still burping in fact."

"Thanks for that detail. What will you do with a modem?"

"Still figuring that out, just seemed like something to try, got into a couple boards already."

"Yeah I don't think we have any close by here."

"Just where is here? Is it a long story?"

"Not really, I'm about 20 minutes on the other side of campus from Jameson, address is Woho but I'm out in the boonies."

"Woho Warriors. I remember hearing games on the radio, all those snow delays."

"WOOHOOOOO Warriors, our battle cry. So what made you think of me this afternoon?"

He had to pause to not just say something stupid. "Well, I don't think I told you yet, but Goody offered me, well, or told me about the position opening up on campus, for the lab tech."

"Nick! I would hug you, that's awesome. Are you gonna take it?"

"Pretty sure I am. I want to call in and at least leave a message tomorrow, I mean, he told me about it the week before last but I don't want to, you know -"

"Right, if you're pretty certain then might as well, there's probably time to back out if things were to change, right?"

"It wouldn't probably start till August, I'd just keep working for Bain - um, RadShack - till then. Dad says nothing solid has turned up where he works. Dunno, it just seems like this is the thing at the moment."

"Well then it probably is. Happy for you, we'd both be on campus - shit, I...I let that slip, but that would mean a lot to me, this is about you."

"You're sweet."

"If you say so."

"There's something more."

"Uh oh. You're not pregnant are you?"

"Doctor hasn't called yet."

"Well I know it's not mine, so -"

"Goody says they might want me to teach a lower level course or two next year."

"NICK!!" and then what could only be described as an adrenaline-fueled version of the Roscoe P. Coltrane laugh from Dukes of Hazzard. "Oh I could just jump in your arms, that is..."

"Yeah haven't really thought about it yet."

She's still elated, then comes around, "Well...I hope you at least try it, but I think you'd be good at it, better than you might think."

"I'm sure I'd get plenty of good advice."

"We'd all be pulling for you. I can say this, or, even if I shouldn't - well, screw it...I got the impression that Al thinks the world of you, and by offering the lab geek - I mean, *ahem* -"

"Flattery will get you somewhere, dear."

"*PPPTTTTT* bite me", then laughs, "Anyway, you know, if he wants to keep you around for that then he must see it in you, I know I do, others must too. The world needs leaders Nicky, don't cut yourself short."

"Thanks Noreen. Yeah that campus has really become home."

"I totally get that, it's where I started before I transferred away - but that's (he joins) another long story."

They laugh, and Nick speaks up, "Glad it doesn't sound insane to you."

"Well, you know, there will be some days, but after a while you'll know if it fits your calling."  Calling was a word Kevin had used a while back in the context of ministry, wonder if he ever found his, they had completely lost touch.

"I think you've found your calling recently too."

"Well it's definitely gotten a kick in the ass. The spring went well, wore me out but it was a good burn, felt right. Had some good students, we laughed, they challenged me - not in a bad way, but things I'd never thought of before, you know."

"Yeah, seems it  has to work both ways."

"Absolutely. You know if you're around you could maybe audit my class sometime."

"You'd bust my balls."

"Nick you know that audits are just for exposure, there's no grade."

"Still."

"Yeah you'd be at my mercy, get all the tough questions, MWAHHHH haa haa haa haaaaaa."

"That's the stuff.

"So...have you thought about me?"

"Kinda hard not too with that picture."

"How about with the lights out?" This brought to mind when a sitcom studio audience reacts to a juicy line, WOOOOOOOOOO.

"Hmmmm."

"Before you get lost in fantasy land, I hope we can do something soon, maybe make a full day of it before real life kicks back in."

"Wanna hear something crazy?"

"I like where this is going. I think..."

"Last night, falling asleep -"

"Wait, hold on, is this preview for all ages?"

"Oh just listen. For whatever reason I just imagined we were sitting somewhere, no one else around, in the back seat of a jeep."

"A jeep?"

"Yeah, just the basic, a CJ or whatever, with the top off -"

"So I'm topless?"

"Well not at first - AHEM, no, the jeep of course, the vinyl - Oh, I give up."

She's laughing quietly.

"I can hear you laughing lady."

"Oh Nick, not sure if I'll ever qualify as a lady the way I mess with you. But that sounds really romantic. Hey..."

"That's for horses."

"Quiet, you. Are you free this Thursday?"

"I can be, haven't seen the schedule this week but there's always someone else more hungry for the hours."

"Excellent, lemme pull some things - do you have swimming trunks?"

"If I can find 'em."

"Find 'em, if we can shoot for Thursday I'll get you details. That is if you plan to call me again."

"Oh I might. Want my number?"

"Yes I do, I don't want you to have to shoulder all the phone bill, lemme grab a pen -"

After they finish up Nick looks around outside for a few and decides on another bike tour. He parks the phone on the charger, whistling conspicuously.

Irene asks gleefully, "We're you talking to your gal pal?"

"Put it on my tab," as he pecks her on the forehead and heads to the garage.

"At's muh boy," Ned adds.

He takes a bit more turns than the usual route, comes back and makes sure no one needs the phone, then sees where all the *70 trick can get him as the sun lowers outside the window screen.

Star 70 would make a great band name, he muses.

Congraduations

 They had rehearsed outside and got to hold it outside. The weather was scrumptious for mid-June, the kind you take for granted while in the midst of a milestone event.

This had to be the longest walk in history of any commencement, as logistics required the 4-wide train to snake around a couple of buildings. Slow stride for half a mile, you get to take it all in several times over, and this way you get to savor the moment. Once he gets close enough he finds his green-eyed violinist sawing away and turning pages up there in the orkchester. 

His folks had told him where they would be but he has no clue. Tim couldn't get leave this weekend but promised he'd be back soon, joy. He did have an aunt, uncle and a gramma. Back at Easter he told her she didn't have to make the trip but she pinched his ear so that settled it. His aunt an uncle on Irene’s side sent their regrets in a very ornate card with an equally generous check, but the vibe is they just like to show off.

Graduates get to their seats and someone had slipped in a small bottle of wine to pass around; Nick observes it smells like some kind of automotive product and passed on a sip. Then here come the faculty in their regalia, followed by the president, the grand poobah, God he looks like a pope. 

When it comes time for the sheepskins, public service folks go first, then the medical types, including a notable DHT who drew quite a ruckus, tall hourglass blond with all the candy, short skirt and robe open.

At rehearsal she had been getting all the looks and comments, even though Nick was certain he hadn't seen her on campus before, maybe she was evenings, but he would have remembered, geez who wouldn't. They use the library for organizing the processional lineup and that put the handful Police Squad dudes in place before the rest of us, and remember, they are tan from spending a couple weeks in Ft. Meyers at an academy. The library had never heard such a catcall as those dudes, which included a couple from Nick's high school class.

But then one of the MET night students was chuckling after everything calmed down, he had turned to the girl and said, "Oh they do that every time I wear this shirt," and she about fell over.

Nick thumbs through the program, reads through the faculty and adjunct faculty list, the latter of which includes his classmates that had been asked to teach, granted, mostly older students that had started the program before him and weren't necessarily full time.

"And now, candidates for the degree of Associate of Applied Science..."

He gets to stand with the other orange-stoled graduates at the second highest level and can see Noreen holding her hands to applaud from the stand.

He takes his walk and forgets he has to pass the musicians, close enough for her to advise, "Don't trip!" He glances over and she sticks her tongue out.

Well, that part is done, he shook hands with the pope and the excellent Dean Richards, he'd sure come to appreciate her. When Nick started his program her title was director still, but the restructuring of the school had made her a dean, but she was still the same steady, low-key but dedicated presence. Seems her background had led an Engineering team in some company before she got her calling to education.

Remember to remove your tassel before launching your mortarboard. Final blessing. Amen.

You shake hands, exchange best wishes, see you around, even though you usually won't, then head to your family.

Now that the crowd is organizing into clumps it is easy to find 'em. First hugs Mom, shoulder hug from Dad, squeeze Aunt Nell, she's a peach, handshake with his uncle who slips him a folded 5-0, laughs about it and slaps Nick on the arm, then the the best for last, give Gramma June a good squeeze and lift her up without throwing her back out.

They talk about his future plans and the drive over, now nice the weather has been, need more rain, gonna figure things out in coming weeks, thanks for coming, see you soon.

Somewhere in the midst, Noreen had floated in with her fiddle case and slipped a card into the sleeve of his diploma and they did a side hug and he got a peck. "Noreen, (motions) Irene, Ned, Nell, Phil, and Gramma June."

Nick keeps talking to the men but is glad to see her laughing with the ladies, or at least, he hopes that's a good thing. She had taken off her robe and was wearing a white blouse this time, black skirt and the rest is history. Slight wave in the hair and she had it moussed or something. Those are some damn fine knees.

He hadn't gotten the chance to mention the lab position to his dad until now, and Ned said that's probably better than anything he'd see at the plant in the foreseeable future. Phil agreed,

"Kid we're sure you'll kill anything that gets in your way, great job Nicky." Good ol' Phil.

So the trio from up north was ready to head out, his folks talked them into meeting at a decent dairy stand about half a mile from campus. Nick said he might stop by and left it at that, but they all knew.

He took off his robe and mortarboard, and sent it all and his diploma with his folks.

Noreen starts, "Your folks seem great."

"Yeah they've come a long way."

"We need to work on you. Wait, those robes are just the plastic high school kind?"

"The finest money can buy."

"Well I need to drop this real one off, walk with me?"

They take their time.

"So, magna cum laude. Proud of you."

Nick just tries to bury a laugh.

"What."

Leans in, "mamma come loudly."

"Nicholas!" She pushes him sideways, "I need to have a talk with your poor mother."

"Nein. Verboten. So...the tape..."

"Yes I played it last night, more than once, you know I love it. Love the early Eagles, and...I know Def Lep, but some of those...who's the band that does the here I come again? That voice is familiar..."

"It's Tommy Shaw from Styx, he got together with Ted Nugent and one of the guys from Night Ranger, band is Damn Yankees. They're touring soon I think."

"We might have to go."

"Serious?"

"Huge Styx fan, and what's stopping us?"

He just looks at her.

"Ok, I just have to say, that was a...(lowers voice) balls out move...yesterday, and when Dr. Stone got into the act, I almost died, thought you had arranged it with him."

"No that surprised the hell out of me, I thought I was busted, is he a senior prof-"

"Try department head!"

"Oh man that's awesome, I hope you didn't get in trouble."

"He comes straight back to my desk, chuckling, well that was a bit of fun, I believe he fancies you, dear." She does his accent perfectly and Nick about has to lean on something.

"Laugh it up, fuzzball. I turned ten shades of red and I think he had mercy on me and walked away. I could kick your butt."

"Maybe. But it serves you right."

"Oh...yeah, I bet you took some shit for me giving you attention over there?"

Nick raises an eyebrow.

"Well that was very sweet, no one has done anything, I can't remember the last time anyone did something for me like that. I see you shaved, or finished shaving. Not sure which way I like better."

"That green top you had on yesterday made your eyes insanely green."

"You're welcome."

They walked on to the store room and deposited her robe. "Nick were you going to join your group at the thing?"

"I'd rather go there with you."

She beams. "Well I need to stop by my desk, you can join me."

They continue on, she asks, "so rehearsal was yesterday?"

"Yeah, been a long couple of days." Then he proceeded to relate the story behind the star DHT.

"So you got a good eyeful?"

"Yeah she's definitely two eyefulls, but not my type."

"So what is your...type?"

"Never thought of a type, I just know what I like. Either we get along or we don't."

She levels a look his way, "So do we get along?"

"A bit too well."

They continue on through some sculptures near her building, the steadfast Gelding Hall. The crowd is gradually thinning, the sun is low enough to produce the eventide glow on everything, especially her hair. The first kiss happens here, he holds the back of her head and helps support her violin. They embrace until they hear voices, then move on around the building. She scans to unlock the door and they take the elevator, exchanging just conspicuous glances, and slowly stride towards the department. She again scans in and they slowly stroll back to her desk. She gathers her things and he looks out a nearby window. Eventually she leans on his side, the resting sunlight peeking out behind a cloud.

"Nick, there's so many things I want to tell you."

"I want to hear all of them."

"We're both tired, go join your family, I'll head home and crash."

"Howbout we walk slowly to the parking lot."

"Deal."

They head out the same way, and he asks, "Do you have any classes this summer?"

"Possibly, they're waiting on registrar's."

"Do you work anywhere else?"

"I do some freelance stuff here and there, long story."

Nick leans against an elevator wall and touches her hand. "I'm starting to see your point about being tired."

"Well this is a huge release, or relief, we just finished up one hell of a quarter."

"How's it feel to teach again?"

"Not sure yet. Ask me after I do a couple more courses."

"Deal."

Before they leave the building he steals another snog. "Keep it moving, bucko." she warns.

They proceed toward the near-desolate parking fields, holding hands finally. "Are you in a faculty lot?"

"Please, those are for paying customers only."

"Yeah I heard."

"OK, that's me...am I the closest?"

"The white boat? What the hell is that?"

"'76 Cordoba, it's a classic."

"It's not a 400 is it?"

He just throws her the please look.

"Those things are dangerous, guys used to think of them as a booty machine and it would sometimes work."

He gives her an oh really look.

"No, not on me, stupid, can't stand those dipshits who think a girl owes them a good time..."

"My kind of gal."

She takes his arm. "Ok sport, I'm the black Celica over there."

"Sexy."

"Save it, another long story. It's your day, this one's on me."

They head toward the Celica. The breeze is turning cool as it heads in from the plains. She leans on his shoulder again.

"I never thanked you for helping with my paper."

"You know you didn't really need me."

"I do need you. And your notes were right."

Inquisitive look. "I expected you'd give me something pretty solid, I was struggling to think of something to say, and I get goofy like that when I'm nervous."

"Nervous?"

"And tired. Deep down I figured  if you can't handle me you can't handle me."

"Oh I'll handle you."

This earns a look that makes it pretty plain he better be careful of making dares.

Nick lets it go. "So you like the Eagles..."

"Absolutely, hoping they get back together some day."

"I almost put Hotel California on the tape."

She looks at him expectantly, "You better explain that one Swanson."

"Well, McDonnell...it's because, well, after we first met, in my mind, seeing you on the stairs reminded me of the lady on the back cover -"

"Ohhh, the mystery lady..."

"Mmmmmhmmmm."

They make their way to her Celica, she unlocks it, puts her things in there, and he plants one on her solid, doesn't let up for several minutes, doesn't let her slither away, pulls her in air tight. It's the first time he's ever slipped into a trance with someone. No one drives by and honks, just the basking twilight and the gentle breeze. No more glass wall between them.

Eventually he draws a breath and lets her lean on her car. She opens her eyes, wipes off her mouth with a slight swagger,

"Nick if you keep that up you'll be stuck with me."

"I can live with that."

"Get your ass in the car."

She pumps the carb and starts it up, slight muffler noise but runs nice. They head over to his car.

Nick realizes he is running low on energy. "I think you are right about being tired."

"Yeah you said that already."

"I really mean it this time."

"Nick, I hope we can get together for a day thing soon, when we're fresh."

"Fresh works."

"You know where to find me, don't be a stranger."

He leans over, holds her face for a night kiss. "I was hoping the evening would go something like this."

She just holds the gaze and can't decide what to say. "We'll talk soon, dear."

Peck on the lips, he gets out, unlocks the Cordo-beast and gives her another one through her open window, she waves and heads off.

Nick sits in his car, finds his Damn Yankees tape that some girl gave him last year because she didn't like it, rewinds it to the beginning of Side 2, and heads out to the tune of Come Again.

He finds the gang still at the dairy place under an umbrella and they talk him into a tenderloin, the kind that has three times the diameter of the poor bun and looks like a funny little hat, it's delicious, and he's relieved that no one asks him about that gal.