California is My Home... Day 5 - 300 words

THURSDAY 10/1/09:  BAKERSFIELD (CA) to SANTA CRUZ (CA)

A wonderful 9-hour sleep and a leisurely morning got me on the road at 8:45am.  I only had about another 5~6 hours left to this adventure, and part of me was glad, and part of me was sad.  Seldom do I feel the contentment and fulfillment as when I'm on these trips.  Even as I sit here and edit this story, I am wishing I knew when my next adventure ride was gonna happen.  Gaeir has her helmet and riding gear now, so I hope she will be with Honey and me when we head out again, next time.

I had a quick lunch in Coalinga and then headed west on one of my favorite roads, Route 198.  When I got to the intersection of Hwy 25 North, I pulled over and checked my road map for the distance to the next gas station.  I knew it was a desolate road and that there wouldn't be any fuel 'til just before Hollister.

After a cold beer and some easy addition, I took off towards my older brother and parents' resting place, at The Pinnacles National Monument.  I stopped at the entrance to the Park and had a moment of silence, and promised myself I'd speak with Gaeir about  having her do a 'service' of sorts with my brothers and sister.  I should spread the last of my parents' ashes, which I'd been saving for unknown sentimental reasons.  More on that in another story.

I arrived at Honey's new home at 320 High St, in Santa Cruz, California, at 3:30pm.  It was an enjoyable 278 miles for the day and a glorious total of 2,089 for the trip.

I always try to end my stories with a total let down, so in keeping with that pattern:

                                                                      THE END

 

California is My Home... Day 4 - 800 words

WEDNESDAY 9/30/09:  PEORIA (AZ) TO BAKERSFIELD (CA)

I had my alarm set for 5:30am, but when I decided to get on my feet it was 4:15.  It wasn't supposed to be quite as hot that day, but I wanted to beat as much of the heat as possible anyway.  Ann got up and hugged me good-bye out on the street @ 5:30, and I took off down the street for the nearest GSMM and some hot coffee.

Down the road at my second stop of the morning,  I had a very nice conversation with Gaeir.  We found out we both had 'wet dreams' about each other that morning.  Actually I bent the truth a little when we were talking… I was actually wide-awake when I got myself wet.

About 30 miles from Quartzite, I noticed a big American flag standing straight out in the wind… a direct head wind.  I hadn't realized how strong it was, and I thought to myself that Honey's gas mileage wasn't gonna be too good.  Before the thought was complete in my mind, she burped and sputtered, and I flipped her gas valve to reserve, which gave her one more gallon.  I was only getting about 25 miles per gallon, and there was no gas between were I was and Quartzite.  I assumed my tuck position to lessen the wind resistance and lowered my speed from 75 mph to 65.

One mile from Quartzite, Honey ran dry.  I instantly pulled in her clutch and coasted to a stop… right behind an Arizona State Trooper, who had pulled someone over on the side of the freeway.  Fernando finished giving the guy his ticket and then walked back and asked me if he could help.

I told him, "If you have a thimble full of gas it would be a great help to me."  He shook his head and said, "No, but I can take you up to the gas station and bring you back."  I hesitated… thinking about leaving Honey unattended, out on the open road.  My five-second hesitation was all the time it took for Curtis the County Sheriff to pull up behind us.  He offered to sit next to Honey for me, until we got back. 

After getting back with the gas I'd put in my empty water bottle, I was ready to get back on the road.  Only ten minutes had expired since I'd coasted to a stop.  I LOVE ARIZONA!!  Curtis said he worked in the 'Drug Intervention Unit', so he didn't want me to take a picture of his face.  I asked them if I could take a pic of their backs.  They both smiled and turned around for me.

When I got to Vidal, I went in the door and found Bonnie behind the counter at the GSMM.  I had a huge smile on my face.  For those of you who haven't read my "Please Allow Me To Introduce My Selves" story… Bonnie is a gem.  She said she hadn't received her copy of the story I sent her, so she gave me her mailing address, and I promised her that I'd send it to her upon my return.

As I was finishing my beverage of choice, two biker brothers and a sister pulled up.  Peitra, Paul, and Volker were doing a two-week loop ride from LA to Yellowstone and were on their last leg, back to LA to catch their return flight to Germany.  I wish I had felt more social… they would've been fun to talk to for a while.

I'm not sure why sometimes I feel like the life of the party, and other times I feel like a wallflower.  Do any of you others wonder about your mood swings?  I'd love to know I'm not the only crazy one out there.  Ok… no I wouldn't.  I like to feel special.

My obligatory stop at BK's Pepper Lounge in Needles enabled me to find out why Bonnie hadn't received her copy of my story.  Brenda didn't give it to her, as she said she would.  In a gesture of repentance, she gave me a free beer and an apology.  Sunny the bartender was a cutie and gave me a private dance while she played her favorite Dave Mathews song on the jukebox.  Chris Medley, a friend of Brenda's, gave me the impression she wanted me to stick around, but I had to break her heart and get back on the road.  This stallion has already been corralled.  Sorry Chris.

                                                                      Sunny & Brenda       

                                                                      Chris Medley                                                                    

I boogied thru Ludlow, Barstow, Kramer Junction, and Tehachapi, and bedded down for the night in Bakersfield, CA.  It was a 546-mile day, and 1,811 for the trip.  One more (short) day, and Honey and I would be home in the warm embraces of Gaeir and my Santa Cruz California Coast.

California is My Home... Day 3 - 675 words

TUESDAY 9/29/09:  SHOW LOW (AZ) to PEORIA (AZ)

I hoped I'd sleep in, but when I looked at my phone, and it told me it was 4:45am, I decided I'd get up and try to latch onto the free internet connection.  I tried for about 30 minutes, and gave up.  Instead, I worked on downloading pictures from my camera and transferring my journal notes onto my laptop.  It was only a leisurely four-hour ride to Eron and Ann's house, and Eron wasn't gonna be home until after 1pm, so I waited 'til 8:45 to call her and sing "Happy (18th) Birthday" to her, and then hit the road.  The morning chill was leaving by then, and it was obvious to me that it was gonna be a very beautiful day's ride.

Ann had offered me 'free reign' on her refrigerator, so I decided to save my money, and wait to eat when I got there, instead of stopping in Payson as I had thought I would.  Eager and Payson where both still in the mountains, but not quite as high in elevation as Show Low, so it was starting to get hot.

From Payson the road went down into the valley fast.  It was only around 10am, but the temperature had already risen from a pleasant 75 degrees to well over 90, and I was preparing myself… the forecast for the Phoenix basin was for a high of 105.

I hit the outskirts of Scottsdale about 15 miles from town center.  The traffic was stop-and-go from there on.  I'm not sure how or why they were able to come up with their slogan… "The World's Most Livable City."  Yuck.  I sure don't think of that kind of heat and traffic as livable.

When I was about five miles from Ann's house, I finally remembered to look at my odometer.  I calc'd that I might be able to make it without getting gas, but I decided not to risk it.  After all… 'we weren't in Texas anymore Toto', and I had no reason to think I'd have the incredible good fortune I'd experienced there, if I were to run out of gas here in Arizona.

After filling Honey's tank, I realized we woulda been fine on gas… It calc'd out at just over 45 mpg, coming down into the desert from the higher elevation.  I found the key where Ann told me she'd hidden it, and was unpacked and lying on the couch, when Eron came in.  She'd decided she wanted to have a barbeque at 'the lake', instead of floating down 'the river', and said she needed to pick up some supplies and a couple of her friends.  I asked her if I could take a nap while she ran around, and she very graciously agreed.  I felt a little guilty, but I knew I'd be sluggish and not much fun if I didn't rest for a while.

She got back about two hours later, and by 4pm we were at Lake Pleasant having a very… pleasant time (sorry, I couldn't resist the obvious).  Besides her boyfriend Sid, she'd brought along Alec, and we met Nick and DJ there.  The six of us waded in the cool water, and feasted on hamburgers and chips for a couple hours.  The others went their own way, and Sid, Eron, and I went back to Ann's house for cake and ice cream, and then I was a 'good dad' and let her beat me in a game of cribbage.

Around 9pm I was fading, so Eron and Sid took off to hook up with more of their buddies, and I spent a little over an hour with Ann.  Fortunately she was in one of her good moods, so the time was… (I can't resist)… pleasant.  I always appreciate being around Ann when she's in a good mood.  It helps to make up for all the other times.

I did some 'honey dos' and then was fast asleep by 10:30pm.

California is My Home... Day 2- 1.3k words

MONDAY 9/28/09:  VAN HORN (TX) to SHOW LOW (AZ):

After waking up once at 2:30am, and then again at 3:30, I decided to get started an hour earlier than planned, and got myself out of bed at 4:30.

After filling up Honey's tank across the street from the motel, I parked her next to one of the signs of the GSMM I was at.  'Loves' has a heart as their logo, and I thought it was appropriate to get a picture, since it's the norm for me, to be in a loving mood in the morning (and in the afternoon, and in the evening).  Unfortunately the picture didn't turn out, but I took another similar one, later on my adventure, here it is now.

About two hours down the road, I stopped at a rest stop and found a text message from Gaeir.  Her message said, "As you are riding today, look for examples of God's love."  I called her and told her how she was reading my mind that morning, and explained about the picture (that didn't turn out) of God's sunrise colors of love, with yellow, gold, orange, pink, magenta, and purple, and then I went on and on about how grateful I was (and still am) to have her in my life.  Thank ya 'G-sus'.

                                  Then I sent her this pic of me waving good morning to her:

My next stop was at a rest stop, and a young teenage kid and his mom were selling homemade tamales, so I bought two of them for $1 each.  The one with red sauce and pork was good, but the one with green sauce and chicken was outstanding… lots of spicy bite to it.  The coffee I had earlier had gotten my motor running, but the chili verde tamale gave me a nice little jump to keep me goin'.

I made a quick stop in El Paso for gas.  It was only 9am, and since I was in… I Still Love… Texas, I'd have to wait until I got into New Mexico for my morning beer.   At 10:45am, I stopped in Hatch, NM, for my (very late for me) first beer of the day.  I don't really drink as much as it may sound, especially when I'm riding, but for some reason it's nice on these trips to 'break the mold' a bit.

When I got back on Honey, it was already 81 degrees, but I decided to keep my leather jacket on because (1) I was sunburned from the day before, and (2) We were getting ready to go up in elevation, and I knew it was gonna cool down a bit.  Fortunately my jacket has 'vents' in it that can be zipped open to allow the wind to blow through.

It was just after noon when I pulled Honey up to the edge of the scenic overlook at Emory Pass.  The elevation was 8,228 feet, and while I had been moving, the air had felt nice and cool.  As I got off and took off my helmet, I noticed that without the wind chill, the air was quite warm, probably close to 90.

                   From Emory Pass, looking east towards White Sands and Alamogordo, NM

It always amazes me how my body acclimates itself on my road trips.  On one of my rides to Seattle, I'd noticed how quickly I became comfortable in the cold climate.  Now, as I ride in the desert… my body adjusts and I don't notice the heat that much.

I stopped for a burger in Silver City about 1:15pm.  This is something I normally don't do… eat during the day, and I had done it twice so far today.  Gaeir had been complaining before I left that she'd gained six pounds since I moved in with her.  I didn't tell her at that time, that I'd gained almost 15 pounds.  Things were gonna hafta change when I got back.  She's been after me to join her on her diet, but somehow, I just cannot see myself eating berries and cottage cheese for lunch,     every single day, for the rest of my life.  Plus…  her diet doesn't include nearly as much protein as mine does.  My mom used to say that I was like my father… a 'meat and potatoes' kind of guy.

The road over the pass was beautiful.  It was the first 'little black squiggly lined road' I'd been on so far this trip.  There was still about 100 miles left of it, and I wondered how many more animals I'd see.  In the previous 15-mile stretch, I'd seen squirrels, rabbits, deer, and a wild turkey, which didn't bother to speed up it's pace, even after I honked my horn at it.  It looked pretty old and scraggly, and I chuckled to myself when I thought that it acted as if it wouldn't have minded if I'd run it over.  I wondered if humans were the only members of God's creatures who think about suicide when things get tough, or they experience severe and incessant pain.

When I stopped at the 386 mile point of the day's ride in Glenwood, I thought to myself how much this portion of the ride reminded me of the road coming south from Taos that I'd been on, just a couple months previously.  Every turn brought new vistas of magnificence.  The beauty of this area can best be described as a 'postcard for New Mexico'.  I'm really sorry I didn't stop and take a few pictures, but… you can always buy a postcard.

From Glenwood, I went back up in elevation to 8,024 feet and an incredible area called 'Alpine' (Arizona).  I'd heard of the beauty of eastern Arizona, but I had no idea it was this nice.  The feeling that Gaeir and I had that morning, of 'appreciating God's love' was renewed.  This is one of the reasons I'm out here.  To experience and appreciate all the different things God gives us, as signs of his love for us.  Physical beauty has always attracted me… a beautiful woman or a beautiful mountain or waterfall.  How else can you explain these things, other than as 'God's gifts?'

From Alpine, I took a short detour to visit Sunrise Park Ski Lodge.  I knew it would be closed, but sometimes I find 'ski-bunnies' at these 'resorts' during the summer.  Usually they're hard-core skiers who work at them, and I've had some fun times socializing with them in the past.  I just love their young vibrant energy, and smiles that clearly come from within.  Here's a pic from one of my trips to show you what I'm talkin' about.  Mountains and girls… it just doesn't get any better than this.

                       Girls and a mountain (Mt. Hood, in northern Oregon last summer)

As I got close to Show Low, the town I was gonna spend the night in, I was amazed at the expansive development.  It must've been 20 miles from the outskirts to the central part of this sprawling tourist town.  Skiers and hunters… an interesting mix of personas… liberals and conservatives; hippies in tie-dye; and mountain men in fatigues and pelt hats.  I hope I can come back and spend a few days here someday.  That's one of the reasons I love living in Santa Cruz.  It's very diverse.

By the time I'd found my motel, I'd covered almost a hundred miles more than my estimate when I'd left that morning, and I was pooped.  I'd started the day's ride at 7am, and it was almost 6pm.  I'd crossed two time zones, so I'd been on the road for 13 hours.  A pretty long day for an old man.  A tired but very happy old man.

                                      547 miles for the day, and 1,058 for the trip.

California is My Home... Day 1- 1.1k words

Back on Honey! - SUNDAY 9/27/09:  KILLEEN (TX) to VAN HORN (TX)

I slept in 'til 6:30am, although really it was 4:30am for me (PST).  Taumie had very graciously let me share her bed with her, as her husband Gerry was off on a 'church mission' in Big Bend, in the southern part of the State.  For those of you who haven't read "Please Allow Me To Introduce My Selves" yet… so you understand… Gerry's 'church' is the rugged wilderness.  Just him and his Jeep.  A boy and his toy.

Gerry was taking some private time, as part of his mental preparation for his next deployment to Korea… hopefully his last before his upcoming retirement.

After two cups of coffee with Taumie & Kristie, I pulled the tarp I'd covered Honey with, off her and sighed heavily with disgust at myself for the condition I'd left her in.  When I'd decided to fly back to California, and move in for my trial run with Gaier, I'd left in such a hurry that I didn't bother to clean Honey after her 2,400-mile trip out there.  She was a mess and my heart ached for her.  When I pushed her starter button she creaked and squeaked with the metal on metal sound of two months of not being started.

She reminded me of me, when I get up in the morning.  Creek… groan… ache… pop… snap… twinge…  It took about 10 full seconds of grinding away, before she finally made a sputter.  Then quickly another gasping grasp at ignition, and then about 15 or 20 seconds of a faltering rough idle before she obediently settled into her beautiful soft purring.  Never has there been a more faithful filly.  This is one lucky ol' California cowboy.

I walked her out front, gave her a quick sponge bath, and got her packed for our trip.  It would be time better used to get on the road, rather than spend the three hours it would take to thoroughly clean her… just so she could get dirty again.  Poor Honey.

I spent over an hour with Taumie and Kristie on the back patio, so I didn't hit the road until 9am.  No worries, I was taking I-10 for most of the trip today, so I knew I'd make it to Van Horn in time to watch the Cardinal-Colt football game.

My first stop was about 30 miles down the trail at Lampasas.  I was very pleased to see Chelsie working behind the counter at the local GSMM (gas station mini mart for you 'new' readers out there).  She remembered me!  I'd spent about 45 minutes with her and one of her co-worker/ friends almost exactly a year ago… helping her celebrate her birthday.

She showed me pictures of her daughter (she was pregnant when I'd met her), and she made me gooey inside when she said, "Joella and I talk about you all the time."  She also remembered the alien I had on Honey, and even (almost) remembered her name.  She called her "Abby."  Pretty close… "Allyson" is the name she used when she introduced herself to me, when we'd met in Roswell the year before.

I put a six pack of Bud on the counter, but had forgotten about the silly law that Texas had recently come up with, which doesn't allow the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays, so I bought water instead and went outside to make journal notes.

That's when M.A. Wiley, the 'old man from Lampasas', waved me over to his truck.  He introduced himself, apologized for 'being nosey', and asked me which direction I was headed.  I told him, and he said I'd be in (the town of) Junction in about two and a half hours, and could buy beer there, but that he'd be happy to give me a couple to get me there (I Love California, but I Still Love Texas).

I told him on almost any other day, I'd jump at the offer, but after being reminded   of the law, I'd decided I was gonna 'be a good boy' and wait 'til noon.  Sure 'nuff, Junction arrived at 12:15pm, and the beer tasted great.

My love affair with the State continued to grow as I passed several signs on the freeway that simply said, "Drive Friendly."  I'd noticed this before, and this trip was the same… people really do drive more casually and respectfully in this State.  I'm not sure why… maybe 'cuz it's so fucking big, and it feels like there's more room in it, for everyone to get from point A to point B, without it feeling so much like a race, like it does in California.

After I made two quick stops in the towns of Sonora and Ozona, I came to the 'My Eyes are Burning' part of the day's ride.  The first time it happened, I was able to keep Honey on the road, but the second time, I had to pull over.  Fortunately there was an off-ramp available.  It was all I could do to get her parked on the side of the road.  I scrambled off my faithful mare, and blindly opened my saddlebag for my water bottle to rinse my eyes out.  It was most likely pollen, 'cuz I hadn't seen or felt any dust.  In any case, it was one of the most painful (and dangerous) episodes I'd experienced while riding in a long time.  In all the adventure trips I've done so far, there was only one other incident where I was even close to any real danger, and I do not take that fact lightly.  I'm knocking on wood as I write these words.

After I extinguished the burning fire in my eyes, and was back on the road… I experienced the only 'unfriendly drivers' I've ever had the misfortune to run into in Texas.  I coined them 'The Beemer Ass-holes.'  Two guys on BMW bikes who slowly passed me on the freeway and didn't look over at me, or even wave.  That was literally the only evidence of 'non-friendly' driving I've ever had in all the driving I've done in Texas.  Then, as they were pulling away, I saw the reason… both bikes had California plates on them.

Fort Stockton was just down the road for my last gas stop of the day, and then I was back in the saddle for my last leg to Van Horn.  I got Honey unpacked, myself showered and fed, and stretched out on the bed, just in time to see the opening kick off @ 7pm.  I woke up at 10:15, just in time to see the Cards loose, and was asleep for good at 10:30.   Day one:  511 miles.

Calif. is My Home (but I Still Love Texas):Preface- 1.5k words

 

                    CALIFORNIA

 

                          IS

 

                    MY HOME

 

 

 

                   (BUT I STILL LOVE TEXAS)

 

 

 

                                             PREFACE TO THIS STORY

This is another of my auto biographical, action adventure stories.  This one is based on bringing Honey (my motorcycle) back to Santa Cruz, California, from Austin, Texas.  Hopefully you've read my story entitled "Sometimes You Find Love In The Most Unexpected Places," it will explain in more detail why I had left her there, and why I went back to Austin, to bring her home.

 

 

 

                                                              WRITTEN BY:                                                                         

                                                                Ned Opdyke             

                                                   nedopdyke@gmail.com  

                                           opdykeconstruction.webs.com/                                            

                                             OTHER STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR

                                   The Gospel According To Ned - December1989

                        The Return of the Gospel According to Ned, Part II - March1990

                           The Yucatan Peninsula vs. Hurrican Wilma - October 2005

                          Please Allow Me To Introduce My Selves - November 2008

                               From Here To There And Back Again - June 2009

                                                  I Love Texas - May 2009

            Sometimes You Find the Love In The Most Unexpected Places - July 2009

                                            The Last Adventure… (of 2009)

SATURDAY 9/26/09:  SANTA CRUZ (CA) to KILLEEN (TX)

I slept in.  It was 6:30am, and I didn't know it then, but I would be grateful later.

I did a short workout at the gym, which basically amounted to a soak in the hot tub, a few minutes in the steam room, and a nice hot shower.  I didn't shave, I'd already warned Gaeir that I was gonna be nice and scruffy for her when I returned from my trip in a week.  She says she likes me clean-shaven… that I look younger.  Darn these gray hairs.

I was leaving for my brief, temporary home of Killeen, Texas, to retrieve my motorcycle Honey.  I'd spent the last two months without her, after leaving her and flying back to Santa Cruz, to give Gaeir and my relationship a trial run.  It had gone better than anyone could've possibly expected.  Even better than I could've dreamed, and I have a pretty good imagination.

In fact, I have been accused of having an overly active imagination, and sometimes spending too much time in my fantasy world, instead of our real one.  To these people I say, "poo-poo on you-you."  I spend plenty of time in our real world…  please don't condemn me for wanting to enjoy some time away once in awhile.

Besides, more often than not, my 'fantasies' are based on something going on in the real world that simply needs some embellishing, in order to make it 'taste' just a little better.  Don't worry though, this story is goanna be like all my previous ones… true blue through and through.  You can trust me on that.  Honest. You all know me well enough by now don'tchya?

When I got back to the house after my 'workout' and finished packing, I still had over an hour to kill, so I emailed G another package of pictures of myself, hoping    she would find one or two of them 'work safe' enough for her to print and post at her office, to prove to her coworkers that I really exist.

That's not really true… Jayme, her right-hand man, had met me already… she just wanted to have something at her desk to remind her how supremely lucky she is to have such a good lookin' boyfriend.  I wonder if her eyes are gonna roll back in her head when she reads this.

I had a small panic attack because she was running late, but she dropped me off at the San Jose airport right on schedule, which meant I had an hour to kill.  Just enough time to relax at the Shark Tank with a double Crown Royal on the rocks, and talk with her on the phone, trying to apologize for my really bad joke about her most previous relationship…

I had made a comment about the fact that she wanted to maintain a platonic relationship with this guy, even though it was very clear that the only kind of relationship he was interested in, was a sexual one.

I told her, "I guess beggars can't be choosers," and we parted at the airport with me feeling horrible for the comment, and her just feeling horrible.

I'd forgotten how fragile her self-esteem was.  My argument for my forgetfulness continues to be unchanged.  Gaeir is one of the most intelligent, beautiful, and enlightened beings on this planet, and I find it very difficult to understand how she could possibly have any doubts about herself in even the slightest way.

Of course in reality, I really don't know her all that well yet.  I suppose there's the possibility I'll find a skeleton or an abusive uncle in her closet.  I'd be surprised if I do though… she's been very forthcoming and obviously sincere in opening all her doors wide open for me, including her closet.

As I was boarding the plane, I remembered something she'd told me on the way to the airport.  I'd told her I generally wait until everyone else has gotten on the plane, so I'm not stuck in the sardine can any longer than necessary.  She told me that she likes to board as soon as possible and goes straight for the 'emergency exit row,' which has more legroom.  I'm so glad she told me about that.  I'm not sure why I'd never thought of it before.  I'm always gonna do that from now on.  Don't tell anyone about this ok?  Let's keep it our little secret, shall we?

I'll never understand how these things fly, and will always be amazed, but sure as I'm sittin' here… our big metal bird got us to Killeen right on schedule.

I called Taumie (my niece) to find out what kind of a car I should be looking for.  As I walked outside, lit my cigarette, and finished the conversation, I drooped my head… shook it sadly and slowly side to side… and let out a sigh.  She had forgotten me.

Her words:  "Derrick is leaving in my truck right now and should be there in less than an hour."  It was 7:05pm.  At 9:05pm, I walked over to the front of the line of taxis and asked the driver to take me to Killeen.  Derrick's cell phone 'died' so we didn't have any idea where he was, but I couldn't afford the time to continue waiting.  I wanted to be on the road by 8am the next day, and I knew it was gonna take a couple hours to prep Honey for the trip,  and it was gonna be well after midnight before I would get to sleep… if I got in the taxi and started towards Taumie's house now.

The unexpected $160 out of my very limited travel funds was gonna hurt, but my butt hurt even more, after sitting on the concrete bench outside the airport for as long as each of my flights had been to get to Austin.

As I was getting to Taumie's house, she called and said that Derrick was ok.  He'd taken the 'long cut' to get to the airport, and had been pulled over twice on the way, because Taumie's truck's license plate lights were not working.  Then… to top it off, instead of driving up to the arrivals sidewalk to get me, he'd somehow decided it would be better to park in the garage and walk into the terminal to look for me. Derrick is a nice kid, but he's not the brightest bulb in the box, by any means.

When we got to Taumie's house, I paid the cabdriver and went through the house and directly to the back patio where she and her friend Kristie were… doing what they do so well… smoking and talking.  I barely acknowledged them, and went straight to Honey.  I walked around her three times… stroking her, and telling her how much I loved her, and how sorry I was for leaving her unattended for so long.  Then I went back and sat down with Taumie and Kristie and joined them for about an hour and a half, smoking and talking… and drinking.  After the ordeal at the airport, I needed a beer… or six.

We played catch up on the two months that had passed since I'd left Honey in their backyard.  They were both sincerely happy for me, but said they were also sad that I was not going to be staying with them. Taumie can always touch my heart.  My eyes watered… she loves me… she really loves me.  In bed and asleep at 12:30am.