Chapter one. Get out and don't come back!

Day One......

It was an evening in mid September. Raining, dreary and unseasonably cold for Evan's little town in western Maryland. The leaves were turning and the trees looked like ominous shadows against the black and gray stormy sky. Evan and his Dad had been arguing again. Evan's hair was getting too long and Dad just didn't understand. Evan who had turned 17 in May had his own ideas and wasn't going to change for anyone. What with the crisis (war) in Vietnam in full swing and Evan more than likely to be drafted within a couple of years and probably be dead before he was 19. He was going to do his own thing no matter what.

Dylan was topping the pop charts and the Who was smashing equipment and raging rock and roll had taken Evan to a new place. Evan had always been a good boy. Never got in trouble. His Mom (Jean) and Dad (Dick) just couldn't figure out what had went wrong with him. To Evan nothing had went wrong at all in fact everything was just right. But that night changed Evan forever. That night, arguing with his Dad concerning just about everything Evan believed in, it happened. His Dad threw him out. And with the words that never escaped Evan's mind to this day. He said, get out and don't ever come back.Evan went into his room shattered and locked the door. His Dad promptly kicked the door open. His dad had been a victim of child abuse as a young boy and couldn't resist acting like his Dad. Evan was crying and Dick said you want something to cry about? I'll give you something to cry about boy, in a very loud and angry voice as he slapped Evan upside the head. Evan had been slapped by his Dad before but this time he decided to fight back. Dad promptly drew up a fist an knocked Evan through the wall. Dick said again in that tone that says I hate you. Get the hell out of my house NOW!At that point Evan, scraping himself up off the floor, proceeded to pack an old duffel bag he picked up at the Goodwill store. A few pair of pants? Evan couldn't even think any more. Lets see a shirt? Yea I'll need a shirt. Socks he muttered to himself. As Dick yelled you got something to say to me boy! Evan answered in a trembling voice, no sir. You better not Dick said. The whole time this was going on Evans Mother had been begging Dick to stop. He just kept telling her that god damn boy has got to get the hell out of my house. She said no, it is my house too. Dick never did treat Jean very well as he yelled you can get the hell out too. Evan grabbed a few more things and stuffed them in his bag. By this point he could hardly see for the tears and the headache he had. Evan headed toward the front door. When Dick stopped him right at the door and said just where the hell do you think your going. You told me to leave Dad, Evan muttered. Get the hell back in your god damn room and go the hell to bed exclaimed Dick before I kick your ass. Evan tried to push his way past Dick but he knocked Evan down again and ordered him back to his room. Evan dragging his duffel bag retreated to his room. But Evan had had enough of Dick's abuse. So he climbed out his window and left.

The rain was falling and it was windy and cold. In his haste to leave he only wore his blue jean jacket. He was freezing and afraid. Nowhere to go, nowhere to sleep, no money in his pocket. Evan's mind was racing and rushed like a freight train. He was thinking so much he didn't even realize that he had walked nearly 7 miles to the edge of town. Usually after Evan and Dick had a fight Dick would just yell through his bedroom door at him and beat Mom around before he went to bed. So Evan knew he wouldn't be missed until the morning.Crouched beneath an interstate bridge he thought you will never see me again Dad. Then reflected on his poor Mother who would be blamed for his leaving. He got sadder and more confused. Maybe I should go home he thought. What about Mom? But why should I? Back and forth he struggled with these questions. Gathering himself together as best he could at this point he walked up onto the interstate and began to walk south. Still pondering what should I do? Just what should I do? His mind became blank except for the pondering and the thoughts of his Mom. His head was pounding with a terrible pain. Every step he took just made it hurt worse. He was drenched to the bone but didn't seem to notice.Next thing you know he mindlessly put out his thumb. Evan had never hitch hiked before or been out this late at night by himself. Yet alone in the condition he was in. He sorta came to his senses for a second and felt the cold. Pulled up his collar, put his hands in his pockets and continued to walk on down the road. The traffic was heavy and speeding by him. When the trucks went by they created such a wind that it almost knocked him down and a blanket of water came along with it. He would turn his back to the wind and rain and shutter at the sound. Wondering, what if they don't see me standing here and run over me? Just what if? He began to think the oddest thoughts. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Oh my God I'm all alone. Evan mustered up his courage and held back the tears and threw his thumb straight up in the air this time. Somewhere he heard that was the way they did it in California and for a second he felt hip. I don't need anyone he said out loud. I'm going to show him he yelled. Go to hell you no good son of a bitch he exclaimed in a voice more powerful than he ever imagined he had. I'm on my own now and you will never find me. Go to hell, go to hell, go to hell, go to hell he said over and over almost like a song.

Evan was so preoccupied with his new found freedom he almost walked right into the back of a car that had stopped to pick him up. He thought for a second and said, wow man I got a ride. The cars window came down and a voice said throw your duffel bag in the back seat son and get in. It was a quite burly strong man's voice and felt very comforting. Evan did as instructed without a thought. Once in the car the man drove off. Evan said nothing he was out of the rain and the heat was on. The man was an older stately looking gentleman with gray hair. He drove a few miles without looking at Evan then he ask. What are you doing out here in the middle of the night all by yourself son. Evan searched all through his a mind for a story to tell the old man. Fidgeting and squirming to say something. The man said what's your name. Evan he said without hesitation. Where are going the man ask. Evan answered with where are you going sir? You have good manners the man exclaimed. Must come from a good family. Evan answered yes I do, thank you. The man said I'm going to west Virginia. Evan said, me too. I'm Joseph my friends call me Joe. Nice to meet you Evan. Hi Joe came easy for Evan to say. They drove for miles and nothing more was said. The heat felt so good and it was a nice big car. Well son this is my exit this is where I get off. Are you hungry? Evan surprisingly said, after thinking yes I am, no sir. Where are you going Joe said again. To my grandma's house in Florida slid out without a flaw. The car stopped and Evan buttoned up his jacket and got out. Joe said take care son it's a long way to Florida you know. Evan got his bag and told Joe, I know and thanks for the ride. Joe drove off and honked the horn. Evan waved and threw up his thumb.The rain had stopped and the wind had died down. It was still very chilly and Evan was still wet.

About 10 minutes went by and another car pulled over. An older white Mercedes it was. Evan ran to it and opened the door said hi my names Evan what's yours as he threw his bag between his legs on the floor. My names Charlie, The driver replied, nice to meet you. Evan was thinking about his Mom his head was feeling a little bit better and didn't really hear Charlie. Charlie said hey man you like Rock and Roll. Evan said yea man got any WHO?. No but if you'll get in that box in the back seat and get out the tape of Canned Heat. Evan got it. Charlie said stick it in. It was an 8 track and Charlie had speakers all over the car. Turn it up man Charlie said. So Evan did. As Charlie started to sing, goin' up the country do you want to go, goin' up the country, and Evan joined right in. They sang and sang. Charlie looked to be about 19 and had long hair, an earring, a head band and holes in his jeans. Evan thought man this guy is hip. About then Charlie reached over past Evan to the glove box and pulled out a little wooden box. You get high man he ask. Evan had not yet smoked pot but answered so as not to seem like a square, yea I do. Here then, roll one up as Charlie handed him the box. The box slid open from one side and had brass corners and a picture of a pot leaf on it. Here let me turn on the light. Evan had no idea how to roll a joint. But thought to himself about how his Grand Dad used to roll his own cigarettes and just took it from there. Light it up Charlie insisted as he turned off the light. Evan lit it and puffed it like a cigarette, blew it out and did not inhale then passed it to Charlie. Charlie said no man this is how you do it, as he took a big toke and held it in. Evan tried to hide his embarrassment and took it and toked it and coughed it all out. Thought you said you got high man Charlie exclaimed. Well really this is my first time said Evan. You'll get used to it, hit it again. Evan did. This time he held it and didn't even cough. He had forgotten about the fight with his Dad and his Mother and the idea that he was alone out in the world. Time stood still but went by like a New York minute. This is my turn off Charlie said. Want to come home with me and listen to some Dead. Evan just said no thanks. I need to get to Florida as soon as I can. Thanks anyway. Charlie replied O.K. man as he stopped the car. See ya round man as Evan climbed out.

Charlie drove off and Evan began to shiver.Oh my God where the hell am I? What am I doing out here all alone? Maybe I should just go home? I'm hungry and cold and so all alone. It's really dark. The stretch of highway he was on had no lights and there wasn't a moon it was hidden by the black storm clouds. Traffic was sparse, only 3 cars in an hour. None were stopping. He was stuck in the middle of nowhere with no place to go. Sleepy, wet, cold and stoned. He walked for quite a while and came to a bridge. He saw that he could crawl up under the road above, so he did. He felt uneasy but was so tired. He bundled up in a ball next to his bag, pulled his jean jacket around his neck and went to sleep.

Day two......

Today Evan awoke to the thunderous sounds of the highway above him as the big trucks came roaring over. The sun was just coming up. The sky was red and orange with sprinklings of bright almost white, yellow. The rain had stopped and the day was still. The smell of rain was still in the air and a pungent odor of diesel fuel and automobile exhaust hung like a cloud in the early morning mist. Evan looked below from his dingy little crawl space to the highway below gathered up his thoughts, grabbed his bag and climbed down from his overnight accommodations. Brushed his long black hair and tidied up a bit and promptly threw his thumb up in hopes of a ride. His stomach had began to growl a little and no one was stopping to pick him up. His clothes smelled like mildew and clung to his tall lanky frame in a most uncomfortable manner. A feeling hit him after about an hour like a terrible revelation. Oh my God what the hell am I doing out here all alone? Where am I going to go? Guess I could actually go to Florida to see Grandmom. Sure why not he thought to himself. I can't go home guess so I'll go someplace safe. He remembered when his Maw Maw would come in and tuck him in. When he was a young boy he spent a lot of time at her house. Mom and Dad fought so much that she would come over and take him home with her and he would stay for weeks at a time. He got all fuzzy and sentimental. Boy Evan's brain was racing. He muttered out load somebody please give me a ride?

At that point, all of a sudden like an answer to a prayer, a guy in a yellow bug pulled over. Evan ran down the highway. The car pulled over quite a ways down the road. And Evan did not want to miss this ride. A yellow bug he thought. This guy's gotta be cool. As he approached the car he immediately noticed that wasn't some hip dude who would sing Canned Heat as he drifted back to Charlie and his teaching him how to hit a joint. Evan stuck his head in through the now open passenger side window and gazed upon an elderly man with gray hair in a fine suit and tie, really distinguished looking, Einstein like fellow. Who said. Wait a minute I'll get out and open the trunk. Evan said thanks man as he threw in his bag. Get in the man said so Evan did. Once inside Evan noted, smells like a Doctor's office in here. Where ya comin' from young man? Evan told him Maryland. Oh I see. Hmmm? As the man shifted gears. It was a little chillier in the bug then it was standing along the highway. Seemed like every crack in that car had an air leak. Evan was still very wet. In his bleariness and the highway and all, Evan had not changed out of yesterdays' garb. And with the air blowing across his legs he is reminded that he is still very damp. He got a chill. Felt like the windows were all open.

Where you going in a very subtle but firm, definitely educated, very articulate voice was ask. Florida to see my Grandmom. She's expecting me. Don't know why, Evan thought, I told him that? In fact she had no idea that he was on his way at all. Evan envisioned his short, gray haired Grandmom and her second husband Paul as he spoke. Sorry but I'm only going to southern Virginia. Evan replied that's great man. Thanks for the ride. No problem was the response he got. Evan was wondering, so he ask. What's your name sir? Dr. Morris Trapington III. Wow the III geez how about that, the first III Evan had ever met. That's cool man your a doctor and named after your past generations. Where do you teach? Evan was full of questions and just couldn't wait to ask them. Evan was imagining that this guy had PhD in some prolific subject. I don't teach young man. I am a Doctor, a real practicing Physician, Doctor! I have been a Doctor for 56 years. Teach? Huh! Evan immediately thought of a joke his Great Grand Father used to say. He thought naw I shouldn't tell this joke to this guy. Oh well why not! Hey are you just practicing or are you a real doctor Morris? If your a real doctor you wouldn't need to practice now would you? Chuckled Evan. My Great Grand Dad taught me that one. Hahaha.

What did you say your name was young man? As Morris turned with a stern look. I didn't tell you yet! My name is Evan from Maryland. Remember? I'm going to Florida to see my Grandmaw Evan volunteered. Oh! Well nice to meet you Evan. Very funny Joke. I think I've heard it before. Your Grand Dad must have been a funny man. What did he do? Evan without delay began to tell Morris all about his Great Grand Father. He is still alive and 92 years old and gets around like he is 30 and is sharp as a tack and.... Evan was very found of his Great Grand Dad, Baw. Good old S.W. was a, to say the least, old fashin' man and still active at 92 years old. Carpenter by trade.

The storm was just up ahead and Evan was estimating how far away when the rain started gradually and became worse and worse. The wipers on the bug hardly worked at all and the defroster was more of an air conditioner and didn't help at all. After awhile they had driven through the storm and it was behind Evan again. Evan went on and on about his Great Grand Dad till Morris had to cut him off. This is my exit. Evan really didn't hear what Morris said and went on and on until Morris pulled over and said. Well Evan, I hope you make it to Florida safely. There is my turn just up ahead. Here let me get the trunk. Once out of the car Evan offered Morris a hand shake and Morris excepted with a firm but gentle handshake. Thanks for the ride Morris. No problem now you be careful and take care. As he got in the car and drove away.

Instead of hitch hiking right away Evan decided to walk. The cars flew by as if he was at a race track walking down the front straight away. The big trucks were scary. The wind they could carry and the vacuum like effect they make after they go by. It was still very chilly and Evan decided that he had to get out of those wet smelly clothes. So he ran up a hill through the pine trees and got to a spot far enough away from the highway and changed into semi dry clothes. The woods were peaceful and very quite. The smell of the trees was so powerful. You would never know that right over this little knoll there was a super highway. Evan sat down on a log and took a deep breath. Made Evan remember when Jean would get out the Pinesol and scour the house. He smiled. Used to stink up the whole damned house Dick used to say. Jean kept a very clean house. Evan's Mom was very youthful looking with her light brown shoulder length hair and tall figure. Although she worked a full time job as a clerk at a local grocery store she still always seemed to have time to cook and clean. Most of all she made time to spend with Evan. He missed her so much and could not imagine never seeing her again. The tears just would not stop. Evan was thinking over the past days events. Torn up and confused as hell. Yea I'll make it to Florida. Evan picked up his duffel bag and headed out to the highway. As he got closer the sounds of the highway got louder and louder. Like rollin' thunder. When he threw up his thumb. California style reaching out into the traffic. Made him feel kind of like a dare devil act. There he was again 45 minutes and no one Evan looked at stopped to pick him up. He could see and smell the storm moving in on him again and the wind was picking up! He tried to make eye contact with the on coming motorist but to no avail. People just were not interested in this long haired hippy looking kid on the side of the road. Evan was really hungry and his mouth tasted like garbage. In his haste and confusion in leaving he did not bring a tooth brush and the odor of the highway was about to make him sick. It was looking like the storm was gonna' catch up with him soon if he didn't get a ride.

Evan had counted nearly 700 cars and no one would stop. Another hour went by and still no ride. A few hawks had gathered overhead and they seemed to be stalking him. Another hour went by and the storm is about a mile away. So Evan set out walking as fast as he could. Both hands in his, still damp, blue jean jacket pockets. Off in the distance he spotted a bridge. The storm was moving in on him fast. He walked faster and faster. A few rain drops were falling and the sky was getting black as coal. He began to run as the rain got harder and harder. Then it began to sleet. The roads got slippery real fast. It was like they were covered with diamonds when the car headlights hit them. It wasn't night time but it was dark enough to be. Lightning was striking all around the wind was blowing with a gail force. Finally Evan made it to the bridge. He stopped to get his breath and sat down on the railing. The wind came through like the bridge was a wind tunnel. So Evan climbed up under the bridge to the little crawl space. There you go Evan thought. Frickin' wet and cold again. Your a no good son of a bitch Dad. I'm gone you ass hole. I hope you are happy. Evan knew his Mom was suffering over his leaving. She loved him so much. Dick was more than likely bitching her out more than ever now and trying to lay the blame on her. Evan got super sad and cried. I'm sorry Mom. I am truly sorry. Yea, Dad I'm out here all by myself! Wet and cold and frickin' hungry because of you! I'll never come home again. I'll never go home, never!

Shivering as the wind cut by him at what seemed to be 90 miles an hour. The sounds of the trucks roaring overhead were almost deafening. Evan came up with the idea to build a fire. But where would he find anything to burn? Everything would be way to wet. No fire tonight. The storm kept on raging and Evan began to feel trapped. A couple of times the wind had whipped into his little crawl space and about ripped him out of it. The thunder was crashing and the lightning flashing about every 3 seconds. Evan curled up to his bag and tried to smush into a corner and cover up with it. The wind kept blowing sheets of rain in on him. The storm settled down to a mild rumble about an hour or so later. You could hear the thunder rolling as the storm moved farther south. Great now I'm chasing the storm. Well I guess that's better than the storm chasing me. He grinned. Still raining and coming down by the bucket. Time to try to sleep. Time to get as comfortable as possible. Not going anywhere tonight. Took him hours to fall asleep. It was like all the exhaust fumes gathered up in the crawl space. Evans mind kept racing with all that had happened. Maybe I should just go home and make peace with my Dad. Why did all of this have to happen? How's my Mom? I'm hungry, sad, bewildered and confused. Sleep on and off. Hard to get comfortable. Wet, cold and nauseous.

Day three.....

The sounds of the big trucks became a lullaby this morning. Evan woke up, as if he got any sleep, around day break. He was getting used to the smell of the highway but still felt sick to his stomach. From where he lay he could not see the sunrise. Cold morning it was. A thin layer of frost was on him. Still wet and very overcast and dark. Instead of getting up he balled all up in a ball around his duffel bag and went into a sound sleep. When he woke up it must have been at least 1:00 p.m. Evan felt strange and discombuberated. Almost forgot that he was up on a ledge under a bridge for a moment and almost fell from his little crawl space that he had called home for the night. His stomach was telling him he had to eat. Oh, but what can he eat? "Man I'm gonna starve out here". He muttered to himself. He drifted back to the breakfast table in the small dining area off the kitchen at home. As he closed his eyes and the images became more vivid. He could smell the pan cakes and eggs. Oh the maple syrup, to have some maple syrup. He swallowed hard and said "Damn you Dad". He said it out loud. As he gathered himself up and walked to the edge of the highway. Thumb high in the air. Traffic was light compared to past days. He couldn't shake the images of his Mom in the kitchen. He tried to hold back the tears but a few managed to run down his face anyway.

The cars came in packs of three or four and an occasional big rig. It still looked grimm out. The sky was filled with giant rain clouds and the wind was blowing harder. Thirty minutes or so went by and Evan decided he just could not stand along the highway any longer in his wet clothes. He looked all around to find someplace out of site and dry to change. He turned around and went back to the bridge to change his clothes. When he went for his dry pants, shirt and socks. He almost fell apart. "That's it I'm done. Damn it! All my stuff! Damn it!" Seemed that everything in his bag was wet. Somehow the rain must have blown in the top of his bag in the middle of the night. "Now what?" Evan pondered. "I'm gonna freeze to death if I don't get some dry clothes." It was unseasonably cold for this time of year. Evan kept thinking the weather has to break and it get warmer again real soon. He sat in his shelter for over an hour. Not having any idea what to do. Not a clue. Evan thought about so many things while sitting there. His room at home. He had his room just the way he wanted it. Jimi Hendrix posters, Dylan poster, his black light which lit up his posters. His stereo and records. His drum set. His special places. His trinkets, Mom, Dad, Nan and Baw... He just couldn't rest. His mind would not stop. It was impossible to hold back the tears. Everything gone. He had nothing left. So depressed and all alone. It was going to be late soon. Could he get a ride? Before dark? Evan finally decided to put up his thumb again and head south. At least twenty minutes went by. The cars were coming by one by one.

Then someone pulled over. Evan ran for the car. It was an old Lincoln, Mercury. The back door sprang open as Evan approached. A young ladies voice said "jump on in." Evan did. There was enough room for his bag on the floor under his feet. Evan caught the musty odor of his duffel bag and hoped no one else did. A middle age Mexican looking man with short jet black hair and a black mustache was in the driver's seat and a middle aged big blonde lady, in the passenger seat, with a low cut skin tight red polyester top. Her hair was piled high and very 50's. To Evan she appeared to be his wife. The best part to Evan was this pretty young girl in the back seat with him. She was fair as the morning sky, he thought. Long, straight red hair and dimples to boot. Her smile was more like a blush. Evan was hooked at first sight, she was so cool. Blue jeans, T-shirt, vest, bangles, boots, earrings and beads. She said in a soft very sexy tone. "My name's Rachel what's yours?" Mom and Dad had not even turned around. For a few minutes it was just him and Rachel in the car. "Evan" he whispered as if he wanted no one else to hear. Dad turned around. "Just call me Bill and this if my girlfriend Martha and my good friend Rachel who you have already met." Wow! This was not what Evan presumed at all. Not Mom and Dad at all. Rachel was there all by herself. The thoughts that developed were so erotic and exciting. "Where are you headed Evan" exclaimed Bill, as Martha turned round and handed Evan an Old Milwaukee can of beer. "Florida!" Evan proudly pronounced. "Yea, I go down there a couple times a year. I like the sunshine and the ocean and all you know?" Rachel just nodded and blushed. She was so calm and such an energy that Evan could not think. "Thanks for the beer Martha." "Your welcome" she smiled. "We are all going to a party at Rachel's brother's house a little farther down the road this evening Evan." "Oh cool" he said. "Would you like to come along?" Rachel ask. Wow this beautiful girl just ask him to go to a party with her. "Sure" he expounded with glee. Trying to hide his excitement. "I'd love to." "Will there be a lot of people there?" "Yea a bunch. It's my Brother's birthday." Wow a birthday party. Evan had never had a real birthday party of his own. He could not help but think that there would be food there. He got really excited at the thought. The beer was not sitting to well in his empty all ready upset stomach. He would be there with the birthday boys sister. I'm in like Flynn he grinned to himself. "Good beer" he told Rachel. He had no idea why he said that. The beer tasted flat, it was warm and making him sick. "I like sloe gin" she answered to him. "We will get some at the party. My Brother always has a bottle for me." Evan couldn't wait to get there now. What anticipation he was feeling.

Bill made a turn off into the woods. It was pretty The way the near dusk sunlight cut through the thick trees and spooky too. "It's only a couple of more miles", Bill announced. As everyone sat quietly they turned in the drive. This was a big split level house on the side of a hill with a swimming pool and a big gate. Right in the middle of the woods. What a place! Evan was in amazement. He grew up in a small rancher on one building lot. An image of his families rancher flashed through his brain. The garage. The long blacktopped driveway that Evan and his Dad had put in by hand together that led up to it. Evan turned around and they all got out and moved to the trunk of the car. It was full of presents and a new set of golf clubs were so obvious. Bill and Martha grabbed it all and went inside. "Come on Evan I'll introduce you to my Brother Jake. Be careful Jake don't like many of my boyfriends." Wow! Evan thought almost out loud. I'm her boyfriend? Just think me. I'm her boyfriend. She's my girl friend. Wow, look at me. I got it made. What about the brother though? Got to make a good impression. All wet and run down, stinky and without a bath. Got to make a good impression. In the huge at least three car garage there were tables of all kinds of various finger food and kegs of beer lined half the other wall. Evan almost ran into the garage but waited for Rachel to introduce him. "Jake", Rachel yelled out. As they ran together and Jake picked her up and swung her around like a doll baby. He was as big as a truck. About six foot six and muscular as all get out. His sleeves were cut off of his button up plaid shirt which was not tucked in. He had a huge belly and Evan could tell that his pants didn't fit him right. Evan thought man this guy could be a mountain man. Well he was in the mountains? His wiry salt but mostly pepper hair and beard looked completely unkept. Rachel explained "this is my new friend Evan." He reached for Evan's hand and nearly crushed it with his hand shake. His hand was rough and dirty. The kind of dirt that doesn't wash off. "So, your my little sister's new boy friend huh?" Without giving Evan a chance to answer. Jake said, "Today is my birthday I turned 49. So believe me I don't need a rough time or a bunch of shit around here. So, you just behave yourself and enjoy the party Evan. That is your name isn't it? Evan?" "Yea that's it!" Evan spoke out. "Nice to meet you Evan." Rachel came running up and Jake picked her up and swung her around and ask her if she was feeling better today. She said "yes" as he hugged her and set her down. "Have a hors d'oevres" he said as he walked away. Evan turned around and to his surprise Rachel popped a chocolate covered strawberry right in his mouth. Evan just could not get over how delicious it was. The juice and the chocolate ran down his chin. Rachel came to the rescue with a paper napkin and wiped it off. Evan had never tasted anything so good. They walked into the garage. "What is this" he asked as he picked up a fancy tooth pick and stabbed a piece of chocolate. "I don't know" said Rachel. "Let me try it?" Evan was thrilled to feed it to her. Could he get any closer to touching her? As he gently laid the morsel on her lip and into her mouth. "Cantaloupe" she explained, as the juice ran down her chin she giggled. Evan was right on time with the napkin. He caressed the juice from her lips and face. As he got closer and closer to see if he got it all. Rachel whispered, "you get any closer and I'm gonna' kiss you." Evan moved closer and she did. Right on the lips. Evan was in heaven. They fed each other piece after piece. Strawberry and then a piece of honeydew. Oranges and grapes. Rachel was kissing the chocolate off Evan's chin and he was doing the same for her.

"Would you like to get out of those wet clothes" Rachel ask. What thoughts Evan was imagining at that point. "Yes I would but I don't have anything that's dry. The rain soaked all my stuff last night." "That's O.K. I will wash them and put them in the dryer downstairs. Come on," she said as she took Evan by the hand. They went to the car and got Evan's bag, down the stone stairs around the pool and to the basement they went. As they came in through the double glass doors Evan was astonished. It was a huge basement with a pool table, ping pong table, bar with 8 chairs, outrageous big oil paintings on the walls, oriental carpets everywhere and over stuffed leather furniture placed around a very ornate coffee table in the main room. One of the biggest T.V.s Evan had ever seen against the wall. It was like a small theater. There was even a kitchen and a full bath. Evan had never seen such a place. He thought, gee wiz my whole house could fit in just the main room. Then his thoughts turned. What house? I don't have a home anymore as he imagined his room. He got really sad and began to cry. He quickly hid his face and tried to smile. He knew Rachel saw his tears but she did not say anything about it. How cool she was not to have mentioned anything about his crying. He was still a little embarrassed that he cried in front of her.

"There is the shower right over there you can use. Take off those wet things and hand them out to me," she smiled. She was rummaging through Evan's bag pulling out everything in the bag including his underwear. "Here let me do that Rachel?" "That's alright you just relax and have a nice hot shower Hun. There is a robe you can wear in the closet and clean towels too. The shampoo is on the top shelf. I will be back in a little while to check on you and your laundry." She gently kissed Evan again and directed him to his shower. He so wanted to ask her to join him but thought better of the idea. He found the robe, towel and shampoo, handed his wet clothes out to Rachel and jumped in the shower. As he was showering he kept peaking out through the curtain to see if she would surprise him and jump in the shower. Didn't happen.

What a great shower. The bathroom was very big with mirrors all around and a double marble vanity. You could almost walk in the closet. Evan didn't have a lot of whiskers yet but what he did have were looking a little funky. Evan helped himself to the electric razor and the electric hair dryer hanging on the wall. He was thinking, what a fantastic place he was at and with a beautiful young lady. Old spice on the sink. That is what Evan's Dad always used and what Evan had grew up with. He splashed a little on his cleanly shaven face. He was forced to picture his Dad shaving and him laughing at Evan as soon as he hit puberty. He used to ask Evan "why he cultivated on his face what grew wild on his ass." Evan would tell him "It grows wild on my face too! I am growing a beard!" That was another thing that Dick did not agree with. Evan just could not shake the feeling that he was not ever going to see his Mom again. "No good Son of a bitchen son of a bitch you are Dad!" The tears swelled up in his eyes again. Have to stop crying before Rachel gets back. Can't let her see him like this again. The door to the bathroom opened a crack and Rachel inquired, "you alright in there Hun?" Evan answered shakily, "Yea I am fine Baby thanks." "Well then when your done come on out. I brought you a drink and some food." Evan finished brushing his long black hair, threw some water in his face and mustered up his best happy look and went out to the basement. Rachel was racking the balls on the pool table. "Want to shoot a game she asked." "Sure that would be great Baby," Evan announced. "O.K. Hun you break" she said as she handed him a sloe gin fizz. "Hope you like slow gin sweetheart." Just couldn't get any better than this Evan smiled to himself. As Evan was about to break Rachel reached over the table and fed him a succulant piece of lean roast beef. It just about melted in his mouth. "Mmmm that sure is good, thank you." Crack went the cue ball. Evan had learned to shoot pool at an early age. Another one of the things that his Dad had showed him. Dick used to take Evan to the pool hall/bar when Evan was just a little boy. Dick had trophies from shooting bar room pool all over his small basement.

They shot pool, ate roast beef, mashed potatoes, suckatash, cole slaw and potato salad, drank sloe gin, laughed, joked, kissed and brushed against each other every time they got close enough. Evan was getting excited and it was getting a little too obvious in the Terry cloth robe he was wearing. Rachel was such a powerful spirit. The buzzer went off on the dryer. Rachel had come down while Evan was showering and put his clothes in the dryer. "You finish your food and I'll get your clothes Dear." "I can get them" Evan said. "No! You just relax Honey. I'll get them." She folded everything so neatly and brought them to the sofa. "Now you get dressed. I'll be right back." Evan looked at the small pile of clothes. Three pair of blue jeans and five T-shirts some socks and underwear. Man I really didn't bring much he frowned. Damn you Dad! He went into the bathroom and got dressed. When he came out Rachel was sitting at the bar. "Come on lets go upstairs the Band is about to start and my brother wants to get to know you better. Some of my best girl friends are here and they really want to meet you too. Come on Hun" as she took him by the hand and led him to a door leading to a closed stairway. It was dark and Rachel spun around and next thing you know Evan and her are wrapped around each other in hot embrace. They are kissing and petting like young wild animals. Rachel breaks away and runs up the stairs. Evan playfully chases after her. At the top of the stairway was a huge living room.

There were a couple of long tables full of food along one wall! A full bar on another wall with two Bartenders in white shirts and black bow ties. The Band was set up at the far end of the room and everyone was mulling around eating, drinking and really having a good time. Jake walked straight up to Evan and ask. "You feel better now man?" Evan exclaimed, "I sure do." Evan answered Jake with a half smile. "Thank you for the hospitality Jake." "No problem! Hope you like rock and roll man? This Band is called Rhythm and Reason and are out of Richmond. They are kick ass," he yelled! Evan cringed for a second he was so loud. "You take good care of my little Sister now and have fun."

Right then about two dozen people came in and the place was a buzzin'. "Let's sit over here with my friends Evan", Rachel directed. The living room was set up like a grand ball room and still had room for the black leather living room furniture set up around a humongus T.V.. Big round tables and chairs all filled with all kinds of people. The table where they sat was filled with gorgeous young girls. Evan was the only guy at the table. He was flipping out. All of the girls were asking him all kinds of questions all at the same time. He could hardly keep up. "So! Your Rachel's new boy friend?" "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?" "How old are you?" "Do you like movies?" "How long have you been growing your hair?" "Where do you go to school?" With that question Evan thought. School? What about school? Man I will not graduate. What kind of a life will I have without a diploma? Wow, I probably won't be able to find a job. Quickly he replied. "I will be finishing school in Florida."

The band started and they were excellent. A tall dark haired girl singer and four guys. The keyboard player was superb. He was playing a Wurlitzer suit case keyboard. Evan having played drums since he was nine was checking out the drummer. Pretty good Evan thought. Yea, pretty good. Evan just about danced the night away with every girl at the table. Sometimes there were five dancing with him at a time. He danced all of the slow dances with Rachel. Her soft petite body tight against his. "They moved like they were made to be together" Rachel told him. He agreed whole heartedly. They danced and kissed and kissed and danced. A few times Evan was so light headed he almost fell down. Jake kept coming by and slapping Evan on the back and laughing very loud. Jake was drunk as a skunk and Evan and Rachel were not too far behind him. The room seemed to spin around and the lights were flashing from the stage. The Band was rockin', very loud and they played for hours. They were playing the Fugs' stuff from their second album, Frank Zappa's songs from Freak Out, the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Wilson Picket, Velvet Underground, James Brown, the Who, the Doors, Aretha , Patsy Cline and Dylan to mention a few.

Evan talked to all the band members throughout the night. The drummer Jay, a little short bald guy from Cleveland, offered Evan to play a couple songs. Not that Evan didn't just about insist that he play. He was getting a little tipsy. The lead Singer, Megan, announced Evan and he climbed up on the drum riser and behind this fantastic set of Gretch drums. "What do you want to do?" Ask Larry the Guitar player. "Anything you want I can play it" Evan responded. "How about Wooly Bully?" "You know it right?" Evan answered "Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs" and Larry counted it off. Evan thought it went super well. Larry said to the crowd, "lets here it for Evan from Maryland! Good job". They went straight into Soul Man by Sam and Dave and Evan played right along. He used to play this one with his Uncles. Larry said lets slow it down a little bit and kicked off Dock of the Bay by Otis. Evan choked back the tears during that one. He received a big round of applause and went back to his table. Thank you all Evan waved as he bowed and left the stage. Rachel was all over him now and the other girls were brushing up against him and touching him the rest of the night. A few of them went so far as to grab hold of him and kiss him. Just climbed right up on him like he was a tree. Right out of nowhere. The girls were all considerably shorter than Evan. He really didn't mind. Rachel didn't seem to care. She actually encouraged them to kiss and hug him. He was the envy of all the younger boys. They all hung out together on the other side of the room. Come by the table three at a time to ask the girls to dance and only a couple of times did Evan manage to make eye contact with one of them. He wasn't going to let these rich young punks mess up his evening. He ignored their stares and rude remarks about his hair and his boots. He had tucked is pant legs into his Dingo boots to play. Evan was having the time of his life. Eating jumbo shrimp with incredible cocktail sauce, sweet roast beef, fried spicy chicken wings, all kinds of cheeses, chocolate covered fruit and drinking one sloe gin right after the other. He was in Heaven! That was all there was to it. What a party!

Must have been 4:00 am by the time the people who were leaving were gone and those who were staying bedded down. This place must have had ten bedrooms at least. Evan and Rachel ended up being the only two still up. The living room was a total mess. Jake had passed out about an hour earlier and was on the living room sofa. A few other older guys were sprawled out around the room on the floor. The band had packed up and left over an hour ago. Rachel and Evan were almost both too drunk to move. "Let's go downstairs and sleep" Rachel suggested. "O.K. Baby sounds like a plan" Evan said. Evan was filled with anticipation as they helped each other across the room and down the stairs. Stopping to kiss and pet a few times along the way. Once in the basement. Rachel fixed them both another sloe gin and they sat together on the sofa. They couldn't keep their hands off of each other. This was the best lovin' Evan had ever experienced. Evan hadn't been this far with a girl before. He gently maneuvered Rachel to a prone position. They curled up on the over stuffed sofa as one. Evan had way too much to drink. They kissed, cuddled and petted for a few minutes more and both passed out all wrapped around each other fully dressed. Nose to nose. Cheek to cheek. Breathing each others breath. "Sweet dreams" Evan whispered as he momentarily woke up. A little later Evan woke up in a panic. Looked around trying to figure out where he was. It was all so strange. He was utterly confused. The odd feeling passed and he smiled and kissed Rachel. She would respond for a second and go back to sleep. How perfect this night was. Evan had wild ideas running through his brain throughout the hours before day break. He could get a job, get a place with Rachel and stay with her forever. He dreamt that they moved into the basement and Evan worked for Jake doing something. It was summer time and Rachel was half naked and all of her girlfriends were also. He was laying by the pool and they were feeding him chocolates. Evan drifted in and out of sleep all morning. His head was pounding and his stomach was queasy from all the sloe gin, chocolate and shrimp he consumed.

Day four.....

Evan woke up around 12:30 pm to the beautiful sound of Rachel's voice. "We didn't a??, Evan wake up! Did we a...? Did we?" She was standing beside him all flustered. "Well did we?" Evan looked up at her terrified look. "Did we what Baby?" "You know! Tell me we didn't!" "Didn't what?" Evan had a nasty hangover and was barely awake. "Make love," she exclaimed. Evan had to think for a moment. "I don't think so. Did we?" "I don't know," she said. "I'm not supposed to do that if we did?" "What?" Evan said rubbing his eyes and sitting up as best he could. "I can't do that," she said again with a loud tone. "Why?" Asked Evan. "I just can't do that!!" Evan ask again, "why not?" "I just can't!!!" "Please tell me I will understand. Please?" "O.K. You ask for it! I have ovarian cancer and getting pregnant could kill me." Evan felt so close to her then. She shared a truth with him that made him feel so loved and trusted. "Here Baby, sit down here next to me. I am sure we didn't make love. We were both way too drunk. Not that I wouldn't have wanted too. You are such a wonderful, beautiful lady." He put his arm around her and she cried on his shoulder. "So, that's why Jake ask her if she was feeling better? Hmmm?" He comforted her as best he knew how. Never seeing his Mom and Dad cuddle or even touch. Evan didn't have much experience in how to be loving. He was thinking this is what love is all about. Holding the person you care about in their time of need. All he knew was Rachel needed him and he needed her. Rachel still sobbing ask. "Why were you crying yesterday Hun?" About knocked Evan on the floor. "What do I tell her?" He thought in a panic. "The truth? Some story?" She was honest with him so he told her his whole story as he began to cry. He just could not hide the pain he was in from her anymore. They both sat there and held each other and cried out loud together for hours. Both feeling each other's pain and sharing their inner most feelings. Evan could not help but think that destiny had sent him out of his Fathers' house and right into the arms of the love of his life. With arms wrapped around each other in such a compassionate embrace. They kissed and kissed each other's tears away one by one. Her tears tasted like a sweet exotic aphrodisiac straight out of the brine barrel. Evan was intoxicated with her openness and true concern for him. His head was pounding from the party. He started imagining getting some food. Maybe some roast beef and eggs? Showering with Rachel and starting his new life. After all Jake did like him and he could work for his and Rachel's keep. They had both settled down and were all cuddled up together. Rachel was so beautiful in the dim light of the basement. Evan went back to when they were slow dancing last night and what Rachel had said about how well they fit together. Their deep relaxing breathes joined together as one. Hearts beating in synchronization. "I have found paradise on earth," he smiled with a hearty sigh as he kissed her on the forehead. She said, "yea, paradise."

"You hungry?" Rachel ask looking up from his chest. "A little. You?" Evan ask as he brushed her long red hair back with his fingers. "Let me up. I'll go upstairs and get something." Evan said "O.K." as he rolled over and released her. She went upstairs. Evan stood up and nearly fell back down He was still drunk and felt like hell. He went into the bathroom and threw some water in his face. He had to hang on to the sink a couple of times. He managed to brush his hair and rub some tooth paste over his teeth with his finger. Topped it off with a splash of Old Spice. He cleared the coffee table and waited for Rachel. She came back with roast beef and eggs. Evan smiled and shook his head. She could read his mind. "Jake is still passed out" she said on her way into the kitchen. They whipped up a super spectacular roast beef omelet, with whole wheat toast and orange marmalade, that was fit for a King. Made a terrible mess with the cappuccino machine. Coffee everywhere! Evan was having so much fun. They laughed and laughed. Evan carried the plates and Rachel the cappuccino. Rachel turned on the big screen T.V. and handed Evan the remote. He switched through stations as they ate. They didn't pay much attention to the T.V.. Evan would feed Rachel a fork full of his and she would feed him a fork full of her's.

"I need a shower. How about you?" Rachel asked. "Yea I could stand one for sure" was Evan's answer. She really had read Evan's mind. A shower? How much more vivid could he have imaginined. They finished their coffee and headed for the shower. Rachel proceeded to lay out clean towels as Evan took off his socks. Only the night light was on beside the mirror over the sink. Rachel turned on the shower. "Do you like it hot Hun?" She inquired. Evan moved behind her and reached over to feel the water. "That's perfect Baby" He replied as he hugged her. Rachel turned around and pulled Evan's T-shirt over his head and off. Laid her head on his bare chest and kissed his nipples. Evan shivered inside to his very soul. Evan slowly reached for her shirt. He started to pull it up when Rachel did it for him. She turned around and Evan undid her black lace bra and dropped it to the floor. When Rachel turned around Evan's eyes nearly popped out of his head. She had the fairest skin and freckles everywhere. Beautiful points of her own sitting way up firm and high. Her nipples were like flowers in a virgin garden. They moved together chest to chest and kissed. Rachel was running her fingers up and down his back. "Evan's whole body would quiver from her touch. Rachel stepped away and undid her wide brown leather belt and pulled down her zipper. Evan followed suit and did the same. They moved together and hugged and kissed. Rachel pulled her pants down and stepped out of them. Evan was overwhelmed by her fantastic body. She was about 5' 8" and around 100 lbs. The lines of her body were a magnificent work of art. Her legs and ass had such incredible definition. Every muscle was perfectly proportioned. Little tiny black lace panties is all she had on. Evan stripped down to his Fruit of the Looms and they walked to the shower. They stopped and kissed and rubbed against each others flesh. Evan was hard and there was no way to hide it. Rachel took Evan's underwear off and fondled him a bit. Then she took her's off. The small patch of hair that was revealed was as red as the hair on her head. Evan slid his hand up from her knee and across her and lingered for a second. How warm and moist she was. Rachel stepped into the shower. Evan joined her. "Here Honey" Rachel said as she moved to let Evan under the shower. Evan couldn't get over the way the water had run down over her body and between her legs to form somewhat of a nanny goat beard. Rachel washed his hair. The stimulation was running through Evan's entire body. They changed places and Evan washed her hair. Her long flowing red hair was silky soft and ravishing. Rachel almost crumbled with delight as Evan massaged her head. The water was running off her hard nipples like fountains and it ran straight down off her beard between her legs. Evan laughed to himself. "Looks like she is peeing." "Turn around I'll get your back." Rachel said as she slid around him and picked up a luffa. Evan stretched out and put both hands high against the shower wall as she scrubbed the back of him head to toe. "Your turn" Evan announced and she stretched out. Evan stopped and admired her. Couldn't get any better than this as she handed him the luffa and he went to work. It was Mesmerizing to touch her. Evan was cleaning and exploring every minute part of her anatomy. "Time for the front" Rachel told him. She fondled him with a giggle. Evan stood straight up with his arms outreached to the sides of the shower. His feet were in a wide stance. She started washing his neck and chest. She washed his nipples, kissed and played with them. Evan was alive with excitement. This certainly was paradise on earth.

Jake yelled down the stairs in a very abrupt voice. "Rachel! You and that boy down there?" Evan swallowed hard. "That Boy?" Rachel exclaimed! "Yea, I'm in the shower. I'll be right up." "Get the hell up here now" he yelled as he slammed the door. Evan ask "what should I do?" Rachel jumped out of the shower. "Get dressed before he comes down here!" The door opened again and Jake yelled again. "Both of you get your asses up here before I have to come down there! Right now!" He slammed the door again. Reminded Evan of the way his Dad talked to him. "You just get dressed and stay here Evan I'll go up and calm him down. He always does this when I bring a boy here." She grabbed a robe and went upstairs. Evan got dressed as quick as he could. He could hear yelling and screaming but could not make out what was being said. Bill came in from outside and said, "get your stuff together and meet me at the car as fast as you can." Evan grabbed his clothes and threw them in his bag and ran up to the car. Bill already had it turned around in the drive. "Get in Evan, hurry." Evan did just that. Bill tore off down the drive way and out through the gate. Evan just kept looking back to see if Rachel or her Brother were following behind. "What about Rachel and Martha?" Evan ask. "They will be alright. I just needed to get you out of there before Jake went bazerk on you. Did you screw Rachel?" "No man!" Evan replied. "Well Jake thinks you did and that is not a good thing." "We can go back and Rachel and I can tell him I didn't Bill." "No! It's best that you leave well enough alone. I will drop you off on the interstate." Evan felt a big hole inside of him. Lost his new love and all alone once again. Bill pulled over and said, "really nice to meet you Evan." "Tell Rachel I love her for me please Bill?" "Will do! Good bye." Evan got out and just stood there stunned and numb. His hair was still wet.

Well at least it wasn't raining and his clothes were dry he reflected. Didn't much matter though he did not have Rachel. He was alone. "Rachel my Rachel." He missed her so much. "Oh my dearest Rachel" he lamented. He just walked off into the woods and felt so all alone. He cried out her name. "Rachel!" His head had not stopped pounding from the alcohol. He yelled out loud "Rachel my Sweet Rachel." He was on the edge of insanity at this point. Rambling through the woods like a madman. Crying and yelling and falling down. Just how could he go on from here. How could he make it without Rachel's tender love and understanding. Just what would he do now? "Wish I was dead" he shouted at the top his lungs. "Wish I was dead!" "Rachel, sweet Rachel." Out of nowhere a feeling of survival came over him. You can make it a voice inside his head repeated over and over again. So, with that thought he made his way back to the highway. His heart was heavy and his head was spinning. Tears still rolling down his cheeks. The thought of Rachel at the forefront of his mind. He thought about trying to find his way back to Jakes more than once. Instead he started meandering aimlessly, mindlessly down the highway. "Rachel, oh Rachel." Choking back the tears as best he could. He didn't even see or hear the cars and trucks as they sped by him. He was in a daze.

A horn sounded abruptly and snapped him to his senses for a second. It was a van pulling over about twenty yards down the road. It started to back up. Evan wanted to run and hide from whoever it was. Couldn't let anyone see him like this. But he didn't. He just stood there. He didn't know why but he didn't run. The van backed clear up to him and a middle aged black man in a cream colored crew neck sweater and dark brown dress pants jumped out of the drivers door and hurried to Evan. "You O.K.?" The man ask in a very concerned voice. "I almost ran over you!" Evan still broke up and crying said "no man I'm not." "Where are you going?" The man inquired. "I don't know," Evan said. "Do you need a ride?" "Yes I do thank you." "Come on then get in and tell me all about it." He opened the sliding door of the van and there were eight young black people in it sitting all about the floor. Evan got in threw his bag clear in the back and found a place to sit. Everyone just looked at him like he was some kind of alien being or something. Made him feel really uneasy. The driver turned around and ask his name. "I am Evan," he barely got out. He introduced everyone in the van. He was Gerald and the rest of the crew his wife and children. Ten of them in all. They all said hello one by one. Evan began to feel a little more comfortable. He had managed to stop crying but was a real mess. So embarrassed he felt. Empty and lost. "Where are you headed" one of the older children ask. "Florida, that is where I am going. Yea, Florida. That is where I'm going. Florida. To see my Grandmaw she lives there in Florida." It was so hard for Evan to formulate a thought. After all the pain and emotion's he was feeling. The separation from his Mom and the loss of Rachel, the storm he was experiencing inside and the storm that had been beating him since he left. He smiled a crooked smile and pulled his collar up. "Are you a hippy?" One of the younger children blurted out anxiously. Before Evan could think Gerald said, "of course he is not a hippy. You think I would pick up a hippy. Now be quite and leave Evan alone all of you." He smiled so gently at Evan. Gerald must have had a 6th sense about the way Evan was feeling. Why did he stop in the first place? Just who was he anyway Evan was thinking. At that same moment Gerald turned about half way around and answered Evans thought. "I am a Baptist Minister and we are on our way to a revival." Praise the lord rang out from the whole group and filled the van. "Praise the lord, Amen brother." Praise the lord from one and then another. "Amen! Praise the lord" Evan sang out. It just popped out to Evans' amazement. "Amen brother" echoed back! Then the whole van broke into a joyous rendition of Amen.

"Aaamen....Aaamen...Aamen..Amen..Amen Hallelujah brother." Evan began to sing right along. "Amen!" The more he sang the louder and more powerful the rest of the group sang. Next thing you know everyone is clapping hands and waiving back and forth singing all the religious songs they knew. Evan did not know many of them but he sang along as best he could. He was having a fantastic time and felt like the weight of the world had been lifted right off of his shoulders. This ride was truly a blessing. The singing subsided for a brief moment and Evan ask one of the kids where the revival was. Gerald answered, "a little town on the Georgia border Evan." Wow! Evan was thinking to himself. I will be almost to Florida. When Gerald said "you won't be too far from your Grandmamma in Florida Evan." Gerald must have had ESP or something Evan imagined. Gerald still did not ask him what the matter was. Evan assumed he must have already knew all there was to know somehow. Gerald struck up another negro spiritual round. Something about pickin' cotton. Everyone took there round and gave Evan a go at it. He sang right out "Aint a pickin' cotton no more, no more." Geez what did he know about pickin' cotton in the first place. He had grown up in a middle class neighborhood in rural Maryland. He sang and sang anyway. Felt like he had found a brand new family of friends. It was raining super hard again and it was past night fall. Gerald instructed that everyone should get settled in and get some sleep. All made their own little spaces and Gerald and his wife sang a soft, gentle lullaby. One of the older boys recited the Lord's prayer as everyone got situated. Evan slept a warm, dry, peaceful sleep for the most part. He missed Rachel beside him. Her tender touch. Her gentle green eyes. When he slept he dreamt about the life they could have had together. Maybe he should turn around and go make peace with Jake? With Dad? "Mom" he murmered. "Mom."

Day five....

Evan woke up a couple of times and looked around the van. All were sleeping except Gerald who seemed to be glued to the road. The rain had stopped and the sun was coming up. Without so much as a look, Gerald said in a very quite and gentle voice. "Is that you Evan?" "Huh?" Evan answered. Shocked that Gerald knew he was awake. "Uh, yea, it's me. " "Come up here with me for a minute son." Evan climbed over a few of the children and hunkered down between the front seats looking up at Gerald. "You want to talk about anything son?" Gerald inquired with a sincere serene smile. "Well, I don't know sir," was Evan's reply. "Go ahead son get it off your chest." Evan swallowed hard and just before he spoke Gerald ask if he liked coffee. "Yes sir I do." Evan had drank coffee since he was a little boy. His Nan used to make it for him. Jean always had a pot brewing at home. "Good then get that thermos and pour us a cup. The cups are under the seat." Evan poured two cups of black coffee and handed one to Gerald. Gerald smiled again and his smile said "tell me about your troubles son." So, Evan filled him in on the whole shebang. Gerald would smile and say "praise the Lord," "bless you" or "Amen" every time Evan finished a thought. Nothing more was said by Gerald. No advise, no oh I'm sorry, nothing. He just left Evan spill his guts. And he did with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes! Evan did not understand why but he felt so at ease there beside Gerald. The others started waking up with a "I'm hungry," "I have to go to the bathroom," "what time is it? “Gerald answered each one of them so kindly. Then he said. "We are going to stop at the next rest stop and we all can eat and do whatever else we needed to do."

He pulled into the rest stop and parked right in front of a picnic table. Maureen, his wife, a tall slender beautiful woman with long flowing jet black hair, started gathering all sorts of stuff from the back of the van. She spread a white linen tablecloth on the table and, with the help of the five girls, started putting out the food. Gerald and the boys pulled a large hibachi off the top of the van and started the fire. Evan went inside the rest room, washed up, and changed his clothes. His shirt smelled like Rachel. He could not stand the smell she was gone. He just walked around like a lost puppy. Thinking about everything that had happened to him. He just could not get Rachel off his mind and started to cry when he saw her in his minds eye. He kept thinking about his Mom and what she must be going through because of his leaving. It was a beautiful sunny morning. The smell of bacon and eggs on an open fire was captivating. "Come Evan sit down and eat," Maureen insisted. It all tasted so good Evan had seconds. It was hard to believe that there was any food left over but Gerald who waited almost till last to eat cleaned up the left overs. Motorists passing by just about wrecked their cars starring at them. Must have been a site to see for the times. One longhaired white boy with a family of ten black folks. No one seemed to notice but Evan. It was all so natural for him to be with this beautiful family. However, it was the late 60's and they were in South Carolina. After breakfast, the whole crew helped clean up. Evan included. The oldest boy, Carl pulled out a Frisbee and started throwing it around. The whole family and Evan joined in. Gerald put out the fire and disposed of the ashes. What a great time was had there in the sun at the rest stop with those glorious people.

"Best get back on the road if we want to get there before dark," Gerald announced. They all piled back in the van and set off for Georgia. The kids talked and talked and talked about just about everything in the world. Church, the revival, school, boy friends, girl friends, family, frisbee, you name it. Evan joined in occasionally but not much. He was deep in thought about his life and what was going to become of him and his Mom. He went in and out of depression over and over. Could not stop himself from thinking and worrying about Rachel. The hours went by like minutes. Gerald would turn around occasionally and smile at Evan so gently. Gave Evan a secure and pleasant feeling when he did. Gerald was without a doubt an angel sent from above. Nevertheless, Evan kept drifting back to the past events and sadness. "Any body hungry," Maureen asks. The entire family let loose with a big, "yea." She passed out country ham sandwiches to all. Evan could not eat. He felt sick to his stomach and was a bundle of nerves. Anna the youngest girl had to go pee. Gerald said, "we will pull off soon and we all can stretch and all go to the potty." They all laughed.

Gerald pulled into a small country gas station and everyone took a turn at the toilet. The gas station attendant was an older gray haired southern gentleman. His blue jeans and white t-shirt were covered in grease and oil. He was pumping the gas when Evan went to the van for his ham sandwich. Evan said, "hello" and the man just looked at him. Evan got his sandwich and on his way out of the van, he heard the man mutter, "Niger lover." This upset Evan so much he just wanted to punch that ass hole right in the mouth. Gerald walked up to the van and put his arm around Evan's shoulder and told him not to mind the man and that some people in this area were pretty prejudiced and backwards. Evan explained that he just wanted teach that son of bitch a lesson in manners. Gerald replied, "he will learn soon enough without you getting involved. Now settle down son and lets be on our way." Somehow, Gerald had all the right answers. Evan still could not resist flippin' the guy the bird through the rear window as they drove away. "A couple more hours and we will be there," Gerald told them all. Again, the hallelujahs, Amens and Praise the Lord rang out. Maureen started singing a soothing melody about the rebirth of the Lord and all just sat quietly and listened. She had an amazingly soft yet powerful voice. Evan felt so at ease while she was singing.

The second oldest boy and girl, Jake and Sarah, pulled out a monopoly board. Everyone slid around to make room for the board on the floor. Adam the youngest boy grabbed the money and announced, "I'm the banker.” Anna said, "I want to be the shoe." They started playing. Maria the third oldest and Betsy the next to the youngest played cat in the cradle in the back of the van. Carl the oldest boy and Liz the oldest girl moved over on either side of Evan and sort of faced him. "How long you been on the road," Carl inquired. Evan answered, about four days now." "Your brave," Liz spoke out. Evan hadn't actually noticed how beautiful Liz was before that moment. She had a soft semi light color skin tone. The biggest brown eyes Evan had ever seen. She had her Dad’s smile, so gentle and kind. Evan replied, "Naw, I'm not brave." "Well I think you are," she perked. Anna stretched out and Liz moved right next to Evan. Carl said, "I'm going up front with Dad." Evan moved away from Liz. She followed. Her arm brushed against his hand and he couldn't help but notice how soft she was. "Where are you from Evan?" "I'm from Maryland." "Why are you hitchhiking?" "Oh, I just love being out on the open road. What a feeling of freedom you get out there." "Do you have a girl friend," she asked. "No not right now," he told her. She moved a little closer. "Neither do I. Have a boy friend that is," she laughed. The Monopoly game was going hard and heavy. Jake seemed to own most of the board and Anna was whining and complaining that she was out of money. Sarah told her, "take out a loan." She did. A huge one. Everybody laughed. Liz was leaning over Evan's back to see the game. Evan felt her heat on his back as he tried to find another position. When he moved so did she. They met noses in the process and Liz kissed him right on the lips. He didn't know what to do. He was stunned. She was gorgeous and his age. In the position they settled, Liz was almost sitting on his lap. He reached one arm around her waist and laid it in her lap. She snuggled against his shoulder. Her hair had an unusual aroma. Evan had never experienced it before. It was sweet but thick he thought. It was driving Evan crazy. Like an animals scent. Evan tried again to move away. He managed to find a space where he could lean against the wall. Liz crawled right on top of him. A couple of the other kids snickered. Gerald and Maureen did not turn around or say a word. Evan put his arm around her and she snuggled up just under his chin. Her smell was driving him mad. "What is it?" he asks himself. Strange odor to his nostrils. Evan was so comfortable and tired that he fell asleep for a little while.

"Well Evan, unless you want to go to the revival with us you might want to gather up your stuff. I will be turning off about three more exits up," Gerald said. A sinking feeling came over Evan. "Back out on the highway all alone again." He almost threw up at the thought. "Well here we are Evan. I'll get the door for you." When Evan got out of the van the rest of the gang did too. They all took turns hugging him and blessing him. Liz kissed him again and they hugged each other tight. Maureen handed him a brown paper bag full of sandwiches and kissed him on the forehead. Gerald shook his hand and with that gentle smile on his face said, "Bless you my son and God speed." They all jumped back in the van and drove off. Evan could see all the hands waving in the back windows as he watched the van until it disappeared into nothingness. He stashed the sandwiches in his bag.

Standing there, he felt happy, sad, sick, scared and all alone. But, He thought, "what a ride. What beautiful people. Liz was so sweet to me. Such a wonderful family. Why couldn't my family be half as nice?" The sun was low in the sky and it was getting a little chilly. Evan wondered if he should hitch hike now or find a place to sleep and set out for Florida tomorrow. He decided to find a place to sleep. He opted to walk off the road and find a place in the woods where he could build a fire. After about half an hour he found a magnificent clearing with a pond. He gathered wood for the fire and piled leaves up for a bed. He had a time of it getting a fire going but finally succeeded with only one match left. It got dark and Evan sat there beside his fire thinking about Gerald and his family. Charlie, Morris, Rachel and most of all his Mom. He cried some and laughed some. As he stoked the fire before he was going to sleep he found himself singing "Amen...Aaamen" and chuckled and laid down on his bed of leaves to sleep. Sleep came easy. A few hours later, all hell broke loose. The storm had found him again. This time he had no shelter. He pushed his back against a tree and covered up as best he could behind his duffel bag. The storm raged for what seemed like weeks. Beating him nearly senseless. "Damn you Dad," he screamed out. "Damn you!" Lightning struck a tree not more than twenty yards from him with a thunderous crash and blinding flash of light. He knew that by morning he would more than likely be dead. He just pulled his bag closer to him and tried to hide from the violent weather but to no avail. It was hailing and blowing with such force that he could hardly sit up. "Damn you Dad!!! Damn you! Go ahead kill me," he belted out at the storm. "Go ahead just frickin' kill me." With every streak of lightning, he jumped about out of his skin. The thunder was so loud it hurt his ears. The wind blew his bag out of his hands and across the clearing. When he went to retrieve it the wind blew him down. Over and over again. He had almost no energy left in his body and his mind was willing to give up. Why not he was soaked again being beat by the hail, knocked down by the wind and cold as could be. He just kept thinking. "If I die here no one will know. My Mom won't know that I am dead. Oh my Mom. Mom" he quietly cried. "Mom please help me Mom. Please don't let me die. Please. Mooooom!!!! Mom!!! Mom! Damn you Dad!!! Damn you!!!!! Go ahead just kill me!!! Go ahead! Why not? Kill me damn it!! KILL ME!!!! KILL ME!!!!!" Just by chance, the wind threw him against a fallen tree. He moved to the other side of it and found a bit of relief. The wind blew the rain and hail over him. He curled up, stayed there, cried and shivered the rest of the night. Cried and shivered and cried and shivered with no sleep.

Day six...

As daylight approached, Evan could not fathom that he had survived the horrible night. It was still raining and not only was he beat to a pulp but his clothes were muddy and his body ached all over. He was so tired. He managed to get moving very slowly. He visually searched for his duffel bag and found it lying half way in the pond. “My God!” He said aloud. “What's next?” He made his way over to his bag and drug it out of the water. When he opened it, the first thing he saw was the sandwiches that Maureen had given him. There wasn't much left of the bread it had been just about completely dissolved by the water and found it's way all through his bag and all over his clothes. An empty hole wrenched itself in the pit of his heart. He took a piece of ham out and ate it. Then another piece and ate that. The rain was light but he was still cold. There was a fog hanging about two feet off the clearing. The grass crunched beneath his feet as he moved about. I need to build a fire he thought as he searched his pockets for his matches. Only one match left and it was soaked. “Oh no, I don't have any matches.” A dreadful feeling of despair came over him. “I might as well be dead.” How was he going to dry out his stuff? This was by far the worst night Evan had ever experienced in his entire life. Feeling totally defeated he sat down and cried until he couldn't cry anymore. His head was pounding from his stress and his stomach felt like someone had stabbed him. “I'm never going to make it to Florida,” he said to himself. “Never going to make it. How can I get back out there on the road the way I look? People will never pick me up. I'll end up dying out here.” He screamed, “Damn!!! Damn you!!!! Damn you!!! Damn you Dad!!!” He broke down and fell to his knees. “Please help me,” he pronounced in a trembling almost non-existent tone. Evan had grown up Catholic but didn't pray much. He was actually begging for help on his knees. He could barely see for his tears. The rain had stopped but he did not notice. The fog had lifted and a ray of sunshine could be seen breaking through the Silvery gray and off white billowing clouds. Evan was so mentally destroyed at that point that he did not see the ray of sunshine at all. “Please, please somebody help me,” he murmured. “Please help me God, please help me? Please?” He fell to his elbows and then all the way to the ground. Balled up in a fetal position and shook all over. He just kept saying. “Please God help me.”

A man's voice rang out from somewhere. “Hey! What are you doing?” Evan thought it must be a dream. “Hey you there. What are you doing?” The voice inquired. Evan couldn't move he felt paralyzed. An old man with a brown, black and white Heinz 57 variety sort of collie looking dog walked up on him. The dog started licking Evans face. The man said, “are you all right boy?” Evan gathered all of his strength and answered. “No sir.” “Are you hurt?” Evan shook his head no. “Here, let me help you,” the gentleman said as he helped Evan to a sitting position. “Are you O.K.” He asks? Evan shook his head no and with his lip quivering tried to speak but nothing came out. “Can you walk young man?” Even nodded yes. “Well then, come with me my farm is right over there.” He pointed but Evan did not see any buildings. The dog, the man called Ginger, was still licking and jumping all around Evan. The man helped Evan up threw his bag over his shoulder and away they went. Evan nearly collapsed a couple of times on the way. The man put his arm around him and pretty much carried him to the house.

Once inside the farmer kindly said.”Here sit down son.” The farmer pulled out an old wooden kitchen chair and sat Evan at the table. Ginger laid her head on Evans leg and looked so sad. “Mary come here and fix a pot of coffee.” The farmer sat on the other side of the shabby wooden table. He was a big man slightly bald with a scruffy salt and pepper beard. His bib overalls were torn and worn. Mary a little tiny wisp of a woman with gray platinum hair and a tattered apron set to making coffee without a word. She had a kind smile and whistled quietly as she put some wood in the old cook stove. She poured Evan and the farmer who she called Daddy a cup of coffee. There is no way, Evan thought, this could be his Daughter she was at least 75 or 80 years old. Evan shaking picked up the cup with both hands and spilled some on the floor. Mary announced, “That's alright.” as she grabbed a worn out dish towel and wiped it up. She put her hand on Evan's shoulder and told him. “You are safe now.” Evan began to cry. “Here, here, now everything will be all right.” Mary said as she patted Even on the top of his head. Mary reminded him so much of his Nan. Her name was Mary also, and his Baw called his Nan Mommy. He couldn't believe it. Nan was Evans Great Grand Mother who he loved with all of his heart. Ginger had not moved an inch and Evan reached down and scratched her ear. She licked his hand and Evan sort of smiled. “What were you doing out there by the pond?” The farmer asked. Evan broke down again and tried so hard to talk. It was so difficult to get the words out. “I am a traveling man.” Evan whispered. “A traveling man?” Bellowed the farmer. “Ah-ha! I did a bit of that when I was a younger man,” He added as he smiled and looked into Evan's bloodshot eyes. “We used to ride a horse though back in my day.” Mary was busy at the cook stove fixing something that smelled strange to Evan. “What is your name son?” The farmer asks as he sipped his coffee from an old tin cup. “Evan” is all he said. “They call me Bear” the farmer smiled. Mary added, “his name is Bobby Jo.” “I like Bear better you know that Mommy.” Evan could not understand. “Mommy and Daddy? Huh?” Evan's Nan also called his Baw Daddy. This had to be a dream. It just could not be true.

It was very hot in the kitchen with the stove fire. Steam was rolling off Evan's clothes and he was sweating. Mary put a plate of food in front of Evan and got him a knife and a fork. Evan had never seen food that looked like what she gave him. He thought, “what in the world is this stuff,” as he pushed the food around the plate a little with his fork. Bear ask. “What's the matter Evan don't you like biscuits, gravy and grits?” “I don't know sir.” Evan managed to say. “I never had them.” “Boy oh boy, you don't know what your missin' son. Eat up!” Mary poured Evan another cup of coffee. Bear stood up and he and Mary left the room. Evan took a small bite and much to his surprise, it was delicious. He shoveled it in as fast as he could.

He had finished every bit of food on his plate when Bear and Mary returned. Bear handed Evan an old pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt and directed him to go in the bedroom and change. Evan accepted with a crooked little pouting smile. The jeans were at least three sizes too big around the waist and way to short. He laced his belt through most of the belt loops and tightened it. Evan was six feet tall. The shirt was big enough to be a tent. Evan put them on anyway. He looked like lil' Abner he thought. But at least he was dry. The bedroom was hardly big enough to turn around in. A worn out dresser with a stained mirror against one wall. A small chipped up Vanity on another and a big double bed, which looked like it was made of 4 x 4's. It was a very dark room with one window with tattered lace curtains. It had a peculiar odor. Kind of like the locker room at Evan's high school. Evan started thinking about all of his school friends and when, if ever, he would see any of them again. He thought again about Rachel, his Mom, his Nan, his Dad, Liz and could not hold back the tears. He was beginning to get used to the salty taste of his tears as they ran down his cheeks and onto his lips. He found a rubber band on the floor, tied his hair back into a ponytail with it, and went back to the kitchen.

”You feelin' better Evan?” Bear piped out. Gave Evan a start. He was behind him and Evan did not see him. “Yes sir a lot better. Thanks.” “Mommy will wash your clothes. Come on! We don't sit around all day around here. There is work to be done. Finish your coffee and meet me out at the barn.” Evan chugged his coffee and out the door they went. Evan looked a site with his Dingo boots and high water pants as he walked into the barn. Evan had carved stars on the tops of his boots and painted them red, white and blue. They stood out like a sore thumb. Bear didn't say anything about it so Evan just laughed a little about it. More like a small smile than a real laugh. “Get that dung fork over there Evan and come on down here.” Bear walked to the other end of the barn. Evan looked around. “Dung fork?” He spotted a few in a corner of what he learned to call pitchforks . There were three different sizes. “Dung fork? Which one is that? Hmmmm.” Evan grabbed the five tine fork and threw it over his shoulder like a soldier. When he walked up to Bear he laughed out loud at Evan. “Boy not the hay fork the dung fork. Hahaha Evan. You never worked on a farm before huh?” “No sir this is the first time.” “Well go up there and get the fork with three tines and bring it here.” Evan did.

"Didn't your Daddy teach you anything?" Bear said with a grin. "AH...not much." Evan replied. "Not much?" Said Bear. "Do you know how to drive?" Evan answered, "Yea, I can drive." "Well who taught you?" Asked Bear. "My Dad did." Said Evan. Evan thought about the old 50 Chevy he learned to drive in. It was going to have been his in a couple of months. "Well we will see if you can drive this afternoon." Stated Bear. "Now fork that shit into this wheel barrel and dump it around the corner." "You will see the pile." "I will be working on the tractor." Bear said as he walked out of the barn. Evan went to work. The shit must have been a foot deep and was so hard to move. Wheel barrel after wheel barrel full Evan moved. With Evan weighing in at a solid 147 pounds, a few time he almost dumped it on his way around the corner to the pile. The odor was sickening sweet and Evans Dingo boots and hands were taking a beating. It was hard work. Evan went at it like a trooper. The hard work was good for him. He didn't see Bear at all the rest of the morning. Evan was filling the last wheel barrel load when Bear walked back in the barn. "Good job son." Bear smiled. "Thank you sir." Evan replied. "You call me Bear, Evan." Said Bear with a firm look. "O.K. Bear." Evan answered. "Mommy has our lunch ready. So come on lets eat." Bear said as he put his arm over Evan's shoulder and started toward the house.

"You hungry? Bear inquired. Then he said. "You must be. You worked very hard." "I could eat the north end of a south bound mule right about now." Evan chuckled. Bear laughed a hearty ha ha ha. Evan smiled at him as they arrived at the house. "Kick your boots off and slip these on." Bear directed Evan to a pair of worn out leather slippers about 3 sizes too big. Bear must have worn at least a size 13 shoe. Evan kicked off his shit covered boots and shuffled into the kitchen in the slippers. He was certainly a sight. It was about 100 degrees and smelled so appetizing. "Mommy has your clothes laid out in on the bed." Mary added. "All nice a clean for you Evan." "Thank you Maam." Evan said as he sat down to the old table. "Evan worked out real good out in the barn Mommy." Bear almost whispered. Evan thought, "what a soft gentle voice Bear used with her." "You must be hungry?" Mary asked. "Yes Maam, that I am." "Well get over to the sink and wash those hands before you get any food at my table. You too Daddy." Bear leaned over the table and quietly said, "better do as she says son. She packs a pretty mean wallop for a little woman." "I heard that." Mary laughed. "Now wash up before the soup gets cold. Evan and Bear followed her instructions like a couple of giddy schoolboys.

When they sat back down, there was a big bowl of chicken corn soup, a half loaf of homemade bread and a pound of butter on the table. "Would you like coffee or milk Evan?" Mary inquired. Evans response was ." Coffee with milk, please Maam." "Eat up son. We got a lot of work to do before dark." Bear explained. "Before Dark!" Evan shockingly thought. "I really should get back on the road soon today." Evan told them. "Nonsense! You are staying here tonight." Bear answered in a most convincing tone. "We'll have no more talk of you traveling today and that's that!" Mary added. "Now eat up. You will need your strength if you are going to keep up with Daddy." She smiled. "This is really good soup Maam." Evan told Mary. "It all came from right here on the farm." Bear said. "Sure is good." Evan garbled as he chewed the sweet bread and butter. Mary filled his coffee, served him and Bear a second bowl of soup and put fresh bread on the table. They ate, finished their coffee and were kicked back and relaxed when Bear spoke up. "Well time to get back to work son." Evan was stuffed. His muscles hurt, he was tired and two blisters had burst on his left hand. Bear exclaimed. "Lets go Evan! We will never get anything done sittin' round the kitchen like a couple of old women." "I should change my clothes first Bear." Evan said. "No sense dirtying up your clean clothes. Might just as well wear what you are. Now come on lets get a move on." Bear insisted. Evan reluctantly shuffled to the door.

It was a beautiful day. Bright blue sky with a spattering of soft white clouds. A slight breeze and around 60 degrees. Before Evan took a look at his Dingo's he was beginning to get in some better spirit. But, when he saw his boots all covered in cow shit he almost cried. He said out loud. "Damn! Done ruined my boots. Shit!" Bear explained. 'No you didn't ruin them. We will clean then up real good for you tonight. Scrape them off over there on the boot scraper, for now." Evan did and then followed Bear around to the back of the house to a run down shed. Bear pulled the bolt and swung open the double doors. Inside was a small rubber tired, front end loader. It looked about a 100 years old. "So, Evan, can you drive that." Bear asked as he pointed at the loader. Evan's look of doubt said it all as Bear climbed into the drivers seat and started the engine. It sounded like it was going to fly apart at any second. Bear slammed it in gear and bounced out of the shed. Bear yelled. "Climb up here and I'll show you how to drive this contraption." Evan climbed up and stood on the small running board as Bear showed him. There were two levers on one side, two levers on the other side and one pedal on the floor. No steering wheel at all. Evan couldn't figure out were the brake was and how was he going to turn? Bear explained that there were no brakes and that Evan would have to. "Pull two handles back to stop or back up. Push both forward to go. Pull the left one and push the right one to turn left. Just the opposite to turn right. The pedal is the gas. The other handle on the left moves the bucket up and down and the other one on the right is to dump the bucket. Now, you think you can handle her, Evan?" "I think so! Why not? Yea, I can drive it!" Evan excitedly proclaimed. Bear turned the engine off and Evan climbed into the drivers seat and started it. It shook like a can of bolts. Bear pointed to go around the house as he ran around the corner. Evan needed to turn a little to the left so he did as Bear had told him and spun the machine clear around and almost was thrown off. Evan almost had a heart attack. "I can see this thing is going to be a little touchy." He thought as he delicately maneuvered around to where he wanted it. "Both levers forward." he muttered. The loader leapt forward just about giving him whiplash. He was rolling and in the right direction though. By he time Evan made it around the house he had the hang of it and was driving like a pro. Bear pointed at the shit pile and a shit spreader and Evan began to scoop up the shit and dump it in the spreader. Bear watched and directed when Evan got a out of hand. Evan thought. " It was kind of like riding a bucking bronco." Evan never thought he could have so much fun working. Non the less shoveling shit. Took quite a bit of shit to fill the spreader but Evan finally succeeded. Bear instructed Evan to turn off the loader and climb on the tractor with him. Bear pulled the spreader out to the field and the shit hit the fan. Evan sat up on the fender while Bear drove. "You chew?" Bear asked as he pulled a plug of Red Man out of his pocket and took a bite. Evan had never chewed tobacco before. "No sir, but I would like to try." Bear handed him the plug and Evan took a bite. It was bitter sweet and filled Evan's mouth with juice right away. Bear spit and Evan did the same. The juice ran down Evan's chin. Bear could spit a country mile. He taught Evan the art and they spat and spread shit all over the field. The tractor was loud. The exhaust pipe stuck straight up through the hood and billowed blue white smoke which occasionally would blow right back in their faces. Evan was turning green from the exhaust fumes and the chew. They filled and spread three spreaders full. Cleaned out the spreader and put away the loader. Bear drove the loader into the shed. Evan was grateful for that. The sun was getting low in the sky. A red purple line of Cyrus clouds were stretched across the horizon. The temperature was dropping and Bear announced. "Time to call it a day son." Evan replied. "Yea, just about that time I'd say." "Mommy will have super on and we'd best not be late." Bear added.

As they walked back toward the house they kindled a relationship like Evan had never known. Bear would on purpose bump into Evan and push him around a bit in a playful manner. Bear could have knocked Evan down any time he wanted. He was only nudging him. Evan followed suit and kind of wrestled Bear around when he had the chance. They laughed and rough housed all the way to the house. Evan could smell the aroma of something that smelled awfully good coming from the house. Bear exclaimed. "Hog maul! Boy Evan you are a lucky guy. I can't get Mommy to make hog maul for me unless I take her to town for a day of shopping. I just might have to keep you around for awhile. Ha ha ha." They took off their boots and Evan shuffled into the kitchen in his oversized slippers.

"I drew a hot bath for you Evan." Mary announced. "Thank you Maam." Evan replied. Bear walked up to Mary and kissed her softly on the cheek and said. "I love you Mommy." She answered. "I love you too Daddy." Evan went into the bedroom, picked out a change of clothes and went off for a bath. The bathroom was at the end of the hall just past the bedroom. There was just enough room to stand beside the tub. There was a toilet but no sink. A clean, dirty white, towel was on the rack and a washcloth hanging on the side of the old claw foot tub. Steam was rolling off the surface of the water and a small electric open faced heater was running at the far end of the room beside the toilet. Evan took off his lil' Abner clothes and eased into the tub. The tub was a long one and the water was just right. Evan laid back and stretched out. Drew a little more hot water and almost fell asleep. His body was aching all over. He couldn't seem to think about anything. Everything was a blank for a time. "Why am I here?" He asked. "Who am I?" He could smell the food cooking in the kitchen, and he was hungry. So, he quickly washed. "What am I going to tell Bear and Mary?" Even pondered as he dried off with the old dilapidated towel. He put on his boot cut 501 button fly Levi's with the peace flag patch on the bottom of one leg. "That's me!" He smiled, as he strapped his belt through the loops. He put on a plain white T-shirt. It smelled so good when he pulled it over his head. Evan wondered. "Hmm, wonder what kind of detergent Mary used?" Evan felt good in clean underwear and clothes. He put on his white socks and did his best James Dean. Tied back his hair, slipped into his huge slippers and shuffled out to the kitchen.

Day six continued..

The air was filled with the smell of dinner. There seemed to be a hint of something sweet in the aroma. Mary had covered the table with an off white linen tablecloth and all the dishes matched. They were blue and white with pictures of birds on them. Bear was sitting already and when he saw Evan he immediately stood up and said. "You sure look like you are feeling better son." Evan answered. "Yes sir, much better. Dinner sure smells great." "Here sit down son." Bear told Evan, as he pulled out the old chair for him. In the middle of the table, right beside the salt and pepper, was a big loaf of hot home made bread, on a cutting board, covered with a dish towel. Evan was so tired he could hardly sit up straight. "Bring Evan some coffee Mommy." Bear asked in a very gentle, loving tone. Mary poured them both a cup of coffee and placed a creamer, that matched the dishes, in front of Evan. Bear complimented Evan. "You did good work today son. That old loader is not the easiest thing in the world to drive. Your Daddy must have taught you how to drive pretty damned good." Evan didn't answer. He just smiled a crooked smile, took a sip of his coffee and looked at Bear. "Watch your mouth now Daddy. Your not at a poker game!" Mary exclaimed. Bear grinned child like, raised his eyebrows at Evan and answered. "Yes ma'am! Sorry Mommy." He chuckled as Mary brought over a platter with the hog maul. "Sure looks and smells good." Evan announced. The platter matched the rest of the dishes and was filled as full as it could be. Evan had eaten hog maul before. His Nan used to make it for special occasions. He had never seen one as big as this one. It covered the entire platter. Bear got up and pulled Mary's chair out for her. "Here Mommy you sit down and eat with us." He whispered so gently. He then walked over to the counter, beside the sink, and pulled a carving knife out of the knife bin. He sharpened it and came back to the table. The knife cut through the hog maul like it was melted butter. "Do you pray Evan?" Mary inquired. "I used to when I was a boy." Evan answered. Bear injected. "We pray at dinner all the time around here. I'll say grace." He and Mary folded their hands on the edge of the table and closed their eyes. Evan did the same as Bear prayed. "Thank you dear Lord for these thy gifts which we are about to receive. From thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Thank you Lord for our health, our home and for sending Evan home to us. We thank you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." They all crossed themselves and said. "Amen." Evan, a little confused, thought? "Did he say thanks for sending me home to them?"

"Pass me your plate Evan." Bear said as he reached toward him. Evan did and Bear put a huge slice on it. Must have been two inches thick. Evan took the plate and sat it in front of him. Bear then served Mary and himself. "Dig in son." Bear said as he shoveled up a big fork full. Mary handed Evan a piece of butter bread. "Here Evan dip this in the juice." "That's the way I like it." Bear let out with his mouth full. Evan thanked her and sopped up some juice and stuffed the bread in his mouth. The juice ran down his chin. Bear laughed.

"Evan did real good working today Mommy." Bear explained. "I knew he would." Was her response. "Drove the old loader like he grew up on it. "Bear added. "Well why wouldn't he? He learned from the best." Mary said. Evan smiled and said. "Thank you. I enjoyed learning about farming. That loader sure was a challenge. About wore me out." They all laughed. "Here son have another helping. Your going to need your strength."Bear said as he flipped another big slice onto Evan's plate. "Eat up son." Evan ate till he couldn't eat another bite. Sopped the juice up with his bread leaned back in his chair and stretched. His belt was feeling a little tight around his waist. Mary poured them both another cup of coffee. "Thank you ma'am." Evan whispered. Mary started to clear the table. Evan offered to help but Bear insisted he sit down and enjoy his coffee. "Mommy can take care of cleaning up. You worked hard today." He stated. The table was cleared and Mary began washing the dishes. Bear and Evan were still sitting at the table. Both laid back and relaxed and as stuffed as Christmas turkeys. Bear stood up.

"I'll be right back son. I have a surprise for you. Your favorite pipe and tobacco." Bear said as he walked down the small hall and into a room on the left. Evan sort of peeking around the corner to see where Bear had gone. "That's your room Evan." Mary announced. Bear came back with a huge smile on his face. A rack of old wooden pipes and two tins of tobacco. He handed Evan a beautiful straight stem hand carved briar and one of the tins. They loaded the bowls and lit them with wooden matches. Evan took a puff and said to Bear. "Wow! This is really good tobacco. What kind is it?" "It's your favorite Evan. Imported from London, England. All the way on the other side of the world. I am surprised at you my dear boy." Mary said as she shook her head and continued washing the dishes. "Give the boy a chance Mommy. He has only been home for one day. It will take time." Bear lovingly replied. Evan didn't understand what they were talking about. After all he was a stranger and moving on in the morning. Bear and Evan sat at the table smoking their pipes and drinking coffee for a few more minutes.

"Bring your coffee Evan and lets you and me go in the living room. We'll see if Paul Harvey's on. Come along Mary. You don't want to miss the show." Bear shouted from the living room. "I'm coming Daddy. Has it started yet?" Just starting Bear told her. "Sit here son." Bear pointed to an old recliner in the corner. "Be careful the handle sticks sometimes." Bear explained to Evan. "O.K. Bear. I will. Thanks." Evan answered. Mary and Bear sat on the sofa. The wooden radio was right next to the sofa where Bear could reach it without getting up. The program came on. "Hello everybody this is Paul Harvey with the news." Mary and Bear were glued to the radio as if something was going to jump out of it. "Today! Troops were attacked and 55 were killed outside of Hanoi. A reporter Walter Cronkite was there. It is easier now for journalists to be in the thick of battle." "We sure are glad you didn't die over there son." Bear mumbled with a sad look and a tear in his eye. "Me too! " Evan blurted out. "But I haven't been there yet and I don't want to go either." "You see Mommy I said it would take a little time. Bear whispered softly. "Alright Evan whatever you say son." Bear smiled and put his hand on Evan's knee. The program went on and on and on and on. News, sports, sports, news, weather, sports, news....."Thank you everyone. This has been Paul Harvey with the news!" Evan was so relieved that the program was over.

"Lets get those boots of yours cleaned up for you son? Before it gets dark and we can't see our hands in front of our faces." Bear expressed softly. "O.K. Bear", Evan expounded, "I'm all for that. They sure took a beating today. How in the world are we ever going to get them clean?" Bear smiled. "Go out and scrape them off on the boot scraper and I will be right out. "Mommy where is that can of saddle soap we bought in town last week?" "I put it under the sink Daddy." Mary answered. Evan went outside and looked at his shit covered boots and almost cried. He began to scrape the shit right of his boots. Reminded him of a song and he started to sing. "Got to scrape the shit right off your boots." Bear came out smiling. "Give me that boot there Evan." He said. Bear had a bucket of hot soapy water and what seemed like a complete cobblers shoe kit with him. He took a scrub brush to the boot and dunked it in the hot water. "Oh no!" Evan thought. "Man, I will never be able to wear my boots in the morning. They will be soaked." Bear pulled out the tin of saddle soap and lathered the boot up real good. "This will clean 'em up son and make them soft too." He told Evan. "Looks a lot better already." Evan exclaimed. "You aint seen nothin' yet son. They will look better than ever when I'm done with them. You just wait and see." He followed the same procedure with the second boot. Bear never said a word about the stars Evan had carved into the leather around the tops of them. "Lets get inside and set these next to the heater in the bathroom. Bear said as he carried both boots inside. "we will oil them up in a few minutes." He told Evan as he came out of the bathroom.

"How about some cherry pie and ice cream?" Bear inquired. "Sure that would be super." Evan answered. "Mommy! How about getting us a piece of that cherry pie and dip us up some of that there ice cream? Bear asked. "That was the sweet smell from earlier", Evan imagined. Mary quickly replied. "I'll be right there Daddy. Why don't you go ahead and get the pie out. It is still in the oven. Be careful it's still hot." Evan's mouth was watering. He remembered how his Nan used to bake all the time and cherry pie was a real treat. Mary came into the kitchen and pulled the ice cream out of the old ice box and set it on the table. She cut the pie and put a slice in a bowl. She put two big scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. It began to melt as soon as it hit the hot pie. Then she got out the milk and put a little into the bowl and put it in front of Evan. It smelled so good Evan could hardly wait to taste it. "Go ahead son. Get to it before your ice cream all melts." Bear said. Mary made Bear a bowl and he and Evan dug in. Bear was finished in an instant. "I'll get you boots and oil them up for you now son." Bear said as he walked into the bathroom. He sat back down to the table and rubbed mink oil all over Evan's boots. They were looking great. "Thank you so much for cleaning my boots Bear. You really know your leather. I can tell. Never thought they would ever come clean." Evan admiringly exclaimed. "Take care of your leather and your leather will take care of you." Bear replied as he rubbed more oil on the boot. "We will put these in the bathroom for the night, next to the heater, so the oil can soak in." He said. "Cool." Was Evan's response. Mary was cleaning up the kitchen counter and putting dishes away.

"Well Mommy guess we should get ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow. Evan and I are going to paint the barn." "The barn?? Not me!! No way!! Evan thought. "I am leaving here in the morning. No ifs ands or buts." Mary said. "Come along now Evan. I'll turn down the sheets for you." Bear said very gently. " Good night son. See you in the morning. Don't let the bed bugs bite" Evan relied. "Good night Bear" as he followed Mary to the room on the left side of the hall. They entered and Mary turned on a small dim floor lamp. As Evan looked around he saw pictures of Jimi Hendrix on the wall and the same Bob Dylan poster he had in his room. There were baseball bats and a glove in one corner. An old acoustic guitar in another. One wall was painted with day glow paints. Looked kind of Peter Max like to Evan. "Here Evan." Mary motioned toward the bed. "Now you get your sleep. Daddy gets up with the birds and you will need to be ready to go." Evan sat down on the bed and she kissed him on the forehead and left the room. "Good night son." She said as she shut the door. Evan noticed his bag on the floor beside the door and his clothes were stacked on top of a cedar chest at the foot of the bed. "Great my stuff is in here." He thought. As he looked around he saw a picture on top of the dresser on the other side of the room. He walked over to see it. When he picked it up and got it into the light he just about could not believe his eyes. It looked like a picture of him. Blue jeans, long hair, and all. Beside it was another picture of the same boy in uniform. His heart began to thump. These people think he actually is their son. Evan got really scared. "Am I locked in?" He was about to panic. He turned the door knob and the door opened. Bear was heading toward his bedroom. "Good night son." He smiled. Evan was relieved but still scared. "I need to get out of here now!" He muttered. "Might just as well sleep for a bit." After all Bear and Mary did not hurt him. So he figured why not? He got undressed and crawled under the covers. The sheets were chilly but warmed up quickly. It was so nice for him to be in a real bed. He fell asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

No time at all had passed till Evan was awake. He rolled and tossed around. There was no way he could sleep. No way he could get comfortable. He kept thinking. "How am I going to get up and out of here before Bear gets up? I have to go now." He got up and packed his bag. Tip toed to the bathroom and got his boots. "Where am I going to sleep tonight? How can I leave while it is dark? Can't be here in the morning!" He searched the room for a alarm clock and found one behind a certificate of meritorious service awarded to corporal Evan Broadwater who was killed in the line of duty. "My God their son's name was Evan." He said aloud. He set the alarm for 3:30 am and laid back down. He drifted in and out of restless sleep in anticipation of the alarm clock going off. The night seemed to be a week long. "What if they hear the alarm?" He said to himself. "Can't let that happen." At 3:00 am he was up and dressed. His boots were damp, there was a misty dew and it was foggy out. He remembered seeing a note book and some pencils on the desk where the certificate was. He opened the note book and wrote a note. "Dear Bear and Mary", he wrote as a tear dropped and stained the paper, "I am very sorry that you lost your Evan. Thank you so very much for all of your love and hospitality. But, I am not your son and I must be moving on. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart." Another tear fell on the paper. "Love, Evan." He climbed out of the window and headed toward the highway. It was cold and damp out. He was tired and all alone once again. As he walked away he couldn't help but feel that maybe he should go back. He felt so sorry for Bear and Mary. How could they be so happy after loosing their son? "Life is just not fair." Evan shouted. "Just not fair! Just not fair! Damn the war! What right do they have to send us young men off to die?" He cried for their loss and for the fact that he could not do anything to help them. After they did so much to help him.

Day seven...

Evan walked out by the pond, stopped for a few minutes, and sat down on the log he had hidden behind. The moon was bright. Everything was a surreal calm black and white. He was so tired that his eyes fell shut a couple of times. He shook his head to stay awake but it didn't help. He fell asleep sitting on the log.

"Evan?" "Evan wake up!" "Evan!" Evan woke up to Bear's voice and ginger jumping up on him. "Shit!" Evan said. "What is the matter son?" Bear inquired. "I am not your son Bear!" Evan exclaimed. "Of course your not my son, Evan. My son, Evan, was killed in Vietnam two months ago. Mommy has not given up hope that he will be home. You know? She can't except that he died a hero over there. I am sorry if you thought that Evan." "Well it was the things you said and the way you acted which made me think you believed I was." Evan humbly announced. "Mommy and I thought that God sent you to us to fill the empty hole in our hearts. Not to replace our son. Nobody could ever do that." Bear kindly explained. "Now come on back to the house and have some breakfast. Mommy doesn't know you left and I won't tell her. After breakfast I will drive you to town and drop you off so you can continue your journey." "Thanks Bear!" Evan replied. They walked back to the house. Bear started horse playing and Evan followed suit. Bear put Ginger in her kennel beside the house. I keep her in here because I don't want her out on the highway. She has wandered out there a couple of times. It is a wonder she is still alive." Bear chuckled. Evan threw his bag on the porch and followed Bear into the house.

As they walked into the kitchen Mary was heaping scrambled eggs on the plates already on the table. The coffee was poured and the creamer beside Evan's cup. Must have been 5 pounds of bacon on a big plate and hot buttered toast piled 10 slices high next to it. "I see you had your morning walk with Daddy Evan." Mary said. "Yes Ma'am I did. Beautiful morning." Evan winked at Bear. "Yup! Beautiful morning for sure Mommy." Bear declared. "Are you going to start painting the barn this morning?" Mary asked. "Well Mommy, we decided it would be best if Evan made his way home today. You know Mommy he has a family of his own." "Oh, but I so wished you would stay with us for a little while longer Evan. You remind me so much of my son who is in the Army. He will be coming home from the war soon. You would like him a lot. I know he would be disappointed if you left before he got home and had a chance to get to know you." "Sorry Ma'am, my Grandmother is expecting me any day now." Evan told her. Evan could see the sadness in Mary's face. It hurt him deep in his soul to look at her. Bear and Evan finished their food and were just about to finish their coffee when Bear said. "I am taking Evan to town Mommy. Is there anything you need while I am there?" "Let me see. Hmmm? I will make you a list." Mommy smiled as she cleared the table. "O.K. Mommy." Bear smiled back. Mary wrote up a list of things she needed and laid it on the table next to Bear. Bear and Evan finished their coffee. "Lets go out and see if the old truck will start Evan." Bear requested as he walked out the door. Evan followed him with one last glance, a smile and a "Thank you for everything Ma'am" back at Mary. "You are welcome Evan." Mary replied. "Now you take good care and come back and see us real soon." Mary insisted. "O.K. Ma'am, thanks again. I will do that! Good Bye." Mary answered. "Good Bye Evan."

Bear slung open the doors to the old shed he called a garage. "I sure hope old Bessy starts. Cross your fingers Evan." Bear said as he climbed in the drivers seat of this battleship gray 1949 Studebaker pickup truck. Bear put the key in the ignition and stepped on the starter. The engine turned over but did not start. Bear looked at Evan through the front window and crossed his fingers. Evan put his crossed fingers up as a response. Bear stepped on the starter again. Grind, grind, grind, sput, sputter, grind, cough, varoom. It started. Bear pulled it out of the garage put on the brake and got out. "Well throw your bag in the back Evan and lets get rolling. I don't want to be all day." Evan put his bag in the back and jumped in the front seat of the truck. Bear turned the truck around and headed down the lane.

The sun was coming up and the sky was wondrous. Yellows, reds, white, purple and all sorts of color variations mixed throughout the wispy clouds against a royal blue sky. Evan thought. "Wow! I have never seen a sky so pretty in my whole life as this one." It was warming up and he could tell it was going to be a fantastic day. Bear turned and looked at Evan. "I am sorry Evan for letting Mommy fantasize you were our son returned to us. You know she has not been right in the head since we got the news. I thought it wouldn't hurt anything to play along with her. I told her we had to play it low key and take it slow with you because you had been in the war and needed time to re-adjust before we made a fuss over you. I was wrong to do that and I am truly sorry. I just thought it would be good for her. I explained to her last night when we went to bed that you were a blessing from the Lord, not our son but a stranger sent to us by God to help us and she understood and agreed. You know you are welcome to stay on with us if you want. You can work the farm for your keep and use the truck when ever you want." Evan answered. "You make it very hard to leave Bear. But, I have to get to Florida soon. Thanks for the more than generous offer and hospitality. I can only imagine how hard it must be on her to loose your son that way." They turned left onto a hard surface road. "The highway is just up ahead." Bear informed Evan. They reached the highway a few minutes later. The old truck didn't go much over 40 miles per hour. Up the entrance ramp and onto the interstate. Everything was passing them like they were sitting still. People blowing their horns and cursing Bear for going so slow. "These people don't have any idea how to relax and live." Bear said. "Always in a danged big hurry." Evan replied. Yea! They are about half nuts out here for sure." Bear nodded in agreement. "We are going to miss you Evan." Bear quietly related. "I will miss you too sir." Evan said. "Well I am turning up ahead. I'll pull over here so you can get a ride easier." Bear pulled over. "Now you take real good care of yourself my boy. Do you have any money?" Bear inquired. "A couple of bucks. Yea, I've got a couple of bucks." Evan answered. "Here take this, it will help you out on down the road." Bear handed Evan a twenty dollar bill. "Thank you sir." Evan said as he shoved it into his pocket and got out of the truck. He grabbed his bag and Bear drove away. Bear waved out the window and disappeared over the hill. Evan waved back and threw his bag over his shoulder and started walking down the highway.

Evan thought about what Bear had done as he walked down the road. He came to the conclusion that he probably would have done anything he could, in Bear's position, to try to help poor Mary from being in so much anguish. "Poor Mary? My God! My Mom must feel the same way. Mom..." He muttered. The cars were flying by him so fast he couldn't beleive it. They must have been traveling at 90 miles an hour. No one so much as looked at him. Thumb high in the air foot right on the yellow line. The trucks were louder than he remembered and almost blew him down with their incredable blasts of wind as they passed. The sun was up and the birds were singing in the woods along side the highway. "Oh Mom..I am sorry for leaving you. I love you Mom. Oh my dear Mom. Mom..." Evan seemed to be chanting as he walked backwards along the road. "Come on! Somebody give me a ride? He said out loud. "Come On!!" It was getting hot standing in the sun. Evan took off his jacket and threaded it through the strings on the top of his bag and put his thumb back out california style. The sky was pure blue with no clouds in sight. He could see the heat beginning to rise up off the blacktop. It looked like a mirrage. The bottoms of Evan's feet were burning and the smell of the highway was making him naseus. "Man! Somebody give me a ride. Please? Come on pull over will ya? Somebody stop!" Evan kept repeating himself like the chourus line in a never ending song. At least 2 hours went by and still no ride. "Boy oh boy!" "This really sucks. Somebody give me a damned ride will ya! Anybody! Come on man! Give me a damned ride!" Evan exclaimed. He tried to make eye contact with the motorists but not a soul would look back at him. "Well at least it is not cold and raining." Evan reflected. "Come on give me a damned ride!" He yelled at the on coming cars over and over again. No one was interested in picking him up today. "Isn't this just great? I'll probably be here for days at this rate." He mumbled. "Stuck here forever." He was thinking. "There is no way I'm getting stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, that's for sure." He said to himself as he threw his bag over his shoulder and began to walk with his thumb stuck out about waiste high. He walked and walked and still no ride. Then after almost 3 hours of being on the road a yellow pickup truck pulled over about 20 yards ahead of him.

Evan took off running toward the truck. Tossed his bag in the back of the truck and was about to open the door when the truck pulled away. It stopped about 30 feet away. Evan ran for it again and it pulled away again. Evan sat down on the gaurd rail and gave the driver the finger. The truck backed up and the passenger door flew open. He got up and walked to the truck and got in. "That ought to learn ya boy! Never put yer shit in a strangers truck unless yer in the truck already. Hahaha! Had ya goin' didn't I? Hahaha! I'm Ralph. Who in the hell are you? Dumb ass? Hahahaha!!! "I'm Evan, Ralph. You related to Ralph O'Rork? Haha! "Huh?" Ralph babbled. "Never mind. Where you going?" Evan asked. "To breakfast about 2 miles up. Got a pretty little waitress I'm a gonna get. I love her bacon and eggs if ya know what I'm a talkin' bout? Haha! You hungry? On me! For some odd reason Evan liked this guy. "Well, I'm not really hungry but what the hell, why not? Evan resounded. "Well, there you go then. Might get a look at those hash browns. Hahaha! Ya know what I'm a sayin here Evan? "Yea Ralph I catch your drift." Evan chuckled. "Huh? Was Ralph's response. "I understand!" Evan added impatiently. They turned off the highway turned right onto a hard rural route and drove for about an hour. Turn after turn. Hard roads to dirt roads to hard roads to dirt. Evan kept asking where is this place? Ralph would laugh and say. "Just up around this next bend." Evan was getting real impatient as they pulled up to this small, half delapidated wooden clapboard shack called Mum's Tator House. The smell of pancakes and sausage gravy filled the air. Evan's taste buds were going crazy over all the different aromas in the room. People everywhere stuffing their faces. They waited at the door and the waitress came and showed them to their table. There was a pot of coffee already on the table along with fresh bread and butter. Cream and sugar the works. "I recomend the biscuits and gravy with sausage, dumb ass. Yer probably to dumb to no what that is, dumb ass! "I happen to like good home made biscuits and gravy! That is what I will have. Thanks Ralllph O'Rorrrrk!" "Dumb ass." Ralph replied while shaking his head yes. Evan poured himself a cup of coffee. "This is some good coffee Ralph." Evan said. "Well hell yea it's good! Dumb ass. It's the best in the county and I ought to know. I been everywhere there is to eat around these here parts. Dumb ass."

"There she is, dumb ass. Don't stare ass hole. Act like you don't see her." Ralph demanded. Well Evan couldn't help but see her she was as big as a small truck. "Here she comes, be cool, dumb ass." Ralph insisted. "Well fancy seeing you here twice in one week. Who's your skinny friend?" The waitress inquired. "I'm Evan Maam." Evan anounced. "Yea. this is dumb ass Evan. I picked his skinny ass up out on the highway. Ralph answered. "Well what's it going to be boys? Bacon and eggs or biscuits and gravy? The waitress ask. "Give us both biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns with toast." Ralph exclaimed. " Commin' right up." The waitress replied. Ralph slid his hand under her dress and up her leg and pinched her ass. Now you behave yourself or I might just have to take you boys home with me and teach you both a lesson." She said as she smacked Ralph's hand and walked away. "Now there's a woman boy." Ralph said loud enough for the whole place to hear. "Yes sir, a real woman." He added.

After an hour or so of hangin' out eating. Ralph announced that he and the waitress were going to go to her place and ask Evan if he wanted to go along and get a little. Ralph winked and said "come on ass-hole, what do you have to loose? Your virginity? Ha ha ha ass-hole!" "Man I need to get back on the road dude!" Evan answered. Ralph agreed and he and his date took Evan to the highway. "Sure you don't want to have some fun ass-hole?" Ralph asked as Evan climbed out of the truck. "No thanks!" Was Evan's reply. "Thanks for the ride." Evan explained as Ralph waved and drove away.


About 10 minutes later a black Mercedes pulled over. Evan ran up to the car as fast as he could. "Got to catch this ride right away." He thought. As he aproached the car he saw 3 heads. 2 in the front seat and one in the back. The back door opened when he arrived and a sweet voice said. "Hi I'm Marsha, jump in dude." He put his bag on the floor and proped his feet up on it. "Hi! I'm Evan on my way to Florida. Where are you lovely young ladies headed?" He asked. "We are going back to scholl in Macon." Marsha answered. "This is Trudy." She said as she put her hand on the drivers back. "And this is Carol." She pointed to the passenger. "Evan politely responded. "Hello ladies. Thanks for the lift. I been standing out there all day waiting for someone to pick me up. Thanks a lot!" Trudy asked. "Where are you coming from Evan?" "Maryland." Was Evan's reply. "My brother lives in Maryland." Carol said. "Cool." Evan answered. Carol had long flowing black hair and looked to be Indian or Egyptian. Big black eyes and dark skin. Marsha was a petite little short haired blonde with green eyes and the cutest smile. Trudy on the other hand was kind of butch. She had real short brown hair, combed like a man, brown eyes and a deep voice. "Where are you from Carol?" Evan inquired. Cairo Egypt she said as she turned to look at Evan. Evan was smitten with her. When he saw the front of her face he noticed what looked to be a real ruby in the middle of her forehead. "Wow! How cool and different you are." He almost said. "So, you ladies all go to the same school?" Evan asked. Carol who had turned around in her seat answered. "Yea, we do all go to the University in Macon." Evan was beside himself. "College girls..Look at me I'm getting a ride with 3 college girls. This is too cool." He grinned from ear to ear. "I'm from Canada, Alberta myself." Marsha said. "And Trudy is from British Columbia. We are all exchange students." She added. "Exchange students from all around the world" "It just couldn't get any better than this." Evan thought. "I'm getting hungry." Trudy announced. "Me too and I have to pee." Said Marsha as she smiled a soft tender smile at Evan. He almost melted. Trudy made the next exit and they all tried to decide which way to turn when Evan spoke up. "I'd go left. I saw a sign for a Sambo's back a couple of miles." Trudy turned left and sure enough there was the Sambo's. Carol said. "I love men who can take charge. I'm so glad we picked you up Evan. You know how us girls are sometimes." She added with an accent that was knocking Evan's socks off. When the car stopped Evan quickly jumped out and opened Carol's door for her. His eyes just about popped out of his head when she turned to get out. She had the most stunningly beautiful legs he had ever laid eyes on. She was wearing short shorts and a halter top. Evan and Carol headed to the Door and the other 2 girls followed. Carol took Evan by the arm and he escorted her into the restaurant. She was almost as tall as him and was so pleasant and easy to look at. Marsha and Trudy headed off to the restroom and Carol and Evan found a booth.

"You are the most beautiful lady I have ever met." Evan modestly stated. "You are a very handsome man yourself Evan. Thank you! She replied. Evan could not beleive she was so into him and he was without a doubt infatuated with her. The girls came out and up to the table. Carol moved from the other side of the booth next to Evan and got real close. He put his hand on her leg under the table and she moved closer. Evan was getting excited. Her skin was soft like fine silk. She placed her hand on top of his and moved it a little bit farther up her leg untill his hand was completely on her shorts. Evan was flipping out. It was extremely warm where his hand was and Carol had put it there. She was holding it tightly and pressing it against her crotch. He felt her shorts getting moist and warmer by the second. Marsha and Trudy were reading the menu and didn't seem to notice or care what Evan and Carol were up too. The waitress came over and asked to take their orders. Trudy and Marsha ordered right away. Evan and Carol had not yet looked at the menu. "We will need a few more minutes please." Evan suggested as he struggled to retreive his hand to pick up the menu. Carol held on to his hand and would not let go. He picked up the menu with his left hand. Carol took one side and he the other and they read it together. "Short stack and 2 over easies with sausage, hash browns and coffee." Evan ordered. Carol placed her order and the waitress left the table. Evan's hand was about to burn off. Carol was so hot and getting wetter. He moved his fingers around and found the perfect position. Carol laid her head on his shoulder and began rubbing herself with his hand. He could not fathom that he was sitting in a restaurant with his hand on her and she was doing whatever she wanted to herself with his hand. This was completely new experience for Evan and one that he wasn't likely to ever forget or repeat. The waitress brought out, poured the coffee and left the pot. Evan sipped his coffee with his free hand. Carol was still making the most of the situation. She left go of him to fix her coffee and he moved his hand onto his lap. Evan excused himself to the restroom. Carol got up to let him out of the booth. Evan was walking on air all the way to the restroom. Carol quickly jumped up when he returned and sat down again twice as fast. Evan laid his hand back on her leg just above her knee. Wow! Was he surprised. His hand was on her shorts which she had pulled down somehow when he wasn't looking. She took his hand and put it between her naked legs. Evan's fingers found there mark and she started rubbing herself and directing his fingers in and out of her. Evan was hard as a rock by now and getting harder. Carol left go of his hand again but Evan kept on entering her and rubbing her clit. She reached over and put her hand on his penis and smiled. Evan was so excited he could barely manage to use his fork to eat. She rubbed and clenched him and rubbed him some more. Evan was rubbing her as she undid his belt and unbuttoned his jeans. One button at a time until she had them all undone. Then she thrust her hand down his underwear and softly fondled him. She had the touch of an angel and knew exactly were to carress him. They ate and fondled each other the whole time. Evan had never been in a situation like this before. He could not beleve this was happening to him. The waitress came back with the check. Marsha and Trudy took the check and headed to the counter. "I think we ought to get up and go now." Evan whispered to Carol. "Oh, alright then." She said as she took his hand in hers and licked his fingers. Ummm desert she purred. Evan had a hard time being discreet about buttoning up his pants and getting his belt hooked but managed somehow. Carol was pretty slick about it. She stood up and in one move had her shorts up. She adjusted her belt as Evan got up and they headed to the car. "We will sit in the back for awhile." Carol said as they approached the car. Evan opened the door for her and she crawled in. Evan couldn't help but stare at her perfect little ass. He then opened the front door for Marsha. When he got in the back seat Carol was stark naked with her legs spread wide apart. Evan couldn't beleive his eyes. She was shaved in the shape of a little heart and he could see her clit. He slid his finger up and down accross her and twitched her clit on every pass. Then he stuck his finger in her. She was so soft and wet and hot. Marsha said. "He is mine when you are done with him Carol. Carol smiled at her and said. "When I'm done he's all yours." Carol undid his belt again. Marsha was turned around and watching everything. Carol undid a button and then Marsha climbed about half way into the back seat and undid a button. They took turns until all of his buttons were undone. "Put your feet up here." Marsha instructed Evan. He did and she pulled off his boots and socks. Then she took ahold of his pant legs and pulled off his jeans. Carol removed his underwear and his T-shirt. He was hard and they both started playing with him at the same time. Evan gently put his thumb inside of Carol and she moaned with delight. Evan entered her over and over again with his thumb the smell of her juices was driving him insane. Marsha said. "I can't wait, I want it now as she climbed into the back seat. She removed her clothes and took Evan's free hand and sat right on his thumb. She was sliding up and down on it and they were playing with each others nipples and kissing Evan and each other. Carol moved and stratled Evan. His penis was standing straight up and was in exactly the right position for entry. Carol slid it inside of her and slowly put it all the way in. She gyrated almost without moving her body. Evan was about to bust a nut. Trudy spoke up. "When you girls have your fill he is all mine." Evan came and Carol did with him they squirmed and pushed and she slid up and down on him faster and faster until he could only murmer. "My God that was good. The best I ever had." He exclaimed. Especialy since it was his first time. Evan had never had sex before. Marsha said. "You aint seen nothin' yet Evan. it's my turn next." As Carol climbed off of him. He was soft now and didn't think he could get it back up when Marsha wrapped her lips around his soft penis. He was hard again in a second. She licked him and nibbled on him until he was rock hard. Then she strattled him and took the whole thing inside if her in one abrupt movement. She was tighter and not as deep as Carol. She screamed out in pain when Evan reached maximum penetration. They went at it for quite sometime. Carol kissing him and him playing with her nipples and rubbing het clit and penetrating her with his fingers. Marsha would stick her nose by his hand a lick Carol all around his fingers and then kiss him with her face all covered with Carols juices. "I, I, I'm gonna cum again.' Evan whimpered. "I'm ready baby. Do it! Do it! Do it!" Marsha begged as she was jumping up and down on him even faster and harder than Carol did. Evan grabbed her by the ribs and tried to set the rhythm as he came inside her. Marsha screamed. "I'm cumming. I'm cumming. My God I'm cumming again. She kept jumping up and down on him. "I'm cumming again." She belted out. Evan fell back into the seat as Marsha climbed off of him and Carol started sliding her fingers in and out of Marsha and went to sucking on him right away. "I want it again." Carol exclaimed. Marsha hooped out. "Oh my God Carol I'm going to cum again. Carol licked Marshas clit and then flicked it faster and faster with her finger until she came. She squirted her cum all the way across the back seat and all over Evans stomach and penis. It was so warm as it ran down across his testicles. Carol went right back to sucking him and he got harder than he was the first 2 times. Marsha took his hand and started masterbating with it. Evan just left her do as she pleased with his hand. He learned a lot about where woman liked being touched and how they liked it. Carol laid back and pulled Evan on top of her. He put his penis in just enough to hide the head. Carol was playing with his balls saying. "Yes, yes, yes, Give it to me. Give it all to me now. Evan made maximum penitration and pulled back till it almost came out. He kept it up one lunge after the next. Then just the head and a little push then a lunge. "Your going to make me cum again Evan. Oh! Oh! I'm cumming again. My God Evan I love you." Marsha was still having her way with Evan's hand as she belted out. "I'm cumming too. She laughed and laughed as they both came at the same time. Marsha squirted across the car again all over everything and kept rubbing her clit and penitrating herself with Evan's fingers. Trudy had adjusted the rearview mirrow so she could watch what was going on in the back seat. "You girls done with him yet. I'm about to cum in my pants if I don't get a turn soon." Trudy expounded. Carol pulled off of him and rolled over and stuck her ass up to Evan. He slid his penis in her deeper than before. She was thumping inside and he could feel her muscles contracting. "Hold on baby here he cums." Evan whispered. "Me too, I'm cumming again Carol yelled out. Marsha grabbed Evan just below his balls and said. "I love the way it feels when you get off Evan." Evan cum again and Carol backed up to get more of him inside of her. He shot again. "That's it! It's my turn. Both of you up front!" Trudy ordered as she pulled over. Marsha and Carol got dressed and moved up front. Trudy was built like a penthouse model. Evan undid her belt as she kissed his neck. Pulled down her zipper and pulled her shorts off underwear and all. She took off her shirt. Her tits stood up like monuments and she was completely shaved. Evan was so soft now that he knew there was no way he could ever get hard again. Marsha drove away. Evan couldn't get over how she felt when he slid his hand across her shaved lips. She took his penis and moved herself in front of him and masterbated with it. He could feel it getting a little hard but not hard enough to satisfy Trudy. She just kept on rubbing it across her clit and up and down her soft lips. She was moving so fast that Ean was feeling numb. "Ahh! Ahhh! Aiee! Trudy murmured as she squirted her cum all over Evan penis. He got hard in an instant. She pushed him down and jumped on his hard cock like it was the only one left in the world. Up and down she went slowly then quick then slow then fast and hard then slow and easy. She came again and again over and over again. Evan estimated she got off at least 7 times and she was still plunging him as deep into her as she could. She stopped and moved back for a second. Carol was watching every move. "I want to see him cum." she said to Trudy. Make him cum for me Trudy. Make him cum. "I want to see it too." Marsha added as she pulled over to the side of the road. Trudy started sucking him. She was better than either one of the other girls. "I'm almost there." Evan told her. She kept taking him all the way down her throat. "I'm gonna cum any minute." Evan muttered. "Here I cum!" Trudy slid off of him and all three of them got a hand on him and jacked him the rest of the way off. When he shot it went all the way to the front seat the girls all climbed in back and played with him and licked him untill he was half blind. He shot again and it went all over Carol's face they all laughed and licked each other and Evan clean. He shot again. They got so excited to watch him cum they wouldn't quit sucking him and jacking him off. They all 3 tried to suck him at the same time. He came again the girls were exstatic. Carol said. "I could watch you cum all day it really turns me on." Me too." Marsha added. "Ditto" Chimed Trudy. They all got dressed and Trudy drove the car. Carol got back in the back seat and laid her head in Evan's lap and put his penis in her mouth like a pacifier. Evan had never in his life ever experienced anything like this before and he was still getting sucked and it felt so good. His penis was soft but that didn't stop Carol she kept right on sucking him. He came again and Carol still kept sucking him.

"It's only a few more miles to our lay over girls." Trudy announced. "Hell, Carol and Evan are already asleep." Marsha said. Evan had went to sleep with Carol still sucking him. Trudy drove up the exit, off the highway and to a hotel. Trudy went inside. Wake up you two we are at the hotel. Hey! You two wake the hell up! Marsha yelled. Evan was in a daze. "Huh? Where? We what? Evan muttered. Carol sit straight up and said. "You can just shut up right now bitch." Evan looked out the window and saw this neon lighted sign flashing that looked like it said, We com T the Ho l. He rubbed his eyes and read it again. "Where are my clothes?" Evan asked. "Here in the front seat. Get dressed and meet us in the room. Trudy came back. "We are in room 224 right over there." She directed. Trudy threw Evan his pants and said. "224." The girls all went to the room. Evan looked out toward the office again. There was an old man looking out the office widow and pacing the floor. Evan found his T-shirt and cleaned up a little with it. He pulled out a clean T-shirt and underwear and got dressed. When Evan got out of the car he almost fell down. His knees were week and he was exausted. He had a hard time picking up his bag and walking a straight line. He went up the steps down the catwalk to room 224. He knocked on the door and Carol answered the door nude. Evan walked in set his bag in the corner. Carol grabbed ahold of him and rolled him into the big double bed. Evan was at her mercy and wasn't sure he was up to it. The phone rang. Trudy answered it. "What? We paid for this room. You What? No! We are not! I dare you you ass hole. What? Huh? O.K. sir no problem. I'm very sorry sir. Yes sir. Right away sir. That was the manager. "You got to go! Now! Evan." Or he is going to call our parents. "Your parents? Aren't you girls in college?" Evan inquired. Trudy said. "I go to college. Marsha is in 12th grade and Carol is in the 11th grade." We will be in big shit if their Dad's find out we are at a hotel room with a boy, I am 20 years old. You have to go! Sorry! We will pick you up in the morning. Just be up and ready by 8:00 am. Now get out of here! Please? Before that ass hole calls the law." "Alright, O.K. I understand. See you all in the morning. Evan slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out of the hotel. "Must be at least 10 miles to the highway and it was getting cold and dark." Was Evan's first thought. "Have to find a place to sleep?" Evan pondered. He walked down the road about a quarter mile and found a barn with the door about half way open that he could see from the road. He walked down the lane and slipped into the barn. He climbed up to the loft and made a bed of hay between the bails. "Man what kind of women were they?" He thought aloud. He started singing. "If your lost in the rain in Quarez and it's Easter time too and gravity fails you and negativity still won't pull you through. Don't put on any aires when your down on Rumorge avenue. They got some hungry women there and they will really make a mess out of you. Now all the authorities they just stand around and boast. How they blackmailed....into leaving his post. Picking up angels who just arrived here from the coast......so fine...just like a ghost......." He was so worn out that when he laid down he went straight to sleep.