Boys of Summer

Short Story

It was the pinnacle of emptiness on the 5 lane strode. The swerving became intense as the cool breeze flew over the top-down cream convertible Cadillac while the rosary and cross jingled over the rear-view mirror with an off-kilter time. Dave Brubeck Take Five.

It was my last Camel that I draped over the downed window steaming hot ash as the few droplets of rain came sprinkling down. At the next light I cranked the hood up, it took a few seconds longer than the red light gave me. A horn gave me a shove and I answered back in turn.

Looking at all of the old shops and surplus stores on the heated summer night on Hollywood Boulevard, I wonder what our first meeting would be like after so many years. Yes, there was a girl underneath all of this. I remembered like yesterday even though it was six years back: she was going to an undergraduate psychology degree, after having taken a few years off. I was doing all of something that was nearly close to nothing. And the boys of summer were playing the bases. And so were we.

A neon light flashed past a liquor store and I tried to ignore it but burrowed my hand into the beige covers. I must have some money between the covers. Two quarters came up. Two blocks later I heard my car near a dram shop. Was empty of customers unfold onlookers but with a couple of semolinas I a nip. Then back in my car, I floored it because if nobody knew then nobody saw.

I inched my way between the red lights and thought about the last good day I had with her. It was along the beach with the long strains of guitars in my mind. There was no one else there just me and your brown-skinned neck just waiting to be touched, even bitten. Your shades did not tell me what you were thinking just a tear rolling down your cheek though your lips still smiled.

Then I turned to you and said: “You know my love for you will still be strong and quick.”

She turned to me: “ I know.” She turned away from me.

I could my and on her shoulder and turned her front to me. “Why don’t I run you to that rock.”

“Is there anything there?”

“The same thing we can find anyplace, but it is quiet there.”

“Let’s just walk.”

If that’s the way you want it. “Is there something wrong?”

“I have one last paper and then I am free. Though the graduation ceremony is still six weeks away.” She looked at my face and touched my chin brushed my 3-day beard.

“Six weeks is a long time. Too long in fact.” I reached down to my jeans pocket even though I knew that the camels had flown.

“I guess so.”

“So, what is next?”

The sun had just touched the horizon. “I don’t know. What about you?”

“I don’t have any plans.”

The next day she moved out. I bought a fifth and if asked I would take the fifth as well.

And now I was on the road we used to cruise down and shake down my hands across you. They were trying to loosen your straps back in the day. I took a drag off my cigarette and remembered it very well. Along with your dress crest down in two the cover taunting me over and over again.

The lights started on all the world but would not comment. Clouds were coming perhaps to ruin the quiet night evening.

Then I saw her in that white ankle-length dress which she had worn so many years ago. I could tell it was the same one. She was taunting me with those wide hips, and I was hypnotized by their motion and a sense of her emotion beneath.

Then I stopped right where she was slid down the passenger window and whistled. Her face still had shades which she tilted down to look at me with her eyes.

I opened up the passenger door: “Going my way?”

She over and looked at me with the shades up again then she straightened out and slammed her hips on the seat. I wanted to kiss her so much like a swan. But I was lost and could not move my head to close the deal.

She looked at me: “ I see you have been keeping as you always were.”

“I just keep on keeping on.”

She closed the passenger door and like a shot we were going down the open road. Her voice cracked a bit: “You like the dress? It’s one that you saw inside and outside.”

“I like the red dress better, but this one is nice too,” I remember taking it off oodles of times, and the caressing and screaming that came afterwards.

“So where are they headed?”

“I do know. Down to the beach? Have you had dinner yet? What is on your plate?”

“I just came to see you. See how you have been and whether you’re doing well.”

“It’s a new car.” Maybe I should not say how I got it.

“It is like the old one.”

“My tastes have not changed.”

“In any way?”

“I think most people are born and just finding out the accouterments in life.” I looked over and saw that she was wearing a tight brassiere which overflowed with bounty.

She looked both ways on the cross street and enunciated: “Why don’t we get something to eat?”

With that, I pushed the metal to In-n-Out Burger, which was my favorite stop. I like to eat them on Hollywood Hills looking south over LA. When we got there, she did not open the passenger door, which meant to me that she wanted me to open the door. So, I did.

I asked her what she wanted and with that, I went into the shop and placed an order. There is nothing like an Animal Style. Then I went back up and the door and slammed it. It was then that I saw my opening, she was straightening her stiletto and me and was immediately there. I could almost feel the dress. And what was underneath.

“I don’t think that’s what I came for.” Even beneath the shades, I could tell that I had made a move too far. “Drop me at that corner.”

I was confused things had been going so well. But I did not resist and dropped her on the corner though I didn’t know how she would get back. The last thing I saw was her straight back and forth on the phone probably to hail a cab.

Of on Hollywood Hills, I ate my burger and smoked a camel.  And dreamed of the boys of summer, even those that were long gone.

The red rain came down on my hands till they were dripping wet.