Return To Forever (20 page)
Authors: James Frishkey
A young college student was behind the bar trying to keep up with the beer orders. “What can I get you?” he asked Joe as he placed a paper coaster in front of him.
“Anything on tap?” Joe asked.
“Nope, just long necks. What’s your flavor?” the kid responded.
“Bring me a Coors,” Joe answered and the kid went to get him his brew. In a moment he returned with an ice cold bottle but no glass.
“Need a glass?” he asked and Joe nodded yes. The kid wiped a tall glass and poured half the beer into it before handing it to Joe. “Here you go.”
“Say maybe you can help me.” Joe asked. “I’m looking for Jessica. Don’t know her last name. Is she working today?”
“Jessie?” the kid said with a laugh. “Yeah she’s here. She owns the damn place. Want me to find her?”
“Yes please. Tell her it’s an old friend on a motorcycle.” Joe doubted she would ever remember him and, with his luck, she probably had a husband and kid by now.
Joe nursed his beer, enjoying the vibe in the packed bar when he felt a familiar tap on the shoulder. “Hey stranger. Never thought I would see you again.” Joe thought she looked every bit as good as when he first met her…and no ring was visible on her hand.
“Jessie, you look great. Looks like being a successful business woman has been good for you.” Joe leaned over and hugged her. God she felt good in his arms. “Ever find the right one?” he asked hoping for the right answer.
“Nope” she replied. “You?”
“No. Been chasing a ghost but that is long behind me.” Joe thought briefly of Mary which he hadn’t done for months.
Jessica stared squarely into Joe’s eyes. “Hope you don’t think you can just ride back into my life and expect to pick things up where we left off. That ain’t gonna happen. I get lots of hot guys coming through here looking for a quick lay but I am not living my life that way, Joe. It has to be forever.”
Joe took her hands into his and gently kissed them. “Jessie, I think I’m home.”
EPILOGUE
“Some day you will answer.
Remember how we were.
When all our hopes and dreams
Floated in the air.
I feel it in my heart.
I can feel you in my heart.
That’s the way that it was in the past.
You remember
When we ran through the wind and the rain.
We were young, seemed like life would go on,
Last forever.
Now everything has changed.”
M
OSTAR
D
IVING
C
LUB
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J
IM
F
RISHKEY
is a child of the ’60s and an original Baby Boomer that followed his father’s path to a career in the Automotive Aftermarket.
His talent as an author was nurtured by a dedicated educator but did not manifest itself until his later years.
“Return to Forever” is his third Novel and, arguably, his best effort to date. Boomers like Jim will quickly identify with the characters and events that shaped their generation.
—
Other books by Jim Frishkey:
Terminal Convergence
Jacks or Better
Table of Contents
