Rusty Summer (33 page)

“Well . . .” she admits, “that
is
pretty cool. But dang, girl, you just got back! What should I tell them when they ask where you are now? That you bounced
again?!
When are you going to stay put? They are gonna wanna know if you even want to
be
a Throttle Rocket anymore, Rylee. Jeez, I mean, I just finished telling them that you skated.” She sounds so put out that I simmer down.

“Tell them I'll be back long before the start of next season,” I promise. “Besides, that's when my new TV job starts.”

“Yeah—'kay . . . whatever.” Bashy's sulking.

Then suddenly I know my name. It was right there all along. I just wasn't paying attention.

“Omg! It's Rusty Skates,” I say quietly, having a realization. It's so obvious I grin out loud.

“What? I—n't hear—u!” hollers Bashy's lil' phone voice. She's breaking up. We are far away.

“Rusty Skates!” I yell.

“I—ink—'re—eaki—up . . . !”

“RUSTY SKATES!” I scream. “EXCLAMATION POINT!! LIKE A HEADLINE!”

“O-kay—gawd, I can totally hear you!” she says directly in my ear. The reception is back.

“Bashy, I know my name! Tell them I'll see them in a few weeks! Take it easy, Bashy Bayou! Lots of Love from RUSTY SKATES! See you sooner!!” I bellow at her joyfully and hang up.

We drive. This is good. We settle in.

The day is hot. I look over to The Bomb. She is chill. Her tongue lolls as she smiles at me.

We are over the mountain pass, deep into the flat farms and golden wine country of Eastern Washington. The hazy horizon fades into forever.

Soaring, I roll down the window and crank the tunes.

To our vets,
The ones who didn't come back and to the ones who did,
wounded in ways seen and unseen.
Let our choices be worthy of their valor.

And with love to our Mandeep Singh K.,
who packed more punch and joie de vivre into twenty-two
years than most people can into ninety.

And for Loyd,
Who left us early and often, and finally this spring; forever.

Sweet dreams, Dad.

These are songs I dedicate to all of us, for different reasons. Some of them are 1960s protest songs I've been listening to, and almost all of them are retro. I'll say who each song is for, and why.

 

 

 

Let me start with this song, because it's important to our story. This is the beautiful song that Leonie wowed us with. You will be able to tell The Bomb's part pretty easily.

 

For Leo, to remember there is a deeper wave than this.

 

What all guys seem to have to feel for Leonie—(sub
“Leo
” for
“Layla”
)!!

 

This is what Greg would say to Leonie if he could.

 

For Leo, because she is still learning to be free.

 

 

 

This is a strange and beautiful story song. I learned all the words after Beau told me his mom used to sing it to him for a lullaby. I totally love Gina!

 

 

 

One of our favorites to skate to.

 

This song makes me skate better. It's hypnotic.

 

In your game face!

 

Another one to rock the drill.

 

 

 

Because, duh.

 

This is a song for me . . . maybe.

 

This is a song for Shane. Even though he doesn't mean to.

 

This song is from me to Shane. Seriously.

 

I heard this song when I was high, talking to the Man in the Moon.

 

I love this song—it's too fun to sing along with.

 

Beautiful love song about our country, which I now mean to discover.

 

 

 

“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel
:

Because she is.

 

I included this because I heard it at Mass a lot. Love you, Mom.

 

 

 

A goofy song she would like (sung by three dogs! :~)

 

 

 

For obvious reasons, I dedicate this to my dad.

 

Because this bird you cannot change. That's you, Dad.

 

This one's for you too, Dad. Sorry.

 

How I have felt throughout most of this damn trip.

 

This song I dedicate to my dad. Shane turned us on to Fred Eaglesmith.

 

My dad's song, but also Uncle Riley's. I can't decide.

 

For my dad—on the ocean and happy. May you always be so!

 

 

 

One of the most pissed-off songs of its era.

 

I love this song for its viewpoint—from the eyes of a soldier.

 

More importantly: Love me while I'm here. Obviously this is for Uncle Riley—and all our vets.

 

I LOVE to sing this really loud! For Uncle Riley—Everybody: HUH!

 

The average age of DRAFTED American soldiers in Vietnam!! Think about it.

 

Clear-eyed dis of upper-class rule—that only sends the underprivileged kids into combat . . . to this day. It's not volunteer if the military's the only way you can eat, or the only way you can get an education.

 

A super-popular song for the American soldiers in Vietnam.

 

A song of leaving, for my Uncle Riley.

 

For Uncle Riley, who went away.

 

This song is so beautiful. It is the score to the final scene in
Coming Home,
an amazing movie about returning soldiers. My grandma says the ending scene should be on an endless loop on those big public screens in Times Square whenever there is talk of war—as a reminder. See it.

 

Of course this is for my Uncle Riley, and all soldiers.

 

A haunting song about the Russian Front of World War II.

 

Maybe my favorite song of the era, it deals with the people who were shot during the Kent State Protests—during the previous time our police force was so militarized.

 

 

 

Blood is thicker than water.

 

GramMer's bear scaring song. Scared me too.

 

My grandma likes this song. She says it reminds her of when she was cool. Huge hit in the '60s.

 

GramMer sings this to Raven for naptime.

 

Songs my grandma used to sing to me for naptime.

 

For GramMer and the uncles, whom we lean on so much, with love.

 

 

 

I didn't choose you, you didn't choose me, yet....

 

 

 

This was a union protest song that is still sung at peace rallies.

 

True then, true today.

 

Another peaceful wartime fave. Don't let the turkeys get you down.

 

 

 

The only crossover song from my first road-trip playlist. One person can make a huge difference! It's so important to realize your power!

 

A peace train—for all of us Peace Warriors of the Now to ride—!

 

“The Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine,” Fifth Dimension:
A coming Age of Understanding! Bring it!!

 

Beautiful song. I know this place is real. Let's go!