Return To Forever
Page 15
CHAPTER 37
The Buick Regal pulled up to the entrance to the Saint Francis Xavier convent as the unseasonal thunder storm pounded the ground. The driver opened the vehicle door and covered her short black hair with a newspaper as she walked through the front gate to the large wooden entrance doors.
There was no door bell, only an intercom and she pressed the button, waiting for someone to answer. “May I help you?” came the words of what sounded like a young woman.
“My name is Mary. I called earlier. I am here to serve Jesus our Lord and Savior.” After a minute the buzzer sounded and the door swung open with a nun in a flowing white habit welcoming Mary to her new life.
CHAPTER 39
One year later:
The last time he had been here the breeze off the lake was bitter cold and pierced the thin leather jacket he had been wearing. This time the breeze was gentle and warm and caressed his skin as he guided the Harley Wide Glide down Main Street.
Caseville hadn’t changed at all. This time the sidewalks were teeming with tourists and cottage owners from Detroit and the suburbs. All he had was a backpack with a spare pair of jeans and a few t-shirts and socks. His leather jacket was tied to the bike’s sissy bar in case the weather changed unexpectedly.
He navigated the big twin through the traffic until he saw the Riverside Roadhouse up ahead. As he pulled up in front of the diner many pleasant memories flooded his brain. He walked up the wooden steps and saw quite a crowd and a line of patrons waiting for a table. He walked to the bar and found an empty stool.
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.”
MOSTAR DIVING CLUB
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JIM FRISHKEY 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
Return to Forever
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 39
EPILOGUE
About the Author
Table of Contents
Return to Forever
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 39
EPILOGUE
About the Author