“Hey, Ruby!” The voice came from right behind her, startling
her. She turned around as a hand pushed a dollar bill across the counter
toward the waitress. “Give the lady anything she wants.” Surprised, she found herself staring at a young man
who flashed her a pearly white smile. He had a rakish face, just handsome
enough to give a girl pause. His jet black hair was slicked back, leaving
one lone curl drooping smack dab in the middle of his forehead. Geri made
a fist to keep herself from reaching up and brushing back that single
strand. “Whaddaya say, miss? Care to order something now?”
Ruby asked again. “Uhh, yes. Cheeseburger and a chocolate shake,
please.” Geri gave her a grateful smile. Ruby nodded and left to give the
cook the order. She rotated around to thank her benefactor. “Thank
you. That was a nice thing to do.” “Roddy,” the young man told her, giving her another
commercial-worthy smile. “Name’s Roddy Carvelle. Friends call me Hot Rod.” “Hot Rod?” She managed to suppress her snort of
amusement. Instead, she held out a hand. “Geraldine.
My friends call me Geri.” He took her hand, but rather than shake it, he
continued to hold it. She felt his thumb caress the back of her knuckles.
The simple caress sent shivers through her. Pleasant shivers.
Oooh, not good, Geri. Pull away. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he refused to
let go. For the time being, for some reason she couldn’t explain, she
allowed him to continue stroking it. At least she knew he’d eventually
have to release it when her food arrived. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked with an
amused smile. The question was irrelevant. She knew he was flirting with
her, and for once she found herself liking the attention. It was tentative
and somewhat innocent. Besides, there was no way it could lead to anything
serious. “What does it look like I’m doing?” He grinned at
her with those big blue eyes. “I’m holding a beautiful woman’s hand.” She tried to extricate herself again with no luck.
The charm bracelet jingled with the effort, drawing his attention to it. “That’s pretty. I like the little carousel. Does it
move?” “Yes, it does.” “It suits you.” This time she couldn’t help snorting. “How old are
you, Roddy?” She expected him to go on the defensive. He didn’t. “Nineteen.” She threw a knowing glance around the place. “And
you’re still a student?” “I got held back in sixth grade. Is that a crime?” She gave a slight shake of her head. “Not if you’re
graduating this year.” His grin widened. “Class of fifty-nine, sweet
cheeks. Not quite at the top of the class, but at least I’ll be in the
procession.” He seemed proud of the fact. In fact, something about his
attitude struck a chord with her. Yes, he was flirting, but there appeared
to be an underlying intent. A nice, provocative intent. “Why are you coming on to me, Roddy?” “Why not? You’re a beautiful woman.” “I’m twelve years your senior.” “Guess that means I’m twelve years your junior.” Geri sighed and finally managed to pull her hand
free to join the other clutching her purse. “Nice try, Roddy.” A look of honest disappointment shadowed his face.
“Was it something I said?” “I’m too old for you,” she flatly stated. “Says who?” He scooted closer, spreading his knees
when he hooked the heels of his shoes on the stool’s footrest. Geri
couldn’t help but to drop her eyes to his crotch. The fabric was so tight
around his genitals, it wasn’t difficult to see the bulging outline of his
cock and balls. In fact—her gaze slowly crawled up his abs, his chest, and
shoulders. The simple white t-shirt was just as constricting. There wasn’t
a muscle it didn’t outline. Faintly, she wondered how his body would feel
beneath her hands. Or between her legs.
Stop it. What the hell are you thinking? “Geri?” She glanced up, realizing she hadn’t answered his
question. A moment later, a plate landed on the counter at her elbow. “What about you, Hot Rod? The usual?” Ruby waggled
her eyebrows at him, and Geri got the impression this wasn’t the first
time he’d tried to pick up someone. The diner was probably his favorite
hangout. Picking up her burger, she bit into it. It gave her
the chance to hide her amused grin when he ordered a Coke. Once Ruby
handed him his drink, Geri wiped her mouth and fingers on a napkin. “Answer me a question?” “Ask away.” “Where is this supposed to lead? I mean, how do you
expect tonight to end? With me becoming another notch on your belt?” Roddy tilted his head. “I was rather hoping to get
to know you better.” “Bullshit.” Her use of the expletive surprised him. “Excuse
me?” “You want to get into my panties, don’t you?” “Well, I—” Whirling around, she leaned in close enough to
where no one could overhear, even without the jukebox blasting Chuck
Berry. “What would you say if I told you I was from the
future? That I’m not supposed to be here? What if I told you that in my
time, this place is nothing but a burned-out shell because in two more
days, an accident will destroy this place?” He stared at her. Judging her. Trying to figure out
if she was pulling his leg or crazy. Or both. “Prove it,” he finally said. Prove it? How? Through the big plate glass windows, she saw a car
pull out of its slot. As it exited onto the road, she caught the
drive-in’s lights reflecting off her own vehicle parked on the other side
of the road. Sliding off her stool, she grabbed his hand. “Come
on,” she ordered, giving him a tug. “Where to?” His sexy grin was back. “To prove to you I’m telling the truth.” Roddy quickened his steps to make it appear it
was he who was leading her outside. A couple of boys threw catcalls at
them, but she ignored it. Once they exited, the muggy evening air was
oppressive. Already regretting her actions, Geri eyed the
We Are Air-Cooled sign in the
diner’s window and wished they could go back in. That was a damn good
hamburger she’d left behind. Roddy tried to shove his hands in his jeans’ front
pockets but they were so constricting, he could only get his fingers
inside. “I’m ready. Where’s your proof?” “Across the street. Come on.” She waved for him to
follow and proceeded across the parking lot, past the stalls, to where her
vehicle was parked. She was halfway across the street when something
snagged her jacket. Looking down, she saw it was the charm bracelet. One
of Donald Duck’s feet was caught in the sleeve’s hem. Rather than work it
free, she undid the clasp to slip it off. The music suddenly stopped and the lights faded.
Alarmed, Geri turned around to face absolute darkness. The single glare
from the corner street lamp outlined the dilapidated shell of the drive-in
that was overrun with weeds, covered in graffiti, and vacant. Her legs went out from under her and she collapsed
against the hood of her car. “No. No.” She shook her head. “It was so real. It
was… Roddy…” She ran her tongue around inside her mouth. She
could still taste the hamburger. A bit of gristle was caught between her
teeth. Lifting her hand to her nose, she sniffed. The smell of onions
clung to her fingers. “Then how? How did…” Her secondary memory kicked in, reminding her why
she was there in the first place. Retrieving the flashlight from her car,
she churned the handle to where it gave off a steady beam and went back to
the diner. Inside, the place looked exactly as it had when
she’d shown it to Pickerell. And on the counter sat the leather portfolio
where she’d remembered him placing it. Grabbing the folder, Geri hurried
out of place and returned to her car. On her way home, she argued with herself. Did she
or did she not go back to 1959? Did she or did she not have a hamburger?
Did she or did she not encounter a young man named Roddy Carvelle, who had
a penchant for older women? “Roddy Carvelle. Hot Rod Carvelle.” She knew what she was going to do when she got
home. She would do an internet search to see if such a person actually
existed. And if he had… If he had
or had not survived the fire.
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