Chance Encounters

Back at home

Construction,not the best way to travel,but something unavoidable. I sat in the driver’s seat frowning glaring in my rear view. “If this mother trucker pulls up any closer behind me he will be up my ass!” I yelled in frustration. Mark patted my thigh as I tried to get myself together. “Why is there so many orange barrels?” I mumbled. Deciding not to cut through Canada again was a mistake. We were now stuck in a big mess of semis and cars waiting for their turn to get onto the exit ramp. Mark thumbed through the radio stations,half was Michigan based,half was static. Settling on digging through my eight track pile he discovered a decently new eight track. He popped it in and lit a joint. I glanced up from day dreaming finally happy that it was my turn to get on the exit ramp. Mark was jamming out to my mew Led Zeppelin eight track. “I like them Skye.” I smiled, pulling down my sun visor. “I had my dad’s friend’s son in Nam send it over to me from England. They haven’t made it here yet,but I think they will.” Mark flipped the eight track over now noticing that I had a shirt, that was of the same band and signed concert tickets from their first shows signed by the band in a frame. “That’s the band that you have hanging up on your walls at Frank’s house?” I nodded, now getting agitated with the sun visor. Sun glaring in my eyes. Rooting around with one hand on the wheel, I looked for my welding goggles underneath my seat. Mark grabbed the wheel to avoid almost hitting the guard rail on the bridge. “What in gods name are you looking for?” I pulled them free from a tool that was laying on top of them. Putting them on then putting both hands back on the wheel. “These.” Now it was a lot easier to see. Mark shook his head. “We almost ran straight into a guard rail.” He said. With a chuckle I said my famous line, “Life is an adventure.”

Mark snapped some more pictures of me as I glanced over at him when I heard the click of the camera. “What is that about?” I asked. He cleared his throat, “Well,I sort of enjoy taking pictures and I want to remember this trip so when we eventually move up here we can hang them up in our house.” I grinned taking his hand. “Hell yeah.” He squeezed my hand, “It was supposed to be a surprise,but it’ll still be cool when it happens.” I nodded. Couldn’t get the grin off of my face. We stopped at a little small town diner that was connected to a gas station. One last stop before home. We both ordered the burgers and fries. Then filled the truck up one last time before going home. Then Mark decided to take over driving. Which was a good thing because my brain was tired of being in construction traffic. I had since taken my goggles off as the sun was now off to the side of us. It was getting dark and pretty soon I’d be showing him a cool coyote hunting spot. He pulled back into the rez and backed in front of the boat. Splash heard this and began to make a break for me and Mark. He was a dog that smiled. While it looks vicious it was his way of being happy. His teeth were completely revealed as his tail wagged at a million miles an hour. I knelt down to pet him and Mark was snapping pictures. Looking at Mark and Splash I wanted to bring him back home with me.

Mark took my CCR stuff inside my house while Splash and I paid a visit to auntie Kimmie. She smiled when she seen my left hand. “Going down the right path I see.” I nodded, “I really enjoy his company. He understands how important it is to follow my dreams,honestly he is an amazing guy to be with.” She smiled, “How was Wisconsin?” I smiled,telling her in detail just leaving out the love making parts. She petted Splash’s head and began to say congratulations,but my cousin walked in and seen my hand. “No way! Her?!” Auntie Kimmie about smacked him. Rafael shook his head and continued to question me. I broke up his questions up by asking auntie Kimmie if I was able to use her phone.

Rotating the numbers I called Frank. “Hello,Plow and Field how can I help?” I replied, “Hey Frank it’s Skye. I have a question for you.” His tone changed from professional to his more laid back demeanor. “What’s up Kidd?” I took a breath, “Well I was wondering if you would allow me to bring my dog back, I understand if you say no.” He chuckled on the phone, “As long as him and Cam get along I’m good with it. Just so you know I took your advice and started to organize my parts in the back. Also before I let you go,there’s going to be lots of work when you come back so be prepared.” We exchanged a few more words before we hung up. I thanked my auntie and went back to my house.

Mark was already taking a bath and Splash made himself at home in front of the Franklin stove. I walked into the bathroom to see him enjoying the hot water.He looked up at me with a half stoned smile. “Hop on in the water is nice and warm.” I smiled and told him one minute. I went into the kitchen and grabbed my bong. Might as well be romantic and stoned. Grabbing some fresh bud I packed the bong and went back to the bathroom. I stripped my two day old clothes and got into the tub. My back was on his chest as he leaned back. I took the bong from the floor and lit it. In no time flat we had the whole room hot boxed. Mark rubbed my back as I let out a sigh. He put pressure on my tail bone and I was in heaven. He began to kiss on the back of my neck. I let out a soft moan as he started to tease my breasts. With a moan. I adjusted myself to be more on top of him. His hot breath tickled down my back as he began to wonder down my body. “My future wife,Mhm. I like how my last name sounds with your first name Skye Collins.” I smiled and closed my eyes enjoying his touch. Mark stood up and got out of the tub. He took the towel and wrapped it around his waist leaving his toned chest exposed.I leaned back feeling the hot water hit my back. I let out a sigh when he came back into the room a towel in one hand with the other hand extended out towards me. “Come on let’s go star gazing,it’s our last full night here.” I smiled and took his hand. Helping me out of the tub he wrapped the towel around me making it look like I had a mini dress on. Smiling then kissing my cheek he led me into my room.

The sun had already set by the time we were back. Now it was pitch black out only lit up by the moon and stars. Going back to the homemade observatory we climbed the ladder. We sat down after moving the doors that were blocking the entrance to a beautiful galaxy. The northern lights were dancing around making the dark void light up with brilliant greens and blues. Mark was thrilled to see them in person as he kept peering through the telescope. I reached into the liquor cabinet and pulled out two glasses and some black berry brandy. Mark pulled away as we clanked glasses. “You never did go through your father’s jacket. Didn’t Ike mention something about that?” My eyes widened,I never did go through the pockets. Ike was absolutely right about him always stashing stuff in his pockets. I slithered out of it as I checked the front crest pockets. In the left one was a picture of Splash and I jumping off pictured rocks,behind that picture was one that Frank took of Mark and I. I checked the left bottom pocket and came up with a WWII medal,but an Iron Cross. Behind it was a note that my father’s right hand man wrote. Mr.Thorne. Mark peaked over at the letter. “Woah,is that from that one soldier?” I nodded proceeding to read it. “Dear Skye, This will be my only note to you. That is why it’s a few lengthy pages. My son told me that you two became pen palls and even talk. I’m happy,maybe someday you two will meet. If you are reading this out of your own volition then you already know your father has passed. In which case I have as well. That medal is from my WWII days,there’s a ring as well in the shape of an iron cross with two SS bolts on the side. Well what can I say,I like war. I wanted you to have a piece of me as well,because your father was like a brother to me. He was one of the best leaders I’ve seen on this battle field. Always compassionate and caring. I hope you keep that medal as that was one of the very few I was able to save when I moved to the US. Keep your head up kiddo,your father would be proud of you as am I. Keep talking to my son he enjoys it. Take care and see ya in the next one. -Allen Thorne

I looked at Mark who had two more pictures and a ring in his hand. The pictures were of my father and Allen sharing a drink through linked arms. It had the city and date on the back of it. The next picture was of my father and Allen hugging it out on the battlefield. I smiled. “We are keeping these things right in this jacket.” Mark chuckled, “Is that going to be the good luck jacket?” I nodded, “Can’t be coincidence anymore. I’m thinking that it’s all planned.” Mark smiled giving me a giant hug. “Well I’ll always be grateful for you.” I pulled him into my lips giving him a passionate kiss.