Queen of Denial

Original Short Story By Christine Wichman c. April, 2017

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Cleo Jane tilted the rear view mirror toward her face and quickly swiped a stain of ruby red across her sumptuous lips.

“Green,” Jedediah blasted from the passenger seat, “Go!”

“Hold your horses man, there’s nobody around for miles, I will go when I am damn ready.”

Cleo Jane and Jedediah were midway through a week long road trip down Route 66, they left Chicago on Monday expecting to meet up with the rest of the Crockett clan by Sunday in LA.

Cleo Jane and Jedediah were first cousins and best friends since they were kids back in Simi Valley. Both ended up with jobs in Chicago, Cleo Jane was a make up artist and Jed ran a comedy school. So it was only natural they would rent Jed’s dream car and take Cleo’s dream road trip back home for their Grandpa Joe’s Memorial.

The car was a shimmery sky blue 1971 classic Camero SS. The road trip, entailed stopping at every historic motel and diner along the infamous route.

With a long stretch of road ahead and their playlist starting to repeat, Jed decided it was time for his favorite game.

“Okay Truth or Truth…your turn go!” he sat back and twirled his dark mustache anticipating his cousin’s query.

“Why didn’t you call my friend Jen after your date last month!?”

“Jen, Jen…? Did I go out with someone named Jen?”

Cleo playfully punched Jed in the shoulder, “Seriously why do you do that? Whenever I set you up, you make me look bad. I’m so done being your pimp!”

Jed rubbed his shoulder, “Ouch, fine. Not like I need your charity dating service anyway. I’m doing just dandy since I’ve taken my Improv team on the road.”

Cleo shot Jed a cold stare.

“Okay my turn. Why did you break up with Evan? I thought you two were going the distance keeping to your plan of marriage by thirty-five, did he cheat on you or something?”

Cleo was silent, staring straight ahead into the bright haze of the desert hills.

“Well that answers that question. You have always been the Queen of denial. Sorry it lasted two years too long.”

“Wait, you knew he was cheating? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“They always shoot the messenger. I thought you knew and had some kind of understanding.” Jed pulled out an open bag of corn nuts and popped a few in his mouth.

“I thought you knew me better than that?”

“All I know, is that you’ve always been a free spirit with a mind of your own. It’s not my place to interfere in your love life unless the guy is a serial killer, or the Beast of Bodmin Moor, then I would probably say something.”

“Gee Thanks,” Cleo held out her hand and Jed shook the rest of the corn nuts from the bag into her palm. Glancing down toward the dashboard she noticed, “Shit we’re on empty!”

“Already?” Jed leaned over to take a look, “We just fueled up an hour ago. That thing must be broken, or something is wrong. Pull over so I can check the tank.”

Miles from anywhere and in the middle of nowhere Cleo eased the car over the dirt embankment and stopped in a cloud of dust.

Cleo Jane and the 71 Camero

Jed stepped around to the open gas tank and kneeled down to examine the liquid that was soaking the dirt beneath it, it smelled like gas. “Looks like a leak alright.” he stood up and clapped the dirt from his hands. “You still have a triple A card?”

Cleo was already rummaging through her plethora of credit and membership cards to find it. “I hope I renewed it!” she was slightly worried she may have let it lapse this year.

Just then a vintage bright red tow truck slowed to a stop and pulled over in front them. The lettering on the side read “Duke’s Road Rescue”.

“Damn,” Jed mused, “must be our lucky day.”

Cleo instantly recognized the truck and the driver from the gas station, where they filled up an hour ago. The white bearded man that had pumped their gas looked so much like Dumbledore, the Wizard from Harry Potter, he made an indelible impression on Cleo’s imagination.

“Looks like Y’all need some help here!” he bellowed as he stepped down from the truck in his blue overalls and dirty work boots.

“Sure do,” Jed replied “I think our rental has a leaky tank. We just filled up with you a ways back and now the needle is on empty.”

Duke took a look himself. “Yup tank’s got issues. I’ll take ya back to town and if I’ve got the parts you’re set. If not you may need to call for a replacement car.”

Cleo sighed, “Oh man.” she hated when a wrench was thrown into her perfect plans. There was a lake she was dying to explore along the road, and it was only a few miles away. “Guess we really don’t have a choice.” she glanced at Jed.

“Nope. Grab the corn nuts and the waters, I’ll get the gummy bears.”

Cleo shook her head, “Always worried about your stomach first.”

“Hey an hour back is a long way. I’m overdo for lunch as it is,” he grabbed his green back pack from the trunk.

Duke was hurriedly hooking the Camero up to the truck to get them back on the road.

When he was finished he waved them both into his small cab. Cleo pushed Jed ahead of her so he would suffer the middle spot next to old Duke. She was claustrophobic and preferred being beside the window rather than a stranger with a gnarly long white beard and grease covered overalls.

Duke peeled out and kicked up quite the dust with his squirrley u turn. Cleo grabbed Jed’s knee and held on for dear life.

Jed clutched his back pack to his chest and gave Cleo a wide eyed “Oh shit” look as Duke put the pedal to the metal and bounced them along the empty highway at high speed.

Duke shouted over the din of the engine “Nothin’ but blue skies ahead beautiful day for a drive!”

Duke was a chatty old fella, “The stretch between Amarillo and Albuquerque is always the most memorable 290 miles. Did you folks stay in Tucumcari, or just speed through for some gas?”

Jed answered feebly, “We just sort of blew through for some gas. My cousin here was anxious to get to Santa Rosa. We had plans to explore the lake.”

“Santa Rosa, damn you were nearly there. Bad luck. But maybe it’s the universe’s way of telling y’all you missed the best part of the route. Tucumcari is the lost civilization of these whole dang United States. It’ll do ya good to spend some time with us true Americans.”

“Any good hotels in Tucumcari?” Cleo was curious. She had enough of Motel 6’s and this route 66 was literally feeling more like the highway from hell.

“I’ll hook ya up at the Blue Swallow. My gal Didi can git ya a real good discount.”

Fifty-four minutes later Duke pulled into the gas station and walked the two of them over to the Blue Swallow. “Just leave the car to me. I’ll give you a call when I have some news.”

Didi sat behind the lobby counter in a hot pink off the shoulder sweater, filing her talon like nails. “Hey Dukie what’s up?” she hopped off her stool and flashed the guests a gold tooth smile.

“This here is Jed and Cleo, poor kids had some car trouble an hour west, so I’m workin’ on gettin’ them a new gas tank. Can ya put ‘em up for a few nights at good price?”

“Anything for you honey,” she winked. “I can upgrade you kids to the Honeymoon Suite,”

“Umm they ain’t married Didi.”

“Aww that’s okay, it’s 2017. I’m with the times.”

“No, no they’re cousins.” Duke winked.

“Still okay by me.” Didi winked at both of them.

“Honestly the only reason we share a last name is because our fathers were brothers,” Jed interrupted, “We are first cousins, practically brother and sister. We need our space, if you know what I mean.” Jed threw her an exaggerated wink.

“Twin beds maybe?” Cleo was losing her patience.

Didi looked down at her reservation book. “Hmmm kind of full up, with the Chess tourney in town and the Biker’s meet up comin’ in tomorrow morning. Oh wait. I think I’ve got one room that might work. Do you mind being ‘round back?”

Duke winced, “Oooh round back? That’s rough.”

Cleo looked worried, “What happens ‘round back?”

“Well, we had a grizzly murder out there a few years ago, it even made a Dateline reenactment. We were famous for a minute…” Didi trailed off and was interrupted by Duke.

“Look I live behind the gas station in my RV, I’m right close by and promise to keep an eye out. Y’all should be perfectly safe here.”

“I think we really need to get to fixing the car, so Didi book us out back and Duke why don’t you go on over and get started on that tank.” Jed took control, “How much do we owe you Didi?”

“How does fifty sound?”

“For both nights? Deal.” Jed whipped his credit card from his back pack.

Duke gave them both a salute and was off to work on the car.

Didi grabbed two sets of keys and walked Cleo and Jed around back. “Here ya go, just give me a holler if you need anything. You can reach me at extension 069 on that phone there,” she pointed to the black rotary phone on the nightstand.

The Blue Swallow

As soon as Jed slammed the door behind her, Cleo screamed and threw herself across the chenille bed spread of the first bed she could land on. “Ugghh, two days in this hell hole. Damn I knew this trip was going too smoothly.”

Jed laughed grabbing a postcard off the desk, “Fear not, the Dinosaur Museum is within walking distance and the museum of tumbleweeds is just up the road.”

TUCUMCARI SIGHTS

“I was dreaming of making it to that lake today. I had visions of a perfect hike, a bucolic picnic and some leisure time floating on a raft beneath those big azure New Mexico skies.”

“Sorry to break it to you Jane Austen but you’re gonna have to put on your big girl panties and face reality. I say we hit up the closest greasy diner and the seediest bar in town and make a night of it.”

“Fine,” Cleo gave in.

Jed grabbed Cleo’s wrist and hoisted her off the bed, “Let’s go, I’m starving!”

After declining the only Chinese and only Mexican restaurants in town, the two decided on Joe’s Back in the Day Diner and indulged in burgers and fries. Full and ready to explore they exited the diner and hit the street in search of a dive bar.

With the sun setting and the number of cars thinning out, the town seemed to be winding down into a lull of sleepiness.

SUNSET

“That’s the bar,” Jed pointed to a tiny neon sign that read, Lizard Lounge.

Stepping in they were greeted by the hostess, “Dinner or just drinks?”

“Just drinks,” Jed replied.

“Lots of them,” added Cleo.

She pointed them to the long wooden bar at the back of the restaurant. They took two seats in the center and the bartender, an elderly native american man stepped to attention. “What can I make for you two?”

“I’ll have your best whiskey, neat please.” Jed pushed his visa card toward the man, “keep that open awhile.”

“I’ll have what he’s having and put it on his tab,” Cleo instructed.

Jed rolled his eyes and laughed. “So I’m buyin’?”

“A night on the town was your idea, I’m just along for the ride. I’ll treat you to the Dinosaur Museum tomorrow.”

“I think I prefer the tumbleweeds.”

“There ya go, My name is Joe, let me know when you’re ready for round two,” the man smiled as he presented their drinks.

“Aww, that was our Grandpa’s name, we are on our way to his Memorial service,” Cleo shared.

“Sorry for your loss. May his spirit be free and may the stars carry your sadness away.”

Cleo was touched, “Thank you.”

Jed nodded his appreciation.

Joe walked off and Cleo commented, “That was beautiful. I really miss Grandpa Joe, it is going to be so strange to go home and not see him there.”

“Yeah I know. I’m really bummed I had to cancel our last fishing trip. I can’t believe we won’t have another chance.”

Just as they were both losing their jovial mood Joe returned with a young Hopi girl. “This is my Granddaughter Tansy. She speaks with the spirits, perhaps you would like to speak with your Grandfather tonight.”

“I will give you two a moment to think it over, if you would like my help, I will be in the back booth over there,” Tansy pointed to the darkest corner of the restaurant.

Cleo and Jed were taken aback by such an unusual offer.

“Sounds like a lot of supernatural baloney to me,“ whispered Jed.

“Supernatural? Perhaps. Baloney? Perhaps not,” Cleo was curious.

“I’ve always been fascinated with otherworldly things. I think we should just see what she is offering. Come on, where is your sense of adventure Jed?” Cleo nudged him with her shoulder.

Jed looked over his shoulder toward the booth in the corner. Tansy, sat demurely, combing her long dark hair with her fingers. She was a beauty, barely a day over twenty-one. There was an innocence behind her brown eyes, and Jed could not deny his intrigue in the Native American culture and their mysterious ways.

“Do you think she’ll make us smoke Peyote?” Jed mumbled into his whiskey glass.

“Pfft,” Cleo shook her head, “You wish.”

“Fine, let’s go over there and see what she has to say for Old Grandpa Joe.” Jed gave in.

Cleo hopped off her stool eagerly and walked happily toward Tansy. Sliding into the booth, opposite the smiling young girl. “Okay we’re ready now. How does it all work?”

Tansy giggled, “The Spirit World is not a game, I am not a psychic or a medium. I simply hear messages from the otherworld, at will. So there is nothing to do really but ask your Grandfather to join us here and I can relay your messages to him and his words back to you.”

“How long have you been doing this?” Jed was not sold on the idea.

“Since I was seven years old, so twenty years now.”

“Twenty-Seven? Wow I thought you were much younger than that,” Jed smiled flirtatiously, “Your skin is flawless.”

Tansy blushed and Cleo gave Jed a warning nudge to reel it in.

“Okay I have a question for our Grandfather, can you ask him if he is alright, if he is happy now?” Cleo pressed on, “Oh and ask him if he is with Grandma Lucy.”

Tansy took a deep breath and dropped her shoulders, then she closed her eyes for what felt like an entire minute.

“He says, ‘The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner. Now I am the master.’ Mmm that is all he has to say.” Tansy opened her eyes.

“Wow, that is deep.” Cleo was visibly impressed, she sighed and looked to the ceiling as if greeting her Grandfather. “Hey look up Jed, it’s like a little hole to heaven.”

There was a small tromp l’oeil painting depicting a hole with blue skies and white clouds beyond it. Cleo took it as a sign.

a little hole to heaven…

Jed looked up but said nothing. Suddenly music began to play loudly in the bar and a man announced, “Tonight’s Karaoke will be hosted by our own Tansy Nova. Come on up girl! We’re playing your song!”

Tansy nodded her good bye to Jed and Cleo and made her way to the small stage next to the bar. Skillfully she took up the mic and began a powerful and provocative rendition of Witchy Woman by the Eagles.

“Woooo hooo witchy woman, she’s got the moon in her eyes….” her voice was amazing and her stage presence mesmerizing. Jed forced Cleo from the booth so he could stand closer to the stage and take it all in.

Cleo sauntered up behind him, still holding her whiskey glass, “The girl can rock!” she was quite impressed with Tansy.

Jed shouted back, “Yeah at least she has one talent.”

“What do you mean?” Cleo was confused.

“I mean she can sing. The whole medium thing, not so much…”

“Why do you say that? I think she nailed Grandpa.” Cleo was convinced.

“Grandpa did not say that. It was a direct quote from Darth Vader in Star Wars.”

Cleo did not miss a beat, “And Star Wars was Grandpa Joe’s favorite movie dummy!”

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As the night rolled on and Jed kept the drinks coming, Cleo had wrangled herself a mighty handsome cowboy for a dance partner and was really letting loose on the dance floor. The cowboy introduced himself as Brixton Clay, he seemed a consummate gentleman and a bit reserved at first, but with every shot of whiskey his moves and his banter became more flirtatious.

“People ‘round here just know me as Brix. I ride bulls from here to Tennessee. Just ask anyone in this bar they will tell you I’ve got some moves.”

“I don’t need to check your references, I can see for myself,” Cleo was smitten, and fueled on whiskey. By Midnight she was convinced she had found her long lost soul mate and had forgotten where she was, who she came with and why she was even in this bar in the first place.

Meanwhile Jed was putting some serious moves on Tansy Nova. He bought her three glasses of the house Chardonnay and slowly began to take over both her hosting duties and her Karaoke night.

As Cleo and Brix were cozying up in the back booth Jed was having the time of his life between altered song renditions and bits of his stand up routine. Suddenly the bar, had doubled in occupancy and he had the crowd roaring with laughter. He started off by singing his go to Karaoke tune, “Hotel California” only he had changed the lyrics on the spot to suit his mood and his predicament. They went something like this:

“On a bright desert highway, Corn nuts in my hand… foul smell of gasoline leaking across the land…Up ahead in the distance, a cool shimmering lake…our destination..oh no, empty tank! Our hearts grew heavy and the tow truck came in… We had to stay for two nights!!

There she stood in the doorway, (He pointed to Tansy, who was in the doorway) Sweet Hopi, with fortunes to tell…I was thinking to myself, Grandpa could be in heaven, or he could be in hell…Then she picked up the mic and she began to sing! Her voice was adorable and I thought I heard her say….Hey handsome stranger we want you to stay….”

Tansy smiled wide and gleefully let Jed take over the rest of her hosting duties, she was exhausted from the first four hours just trying to keep up with him. It seemed only fitting to hand over the last half hour or so.

When he finished the show, he was mobbed by the crowd wanting to shake his hand and get a few autographs. He soaked up the attention, but made sure he kept one eye on Tansy. He was not letting her get away tonight.

Finally the last “fan” wandered off and Jed walked straight up to Tansy who was wiping down the bar.

“Do you have to do everything around here?” he smiled, while pulling up a stool.

“Pretty much, we own the place,” Tansy laughed, “And thanks for stealin’ the show!”

“Oh sorry,” he lifted the glass in his hand, “You should have cut me off, crazy shit happens after I drink too many shots.”

Tansy laughed again as Cleo and Brix weaved their way up to the bar to join them. “Hiccough, Hey Jed, can we all go get some food, I think I am starting to spin.”

Jed looked at Tansy, “Are you still serving food?”

Tansy tossed the bar towel over her shoulder and yelled toward the back, “Buster you still cookin’?”

“What do you want?” called back a gruff voice with a slight hispanic accent.

“Throw four Lizard Bones on the grill will ya?”

“Lishard Bones, those sound awful,” Cleo slurred.

“Best t-bone steaks you’ll ever have,” reassured Tansy, “Trust me. You all go back to the booth, I’ll hook us up.”

Cleo closed her eyes and leaned her head on Brix’s broad shoulder, just clearing the brim of his black cowboy hat. Brix shook Jed’s hand across the table. “I’m Brixton Clay, I sure hope you ain’t this gal’s boyfriend.”

Jed laughed, “Oh hell no, I am her evil twin cousin Jed. Nice to meet you.”

“You are a funny guy. You famous or something?”

“Something.” Jed answered

Just them Tansy arrived with cutlery and napkins, she scooted in close to Jed.

Brix continued, “I don’t know how comedians come up with fresh material like that, you have a talent. What is your process?”

“My process has changed over the years. I’d say it has been enhanced.”

Cleo popped up like the dormouse at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, “Yeah his new process is alcohol, lots of alcohol. He keeps a bottle of Robert Mondavi in the shower to help him create!”

Jed looked sheepishly toward Tansy.

“Oh my gosh I am getting something,” Tansy broke character. “Jedi, drinking more has nothing to do with your creativity. You were born three things; a comic, a fisherman and a dumbass!”

“Oh my God, did you just call him Jedi?” Cleo gasped, “That was one of Grandpa’s nicknames for Jed.”

“Was the other one Dumbass?” Brix teased.

Cleo laughed,”Umm yes he called us all dumbass!”

Jed was stunned silent.

Tansy continued, “You kids are killin’ me, how did you ever let that Duke and Didi hoodwink you like this! It’s all a scam. Go down there and demand your Camero back. Don’t pay them one red cent and get your dumbasses back on the road again!”

“Wait what?” Jed stared into Tansy’s deep brown eyes, expecting Grandpa Joe to bark out more orders.

“Wow, I guess alcohol helps my process too. I’ve never heard someone so loud and clear before.” Tansy was back.

“Well that is definitely our Grandpa Joe, probably the loudest old bastard you’ll ever meet.” Jed laughed, he was truly a believer now.

“That’s it, we are going to get our car!” Jed was furious, “I won’t be anyone’s victim.”

“Right now?” Cleo was enjoying her steak, “Can’t we finish our food first?”

“Duke and Didi have been at that scam for years. I think the Sheriff is in on it, so maybe you’d better have a plan before you approach them.” Tansy warned.

“I’ll tell you the plan, I am going to steal back our damn car!” Jed’s alcohol was doing the talking.

“What if he hasn’t fixed it yet?” Cleo’s mouth was full, “The tank was definitely leaking.”

“Well my brother owns a legit Auto shop a few miles from here. If your tank’s busted I can help you there,” Brix offered, “and I’ll follow you in my truck to be sure you make it. Where y’all headed anyway?”

Cleo giggled, “California, and you are more than welcome to join us.”

“Well that is a long way, but for you honey I guess I could stand a road trip. I’ve got enough camping gear to get us through the dessert and back again.”

Just then Buster stepped up offering a plate of chocolate chip brownies, “Dessert anyone?”

Cleo took the first square off the plate, “Thank you, I love brownies!”

“Are those your famous ones?” Tansy smiled.

“Of course,” Buster grinned.

Tansy took two, handing one to Jed. “These are amazing you have to try one.”

Jed would do anything for Tansy’s smile, she was completely melting him.

Cleo fed her last bite to Brix, “Those are tasty,” he had to agree.

“They are vegan,” Tansy laughed.

“Vegan? What’s in ‘em?” now Brix was worried, he didn’t go in for any modern day healthy stuff.

“Black beans, dates, dairy free chocolate chips, some flax seed….oh and one more thing, cannabis oil.” Tansy laughed.

“Oh shit, did we just eat Pot brownies?” Cleo was amused.

“Oh man,” Jed was not amused, “How am I going to deal with Duke now?”

“Umm it might have to wait ‘til morning sweetheart,” Tansy kissed his cheek to calm him.

Buster approached the table again, “Oh hey man, I have to apologize. I don’t think those were the cannabis batch…”

Jed looked relieved, “Thank God!”

Buster continued, “I accidentally gave you guys the ones with the ‘shrooms in the icing.”

All four looked at each other in stunned silence.

“Well we better start the plan before these suckers kick in,” Jed got up from the table and headed for the door. The other three followed.

“But what’s the plan?” Cleo called after him.

“You and Cowboy go to the hotel and get our bags, Tansy and I will deal with Duke. Meet us back here as soon as you can…”

Six hours later~

A bright ray of light poured in through the hotel room curtains. Slowly Cleo opened her left eye then her right. Groaning, she looked at her wrist to check the time. Her watch read 7 am, which was less shocking than what appeared to be on her ring finger, a sparkling two carat pink diamond set in rose gold. “What the hell?” Cleo whispered. Just then Brix rolled over and laid a soft kiss on her cheek. “Well Good Morning Mrs. Clay, don’t you look beautiful in this light!”

Cleo was speechless and turned toward the double bed on her left, noticing two lumps under the covers, one was stirring. Jed threw the chenille bedspread off his face and torso and moaned. “Dear God, why is my head still pounding?”

Tansy emerged beside him resting her left arm across his bare chest, she too was sporting a fancy diamond ring. “It’s okay Babe, I have a remedy for your kind of hangover.”

Jed gasped at the sight he was waking to, looking over at Cleo he whispered? “Is this a dream? Please tell me I’m still dreaming!”

“Umm it appears I have married a Cowboy and you have married an Indian.” Cleo again, was somewhat amused.

Brix put his head on Cleo’s turned shoulder and chimed in, “Damn straight. You kids don’t remember any of last night do you?” he then kissed Cleo’s shoulder and sat up, propping his pillow to get comfortable. “Shall I tell y’all the whole story or should we get breakfast first?”

Tansy stretched and yawned, pulling the inside sheet around her naked body, she scooted out of the bed, heading quickly for the bathroom, “I have to pee, tell them when I get back, I don’t want to miss the looks on their faces,” she smiled a wicked smile.

Jed rubbed his eyes and sighed, “The last thing I remember was telling off old Duke and getting our car keys back, so why are we still here?” he looked around the room, “This is still the Blue Swallow isn’t it?”

“Yes Sir. Turns out Didi wouldn’t let you out of the two night deal, so we can’t leave Tucumcari until tomorrow morning,” informed the Cowboy, “Good news is, Duke replaced your tank yesterday and thanks to your killer right hook you don’t have to pay a cent.” Brix was laughing now, “Damn I wish I had a movie of everything that went down last night, you two are somethin’ else on drugs.”

“We need details,” Cleo was starting to worry, “How the hell did we all end up getting married?”

Tansy ran out of the bathroom and leapt back into Jed’s bed. “Well, right after Jed got the keys, the brownies kicked in. Jed and I took the Camero back to the Pow Wow Restaurant to wait for you and Brix…..”

Brix continued, “But Cleo here attacked me as soon as we walked in the door, sooo we ended up gettin’ a little side tracked.” he shot an adoring look toward Cleo, “ You know I only had one bite of that stuff, so it didn’t really effect any of my decisions. I knew I wanted you, long before the whiskey or the brownie.”

“Awww,” Cleo snuggled up to kiss her Cowboy.

“And I hate to say it Jed, but I have built up something of a tolerance to Buster’s surprise desserts over the years, so I went into all of this willingly as well. You had me at Hotel California, then totally won me over when you told me “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.”

“I said that?” Jed had no memory of any of this.

“You did, right in front of the little Chapel of Love. I took it as a sign and jokingly asked you to marry me. You said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and whipped out this ring.” Tansy held up the gold sparkler.

“Grandma’s ring!” Cleo announced, “We were bringing that back to bury with Grandpa.”

“Why would you bury something so beautiful?” Tansy gazed at the ring. “Grandma wanted you to have it for your wife Jedi!”

“Wait, is that you talking or Grandpa Joe?” Jed was confused, he seemed to remember Tansy channelling their Grandfather off and on all night.

“It’s me Dumbass,” Tansy continued as Grandpa Joe, “I’m still pissed about you getting duped by Duke, but Grandma and I are real happy to see you kids finally found your soul mates!”

“Wow.” Cleo took another look at the hunk in her bed, then glanced at her ring, “And how did you ever come by something this spectacular?”

“Once upon a time I was gonna marry my high school sweetheart, I had the nerve to buy the ring, but never had the nerve to to ask her, which turned out to be a good thing, ‘cause she ended up breaking my heart. So that thing has been in a secret compartment in my glove box for two years now.” Brix kissed Cleo’s hand. “Sure happy it found a home on your finger Darlin’.”

“SO to finish the story…” Tansy interrupted, “Jed and I were just about to say our I do’s when you two came busting in and decided to join us in a double ceremony.”

Little Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari xoxo

“We had no idea we would find you two in that chapel,” continued Brix, “I popped the question back at the hotel and we were ready to do the deed, all spontaneous like.”

“Wait, I remember something. Did we drive out into the desert and go to that Lake in Santa Rosa?” Jed sat up running his hands through his hair, “It was beautiful out there. I remember the stars…”

“Did you sing ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ ?” Cleo laughed looking at Brix.

“Oh you do remember?” Brix was relieved. “Jed built us a nice camp fire and I set us up a tent. We were out there talking for hours, about all kinds of nonsense…”

Soul mates under the Stars…

“Until the Coyote’s came and Cleo got scared and went running off into the hills. It took us forty-five minutes to find her,” Tansy laughed.

“Oh my God I remember howling on top of the hill and then I insisted on coming back here didn’t I?” Cleo recalled.

“Well we left the Camero at the Pow Wow, so we had to come back.” Jed added, “I hope it’s still there!”

“It is I had my Grandfather keep an eye on it,” Tansy smiled.

“Your Grandfather…does he know about us?”

“Who do you think officiated the wedding? We own the Chapel too.” Tansy was clearly on board with this whole crazy marriage thing.

“So just how much of this town do you own?” Jed was curious.

“Only the southern half, but don’t worry I have a huge family, they won’t miss me when I’m gone.” Tansy squeezed Jed’s hand.

“I say we blow this pop stand and get back on the road for LA, we only have a few days until the memorial.” Cleo got up and started packing. “We already gave whats her name fifty bucks, she can’t kill us if we leave early.”

“I’ll get the truck honey, California here we come!” Brix was out the door.

“What the hell, you only live once,” Jed climbed out of bed and put his pants on, then he tossed Tansy her jeans, “You really up for all of this?”

“One day I’ll play back our Wedding Video. Then you’ll see this ain’t no joke.” Tansy tucked the front of her blouse into her jeans and scooped up the Camero keys.

*The End*