The Ghost of a '57 Chevy
written by:
Janet Fremont

The Ghost of a 57 Chevy

Janet Fremont

You drive east from Lexington - not on the interstate, but on the old Kentucky state highways and smaller county roads - on past Stanton and Hazard and Pikeville, on past the tiny towns and the even smaller places that used to be tiny towns before the mines closed or the new roads bypassed them or maybe just the ones where all the younger people left and the older ones finally died. You drive on into the true rural part of the state, into the mountains with their hidden turns and sharp ridge lines, their forested slopes and secret hollows. You pass the ruins of old farms and occasionally a newer place bought by some city folk who thought they would like to live out here in the middle of nowhere. At least, until they actually did live here. You see a lot of things that you would never see if you stayed on the big roads. Some of them make you feel happy. Some of them make you feel sad. And some of them - a very few - make you feel something you can never really describe.

Don Carson pulled off I-64 somewhere east of Lexington and turned into a gas station. He got out, removed the gas cap and began to pump the fuel into his tank. While it was filling he looked around. This seemed as good a place as any to leave the big highway and start off on the smaller roads. He glanced inside the little Ford, checking that his camera was on the passenger seat, ready for immediate use.

Don was a finance officer for a small firm in Louisville. A very good finance officer. But for this week he was on vacation. It was a clear, hot August day and he had exchanged his suit for an open neck shirt and jeans and planned to spend a few days traveling through the eastern part of the state pursuing his hobby of photography. In reality it was more than a hobby. A passion, actually. He had made these trips before, capturing photos of interesting things in the rural back country of the state. He had even won a couple of awards for his work.

In general, Don liked to photograph still objects. Sometimes just landscapes, but most often with some old man-made works included. He had one shot he had taken of a house located back into the edge of the mountains. It was obvious the place had not been occupied in a number of years, the paint already gone or at least peeling. It once must have been a nice house. Frame construction, two floors, a wide porch both front and back. Now it stood alone and forlorn, long grass and weeds filling the yard, a rusting swing set in the back. One swing hung on its rusty chains, ready for use but the other hung from a single support, tilted onto the ground. A large barn was visible, its loft door open to the elements, its red paint faded along with the "Mail Pouch Tobacco" sign painted on its side. Looking at the scene, one could almost see the children playing on the swings and hear their excited laughter. Now only the ghost of their image remained and one was left wondering what had happened. Did they just grow up and move away? Did some tragedy forever alter their life? It was impossible to tell, but the house still stood as silent testimonial to the earlier times.

Occasionally he would include people in the photo. A year ago he had been driving back in the hills on a Sunday afternoon in July. As he rounded a bend in the road he suddenly saw another typical rural house. This time it was in fairly good repair and there were people in the side yard. A couple and their three children: two boys and a girl. The oldest, a boy, was perhaps ten or eleven, but what caught his attention was that they were making homemade ice cream with an old fashion hand crank freezer. The three children - even the small girl who could have been no more than five or six - were taking turns sitting on the tub and turning the crank. It looked like a scene from fifty or more years ago. Don stopped, and after talking with the parents for a few minutes, got permission to take a few pictures. They asked if they could see them or maybe even buy a copy and he said he'd definitely let them know. When he had processed and printed the photos, he made a nice 11 x 14 of the best one and framed it and sent it to the family along with smaller copies of the others. He got back a very nice letter thanking him. He thought this was probably the only non-snap shot picture the family had ever owned. The whole thing had given him a very good feeling. The shot he had considered the best won him an award which now hung on his wall at home.

But perhaps his favorite photo had no people in it at all, On a small county road outside a nearly abandoned town was an old drive-in theater. It was clear it had not been used in years. There were a few small holes at one side of the screen, grass grew in clumps among the abandoned speaker posts and the concrete block refreshment stand presented a couple of cracked windows. Such old drive-ins were not uncommon throughout this part of the state but what made this one unique was what was located just behind it. Here was an auto salvage business - a junk yard - with the shells of old cars. The business had evidently run out of storage room and since the drive-in was not in use, had moved some of their vehicles into the back row of the theater. In a line were a half dozen cars, all of 1950s to 1960s vintage, lined up as though they were watching the movie. Don had looked at this row of cars and could imagine a family in the 59 Ford, a couple in the 53 Chevy, and, in the 60 Dodge, he was sure there would be two teenage couples, neither watching the movie. Probably the ones in the back seat wouldn't even be visible. He smiled to himself and positioned his camera behind the row of cars with the refreshment stand and the screen visible beyond them.

He had a large black and white print of this one hanging on his wall. Every time he looked at it he could see the ghosts of the people inside the cars and to him the cars themselves no longer looked like junkers, but rather as they had been.

Beside photography, Don had an interest in older cars. He never knew just where he got his passion for photography but he was pretty sure where his interest in older cars had originated. Don had an uncle and aunt - Fred and Mary. Fred was his father's brother, ten years older than his dad and thirty-five years older than Don himself. His father often said that if anyone collected wool from his family, they would only get black from Fred. Fred and Mary weren't really black sheep, but they were a little more wild than the rest of the family. From about the time he was fifteen, Don had found them a fantastic source of stories of a type that would appeal to a teenage boy.

His favorites were about Fred's old Chevy and his and Mary's adventures with it. Fred had bought a 57 Chevy Bel Air his senior year in high school which was 1962. It had needed a lot of work but Fred did most of it himself and by the time he graduated the big 283 V-8 engine was running perfectly and he had repaired and repainted the body so it looked almost new. He and Mary had been going together for over a year when they graduated and they decided to celebrate by taking a trip out west in the Chevy. They spent six weeks, traveling the western states and parks, camping or even sometimes just sleeping in the car.

When Don had heard this story the first time he had been nearly seventeen. Fred and Mary were both fifty-one at that time but both, especially Mary, looked much younger and were still very active. When they began telling about their trip, Mary had pulled out a scrapbook with pictures. Looking at her photo, Don decided she must have looked fantastic at eighteen. She was tall, about five-eight, with blonde hair which hung down to the middle of her back. Her eyes were still a deep blue and in almost all of the photos she was wearing either a skirt which came only to mid thigh or some of the shortest shorts Don had ever seen. Her legs and ass were everything a teenage boy could imagine - or dream of.

From the stories his aunt and uncle told about their trip he guessed that they shared more than camp chores. He felt sure they had only used one sleeping bag although they never said so directly. Still, some of the tales they told him made it pretty clear that it wasn't a platonic relationship. After the trip they had gotten married and, from what he could see, were still as interested in each other - both romantically and physically - as they must have been at eighteen.

They told him other stories, many involving the 57 Chevy. This car had become an automotive icon. The distinctive tail fins, the chrome. Not to mention it had the first of the big block V-8 engines Chevrolet had put in an auto. Fred had the largest, the 283 cubic inch, and with the light weight car, it provided unparalleled acceleration. While Fred didn't actually compete in drag racing, he was quick to point out the 57 Chevy quickly took most of the records, although often they were later refitted for racing with the bigger 409 or other large V-8 engines.

Because of their stories - or for whatever other reason - Don had developed a keen interest in older cars. In high school he was sort of a nerd, serious in his studies and not really into much in the way of outside activities, so his interest in old autos was more academic than hands-on. When he decided on a career in finance and went to college, it was much the same. He did date but never found the right girl, then or after, and thus remained single. Often he got to feeling that maybe he had missed the excitement he should have had when he was eighteen or twenty, but felt it was now too late to recapture it.

But he still dreamed about the old cars. He would love to own one, restore it. Especially a 57 Chevy. But he knew he lacked the skills to rebuild one, either body or engine, and couldn't afford to pay others to do so. A restored 57 Chevy could go for seventy-five to eighty-five thousand dollars or even more. Collecting old cars was a hobby for those with much greater financial resources than he had, so he tried to content himself with taking their pictures.

Now it was August and he was taking a week off. The firm had insisted - they wouldn't let him accumulate any more vacation days. He had nowhere in particular he wanted to go, nothing special to do. Clear, hot weather was predicted for the next several days. He had decided to spend the time driving through the eastern mountains of the state and taking pictures. Who knew? He might find another award winning scene.

He put the gas cap back on and took his receipt from the pump - he hadn't spoken with a human gas station attendant in years. Getting back into the little Ford, he glanced at the map and instead of getting back onto the interstate, he turned onto one of the smaller state highways heading towards the southeast.

The little car was air conditioned so despite the hot August sun beating down, it was quite comfortable inside. He drove on for several hours, stopping for some lunch at a small restaurant before starting up into the mountains. He had never been in this part of the state before. He generally tried to find new locations on these photographic expeditions.

The state highway had given way to smaller roads. These had led him through a tiny hamlet, now mostly abandoned. Only a few houses looked to retain their residents and only a few single stores remained open. From the looks of things he guessed that there had been a small mine which had probably become unprofitable and been forced to close. Those who still remained in the town probably had nowhere else to go.

The small road he was following crossed another which at one time had been a state highway until the state road had been rerouted. Near the intersection he saw a sign, now old and faded, advertising a motel. In another half mile he saw the entrance. Six small individual cabins with a slightly larger office-residence combination. Instinctively he looked around for a possible photo and then his gaze froze, locked onto the vision in front of the office.

He pulled into the lot and parked near the office. Getting out, the hot air hit him like a solid thing but he hardly noticed. Slowly he moved over to the item which had originally caught his attention. Yes, it was real. A 57 Chevy Bel Air convertible. It looked like it might have just come from the showroom floor, clean and polished, its candy apple red paint shining in the sun. He looked into the window and saw seats in nearly new condition, not a stain or cut in the fabric. The dashboard was pristine, the windows sparkling with no hint of chipping or even abrasion. But the thing which made the biggest impression was the small, hand lettered sign in the window. It read simply "FOR SALE."

What in the world was this car doing out here in the middle of nowhere? It seemed very unlikely that anyone who owned such a car would be living out here and even less likely that any potential buyer might happen along in this remote location.

Don slowly walked around the vehicle, examining each detail. The tires even looked almost new. Slowly he reached out and opened the hood. The big V-8 stared back at him. Looking more closely he saw that not only was it the big 283 but it was the fuel injected model. That year Chevy introduced the first fuel injected engine and produced the highly wished for "horse power per cubic inch." This would perform better than anything else in its class. Still in a state of disbelief, Don closed the hood and again circled the car before heading over to the office. He had to find out what this was doing here. Inside was a desk with a small bell but no one visible. He rang the bell and after ten or fifteen seconds a man appeared from the back room. He was probably in his eighties, short and white haired. He moved to the desk and asked, "Can I help you?"

Don replied, "I was just wondering about the 57 Chevy outside."

"Yes," the man said. It belonged to my son but he went and got himself killed. I won't be driving it now, so I thought I'd sell it."

"I'm sorry about your son." He hesitated a second. "How much are you asking for it?"

"Five hundred," the man replied.

"Five hundred! It must be worth a hundred or hundred fifty times that much."

The old man looked at him with a somewhat sad expression on his face. "It might be. Probably is. But it wasn't mine and I have no use for it. No real use for a lot of money either. And when I see it there it reminds me of him. If it were just up to me, I'd probably just scrap it but I know it meant something to him and that he would want it to mean something to someone else. Five hundred will make me happy. You interested?"

For a few seconds Don couldn't even reply. He'd never be able to afford this car at its real value. In fact, he'd probably pay five hundred just to rent it for a few days. He looked up at the man and finally said, "If you are serious, I would love it."

The man reached across the desk and offered his hand. They shook and then he said, "Let me get the papers." He disappeared into the back room for half a minute and then reappeared with an envelope. Inside was the title and registration. When Don looked at the registration he saw that the last time it had been licensed was in 1985. He looked up and pointed it out to the man.

"That's right. That was the last time he drove it, but I've run it every month or so and when I decided to sell it, I had a friend come over and check out everything. It's in good shape. All you need is this statement." He pointed to one of the papers. "That says it hasn't been driven on the road since then. I checked with the DMV to be sure."

Don read over the form and saw that what the man said was correct. He smiled and nodded. While on a trip like this, Don usually used a credit card for most expenses, but he had found that in some remote areas this didn't always work. So he carried about nine hundred dollars in cash with him. Now he removed ten fifty dollar bills from his wallet and handed them to the man

The man smiled, handed him the keys and the signed transfer on the title. Again he reached and shook hands. "I hope you are as happy with it as my son was."

Don was still almost in a state of shock but he managed to say, "I'd like to take it out for a little while but I need to leave my other car somewhere until I can get back for it. Would that be OK?"

"Sure. No one will bother it here. It can stay here all day or all month or as long as you want. Just leave it parked somewhere out front."

Still almost in a state of shock, Don went back outside. First he pulled his little Ford over to the side of the lot beside one of the ancient cabins. Looking around he could see that none of them were being rented any more and, in fact, looked like they had been closed up for at least a few years. He took his camera, locked the little car and made his way back to the Bel Air, still not quite believing it was his.

The thought came to him that he hadn't even started the car, much less driven it before he bought it. Still, he reasoned, even if it wouldn't run at all, it was worth a lot more than he had paid for it. With this thought in mind he climbed inside and closed the door. For long seconds he remained still, just looking at the panel and controls. At last he put in the key, pressed down on the clutch and turned the switch. The car caught almost immediately and the low rumble of the big engine settled into a deep, purring roar.

He let it idle for nearly a minute, watching the gages. This model had been fitted with a tach, an oil pressure gauge, and an ammeter. His uncle had told him that wasn't standard but evidently this owner had added them. He moved the shift lever into low and slowly let out the clutch. The car moved, feeling as though it wanted to run, not crawl. Smiling to himself he headed to the lot entrance and pulled out onto the road.

The car responded beautifully. Steering was tight with no slop. Shifting was smooth. And the acceleration... This car was designed to RUN. Suddenly he thought to glance down at the gas gage to find that the tank was only about an eighth full. A 1957 model - especially one with an engine like this - would drink a lot of gas. He decided the first thing he should do was find a gas station. He remembered one near a town he had passed through a little earlier and headed in that direction.

The car ran like a dream and when he pulled in beside the pump and turned off the ignition, he couldn't seem to get the smile off his face. He got out and was happy to see that these pumps did take credit cards. He used his and started the fuel flowing into the tank.

While he was standing there he was suddenly aware that someone had come up just behind and a little to his right. Before he could look around, a pretty voice said, "Nice car, Mister."

He turned to see who had spoken and for just a second the thought flashed through his brain that it was his Aunt Mary, now eighteen again. The girl was about her height - probably five seven or five eight. She had deep blue eyes and corn silk blonde hair which fell most of the way down her back. She also had a shape that made his eyes freeze and seemed to constrict his throat. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt, the top two buttons open and the tails tied beneath her breasts, leaving several inches of bare midriff between it and the cut off jeans she was wearing. Cut off as short as any he had ever seen, they made Daisy Duke's look long. She had athletic shoes, but no socks, on her feet. And she filled every cubic inch of her clothes to perfection.

After what seemed an awfully long delay, Don managed to say, "Thank you, I just bought it."

She moved a little nearer and let her hand slide over the polished surface, seeming to caress the vehicle. She looked over at him, a lovely smile on her face. Don noticed she wore no make-up and also that she didn't need any. She let her hand slide over the car again and said, "I love cars like this. Wish I knew someone who had one."

The whole day had been strange and now Don reacted in a way totally uncharacteristic for him. He asked, "Would you like to take a ride in it?"

Her face lit up and she replied, "I sure would, mister. Where you going?"

"Nowhere in particular. Just out to try it out. You headed somewhere in particular?"

"Just the same nowhere as you," she cryptically answered, white teeth showing in a broad smile.

Don smiled back and moved around to open the right door for her. She swung into the car, showing a lot of her remarkable legs as she did so, and settled into the seat, stretching those same remarkable legs out in front of her. Don moved around and climbed into the driver's seat and started the car. As the deep rumble of the powerful engine sent vibrations through the car, he saw the girl give a little shiver and close her eyes for a moment. Then he let out the clutch and the car rolled smoothly back out onto the highway.

He really didn't have anywhere in particular to go - he just wanted to drive this car. He followed the road out of town and into even more remote country. Once he turned off onto a small county road and twisted along it and a couple of similar routes, eventually coming back onto the road he had left once again.

The girl remained in her seat but when he glanced over Don could see the excitement in her eyes. After they had been riding for about ten minutes he said, "By the way, I'm Don Carson. I live near Louisville and am just out here to look around and take some pictures."

She turned and smiled at him. "I'm Jenny Mae." "Jenny Mae ...?" he asked. "No last name."

"Just Jenny Mae," she replied with another brilliant smile. Then she added, "I'm from around these parts."

"You still in school?" he asked, trying to make conversation.

"No, I already graduated. I'm nineteen."

"Almost to himself Don mumbled, "Just half my age."

She evidently heard him. "You don't look that old. In fact you look pretty nice."

He couldn't help himself and said, "Not nearly as nice as you." She laughed, but gave him another bright smile. Then trying still to make conversation he asked, "Is there some time you need to be back? For that matter, is back in town where you need to go/'

"Doesn't matter. I don't need to be anywhere in particular at any particular time. Let's just ride and have fun."

That sounded like a good idea to him. The car, the girl, the hot August day. Everything was combining to make this all seem like some kind of waking dream. A most pleasant dream. He was feeling like he was someone else entirely. The thought suddenly struck him that maybe the someone else was who he might have been if he hadn't spent all his time in study when he was her age. He shook his head to clear it of these strange ideas and looked to the road ahead. The car was becoming an extension of himself, responding perfectly to his touch, hugging the road and performing like the spirited thoroughbred it was.

For two hours they traveled the back roads when Don noticed the time. It was nearing six. He had decided he wasn't going to get the car back anywhere today no matter what he did. The man had said he could leave his other car parked in the old motel lot as long as he wanted. Now he was beginning to think that maybe he would stay somewhere in the area and try to find some way to get both vehicles back home. Not to mention that some time he would need to see about registering the Chevy. Of course, in the meantime the title transfer would probably do.

Looking up from his watch he saw the girl again smiling at him, a happy look on her face. She was enjoying this ride as much as he was himself. Surprising himself he suddenly said, "It's getting a little late. You're probably getting hungry. Right?"

She replied, "Oh, I can eat anytime."

Once again, to his own astonishment, he said, "Would you like to go somewhere and get something for supper?" Then suddenly thinking about the economic conditions of this area he realized she might not be ready to buy a meal out. He quickly added, "I mean I'd like to take you to supper."

"I'd like that."

"Well, do you know anywhere around here that has decent food?"

She seemed to think it over for a few seconds, closing her eyes. Then she said, "If you follow this road for a few miles it will cross the interstate. I think there might be some stuff there."

He suddenly realized he had no real idea just where they were. He had brought a map from the other car but hadn't looked at it. Now he thought that not only would that probably let them find some food, but he would also be able to orient himself. "That sounds good. Let's see just what we can find." He pushed down on the gas and let the car run, taking them on to wherever they might go.

In a few more minutes he saw a sign indicating the intersection with the big highway was just a little way ahead. He slowed and as they neared the junction he saw a couple of chain motels, two gas stations, and a small restaurant. "That place look all right?" he asked.

"Anywhere is fine," she replied.

He pulled into the lot and parked the car. When he turned off the engine he was surprised as the sudden difference the absence of the engine rumble made. He quickly got out and went around to hold her door open as she climbed out. Again he admired her lovely form. They headed to the restaurant. This was not a chain, but a small local place of some kind. He hoped the food wouldn't be too bad,

Inside they were seated in a small booth. The menus didn't offer anything particularly exotic - just plain American food. The girl ordered fried chicken and he decided to have the same. When it came, he was pleasantly surprised at the taste. It was actually pretty good, but, then, the Colonel's "secret recipe" had originated not too far from here. They finished the meal, Don paid and they headed back out to the car.

He held the door for her once again and went around to his own side. He climbed inside and started the car but before he did anything else he turned towards the girl and said, "Well, Jenny, anywhere you'd like to go?"

She replied, "Where are you planning on going tonight?"

He hadn't really thought about it. Now he gave some consideration and finally answered, "I'm not sure. I'll probably just get a room at a motel - here or somewhere else - and tomorrow try to figure how I can get this car back home."

She raised her hand and placed it on top of his on the shift lever. "Then, Don, why don't you get a room here and I'll go to the same place."

He looked at her and stared. He had to clear his throat twice. "Are you saying ..." He couldn't finish but she saved him the trouble.

"Yes, Darlin'," she drawled. "If you want me to stay with you, that is."

He swallowed hard. "I'd like nothing better."

"Then why don't you pick one of these two and get us a room?"

Everything was moving entirely too fast and in a direction Don had never expected. Still, he couldn't seem to see any other way to go. He DIDN'T want any other way to go. She patted his hand and then pointed at one of the two motels. "How about that one?"

He nodded and slipped the car into gear for the short trip. She remained in the car while he went in to register. There was a sudden moment of panic when the clerk asked for the car license and he realized he had none but when he explained that he had just bought it and showed the title, there was no problem.

Don had registered in a motel with a woman before so it wasn't an entirely new experience, although it hadn't been often and never had the girl been this young. Or this good looking, he thought. He came back to the car and drove around to the other side to park in front of the room door. He turned off the engine and for several seconds sat where he was, his hands on the steering wheel. Jenny reached over and lifted his right hand from the wheel. She held it for a second and then placed it on her thigh. It felt like he had touched a hot stove but when he started to pull it away she held it firmly in place. "Don't worry, Lover, you'll get to like it," she teased.

The girl, of course, had no luggage with her but Don suddenly realized that neither did he. All of his stuff except his camera was in the other car. Somehow he didn't think she would be expecting him to be wearing pajamas. At last he gave her leg a quick squeeze and climbed out, going around to open her door again.

Since they had nothing to carry, he simply closed and locked the car and they made their way the ten feet to the room door. He used the key and held it open for the girl, following her inside and letting the door close and latch behind them. He looked around and saw a single queen sized bed. But before he could notice anything else the girl turned to him and threw her arms around his neck. She pulled herself against him, planting her lips firmly on his. His arms moved of their own volition and wrapped around her, his palm resting on her bare back below the blouse, and pulled her more tightly to him. Their mouths opened and the kiss lasted for quite some time and Don felt himself growing hard long before it was over.

Struggling mightily he pulled himself slightly back and raised his arms to her shoulders. "Jenny Mae, are you sure you want to do this?"

Her face took on a slightly more serious look. "Yes, I'm sure. What about you?"

Don answered. "You must know I want you. But I don't have any condoms. I wouldn't want to get you pregnant."

She smiled at him again. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm on the pill. And before you ask, I have been tested and don't have any STDs. Do you?"

He looked down. "No. I haven't been tested for some time but I haven't had a chance to catch any for quite a while."

"Then there is nothing to worry about, is there, Lover?"

Somehow despite his desire Don replied, "No. Nothing except why you want to do this. I'm not objecting. I'm just wondering why."

"Because I want you. Maybe because you look like you will be fun. Maybe because that ride and that car really turned me on. Maybe just because. I don't really know, but I do want to. So shall we quit wasting time?"

With that comment she reached and began to unbutton his shirt. He was almost in a trance but he still managed to reach for the three buttons still fastened on her blouse. Releasing them and untying the tails, he slid the cloth down her shoulders, revealing two firm breasts. He hadn't thought she was wearing a bra and found that he was correct. He also found that she didn't need one even though her breasts were fair sized. They were warm and firm under his hands and stood out proudly with no droop at all. Jenny pulled his own shirt free and then moved her arms around his neck, pulling him against her, their bare bodies pressed firmly together above the waist. Her mouth locked against his and suddenly he felt no hesitation as both opened and their tongues began to explore. For a full minute they clung together, devouring each other, their hot skin rubbing, while each managed to work their shoes off. He was the first to reach for the fastening of her cutoffs but she was only seconds behind him in loosening his belt. In seconds more, without breaking the kiss in the slightest, both were clad only in underwear. Hers were a skimpy pair of very high cut panties, white in color, and, he noticed, damp at the crotch. Her hand slid down his side, catching his briefs and tugging them free. Again, in only seconds, both had stepped free of these last garments.

The kiss continued for another two or three minutes until, at last, they pulled slightly back, looking at each other's face as they gasped for air. Don moved his hands to her shoulders and held her at arm's length, his gaze sliding slowly up and down her body. "You are truly beautiful," he managed to say. "Lovely. Absolutely lovely."

Jenny smiled and likewise examined him. Don was in good shape. Despite having basically a desk job, he was adamant about his workouts and maintained his body in excellent form for someone his age. Not that thirty-eight was old, but many men had let themselves go by that time. Don stood five ten and had learned long ago that he felt better if he always carried himself erect, shoulders back, head up. Now his posture wasn't the only thing erect. Jenny looked at the stiff rod standing straight out below his waist. Unconsciously she licked her lips then looked up into his eyes. "You're certainly not bad yourself." Then she smiled widely. "I believe the word might be studly'."

Don laughed. "I doubt that really applies to me, but thank you. Still, I'm sure I'm nothing compared to you. You look fantastic!"

Again she smiled and let one hand slide down his back and over his firm buttocks. "Oh, I think you are just right. And you have a very nice ass." Then she gave an almost enigmatic smile and almost whispered, "Why don't we stop admiring each other and just fuck?"

With that comment she suddenly dropped to her knees and took his hard rod into her mouth. Don's head jerked back, his mouth opening wide as a small groan emerged. It had been a long time - several years, in fact - since a girl had pleasured him orally. He wasn't a monk or prude, by any means, but somehow the opportunities had not been frequent in the last few years. It had been a number of months since he had actually been to bed with a woman. Not from lack of desire. More from the general circumstances of his life. He still had a strong sex drive and pleasured himself most every day, but he just wasn't the type to try to meet women at a bar or similar place. Most of the women he met through work or other activities were either married or not interested in any kind of relationship. And none he had ever met - even in college - exhibited the drive and excitement of this fantastic woman.

After a half minute he felt himself about to go over the edge and reached to grasp her shoulders. "No, not yet, Jenny. Not yet." With that he pulled back and as she looked up, he pulled her to her feet. Then something came over him. Something he would have never imagined. He suddenly bent and scooped the naked girl up into his arms, eliciting a small squeal as he turned and carried her over to the bed and quickly lowered her onto her back. She smiled up at him as he climbed onto the bed, kneeling between her calves. She opened her legs in obvious invitation, expecting him to lower himself on top of her.

He surprised her by suddenly bending forwards and planting his mouth against her sex, his tongue immediately beginning to stroke and explore. This area had a small patch of extremely fine, light blonde hair, clearly matching that on her head. It was easy to tell she was already quite aroused, her juices flowing freely, and as his lips and tongue touched, he heard her gasp. In seconds she was arching against him and her excitement had increased many fold. She twisted against him for long seconds and then it seemed the sensations must have become almost too much to handle as she started to pull slightly back. Her hands reached for his head but he grabbed each wrist, pinning them against the bed by her sides as his tongue attacked her clit directly. She struggled against his hold but despite the intense stimulation he felt her press herself against his mouth again. Still holding her wrists immobile, he caught her clit in his lips and tugged. Jenny gave a sharp cry and started to convulse in climax.

Don removed his mouth and released her wrists, now straightening himself above her. She immediately grasped him, guiding him to her soaked opening and he shoved in to the hilt in a single stroke. Jenny began to come again as soon as he entered and they both banged against each other with wildly abandoned force. Not surprisingly Don didn't last a long time and when Jenny practically screamed, "Fuck me! Fuck me!" he began to come. Over and over he spurted into her as they clung tightly together until at last they lay clinging tightly as both gasped for breath in quick gulps.

At last Jenny managed to say, "Wow!" Don gave a small laugh. "Double wow."

She smiled at him. "Do you still have any question about why?" she asked.

"I guess not," he replied. "Although I never had any question about why from my stand point. Only why you would want this."

"I told you I wanted it. Still, I never imagined it would be this good." Then she looked almost shy and maybe even slightly embarrassed. "But I'm still going to want more tonight."

Don smiled at her. "That definitely makes two of us."

Both got their wish. Three more times during the night. It also became obvious that Jenny did not limit herself to the missionary position. The second time she knelt astride Don, facing him, as she lowered herself on his rampant tool, then bouncing up and down until both exploded nearly together. The next time Don was sitting on the chair beside the bed and Jenny was seated on the bed nearby. They began teasing each other verbally until suddenly Don grabbed her wrist and then her waist to pull her over onto his lap. Jenny wiggled around a little and then started Don's rigid organ pushing into her as she settled down, leaning back against him. His hands went to grasp her breasts and for the next twenty five minutes they slowly rocked back and forth, gently squirming around, until again both had come. When they had finally decided to move to the bed for some sleep, Don first pushed her against the side, bending her over and entered her from behind. He pounded her for several minutes as Jenny pressed back against him with equal enthusiasm.

When Don opened his eyes it was to find the lovely, naked girl spooned against his front, her hard, round ass pressed comfortably against his groin, and his hand cupping her firm breast. He lay still, immensely happy at the feeling and still not quite completely sure it was real. This brought the memory of the car to his mind and the entirety of his world seemed even less real although still wonderful.

Jenny came slowly awake and snuggled back against him. She opened her eyes and turned to smile at him. "Hi, Lover."

He bent and kissed her ear. "Hi, yourself." Then she rolled over and they engaged in a much longer and more satisfactory kiss.

At last they stretched and got up. "I think we probably both need a shower," Don said. "Go ahead, you can go first."

Jenny started to take a step towards the bathroom then turned and reached for his hand. "Let's save some water." She gave a tug and almost in a daze Don followed her into the bathroom. They showered together and somehow began to do a little more than just wash. It ended with Don pressing her back against the shower wall, her arms around his neck and her legs clasped tightly around his ass as he fucked her for the fifth time.

They dressed in the clothes they had been wearing the day before as neither had anything else. Don had only taken his camera with him when he had changed to the Chevy, not expecting to be gone so long, and, of course, Jenny had only what she was wearing. Don checked out and they went back over to the little restaurant to get some breakfast. While they were eating, Jenny asked, "What do you have to do today? "

"I suppose I should think about how to get the car back home along with my other one. What about you? When do you have to be back?"

"No time in particular. No one is expecting me. Do you have to get the car back today?"

Don thought for a moment. "Not really. I'm on vacation and I don't have to be back in the office until a week from Wednesday." He stopped in thought for a bit. Then suddenly said, "If you really don't need to get anywhere, would you like to just go somewhere for a little while? You know, take a trip?"

She smiled brightly at him. "You mean in the Chevy? That would be fun."

"Yes, that's what I mean. We could go over to some of the parks here or even in Virginia or Tennessee. Or as far as we have time for."

Her smile widened even more. "I'd like that."

He thought for a few seconds. "I'm not even sure exactly where we are. I supposed I'd need to go back and get some more clothes from my other car and I'd have to take you by where ever you live so you could get some."

He started to say something else but Jenny frowned slightly. "I don't really want to go back home right now. I said I'm just Jenny Mae. You don't need to know anything more about me, do you?"

He just looked at her for a half a minute while the girl remained with a slightly apprehensive look on her face. Then he suddenly brightened. "No, we don't need to go back anywhere. We'll just stop somewhere and buy a few things and take off. How does that sound?" Her smile was bright and wide once again. "Yes!" Then she added, "I don't have much money with me though."

His smile was just as wide. "That's OK. I wasn't asking you to buy anything. If I can buy you meals, I can also buy you some clothes." Then he couldn't help but add, "Not too many. I like seeing you like this - or with even less." They both laughed even though Jenny's face turned slightly pink.

He paid and they went back out to the car and pulled out the roadmap. Don could hardly believe this was happening. Even on top of the car and the wonderful night with this woman. Here he was with a girl half his age. Didn't even know her last name or anything else about her. He was going to take off with her on a trip of several days with no real destination. This was just so unlike anything he had ever done. More like his uncle might have done, he thought. Still, the excitement flowed through him and, it was obvious, through the girl as well.

They found where they were and decided to get onto the interstate for a while and head east. In about a half hour they saw a sign for a Super WalMart and pulled off the main road. Don drove into the parking lot and stopped the car. "We can probably find most of what we need here," he commented. Jenny nodded as they both got out of the car.

Inside they went first to the men's clothing section and Don picked up a second shirt, socks and underwear. He started to get another pair of jeans but then changed his mind and selected a pair of short jeans shorts instead. Moving over to the women's section he told Jenny to get whatever she thought she'd need. She found another blouse and some more panties. Then she held up a pair of shorts which were, if anything, even shorter than the ones she was wearing. Holding them in front of her she turned smiling towards Don. "These OK?" she asked innocently. Don could only nod.

They went to another section and each selected a toothbrush, comb and a few other similar items. Don picked up a cheap toilet kit to hold them and then, almost as an afterthought, picked out an inexpensive soft sided case to hold everything. When they checked into a motel, at least they would have something that looked like luggage.

Before they were ready to leave, Jenny suddenly said, "Why don't we pick up a cooler and some food. We might want to eat lunch or supper as a picnic instead of buying something out each time."

"You don't mind? I mean, I certainly don't mind buying our meals out, but I'll admit that a picnic sounds like fun."

"I don't mind. I like picnics and hiking and things like that."

They bought a small cooler and planned to get some ice when they checked out. They also bought paper plates and tableware and even a nylon coated blanket to spread on the ground. While they were in that section Don asked, "You really like hiking? Would you want to do some?"

"Sure. You said we'd be going to some of the parks, didn't you?"

"Yeah. OK, let me get a small pack and a couple of water bottles."

They picked out a small selection of food they could eat without cooking. Jenny made a trip back to the pharmacy section while Don pushed the basket to the checkout. She reappeared quickly and dropped a couple of things into the pile already there. When the total rang up Don was not surprised to see that it topped two hundred, but considering he was talking about several days vacation, that didn't really seem too bad. Besides, WalMart took credit cards so it wouldn't cut into his cash.

They loaded everything into the Chevy and, with the top down, climbed back inside. Don had seen the things Jenny had added to the basket, but refrained from asking. She had picked up a package of condoms and a small jar of lube. She had said she was clean and certainly hadn't worried about things last night and she definitely didn't need any extra lube. She seemed to be wet and excited all night. He'd let it go for now.

They headed east, farther up into the mountains. Don had been into the hills before but he still got a thrill whenever he saw the majestic scenery and Jenny seemed to be just as excited. Don glanced over at the girl. She was certainly easy to look at but what he was wondering was just who she was. She had said she had graduated high school. OK, she was the right age for that. But what made him curious was that her vocabulary and speech did not fit with a typical high school girl. Her accent did seem local - at least as well as Don could tell. However she seemed more knowledgeable and, for want of a better word, more sophisticated, than he would have expected from someone who grew up around these small towns. Of course Don knew that the stereotypical picture of the "Kentucky hillbilly" was not realistic at all. Actually most people growing up in even the rural areas received a better education and knew more than most who grew up in the big cities. Partly this was due to the ethics of the local populations who wanted better for their kids and partly to the fact that usually only really dedicated teachers would be working out here. Still, he wasn't really sure Jenny really fit the image of a local.

Yet he didn't care. Whoever she was, she was beautiful and fun to be with and incredible in bed. He had never been with a woman like her before in his entire life. He turned and smiled at her and she returned it, moving her hand to give his thigh a squeeze.

They drove for several hours, first on the Mountain Parkway and then later on some smaller roads. About noon they stopped at a roadside picnic table and ate lunch from some of the deli items they had in the cooler. They sat side by side at the single picnic table. Don had sat down second and left a foot of space between them but Jenny had immediately scooted over so that her leg touched his own. Often when she spoke she would touch him, his arm or hand or even his face. She was a very tactile person and although he normally did not like it when someone acted like that, he was finding that with Jenny he completely enjoyed the experience. He even began to reciprocate a little touching her as he spoke although not nearly as much as she did him.

Later in the afternoon they stopped at another roadside rest to use the rest rooms. This was a slightly larger one with a row of trees separating the eating area from the road itself. Three picnic tables and the two outhouses. But this was a Monday and no one else was around. In fact they only saw one other car go by while they were stopped.

Before they got back into the car, Jenny put her arms around his neck and locked him into a deep French kiss. Not that it took a lot of persuading. Don's arms went around her and then his hands slid down her back to cup the firm, round globes of her ass through the short, skin-tight cutoffs. Jenny responded to this by pressing herself against him and wiggling against his rapidly hardening organ. She pulled slightly back from the kiss and in a deep, throaty voice said, "Don, I want you. Now."

"Right here?" he gasped out.

"Yes! Right here and right now. Fuck me, Lover."

She was definitely the hottest woman Don had ever known and the most uninhibited. No girl he had ever gone with would have even considered sex out in the open like this and certainly would never have asked for it - especially in such explicit terms. Nor had Don ever considered actually doing anything remotely like this. Now Jenny grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the nearest picnic table.

They were slightly screened from the main road by the trees. It would be highly unlikely that anyone could really see what they were doing as they drove past; however, there was nothing to prevent someone from pulling into the area as they had themselves. Looking directly into Don's eyes, Jenny reached down and unfastened her cutoffs and pushed them and her panties down her legs, lifting one foot free. Then she suddenly turned around and bent over the end of the table. Looking back over her shoulder she said, "Take me, Lover. Take me hard."

All reason and consideration of their location and circumstances left Don as he looked down at the lovely view so well presented. In seconds he had dropped his own jeans and underwear and entered her with a long, swift push, eliciting a loud moan. She was soaked and her muscles clamped around him, hot and tight. She got just what she had asked for as Don drove into her hard, pounding her over and over. His hands reached around to grasp her breasts, pinching and rolling the already hard nipples and squeezing the firm mounds.

It was all over in less than two minutes but with an intensity that surprised Don and, he thought, probably Jenny as well. As he began to shrink and slipped free she turned and threw her arms around his neck again and gave him another hard kiss. "Thank you, Lover. That was wonderful."

"You are incredible, Jenny. I don't think there is another woman anywhere as hot as you are."

"Then you think I'm a pretty good lay?" she teased.

Don still wasn't used to her direct way of speaking and for just a second was unable to respond. The he managed to smile and said, "You are definitely the best piece of ass I've ever had."

Instead of being insulted as other girls Don had known would have been, Jenny laughed and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Sir. I try."

This girl was unlike anyone he had ever known. Or even fantasized about.

Don fetched a small hand towel they had bought and Jenny used it to dry herself before giving it back to Don who used it to clean himself also. Then with another quick kiss, they climbed back into the car and started off once more.

This time of year in Louisville the sun wouldn't set until after eight-thirty. But up here in the mountains it would appear to be dark well before then. About seven Don asked, "Any idea what you want to eat for supper?"

Jenny let a sly smile move to her face as she focused her gaze and then her fingers on his crotch. Don sucked in his breath and then used his own hand to move hers back over beside her. Then he ran his hand up and down the inside of her thigh and gave it a squeeze. Although Don had never acted like this, it was becoming more natural somehow. "I meant besides that," he said.

Jenny laughed. "I don't really care. If we see someplace we can stop or if we see someplace to stay first we can always eat some of the stuff we bought." As it turned out, in another twenty minutes they saw another of the small motels with individual cabins which were so common throughout the region in the 1950s and still dotted the countryside. Jenny pointed to it as they approached and said, "Let's stay here."

"Sure." Don turned the car into the lot and pulled up by the office. It looked like there was only one other car at any of the seven cabins but the motel was open and the office was lighted. Don went inside and found an older woman behind the counter. "Got a room for the night?" he asked.

"Sure," she responded and told him the price. Much less than he expected. He signed the card and once again explained why he had no license number for the car.

The woman looked out the window at the Chevy and Don saw a smile come to her lips and a dreamy look fill her eyes. "Nice car," she said. "I once knew a boy who drove one." From the look in her eyes, she must have known him pretty well.

Don and Jenny took the case and unlocked the door. Inside the cabin was clean and well kept, even if things looked quite old. The bed had a newer mattress at least. After looking around they went back out to the car and brought back a few things for supper.

After they had eaten they went back out and spent ten minutes just walking around the grounds. The cabins were set back among pine trees and were separated from each other by a fair distance. The only other one that looked occupied was three down from theirs.

Back inside Don closed and locked the door. "OK, what would you like to do now?" Don asked.

Jenny turned and smiled at him and then deliberately reached and unbuttoned her shirt, letting it slide from her shoulders.

Don just stared at her. God, she was lovely. "You seem to have a one track mind," he managed to say at last. Then he added, "Definitely the right track." With this he removed his own shirt and took her into his arms.

They pulled together into another long kiss. Although they were spending an incredible amount of time in kissing and touching and, yes, in actual sex, Don didn't have any feeling of falling seriously for this girl and he was sure she had no such feeling for him. They were just two strangers who were enjoying a unique and somewhat wild time together. He knew - or thought he knew - that when this odyssey was over, they would not likely see each other ever again.

But while they were together now they behaved as though they were truly lovers, in all senses of the word. They got along quite well in just being together, enjoying the same things, talking easily. There was no awkwardness between them at all. Physically, they both seemed to desire each other at every opportunity. Don thought that Jenny must be the sexiest woman alive and, surprising himself, he felt ready to try new things, do things he had never really considered before. Like making love out in the open as they had that afternoon. Like telling a woman she was a fine piece of ass. Like having an affair with a woman half his age. He was finding he was loving this new side of himself but knew that when this was over, he would once again revert to his former self. They made hot, sweaty love for an hour before settling cuddled together on the bed, both still naked. Jenny never seemed to be bothered by nudity and Don was finding it didn't bother him either. In fact he was coming to love it. He had slept naked with a woman before but that was mostly just from falling asleep after sex. Now there was no urge to don clothing when the act was over and, in fact, no urge to get dressed at all unless they had to leave the room for something. The room was not air conditioned - many of these older motels were not - but the mountain evening was cooler than in the low lands and the breeze coming in the screens felt quite welcome on their damp skin. While they were lying together talking, Don brought up the subject of Jenny's earlier purchases. "I'm curious. Was there some reason you bought the condoms. You don't seem to want me to use them."

She smiled at him. "Oh, you don't need them for most things. I just thought you might want to have my ass."

Don felt floored. He had never had anal sex and didn't think any of the girls he had dated would have tolerated the idea, although the idea did interest him. Now this fabulous creature was offering it to him. Did he want to? Yes! He would love to try that. He stared at her. "You wouldn't mind that?"

"No. It can be quite hot if you're careful. Want to try it?"

He stared at her for a few seconds. "I would love to as long as you want it. You have a truly fantastic ass"

"Then, Lover, just get me warmed up and be sure to take it easy and use plenty of lube."

He did. They spent the next two hours in play, Don first giving her a long, long session of cunnilingus. Then he spent a long time in a sensual massage, stroking her back, legs, and bottom, finally ending with using first his tongue and then a well lubricated finger to loosen her tight anus. When he finally pushed his rigid rod slowly inside this nether opening the feeling was unlike anything he had experienced before. It might not become his favorite activity - he was sure it wouldn't - but it was certainly a wonderful variation.

For the next week Don and Jenny rambled through the countryside. Most times they stayed at the small motels as they had that night. A couple of times they had taken a room at one of the State Resort Parks. Meals were where they found them. Sometimes they made a picnic of the things they bought at grocery stores. Sometimes they ate at small, local restaurants. They even had several meals in the dining rooms of the resort parks. Even dressed as they were they drew no attention in any of these locations because of their clothing. However they did sometimes draw attention - especially Jenny. Small wonder.

Don would see the eyes of many men following her when they walked in somewhere. Some would have questioning looks at him. Was he her father? Her lover? They couldn't be sure. Sometimes they would see them touch as they talked and it became clear that he wasn't her dad. Then the looks of the men mostly turned to strong envy. He didn't mind and often hid a smile to himself.

And the car. Yes, the car also drew many looks of envy. Maybe not as many as Jenny did, but still a number of people - both men and women - looked longingly at it. Mostly these were older people. Someone who may either have owned or known someone who owned or just wished they had owned such a vehicle. But Jenny and the car together drew looks he would never have imagined.

They did do a lot of hiking and just looking around at the sights, but their erotic activities didn't diminish. In many ways they did act like new lovers, but Don realized that it wasn't love. Both knew they were not going to stay together and live happily ever after, but this didn't reduce their lust for each other. He didn't keep score but thought they were usually averaging five or six times a day. Whatever the actual number, his appetite had grown and he was not gaining any weight at all.

Most of their loving was in their room at night, but not all. One more time they managed alongside a road at a small roadside park, although this one was a little better screened than the first. Nor were their activities in their room in anyway routine. They tried more positions than Don would have guessed existed. Both initiated activities and neither ever appeared to lack interest.

One night when they were staying in a lodge room at one of the resort parks, Don came awake. He realized he was alone in the big bed even though the space next to him was still warm. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost three in the morning. Jenny had probably just gone to the bathroom. Then he looked up at a slight noise from the sliding door to the balcony. These rooms each had a very small balcony - about three feet by eight - with an iron railing surrounding it. The sliding glass doors opened onto them. This room was on the second floor on the south side and Don could see that the nearly full moon was illuminating the curtains over the door. Then he saw a shadow move across the opening. Jenny's shadow.

He rose and made his way across the room and pulled back the curtain. She was standing on the balcony, leaning against the railing and looking out over a deep ravine at the forested landscape. They always slept nude and now she was dressed only in moonlight. Don sucked his breath in hard. He had never seen anything more beautiful. He cleared his throat and she turned towards him. He could see that the cool night air had her nipples hard and extended and the play of silver and shadow froze any comment he might have made. After a second she smiled and said, "I got up to go to the bathroom and stopped here on the way back to look out. It was so lovely I just came out to admire the view."

Don found his voice. Looking right at her he replied, "I can't imagine a more lovely view."

She laughed and came over to him and flung her arms around his neck. They came together in a long kiss and when they separated slightly both were breathing a little fast. Breathlessly Jenny whispered, "I want you. Take me now."

"Here? Someone might see."

"So? I don't care. Do you?" She backed up to the corner of the balcony and placing her hands on the railing on either side, she leaned back, arching her back and spreading her legs slightly. Don's mind stopped functioning in his normal, logical fashion. "No. No, I don't." With that he moved up to her and in seconds she had arched even further back as they coupled and began to strain hard against one another.

For ten minutes or more they fucked hard, not caring who might see or hear. Fortunately no one did and when they came, both hot, sweaty and breathing hard, they couldn't help but laugh at the sheer joy of what they had done. Slowly, hand in hand, they moved back inside and slid into the bed, cuddling closely, wide smiles on both of their faces.

Another day they were out hiking. After several hours, the trail had gone through deep forest but had emerged onto open slopes above a valley containing a small stream at the bottom. As they neared the bottom of the open area a line of dark clouds topped the high ridge to the southwest. Both noticed the fast moving weather and could even see that heavy rain was falling from the dark mass.

They looked from the clouds towards each other. They had no rain gear and could see they would never be able to make it to any kind of shelter - even the trees of the forest - before it reached them. "We're going to get soaked," Jenny cried.

It wasn't cold, quite warm in fact. It wasn't the idea of getting wet that was alarming but rather the prospect of having to walk back in soaked clothing. Suddenly Don looked at Jenny. "Take off your clothes."

For just a second she looked at him. Then he added, "It's probably going to be a quick shower. We can stuff the clothes in the plastic bag we had the lunch in and push that into the backpack. Can even stuff our shoes into that, too."

A smile broke out on her face and she eagerly began to unfasten her shirt. In seconds both were completely naked and Don was pushing their clothing into the plastic bag which had contained their lunch and stuffing it and their shoes into the pack. Less than half a minute after he finished the edge of the hard shower struck, pelting them hard and leaving them soaked within seconds.

Both seemed to find it funny and broke out laughing. Don grabbed both of Jenny's hands in his and the two of them began to swing around, leaning back, holding each other up with their hands, like children playing ring around the rosy. They tilted their heads back and caught raindrops in their mouths.

For several minutes while the rain continued to come down hard they danced around, laughing hard. Then they suddenly stopped and froze, looking at each other. With no spoken words they came tightly together, hugging closely, kissing. The hug and kiss turned into something else and in a very short time they were rolling together in the clover covered ground as the rain continued to fall.

They made love for what seemed a long time and when they finally let themselves pull apart, the rain had stopped and the sun had reemerged. For several minutes they lay on their backs, holding hands, and watched the few remaining clouds disperse as the hot August sun began to dry them. Fortunately, although Jenny's hair was a fine blonde and quite long, it dried straight instead of frizzing.

A little later, now dry once more, they once again dressed and, hand in hand, started the long walk back. But all the way along they would suddenly break into giggles and frequently have to stop and spend a little time in some serious kissing.

Although they acted like lovers, both knew they weren't really in love. However, this in no way reduced their enjoyment of the odyssey. Both were aware that this was a one time adventure but that in no way made it less exciting.

The next Monday night they stopped at another small motel. Both knew that this would be their last full day. However, neither felt really sad or unhappy at the thought. It had been a fabulous time and both had enjoyed it immensely.

They pulled into the same gas station where he had first met Jenny. While he filled the tank, she walked around, admiring the car. As he took the receipt from the pump, Don said, Look, I know we're going to split up here." She started to say something but before she could he added, "Let me buy you one more lunch first."

She hesitated only a few seconds and then agreed. "All right, but then I have to go."

They climbed back into the car and drove until he spotted a small restaurant around a corner where he parked the Chevy in the lot at the side. Inside he found there were only five tables and only one of these was occupied. Just a small town family-owned place. But when their food came, it was quite good.

The feeling during the meal was much the same as it had been for the last week - not at all a wake even though both were quite aware that they would both soon be going their separate ways. At last when they had finished Jenny said, "Don, we both knew this couldn't go on. You have your life and I have mine."

"Couldn't we stay long distance friends?" he asked with little hope.

She smiled at him. "We wouldn't really want that now would we? We'd eventually try to get back together and it wouldn't be the same. No, you stay Don and I'll just be Jenny Mae. But I can promise you I'll never forget this week. It's been fantastic - in every way."

Don broke in. "There is no way I could ever forget you. This has been a dream - much more wonderful than anything I could ever have expected." Then he shook his head. "But I expect you are right. It can never be the same again, so let's just keep it as it is."

"Right! Anything else would make it less than perfect. We'll go out and I'll leave and you won't try to follow me. Then I'll always just be your Jenny Mae."

Don paid and they stepped out into the hot August day. They turned to face each other and both reached to clasp the other's hands. "I'll never forget you, Jenny Mae," Don said. "And no one can ever match you. It's been incredible."

She smiled back at him. "And I won't ever forget you, Don. Or this wonderful week. I've had a fantastic time." Then she put her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hard kiss. The street was empty so no one paid them any attention as they stood there, locked in a tight embrace, for a long, long minute. Then they pulled slightly back, their eyes locked. Then Jenny raised one hand and lightly touched his lips with her finger tip. "Good bye, Don. I'll always remember." Then she turned and walked away. Don watched her until fifty feet later she turned the corner onto a side street. He took a deep breath - and then a second one - before turning in the opposite direction to return to the parking lot.

As he moved around the corner of the building he froze and his world suddenly exploded once again. The Chevy was gone! Only one car in the lot and it wasn't any he had seen. Even as he stood there staring, the other people from the restaurant came out and climbed into the car and drove away.

He couldn't believe what he was not seeing. Moving over to where he had parked the car, he suddenly saw the small soft sided case that contained all the things he had had with him. The cooler had been a foam one they had discarded that morning and everything else he had stuffed inside the case. Now it sat against the building wall, forlorn in the shallow shadow, right in front of where he had left the car. Looking more closely he saw that the dust on the dirt lot was undisturbed. No tire tracks. No footprints where he and Jenny had gotten out and walked around front. Just smooth, dry dust.

For long seconds he just stood and looked until finally he moved over and picked up the small case. Then he quickly made his way back inside. He found the older woman who had served them (and who probably owned the place) and said, "My car has disappeared. I had it parked outside in the lot and now it's not there."

She looked totally surprised. "I don't know what to tell you. I guess you should probably go report it. We don't have a police force in this town. Way too small for that. There is a state police post down the main street a little ways. They might be able to help."

He thanked her and left the restaurant, turning in the direction she had indicated. Five minutes ago the world could not have been more perfect. Now the car was gone, the girl was gone and he had no clue where either was. Could the girl have somehow been involved in the disappearance of the car? No, that was impossible. She had been with him every second and neither of them had known where they were going until they got there. Besides he couldn't imagine her being involved in anything like that. No way.

He almost began to think he had been hallucinating and that the entire last week had never happened. After all, it had seemed too wonderful to be true. Then he remembered there should be some proof in the form of the pictures he had taken and the papers on the car. He suddenly stopped and opened the side pocket of the case. Yes, the title transfer and other papers were still there. When he looked at his camera he saw that the photos were still stored there also.

He walked the short distance and found the state police post. When he went inside he found a desk manned by a uniformed officer. He went up and said, "I'd like to make a report. I think my car was just stolen."

The officer looked up. "You think your car was stolen?"

Embarrassed, Don replied, "Well, it was parked outside the restaurant down that way and when I came out it wasn't there."

"OK," the officer replied. "Description and license number."

"It was a candy apple red 1957 Chevy. It didn't have a license yet. I just bought it a week ago, but here is the title and transfer papers." He handed over the paperwork. "Oh," he added, "I can give you a picture of it."

He pulled out his camera and started to bring up a photo of the car but the officer stopped him. "Just wait a minute and let me run the registration." He typed something into the computer on his desk and frowned at the result. He typed something else and then a third time. Then he said, "Excuse me just a minute." He rose and entered an office door at the back of the room. In a minute or so he returned and said, "Could you step back here a minute. The lieutenant would like to ask you a couple of things."

He opened a gateway in the railing and led Don back to the office. Don went in and the officer behind the desk rose and said, "Hi. I'm Lieutenant Wiley. I understand you've lost a car."

"That's right. I just had it parked while we ate lunch and it was gone when I came back out."

The lieutenant had the paperwork in his hand. Then he said, "This is the paperwork for the car?" Don nodded. "You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes. Is something wrong with it?"

"It looks OK. It's just that there must be a mistake in the VIN number."

"No, I'm sure that's right. I checked it several times when I bought the car last week."

"Where did you buy it? "It was at an old motel. The man running it had it for sale." He told the lieutenant the location. "What's wrong with the VIN? It is for a 57 Chevy, isn't it?"

The lieutenant sat back in his chair and looked at Don. "Yes, it is. And the car description matches what you've told us, right down to the color and engine. The problem, Mr. Carson, is that this particular car was destroyed in a wreck some thirty years ago."

Don sat back hard, a confused look on his face. "It can't have been! I've been driving it for a week and, like I said, I checked the VIN number several times. Here. I've got photos of it." He pulled out his camera and set it to show some of the pictures he had taken.

The lieutenant looked on as he scrolled through several photos, stopping at one which clearly showed the car with Jenny leaning back against the front fender. "Who's the girl?" he asked.

"She said her name was Jenny Mae. I just met her here in town last week just after I bought the car and we've been together since then. She couldn't have been involved. I didn't even know I was coming here until I showed up, so she couldn't have known anything about the car." He went on to explain that they had been together every second while he was here in town and she hadn't talked with anyone else. For the next fifteen minutes Don told the story of how he had obtained the car and then later met the girl. Lieutenant Wiley mostly just listened, occasionally asking a few questions for clarification or to get some more skipped details. When he had finished the story the lieutenant said, "Well, we can put out a notice to watch for the car. It seems unlikely but I suppose there could be some kind of mix-up in the VIN number. Now, you said you have your other car out at that motel?"

"That's right. The man said I could leave it there as long as I wanted."

"OK. Suppose for now I drive you out there and you can pick it up." The lieutenant stopped at the front desk and gave some instructions to the officer and then he and Don went out to his car, an unmarked sedan. On the drive out neither said much but when they pulled into the motel lot, Don pointed out his car. The motel office was dark and closed and, in fact, the entire place looked completely abandoned.

Don unlocked his car and stowed the soft side case on the back seat. He started the vehicle to make sure everything was all right and then turned to the police officer. "Thanks for your help. I know the whole story must sound pretty strange and I have no idea about the VIN. You say that that car was totally destroyed?"

"Yep. Very bad crash, or so I've been told. I didn't see it myself. It was before my time." He stopped for a second. "You know, the officer who did work that case is retired but he lives only a few miles from here. A Joseph Sundae. You might want to stop by and see him. I expect he can tell you a lot more about what happened to the car. I'll give him a call." "I would appreciate that, if you don't mind. I'm becoming more and more curious about this whole thing. Maybe it was possible to restore the car after the wreck, after all."

"I doubt that, but if anyone can tell you anything about it, it'll be Joe." He pulled out his cell and made a call. Don couldn't really hear what he was saying but when he hung up he turned to Don and said, "Joe says he'd be happy to talk with you. I'll show you how to get over there." He sketched a map on a piece of paper and handed it to Don. "We'll keep an eye out for your car but I wouldn't hold my breath. If it was stolen it's probably long gone from these parts by now."

Taking the map Don again thanked the officer for his help. "And thanks for calling Mr. Sundae. I'll head over that way."

The lieutenant smiled and said, "Sergeant Sundae. He'll appreciate it if you call him that. You're welcome and good luck."

The officer drove off and Don got back into his car. The whole thing was becoming stranger and stranger. Shaking his head, he started off, following the sketch map.

Twenty minutes - and two wrong turns - later, Don pulled into the driveway of a small frame house. It was by itself, set off to the side of a small road above a valley. No other buildings were visible anywhere. Don stopped the car and got out. Before he could get to the front door to knock, a man appeared from around the side. "Hi. You Mr. Carson?"

"That's right. I'm Don Carson. I guess you must be Sergeant Sundae. Lieutenant Wiley said he was calling you."

That's right, but it's just Joe. I had enough of Sergeant Joe Sundae' when I was in the patrol. Everyone saying I was Sergeant Joe Friday - like on Dragnet - just two days behind."

They both laughed and Don said, "I guess that might get old. But did you ever think that you just might have been five days ahead instead? I'm Don, by the way."

This brought a smile from the man who looked to be into his seventies. Well, Don, Jim said you were interested in the old Cooper Case - the 57 Chevy wreck that killed that girl."

"I don't know about that, but I bought a 57 Bel Air that seems to have the same VIN number."

Joe looked totally surprised. "Impossible! Look, why don't you come around back and have something cool to drink and I'll tell you what I know about that car."

"Thank you. I'll show you the papers on the one I bought along with some photos. Afraid I can't show you the car itself - it appears to have been stolen a little while ago."

They moved along the side of the house to a table in the back yard beneath some tall oak trees. "Ice tea?" Joe asked.

"Thanks, I'd love some." They sat down and Joe poured them each a glass from a thermos jug sitting on the table.

When they were settled Don said, "I understand you were the officer who investigated the crash."

"That's right, but I was actually involved a little more than that. I knew the boy who was driving and was good friends with the parents of the girl who was killed. A pretty tragic story all the way around,"

"I'd like to hear anything you know," Don replied. "I've got time if you do."

Joe looked around. "Time is what I have. Nice to have someone to talk with. Well, let's see. It happened in July of 1985. The boy was Tommy Cooper and the girl was Jenny Bentley. Both of them were eighteen at the time. Tommy had bought the old Chevy two years before. It was in pretty bad shape but he put a lot of work into it and had it restored just like new. He and Jenny had been going together for most of those two years. His family owned an old motel several miles over that way." He waved in the direction from which Don had come. "The girl's father worked in the mine - that was before they closed everything down. Jenny was really quite smart and would probably have been the first in her family to go to college. Graduated near the top of her class. They were both good kids, but Tommy's family didn't think the girl was good enough for him. From the wrong side of the tracks, kind of thing. Actually there was nothing wrong with her family. I told you I knew them quite well. But Tommy's dad thought they were below him. I guess because he owned that motel he somehow thought that made him better. Anyway, both Tommy's dad and mom were against the relationship."

"When the two graduated from high school they wanted to get married. Jenny's family was for letting them, but Tommy's was absolutely against it. Well, the - I guess you'd call it a feud - the feud went on for a couple of months. As I was able to piece the story together later, the two kids decided to run away across the state line and just get married before anyone could stop them."

"That night they set out in the old Bel Air and headed up into the mountains towards the state line. But there was a bad thunderstorm that hit and on one of the hills a drunk came at them from the other direction. He forced them over to the edge - actually bumped the car - and the Chevy hit a slick spot where some oil had mixed with the rain. The result was that it rolled off the edge and down a thirty foot embankment and smashed into some big rocks."

Tommy was thrown clear of the car but was busted up pretty badly. He spent several months in the hospital before he could walk again. Jenny was killed outright." He stopped for a few seconds, a sad look coming over his face. "Since I was a friend, I had to tell her parents."

The car was a total wreck. Even the frame was smashed pretty badly. No way it could ever be straightened out. When Tommy finally got out of the hospital he was changed. Not interested in the car at all. In fact not interested in much of anything. He hung around for another year or so, mostly just existing. I don't think he really cared if he lived or died. He eventually joined the military and, if the stories I heard were right, volunteered for a lot of dangerous stuff. Whatever it was, he was killed after a year or so in the service."

"Tommy's family took it pretty hard, too. Both the crash and later his death. Not surprising. For years his dad kept the old wreck around. Always said he had some idea of fixing it up to sell, but even he knew it was impossible. Finally, he gave that up and let a junk yard take it. I happened to be there when they brought it in and I saw it crushed into a small cube. Nothing but scrap steel left."

He shook his head. "The mine closed and most people moved away but those two families never left. I believe all of both families are dead now. The old motel is still standing over on Pinewood Road but it hasn't been in use in years. And, as I said, the car could never be anything more than scrap metal."

Don had been listening intently. Pinewood Road was where the motel had been where he had first seen the car. Couldn't be two old motels on that road. No way. He brought out his camera and brought up some of the photos, but with a catch in his voice and before he showed them to Joe he asked, "Do you know what the girl looked like?"

Joe smiled. That I would never forget. She was definitely a looker. A wonderful smile, beautiful eyes."

Jenny was a common enough name in this area but Don could feel the prickles running up and down his spine. He brought up the camera and showed a picture of the car with his Jenny leaning back against the finder. "Did she look like this?" he hesitantly asked.

Joe looked at the photo. Slowly he shook his head back and forth. "No. Jenny was fairly short, about five foot three. She had shoulder length brown hair and golden brown eyes. She was built as well as this girl, but otherwise she didn't look anything like her." Don let out the breath he had been holding. Joe went on. "But the car looks just like the one Tommy had. Same color, same style. His had the big 283 engine. Does this one?" Don nodded. "Had some extra gages inside, too. Even whitewall tires just like this one."

"Not to mention the same VIN number," Don murmured to himself.

Joe laughed. "Not likely. No, the car with that VIN was totally destroyed. Not possible - unless you believe in ghosts." The prickles were back again. "Who is this girl anyway?"

"She's someone I met in town there right after I bought the car. Said her name was Jenny Mae. Thought she was from around here. Any idea who she is?"

Joe looked up at him. "Can't say as I've ever seen her." Then he looked over at Don. "You spent the last week with her, didn't you?"

Embarrassed, Don could only nod. "Can't say as I blame you. I'm sure I would have done the same thing. As long as they're over eighteen and not paid we don't care."

"Does this happen often?" Don asked. "I mean out of town men meeting up with young girls."

"I won't say it's real frequent but happens more often than most people would believe. There are really three types of girls who will do that. One, the ones who want out of here and can't see any other way. They'll try to get a guy to take them elsewhere - usually the big city'."

"Then there are some around here who are - for want of a better word - just sluts. They like sex and aren't particular with whom."

"Third, and maybe most surprising to most people, there are college girls who want to just go wild for a summer. They believe everything they hear about us hillbillies.' You know, What's a Tennessee virgin? A twelve year old who can outrun her brothers.' They think they can come in here where no one knows them, act loose, and fit right in. Like I said, as long as they're over eighteen and not paid we don't care. They usually want to just have fun for a summer and then go back to their real lives. In fact, it's usually not for a whole summer. Just long enough for a real fling. Most of them are really quite nice girls. I remember once I happened to be in some bar on another matter when the owner came over and asked me to help. There was this girl who looked about sixteen or so and didn't want to show an ID but still wanted to get a drink. She spoke with what sounded like a local accent and was raising a little ruckus and he asked me to help out. I showed her my ID and asked for hers. Suddenly she was very cooperative and showed me her driver's license. She was from Boston, twenty-three years old, and a PhD candidate at Harvard. Just didn't want anyone to know her real name. I called in the license to make sure it was her, and it was, so that was the end of it."

Don thought about it. That could be Jenny. She had seemed just a little out of place here. A little more widely experienced than a local girl would be. And with her it was a fling - a truly wonderful fling.

They talked for a while longer and then finally Don stood. "Joe, I'd like to thank you for everything. The drink and especially the information." "I doubt it will help you get your car back, but you're welcome." They shook hands and then Don left.

He headed back along the small roads towards the interstate. At the intersection with the big highway he stopped for gas and a cold coke. Before he pulled back onto the big road he sat back and closed his eyes for a few seconds, his hand resting on the shift lever of the little Ford. But with his eyes closed it wasn't the little Ford. Instead of the little four cylinder he felt the rumble of the big V-8, ready to leap down the road when he let out the clutch. His hand was ready to shift the more powerful car into gear and the hand that rested on top of his or sometimes on his thigh was that of a young and incredible lovely blonde girl. He was nineteen again and full of life, the world full of excitement.

He suddenly realized that he didn't really care if he got the Bel Air back. Even before he had bought the car, he had thought that he would be happy to pay five hundred to rent it for a few days. He had had it - one way or another - for more than that and made an unbelievable trip with a woman he could never have imagined in his wildest fantasy. It didn't matter if the Chevy had been real or the ghost of the old one. The trip was real. The girl was real. And nothing would ever take that away from him.

Slowly he opened his eyes and the present world returned. He let in the clutch and realized he had not been this sad - or this happy - in a long, long time. He pulled onto the big four lane highway and headed back home.