“I am sorry for missing your birthday, Penny.I wanted to come back yesterday.I begged for a ride from everyone I knew when my stupid parents wouldn’t come and get me.I did get you a little something to make up for it, though,” Betsy said, squealing.She motioned for Thomas to take the present out of his pocket.
He pulled out a sharp-edged box that resembled a deck of cards.
“Thomas told me that Darren told him he got you a portable 8-track...And I know Elvis is your guilty pleasure, so I got you an 8-track of his best hits!Sorry, I couldn’t wrap it up for you,” Betsy explained.
“I hope you like it.I helped Betsy pick it out on our way back from camp,” Thomas said, placing the track into the palm of my hand.
I thanked Betsy properly, with our best friend handshake we made when we were younger.Whenever I stayed the night at Betsy's house, we had the routine of painting our toenails while watching Elvis’ various appearances on television and gawking over his black hair, deep voice, and our attraction to him.When he was in his prime, he was a heartthrob.After a while, he struggled with health problems, and his music died out as bands like the Beatles overtook his throne.I loved the new bands and era of rock n’ roll, but I admired the musicians who paved the way for them, and Elvis did that.Rosetta Tharpe and Chuck Berry inspired Elvis.Music is a cycle of inspiration and adaptation.
“Elvis?Really, Copper?”Darren asked with a smug tight lip.
“Yes.Elvis is an important man,” I said, secure in my beliefs.I was happy to admit my love for Elvis if it meant I didn’t have to tell the group about the kiss Darren and I shared the night before.
A shiny silver bullet rolled across the street.It was a brand-new airstream.Everyone stopped talking to look at it.It was gorgeous and had to cost a fortune.No one with that much money would be caught dead in Moose Creek.Moose Creek was a tourist town for people who could not afford a fancier getaway.The door of the airstream flew open.A man walked out smoking a cigarette.He had a brown shag-like mullet, tattoos all over his arms, a mustache, flare jeans, and a tight shirt with a deep V-neck.
My jaw dropped.
Darren grabbed my hand under the table and pinched the skin on my thumb.
The man was Jesse Young, the lead singer of Jesse Young and The Matches.
“Darren, pinch me again.This cannot be real.”
“Pinch me because I think we all are having the same hallucination,” he gasped.
Jesse Young paced back and forth while he inhaled his cigarette.He looked stressed.
We frantically planned to walk by him and see what he was doing.We got up and pretended to stroll by his airstream.I maintained a casual composure as my heart thrashed out of my chest.When we got closer to him, Fawn yanked on her leash, causing his eyes to land on us.
“Do you folks know of a place where I can park my airstream?I am in need of a campground,” Jesse said, looking around him.“I also have no idea where we are.”
We were all too scared to say anything.
Darren stepped up.“Hey, man, there are many free camping spots around the creek.I can show you if you want.”
Ordinary people would not agree to go to a secluded place with a bunch of strangers, but Jesse Young was not ordinary.He dropped his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out with his boot heel.“Well, we have some room in the stream for you guys.Hop in, and my manager will follow your directions.”
We did not have to talk to each other to know we would get in without hesitation.It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.We would deal with the consequences later.Hanging out with a rock star was precisely the sort of memory I wanted to make.
The airstream’s interior was all wood, with a bright orange breakfast booth and chairs.
A woman who looked to be in her late twenties was lying on the bed in the back, laughing at nothing.
Jesse ordered us to sit down and make ourselves at home.
Fawn sniffed everything in the new place with her wet nose.I slid into the breakfast booth with Darren.He laced his fingers into mine, and I did not jerk back.I knew I hadn’t told the group what had happened yet and would have to soon.My time was running out.
Betsy goggled her eyes at me, questioning my actions.As an alternative to my normal response of panic, I accepted the unknown.If Jesse Young was here, it had to be a good sign.
Jesse yelled for his manager to come in.
A skinny man with a long gray beard and straggly hair opened the door.“What do you want, Jesse?”the peculiar man asked.
Jesse said, “Ron!Meet my new friends.They are going to guide us to a camping spot!This is uh...”
“I am Penelope, but you can call me Penny.This is my uh ...friend, Darren.The redhead is Betsy, and her boyfriend is Thomas.”
“Well, there you go!You can't say we are strangers now,” Jesse said with a laugh.“Let’s get this show on the road!”
