I stuck to the business at hand. “My educated guess is that in the past, Tom Hanks made it difficult to get to his plane. He’s no longer in charge. We are.”
“Baaaad Assssss,” Candy shouted with a whistle of approval. “The past is the fuckin’ past. It ain’t a place of residence, it’s a place of reference. I like your style mofo.”
I just hoped my style wasinthis season… “Everyone, hold on tight. No one gets left behind.” With one last huge inhale and a noisy exhale, I was ready to go. “One. Two. Three.”
We left the earthly plane in a blast of shimmering golden mist.
The trip was fine.No pain. No violence. However, the landing left a lot to be desired. We landed in a heap in a field of tall and tangled wild flowers. The scent of the flowers was delicious. Candy’s armpit in my face was not.
“Dude,” I grunted, pushing her off of me. “Did you put deodorant on today?”
“Don’t wear it,” she replied with a chuckle.
“Maybe you should consider it,” I told her. “Kinda ripe.”
“Screw you,” she said. “I ain’t puttin’ no chemicals in my pits.”
I didn’t take the conversation further. It would not end well. I’d be sure to mention it to Gram. Gram might be dead, but she could bring one of the most powerful Immortals in the universe to her gaucho clad knees. Gram loved Candy something fierce and the feeling was mutual. Gram had done wonders with Candy so far. I hoped she could impress upon her that stinky pits were not a good look. I’d tattle on her when we got home.
And wewouldget home with the true Higher Power with us. I crossed my fingers hard that Alana Catherine, Jennifer and Shitty Ritchie were here.
“Stay low,” Tim said in a hushed voice.
We obeyed. All four of us were well versed in battle and the trust between us was solidly established. If Tim said jump. We’d jump. If he said run, we’d run like the wind. Any of our quartet would go with what the others directed. Being a free-flowing unit with four generals might not work for everyone, but it worked for us beautifully.
Flat on our stomachs in a field of overgrown wildflowers wasn’t the best position to be in. From my vantage point, I couldn’t spot anywhere to take cover if necessary.
“What do you see, ass head?” Candy Vargo whispered to her best friend.
After creating a makeshift bonnet of flowers that Tim placed on his head, he slowly lifted his gaze and scanned the area. “Motorcycles,” he shared. “Three. And atop of each is a Fonzie. Behind them it looks like Arnold’s Drive-In.”
“Oh my god,” I muttered.
“What’s Arnold’s Drive-In?” Gideon asked, confused.
“It’s the diner fromHappy Days,” I explained. “Since we discussed the show, it bled over into the plane.”
“Well, hells bells,” Candy Vargo hissed. “Didn’t plan on that. I haven’t seen that dang show in decades.”
“Not to worry,” Tim assured all of us. “I watch it regularly. I know the layout of Arnold’s Drive-In.”
“Do you see Mike Wazowski or Sully?” Candy asked hopefully.
“Negative,” Tim said.
I turned to Gideon. “Do you know who Sully and Mike Wazowski are?”
He raised a brow. “I do.”
I squinted at him in disbelief. “You’ve seenMonsters, Inc.?”
He gave me a very fake and very offended look. It made me grin. “In preparation for our daughter watching movies, I took it upon myself to view some.”
“Some?” I questioned.
“Thirty,” he admitted. “Some were painful, but I have to say,Monster’s, Inc.was outstanding. Also, I enjoyedUp.”
“I’m impressed,” I told him.
