In the span of time that flew by in the blink of an eye, 26 years had passed since Johnny left his hometown. It was 27 since he had married Audrey and 28 since his parents died. For Johnny, time only ever lurched forward like slides in a projector displaying each large moment in his life on a screen. Like a giant banyan tree, birthdays and holidays entwined and blurred together into a canopy. He liked the shelter, but never gave much thought to the source.

The decision to return, like most decisions in his life, was made for him. His older sister had died of an aneurism so he and Audrey packed up their lives into a U-haul and drove east. As they drove, Johnny wondered at the fact that their entire life of 26 years fit into the truck. 26 years of five-day workweeks, weekend recuperation, and holiday travails all packed into a space about the size of a UPS truck.

It was an uneventful trip. Audrey fiddled with the radio as they passed through reception areas and Johnny tried to remember the streets of his hometown that he had abandoned. He was thinking, ruminating I suppose you could call it, about the lessons of life and how they seem wasted as if smashed on the shore of life.

Although he tried, the town wasn’t a memorable place and he could only recall a handful of landmarks. As they approached the city limits, he saw the burger stand where he used to hang out with friends after school. He saw it, but it triggered no memories. It was just a place he’d been to, like so many other places. When they finally pulled up to the house, he hoped that seeing the place he grew up in would trigger something, but it didn’t.

Exhausted from the drive, he collapsed into his father’s recliner that had been there since before he could remember. He marveled in the sturdiness of the frame and how the cushions had stood the test of time. Audrey busied herself bringing in small boxes and rearranging the kitchen. By nightfall, they had completely unloaded the U-Haul.

As they were about to start eating dinner, the phone rang. Audrey practically jumped out of her seat and Johnny too, was unnerved. They hadn’t had a landline in years and it took several moments before they realized what it was.

“Hello”, Johnny said.

“Hey Johnny. I heard you were back in town”, said the voice.

Not recognizing the voice, Johnny froze.

After an awkward silence, the voice announced, “It’s Jack. Jack Jones.”

Unlike he local landmarks and even his family home, that name sent a jolt through Johnny. Jack had been his best friend throughout high school and into college. A rush of memories rushed forth and he was so stunned he had to sit.

Nodding to Audrey, he said, “Why don’t you come by for dinner tomorrow at 6:30?”

“Sure thing buddy! See you then”, Jack replied.

“Who was that?”, Audrey asked.

“Jack. An old friend who I haven’t thought of in a long time.”

As they sat down to eat, Audrey said, “How do you know him? You never talked about him before.”

Johnny didn’t hear a word she said. In his mind, he was transported to the days of his youth spent in ignorant bliss with his pal Jack. Days spent hiking in the nearby hills for impromptu camping trips, playing their guitars way too loud while his parents were out,  flirting with girls at the hamburger stand, and riding in Jack’s blue Chevy.

“Johnny!”

He snapped back and the forkful of food spilled on the table.

“What’s with you?”

Johnny grinned sheepishly and said, “I was just thinking about things.”

“What kind of things? You never told me about this Jack.”

“When I left this for graduate school, I just wanted to put everything behind me. Then I met you, and I never wanted to come back here.

Johnny flashed a warm smile at Audrey and she relaxed into her chair.

“Jack was my best friend throughout high school My parents didn’t think he was the best influence, and they were right, but we did everything together. It’s so funny that I could completely forget about him all this time.”

“Well”, said Audrey, “I think it’s nice that you will have somebody to reconnect with. If he’s coming tomorrow, I have a lot of cleaning and shopping to do.”

Johnny spent the rest of the evening, and most of the next morning lost in a cloud of memories. He dropped Audrey off to shop and then drove around the city following the roads he and Jack used to take. Each spot now came alive with deeds and misdeeds he recollected as he passed.

Johnny sat in his dad’s recliner and watched the clock as Audrey busied herself preparing dinner and rearranging the assortment of knickknacks she had already unpacked. Her activity distracted him at first, but quickly because annoying.

“Would you please sit still?”, Johnny said.

Audrey stopped short and gave him a puzzled, almost hurt look.

“You have you friend and I have my figurines”, she said.

Slumping back into the chair, he resumed his clock watching. It was almost 7:00 before Jack finally arrived.

“Jack!”, Johnny announced as he gave him a bro-hug.

Shuffling into the living room, Jack pulled a paper bag out of his backpack and said, “I brought a bottle for after dinner. I hope you have some Coke.”

“No”, Johnny stammered, “I don’t think we do.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I just thought it would be more like old times if you did.”

All through dinner, Jack regaled Audrey with tales of adventure and mischief the two boys had. Audrey smiled at some and winced at others. It was especially difficult for her when Jack started talking about the girls they had chased and the tricks they played on them to get favors. He was much too graphic with the stories about the back seat of his blue Chevy. Her Johnny had never tried anything like that with her.

As they finished eating, Johnny began to clear the plates from the table. Jack gave him a look and, when Audrey was in the kitchen said, “Really? You clear the table?”

Johnny let the comment go and finished up before joining Jack in the living room. Jack had already opened the bottle of Jack Daniels.

“Just like the old times, eh? You sure you don’t have any Coke?”, Jack said.

“Nah. That’s just too much sugar for me. By the way, are you driving?”

“Naw. I walked. Besides, you were always the light-weight. You always had to have a Coke-back in the old days. Oh well, let the drinking commence.”

It only took one sip before Johnny remembered why he gave up drinking. He couldn’t make up his mind which was worse, the pungent odor or the burning sensation going down his throat, He decided it was definitely the burning.

“Well Johnny”, said Jack, “You really picked a looker.”

“Uh, thanks. I guess after 20-plus years of marriage, it’s not something I dwell on.”

“Dwell? You used to be scared shitless when the pretty girls even talked to you. Winding up with a piece like that makes you the winner!”

Jack was already pouring another glass for himself. Johnny tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling Jack’s comment were giving him but chocked it up to the liquor.

“What about you?”, Jack said.

“Me? No! I could never settle down like that. I need my freedom.”

“Speaking of freedom”, said Johnny, “Do you still have the blue Chevy?”

“I could never let her go. She’s parked in front of my mom’s house.”

“All those fun times we had in it”, Johnny said, “Those were the best times with the radio blasting and the night air rushing past. I’d love to see it.”

“Later, later”  Jack said as he poured another drink.

Johnny put his hand over his glass and Jack just poured more for himself. It wasn’t long before Jack was slurring his words.

“Desert’s here!”, chimed Audrey as she brought in a tray.

“Oh”, she said, “It looks like Jack has already had his desert.”

Jack’s glassy eyes leered at Audrey and as he tumbled to the floor as he reached out to grope her. Johnny looked at her and they both shook their heads at the same time. Jack had passed out.

It was a tremendous effort, but they got him into the back seat of their car. Johnny wasn’t sure, but he guessed that Jack still lived with his parents. As they pulled up the house, the blue Chevy was there just like he said, except that he didn’t mention that it was a rusted hulk up on blocks. Johnny and Audrey rolled Jack out the door and into the grass. It was the last they ever saw of him, but Johnny often thought of that blue Chevy.