Hot Rod Nights

forty-two
forty-two
Jul 25, 2017 · 77 min read

The year is 1957 and this is anywhere in America.

"Bonnie, come here!" her mother summoned.

Bonnie ran into the kitchen, "Yes, mama?" she asked.

"Go tell Joey I need this trash outside before dark," she ordered.

"Okay, mama," she acknowledged then rushed out the door anxious to relay mother's orders to her brother. "Joey! Hey, Joey!" screamed Bonnie as she descended the front steps.

Joey was engrossed in his current task and had no time to cater to his sister's immature whims. "What!" he answered dismissive.

Bonnie scanned the front yard but did not see any sign of her brother. "Where are you?" she inquired.

"Under the '32."

Bonnie hurried over to find Joey's legs protruding from the under the '32. "What are you doing under there?" she queried.

"I'm working. What do you want?" he was curt.

"Mom wants you to take the trash out," she relayed with an air of clout.

"I'll do it later, I'm busy," he said dismissive.

Not the response she was expecting, she decided to enforce the matter. "No, now! She said now!" demanded Bonnie, backed by the authority of mother.

Joey crawled from under the car. "Listen squirt, I'll take it out when I'm good'n ready," he was emphatic.

Bonnie placed her hands on her hips and peered down at her brother. "I'm gonna tell mom you said that," she replied still wielding her proxied authority.

"You do that, I'll tell mom I saw you smoking behind the gym," he gave a quick retort.

Bonnie's eyes lit-up and advertised fear, "You'd better not, you promised!" she fumed.

He displayed a sheepish grin and crawled under the '32. Bonnie stood for a moment to weigh her options and realized quick she had no ground so stomped back to the house.

Joey concentrated on the job of getting his rod ready for tonight's race. The 1932 Ford Coupe is something he had yearned for since he was a child. Not just any 1932 Ford Coupe, Joey had his mind set on a chopped and channeled, fenderless, no engine cover or side panels, tri-carb setup. A true high performance hot rod the likes of which he saw in rodder mags when he was younger. Others had their "hot rods" but Joey wanted the hot rod. In his mind, there was no other.

Tireless hours he spent on his dream learning the inner-workings of engines, transmissions and rear ends. Necessary skills like electrical, cutting, grinding, welding and many others one would consider a waste of good time.

He could tear down and rebuild an engine or transmission in a day provided no machining was required. That he left to the pros as they had the proper equipment. His unnerving attention to detail impressed even the veterans of the industry. Joey had built a reputation in the race world by being Joey. He was not the most personable or social but he knew his way around an automobile and he was more competent than many professionals.

As he concentrated on his job he heard the familiar sound of tires on the road mixed with the mild rumble of exhaust as an automobile approached.

"Joey!" cried the familiar voice of James "The Madman" Sykes who was the craziest driver Joey ever met. Madman was the best circle track driver in these parts. Roundy-round they called it. The whole race is one big left turn, pretty much. Joey joked he was so good at it he even thought in circles. The sport had been around for about ten years now and was a bit popular. People seemed to like watching cars turn left for fifty laps or so.

He slid from under the '32 and saw Madman there with his brand new red Corvette convertible. "I see you prefer plastic these days," he joked as he stood and made his way to the shiny Detroit machinery.

"This here's a fiberglass wonder," said Madman with aplomb.

As Joey stood there wiping his hands clean with a rag, he inspected the new toy. "Wonder huh? Well I look at it and wonder why anybody would spend money on a plastic automobile," he kidded and smirked as he continued with optimism, "Hey that's got the 283 in it doesn't it?"

"Sure does. Light and fast she is," he said with pride as he stood back and admired his new acquisition.

A quick survey of the body lines, Joey then stepped to the fender and looked down at the hood and prompted Madman. "Well?" Madman rushed over and popped the latch and as Joey raised the hood he eyed the power plant nestled between the fenders. "Hey, this has dual carbs! Not bad, not bad at all," he said. Then added, "Any day Madman, any day," This was Joey's subtle way of a challenge to race his race, not roundy-round but the only kind of real racing there was — drag racing. Madman knew better than to accept, even jokingly, about racing Joey in his wheelhouse, as many others did from the kid with the ugly car — they lost, every one of them. Some had very impressive machines, but as Joey would say, "Pretty and impressive don't win races. If it don't work together, it won't work out, it won't win."

Madman approached Joey, "So, you ready for tonight against Muggsy?" he said as he slapped Joey on the back.

Joey lowered his head in false humility, "Almost, got a few things to tweak, then I'll be ready," he said.

"You need any help there Joey. I'm all yours," offered Madman.

"No, thanks Madman, I've just about got 'er taped," he said.

Madman knew Joey well and could tell when he was busy and had something on his mind as he was cordial but short with his conversation. "Okay, kid. I'll get outta your hair, I don't wanna be the one to cost you the race."

Joey looked Madman in the eye, "See ya later Madman," he acknowledged.

Madman hopped in his new toy and displayed the grunt of a plastic car by leaving two long tire marks in front of Joey's house. A grin crossed Joey's face as he watched the red Corvette fade in the distance. Joey turned to his '32 then decided it was best to do his mother's bidding before things escalated.

Later that day, the crowd had gathered to larger than normal out on Old Mill road. There was tension in the air and plenty of light left for a good run. As Frankie drew the line across the road for the line-up, Joey pulled up in his '32 and Frankie guided him to the line. Muggs was next to pull forward for the line-up in his Model A. Frankie walked to Joey's window, "Hey Joey, I ain't got the light," he said.

"You ain't got the light. The biggest race of the summer and you ain't got the light," said Joey annoyed.

"Sorry Joey, I forgot."

"Maybe you should see if someone's got a light we could use," he offered.

"Yeah, yeah, that's a good idea, Joey," said Frankie as he stood there.

Prompted by his lack of initiative, Joey said, "Hey Frankie, maybe you should go find that light before we run out of gas here."

"Oh, yeah right, Joey," Frankie left and disappeared into the crowd. Moments later he came back with a dirty white rag as a signal light. Joey looked at Muggs and pointed to the rag. Muggs thumbed a reluctant okay.

Frankie took his position between the two cars. He pointed to Muggs and he signaled ready. Frankie then pointed to Joey and he signaled. Frankie raised the dirty white rag in the air and yelled over the din of the engines, "Ready!" The engines revved higher. "Set!" Clutches with a slight disengage. "Go!" he dropped the rag and ran between the cars.

The two rods roared off the start line and headed for the finish line, a quarter mile away. They left a cloud of smoke and the smell of burnt rubber in the air as their rods quickly diminished in size as they headed for the horizon.

Joey felt the familiar and intoxicating pull of g-force on his body as the '32 accelerated off the line. This only fed his desire to push the '32 harder to obtain even more force as more force meant more speed and more speed meant a win. The sound of the engine was healthy tonight. He could feel the internal parts working in harmony causing a quick and powerful response as he had the pedal floored between shifts. The little tweaks he did prior to tonight's race were paying off as he inched ahead of the model A. His shifts were smooth as should be when in harmony with machine. He slammed the shifter to fourth and buried the pedal. It was all he had. Only the floor interrupted his push of the pedal to infinity as he hoped what he did have was enough. The Model A slowly drifted back then disappeared from his peripheral vision. The '32 rolled over the line and won by a half a length. In less than fourteen seconds Joey had won himself a Model A hot rod.

Moments later he pulled up to the awaiting, cheering crowd. They soon surrounded the '32. "Best drag yet Joey!" said Frankie as he approached the car.

Joey climbed from the '32 and soaked-in his win. Adoring fans patted his back and expressed their congratulations. The Model A pulled up and Joey walked to the driver's side. He leaned on the driver's side window, "Sorry, Muggs. But don't you worry, I'll take good care of her," consoled Joey.

Muggs sneered a little and, with reluctance, climbed from the Model A. "This ain't over Hanson," he said in disappointment and handed Joey the keys and pink. "I'll get ya next time Joey. You can bet on that," he said with disdain.

Somewhat annoyed with his attitude, Joey replied, "Yeah, yeah, I here ya. Nobody likes a sore loser Muggsy."

Frankie approached. "Hey Joey, you wants I can drive 'er home for ya? Huh Joey, whataya say Joey, huh?" he pleaded.

"Yeah sure, Frankie. Have a ball," responded Joey. Then added, "Don't you do nothin' crazy now you got that, Frankie?"

Frankie began his walk to the Model A. "I got it, I got it, nothin' crazy," he said dismissive.

The celebrations of the win were in full swing as Joey turned and headed back to the '32. He did a cursory scan of the crowd as it was much larger than usual. Word must have leaked somehow about the race or the local activity had somehow caught on as there were many new skirts in the crowd and they were all looking at him. Not bad, he thought as he scanned. While he strolled to the '32 one skirt he passed caught his attention out of the corner of his eye and the vision of her lingered. He looked over his shoulder as he walked and searched for the girl. She was among the other bobby soxers as he made eye contact and smiled. The girl noticed and reciprocated. Joey continued toward his destination but could not shake the lovely vision from his mind and decided to revisit the place in the crowd he had seen her. She was gone! A quick desperate scan of the crowd did not yield a result so he abandoned his search and hope. He directed his attention on his engine and as he studied it after his best race of the summer, a soothing lilted voice came from behind.

"I see you won," said the polite voice.

It was unfamiliar but pleasant. He turned, it was the girl from the crowd! A wave of relief passed through him as he had thought she was lost in the sea of faces. He collected himself, "You like racin'? he returned the politeness.

"Sometimes," she said.

"Sometimes? What makes you like one race from another?"

"Oh, I guess it's a lot of things but I think it's mainly the drivers that interest me most."

Joey knows an invitation when he hears one. "So you like my drivin'?" he asked.

The girl, unsure why she felt the need to play with him, did just that. "Not you, silly," as she exaggerated the thought of Joey as the subject of her attention as nonsense. She continued, "Oh, no, it's the other guy I was lookin' at. He's so boss!" she laughed and was patient and anxious as she awaited his retort.

Joey, a little deflated, responded as he would as if it were just another dame. "Well you picked the wrong guy, didn't you, doll?" he defended.

She took a step closer and looked him in the eyes and smiled. "I was just joshin' you. I most certainly picked the right driver," she said playful adding a submissive and seductive look.

He peered into her eyes and was drawn-in as he felt a warm smothering. There was something about this girl he could not peg. She was not like your normal bobby soxer. When she looked at him there was a confidence and certain determinism there he could sense and feel. This dame was with it! She had more than marbles rollin' around up there, he thought. He also felt the sting of remorse of his attack. "Hey look, I didn't mean nothin' by that picked the wrong guy thing, you know?" he groveled.

"Yes you did," she said matter-of-fact. Then continued, "But it's okay. Guess I was askin' for it a little," she surrendered.

"You go to Rockford High? I've never seen you," he said with a change of subject.

"No, I'm from Joshua county. I go to Franklin," she said. The girl's attention went toward the '32. "Your car has many interesting colors. You don't like one-color cars?" she queried.

"I'm working on the mechanics right now. Pretty paint comes down the road."

"It went really fast tonight. What are those two things on top there?" she said as she pointed to the engine.

Joey looked to verify the destination of her point. "Oh, those are carburetors," he announced.

"Why do you have three carbinators?" she said somewhat dimwitted.

He displayed a little annoyance at her mispronunciation. "It's carburetors," he corrected.

The girl exaggerated her pronunciation and her struggle to say the word correctly. "Carburetors," she repeated.

"Hey, you got it now," he said polite with encouragement. He paused, then decided to impress, "This is a deuce coupe, doll. A thirty-two deuce coupe. Deuce means two, as in two-barrel carburetors. In fact that's her name — The Deuce," he stated proudly. He paused as if to gather his thoughts then continued, "But she's much more than that. She's the whole works — engine, trans, rear — the whole works. It all works together," he kept it simple for her.

"Oh, I see. And all that makes it go fast?" she feigned ignorance.

Joey could see he was still a little over her head in this area so he dialed it down more. "It makes me win and it's just cool, that's all," he said somewhat dismissive.

"Cool huh? Yeah, I'd say you got that part down pretty well, hot rodder," she flirted as she left his side and walked toward her car. Joey stood captured by her every step until she reached her car and turned to address him, "So tell me, hot rodder, is that a special grind cam in there? Sounds like you did a little head work too. A little port and polish maybe? Bet she's got a balanced crank too," she laughed as she climbed in and started the engine.

Joey, in disbelief of what he had just heard, stood there dumbfounded, confused and more than a little impressed. He ran to her car just before she pulled away. "Hey, wait!" he leaned on the window. "Who are you? How do you know so much about engines?"

She kept her eyes forward staring through the windshield. "I know more than engines, I know racing. Heard about this hotshot winnin' races and I thought I'd come see," she said.

His eyes widened, "Oh, you race too?" he said with interest.

She cracked a smile, "No, just a fan," she clarified.

"You have a name, just a fan?" he asked.

She looked him in the eyes, "Donna," she said hoping he wouldn't forget.

"Just Donna?" he asked searching.

"Just a fan, Donna," she joked.

"Well, just a fan, Donna, I'm Joey," he said cordially.

Her cheeks blushed a little. "I know your name, silly. Everyone knows about Cool Joey," she flirted as she hit the gas and disappeared into the night leaving Joey standing there a little confused yet encouraged.

Donna tried her best to concentrate on her driving as she headed for home. Her thoughts of this kid racer crawled through her mind. The way she acted with him was not at all congruent with her character. Only in recent weeks had she heard of this boy that wins races — this Joey kid. She had to go, had to see, even if just to say she was there and be done with it. After all, everyone knew of this kid and had been to at least one of his races. Something much different than expected had happened. Infatuation entered in with an undeniable urge which drove her thoughts and actions. After every race it was all she could do not to stay and talk to this racer. She had never been so forward with any boy, much less a greaser!

In an attempt to bury all thoughts of this racer, they somehow managed to creep their way back to the fore of her mind and the memory of their encounter became clear and vivid. He looked deep in her eyes and she was captured. She knew nothing of this boy, yet she felt a strange familiarity. An inherent prediction of what he would next say led her to play and toy with him so expertly. What's wrong with you, Donna? she thought to herself as she turned on the radio to drown her thoughts and emotions.

Joey returned to the gathering but his mind was no longer on the spoils of the win. As the crowd shouted and cheered, he heard nothing but his own thoughts. Who was that? he thought to himself. He could not help but focus his thoughts on this girl. No dame ever had him spinning like this, knocking him off balance the way she did. He then realized he failed to get her number. She was so pretty too. But she was playing with me! he thought. He hated that — and he liked it.

"Yo, Joey, c'mere! shouted Eddie from a small crowd. "C'mon!" he insisted as he waved him over. Joey strolled over, lost in thought. "Big winner here folks! My main man, Joey!" said Eddie. He continued, "Hey, you gonna go to the after-party, Joey? It's gonna be a blast!"

"Yeah, sure Eddie, whatever you say," he said sullen.

"Hey, hey, what's the matter buddy? You run over a cat on the way to the winner's circle or somethin'? Huh?" consoled Eddie as he slapped Joey's chest.

Joey snapped from his slumber and gave an appropriate response. "Nah, not me. I'm just thinkin' about the party and all the dames that'll be there, right? Right, Eddie!" He slapped Eddie on the back and headed toward The Deuce.

"Hey, Joey, can I ride with ya?" came a girl's voice from the crowd. Neecy, a cute girl that had been sweet on Joey since they were kids, appeared from a group of teenagers.

"Sure why not, Neecy, climb-in," he offered. Joey had always seen Neecy as nothing but this cute little neighbor girl. She climbed in and Joey fired-up The Deuce. He looked toward Neecy and his eyes were drawn to her legs and he noticed those were not the legs of a little girl, those were the legs of a woman. Joey's gaze traveled upward until it paused, briefly, on her chest and he realized Neecy was no longer that cute little neighbor girl. No, she was now that beautiful girl on the seat next to him. Watching him with intent, as their eyes met, she flashed a wicked smile. This could be trouble, he thought.

As The Deuce made her way down the road, Joey stared unwavering at its lines. No words were spoken as he made sure his eyes did not wander off the road. Neecy lingered in of the corner of his eye and the more he thought about it, the more comfortable he became with the thought of Neecy as a grown girl. She made her intentions clear many times but this time it was different as Joey was actually considering her as a woman, not a girl. Then again, maybe not.

The Deuce pulled onto the grassy clearing where the celebrations were in full swing. This was not a celebration in honor of Joey's win as it was just another Saturday night and Joey happened to win tonight.

Joey parked and the two sat silent until Neecy broke the tension. "You haven't said a word. Is something on your mind, Joey?" she asked.

He sat quietly and weighed his options when Neecy lifted her bare knee onto the seat and as she turned to face him he noticed more than her knee was exposed with her short skirt. "I know we grew-up together, Joey. And you think of me as little Neecy. And I was little Neecy. I'm not that little girl anymore, I'm Denise now," she said as she slid closer. She reached out and began a gentle and playful trace of invisible lines with her finger on Joey's shirt as her demeanor changed to seductive. "I know you pretty well, Joey. And you know me, too. I just thought we might, you know, give it a chance."

Joey's eyes remained forward and he was feeling a little tense. "I don't know about that Nee... Denise," he said as he changed to her grown-up name which did make her seem more woman than girl.

Neecy's demeanor then changed to the little girl Joey was more familiar with. The light, cute, bubbly Neecy. "Tell you what — let's just try this. Just give me a peck. A little kiss and see how it goes, 'K?" She sat up straight and closed her eyes and puckered her lips in an animated, childish fashion. "I'm waiting," she muffled through her pucker.

Joey looked at her as she was so cute but not in a little girl way. He leaned-in and quickly smacked his lips to hers, then sat back. Her demeanor changed again as the pucker on her lips faded when she opened her eyes. "That was good," she said. "Now try this." She leaned-in and gently gave him a much different kiss. This was a real kiss — with passion. Joey's instincts kicked in, he pulled her close and as he kissed her, all he could think was this is no little girl's kiss! It was a bit strange how good at this she was.

Her hands began to wander over Joey's chest and took a very sensual and arousing course. Movements were slow but definite as her intensity increased driving him to the precipice of arousal, he could tell these were not just physical motions as she truly cared for and desired him. He began to entertain the thought of treating Neecy as the woman she claimed to be. Her kisses deepened and her actions increased in aggression and it was obvious with each new exploration of his physique she became more aroused by her behavior. As Joey responded to her advances and as he stood on the brink of commitment, a vision of Donna flashed, unexpected, through his mind. He began to dwell on her face, her beauty, her soft, lovely voice, her wit. It was a thought that lingered and the more he thought of Donna the more he thought of Denise as Neecy. The more he wanted Donna, the less he wanted Denise. He pushed away.

Neecy was not pleased Joey interrupted their moment, their time together, after all, this is something she had dreamed of her whole life and now she was denied her own dream — of him! She was old enough now and this was no dream, this was real. "What's wrong, Joey?" she said desperate and trying to regain the moment as she attempted to lean-in and continue. He kept her at length. Nervous, she began to caress his face. "C'mon Joey, what's wrong?" Her eyes displayed worry at the realization that her dream was about to slip away.

"This isn't right, Denise," he felt he should give her the dignity of her real name. After all, she did nothing wrong and he knew she was not the same little girl now and she made it clear she wanted him and in a brief moment of curiosity he had, in an inadvertent way, toyed with her emotions.

Desperate, Neecy tried her best to return to what was the most perfect of worlds. She tried to understand what had happened, "What's wrong, Joey?" she repeated, as her eyes began to well-up, "Did I do something wrong, Joey? Did I?" she sat in confusion and despair.

Joey's heart sunk at the thought of hurting little Neecy this way as he knew it was all his fault by letting it go too far and it should not have happened in the first place. He saw how Neecy was desperate to hold back the tears and as he was at a loss for words, he reached out and she pushed him away. "You don't mean it," she snapped. "If you don't mean it, don't do it. That's all. Just don't do it," she choked as tears streamed down her cheeks. Devastated, she opened the door and ran out of sight.

He sat for quite some time in the dark doing his best to figure how it could go so wrong so fast. Then he realized his self-fulfilling prophecy. Yep, trouble, he thought. He fired-up The Deuce and drove home.

Neecy passed by several cars that were parked and noticed a few were occupied by couples necking. As Frankie drank alone in the dark in the Model A he noticed Neecy walk past. "Hey, Neecy!" he yelled.

She turned to see who called her name and saw it was Frankie so she walked toward him. "Hey, Frankie," she said with a sniffle.

Frankie noticed she had been crying. "Aw' what's the matta, doll," he asked.

Neecy wiped the remainder of tears from her cheeks. "Nothin' Frankie. Just a little upset that's all," she said.

"Hey, did someone hurt you, doll? You tell Frankie who day are and I'll take care of 'em for ya. Who was it Neecy?" he said concerned.

"Oh, Frankie, you're so sweet. It's nothin'. I just got some bad news is all," she said to disarm him.

"Climb on in here, doll. You don't need to be standin' out here in the air all upset." Neecy opened the passenger door and climbed in.

"What, your goldfish die or somethin'?" he asked in a mock serious fashion.

She smiled at his obvious attempt to cheer her up. "Hey, can I have a swig of that?" she said as she pointed to the flask in his hand.

"Oh, sure, sure," he said as he handed her the flask. She turned it up and started to swig heavy. "Hey slow down there, doll," he said. He watched as she took another heavy swig. "What, did two fish die on ya?" he said mock serious. She choked a little as she laughed.

"Whew, that's good stuff, Frankie," she said.

"Hey, nothin' but the best for pretty girls," he said as he smiled. He paused then continued, "Are you sure you're okay dare Neecy. 'Cause I'm serious, I'll clobber whoever made you cry like dat," he said as she took another sizable swig.

"No Frankie, I'm okay," she said as she looked in his eyes. "But I like how you want to defend my honor, Frankie," she said seductive and put her palm on his chest and began to caress.

Frankie looked down at her hand then at her. "Are you doin' what I tink you're doin'?" he said.

She continued and looked him in the eyes. "Uh huh," she affirmed. Her hand began to move lower, Frankie's eyes began to widen. He grabbed the keys in the ignition and started the Model A. The engine roared to life which frightened the occupants of the other cars. Neecy gave brief pause. "What are are you doing, Frankie?" she asked.

In a hurried manner he pressed the clutch in and threw the transmission in first gear. "This ain't a good place for dis. I got a better one, more private. Yeah, private," he said.

A little thrown off by his sudden actions Neecy was willing to cooperate. "Okay Frankie, you're the boss?" she said seductive as she blew gentle in his ear.

It was all Frankie could do to keep the Model A between the lines of the road. All liquored up and his bout with recent excitement and the anticipation of even more excitement it was difficult to find the correct gear. To make matters worse, Neecy felt the need to play and began to touch Frankie in ways that were not conducive to allow his concentration to remain on the task of proper operation of the Model A. She continued her play as Frankie became more excited and as a result, his driving became more erratic.

The Model A wandered aimless as Frankie was even more distracted by the passenger's actions and intentions. Neecey, under Frankie's shirt, made her way down his torso with gentle kisses. Her exploration of Frankie's body allowed for much diverted attention. The frequent and brief off-road excursions by the Model A only intensified the excitement of the distracted and playful couple.

Neecy was now under the steering wheel and playing hard as Frankie's right foot followed instinct and pressed forward as the dutiful Model A responded. Frankie swerved left to right but managed to remain on the road. Speed was climbing fast and the scenery was but a blur as Frankie's attention wrestled between driving skills and Neecy skills. The struggle soon reached resolution and Frankie's foot eased off the accelerator. The speed decreased in rapid fashion as Frankie was in a lower gear at high speeds and winding-out the transmission. Neecy took her place on the passenger's side of the seat and took another long swig from the flask. Frankie was wiping the sweat from his brow as he regained control of the Model A. Frankie's attention remained a little dispersed and he did not notice a blind curve and plowed through the guard rail. There was a ninety foot drop past the rail and the Model A's nose dipped over the embankment and commenced its descent. It began to gain speed and Neecy screamed as Frankie wrestled with the steering wheel. The right front wheel caught a rut and the Model A turned sideways and rolled violently down the embankment. The crushed and twisted rod came to rest on its passenger side. The roof had been crushed near the windshield. A passerby stopped.

Two days later The deuce pulled into the local speed shop parking lot. Joey hopped out and noticed a familiar car on the lot. It was a light blue '52 Dodge. I know that Dodge, he said to himself but could not place from where. He entered the speed shop and saw his old pal Hank, who was like a second father to Joey, behind the counter.

"Hey, Joey. How's it goin' kid?" he said jovial.

"Not bad, old man. How's business?"

"You keep beatin' all the locals you're gonna put me out of business."

"If I keep beatin' all the locals they'll have to come to you for better stuff to try and beat me."

"That's why you keep winnin' kid, you're smart."

Joey looks up and notices a new aluminum intake Hank mounted on the wall. "Hey, that's nice," he said as he pointed.

Hank looked at Joey and said, "That's not the only nice thing in here," as he glanced to his two o'clock.

Joey turned in the direction of Hank's glance. Sitting in a chair, near the window, was a pretty girl reading a magazine so Joey took notice and looked closer. It was Donna!

Donna looked up from her magazine and saw it was Joey who had come into the shop. She smiled at him, then blushed.

Joey knew what to do and sauntered over. "I guess you do like racing. Even hangin' out in speed shops I see," he teased.

She looked him in the eyes and in a serious demeanor said, "I knew you would come here eventually so I come and sit every day and wait," she said. It was all she could do to keep a straight face.

Thrown off-guard, Joey took a moment to collect his thoughts to answer, "You do?" was the best he could muster.

Donna played-it-up even more. "Since we met that night you're all I think about, I live for you Joey. You're my whole world," she said in an exaggerated fashion and knew full well when she said it aloud, there was much truth to it. He was in her thoughts most of each day.

"Okay, okay you got me. You had me goin' there for a minute. I thought they might have to come get you with a butterfly net soon," he said. He continued, "Why are you here? You don't even live around here."

"I'm waiting for parts. They're special order."

"I thought you didn't race."

"I don't, daddy does. My uncle Bob does too. That's daddy's brother. They have a shop together."

"Now I get it. That's how you know so much about engines, you grew-up around them!"

Donna smiled. "You can drive fast and think pretty fast too — Cool Joey," she said in a seductive and playful manner. Then asked, "Are you fast at everything?" she half-teased then waited for an honest answer.

Joey picked up on her obvious subtle play and sat down next to her and leaned-in close. "I'm fast when needed my darling," he said seductive then looked deep into her eyes and said, "When I need to, I can be very slow, very attentive and very, very accommodating."

Donna melted a little with each word and imagined a few of the things where Joey could be very, very accommodating. "Good to know," she gasped, trying her best to hide her emotions.

"Young lady," Hank's voice came from across the room. "Your parts are here."

"Thank you, sir. I'll be right there."

"Well, looks like it's time to hit the road," she said as she rose from her chair and headed for the counter.

Joey passed her on the way and grabbed her box off the counter. "I'll carry this for you miss," he offered in a gentleman's fashion.

"Why thank you kind sir," she responded in a playful prim and proper manner.

Outside, by the time Joey put the box in the passenger seat Donna had climbed in and started the car. Joey remained in the window of the passenger side. "You going to be in town again anytime soon," he asked.

All Donna could do was look at him as her mind had locked-up and her muscles froze. She didn't know what to say until it hit — the only thing she felt she could say, "I can be," she then thought, I don't believe I just said that! That's not how you get chased! You gotta make the guy work for it! But the silly chase game didn't really matter now as she no longer cared. She only wanted to be with him.

"Nine o'clock Friday night at the A&W?" he prompted.

It was all she could do to say the last sentence but found the means to muster-up one more, "Okay, see you there," she blurted then did her best to smile. She was quick and awkward to put the car in reverse, then backed out and left.

Joey headed back inside the shop where Hank had just finished with another customer. He turned to Joey. "You know that dame?"

"Yeah, we met at the race."

"She saw you at your best — good thing, kid. She's a looker that one."

"Yeah, but I don't know if she's that interested. I mean I know she likes me but — I don't know."

"Kid, I've been around for a while now. And seein' the way that girl looked at you, you couldn't get her off you with a hardened, oversized crowbar. You're in deep with that one. Can't no one help you now," he laughed.

"You think?" he asked uncertain.

"No kid, I know," he laughed harder. "I may not know a lot in this life, but what I saw a few minutes ago told me you got that one all turned around. She's more than sweet on you," he said in a more serious tone.

"You can tell that from what you saw just now?"

"It's more than that, kid. Her father's been orderin' from me for years. Never seen that girl before today. When did you say you met her?"

"The other night at the race."

"Uh huh. Like I said — all turned around. She's like a ripe apple hangin' in front of you offerin' to be picked. Instead of hangin' around waiting for you, she's creating the opportunity to be picked. How many women you know want you to pick them, kid?"

"There's a couple here and there, I guess."

"Uh huh. And which one you thinkin' of pickin'?"

Joey's expression went blank with the realization of what had happened. "So she's been manipulating me? But wait a minute, she didn't know I was coming in here today. She couldn't have planned that. That was just a coincidence."

"Sure, I'll buy that. But why was she here in the first place? I'll bet she was just as surprised as you when you happened to walk in when she was here. I'll also bet that she would have drove around a bit to find you if you hadn't walked in. She's not here doin' a parts run for her father. She's here doin' a parts run for her!" he laughed as Joey displayed a bit of uneasiness.

"I got news for you kid, that's what women do. If a woman wants a man, she will do whatever is necessary to get him. But before they do that; before they go to those great lengths, they're already sold. They've made up their mind. Same as you did with The Deuce. You saw her in your mind and fell for her and went out and got her, right?"

"Right."

"You didn't stop until you had her, right?"

"Right."

"And are you happy you did that?"

"You betcha. She's my life!"

"That girl that just left; you are to her what The Deuce is to you, and she won't stop until you are hers. Let me guess, you're going to see her again real soon huh?

"Friday night."

"Don't you worry kid, she likes you. She wants to beat all the other girls and win the race. She's a winner — at all costs. Sound familiar?"

"Yeah, pretty familiar," he said recognizing the same traits within himself.

"The only thing you need to ask yourself is; do you think about her often?" he asked, "Well, do you?" he insisted. Joey, a bit embarrassed attempted to avoid the question. "Oh, cut the crap, kid. You like the skirt or not?" he presses.

Joey nods silent in the affirmative.

"Then you have nothing to worry about." He paused then continued, "She's a smart one that girl. She's changed the rules on ya, kid — she's chasin' you!" he chuckled. "And based on what happened here today, I'd say she's got a healthy good luck streak too. Sound familiar?" he laughed, "Peas in pod I say — peas in a pod," he chuckled.

Joey walked out feeling somewhat confused, somewhat encouraged and somewhat at the mercy of fate. He climbed in The Deuce and fired the engine. Pete pulled in beside him. "Jackson Joey, what's shakin' Joey? He yelled from the window of his '53 Chevy.

"Hey, Pete. You ever get that rear end problem fixed?" asked Joey.

"We got 'er runnin' again. Hey, Joey, sorry to hear about your friends. I hope they're okay."

A blank look crossed Joey's face. "What friends, what are talkin' about Pete," he asked concerned.

"Oh, you didn't hear? I'm sorry, man. Frankie and that Neecy girl, they went into Sutter's ravine the night you beat Muggs. They were in his Model A. I heard it was pretty bad. I thought you'd heard," he said.

Joey threw The Deuce in reverse. "Thanks Pete," he said and raced from the lot and headed toward the hospital.

He ejected himself from The Deuce and ran to hospital reception. "May I help you son?" asked the nurse.

Joey did his best to collect himself but so many thoughts raced through his mind but he managed to pull himself together. "What room is Neecy Bryant in please?" he asked somewhat desperate.

The nurse looked at her log. "Her first name is Neecy?" she asked.

"No, it's Denise. Denise Bryant," he corrected.

"She's in room 302 son. I'm sorry that's the critical ward. Only family members are allowed in her room," she said.

Joey did his best to be convincing but it was difficult to concentrate. "I'm her brother ma'am. Is she okay? Is Neecy okay?" he asked.

The nurse could tell he was lying but felt for Joey as she could see the concern in his eyes. "Young man, I want you to go straight there and don't stay long. I'm not supposed to be doing this, you hear me?" she said in a stern manner.

Joey understood the situation and nodded then made his way to the stairs as he had no time for the elevator. He ran up the the stairwell and skipped two and three steps at a time then exited the stairwell at the third floor and in no time found room 302. Before entering, he paused and took a deep breath. He opened the door and saw Neecy as she lie in bed with tubes in her arms and nose. She had bruises all over her body and her head was bandaged on top covering her hair and her right arm and left leg were in a cast. He walked to her bedside as she slept. He laid her fingers in his palm and gave a gentle squeeze. Neecy's eyes opened and she turned to face Joey. She did her best to smile but he could tell she was in pain. Joey's eyes welled-up. He couldn't help but share the responsibility for her accident. If he hadn't turned her away; If he hadn't let Frankie drive the Model A. Frankie! Where's Frankie? he thought. He leaned over and kissed Neecy's forehead. "How are you, kiddo?" he said with a soft tone. A tear ran down Neecy's cheek and her bottom lip began to quiver. Joey, effected by the sight of her in such distress, released her hand and turned away. He wiped his eyes dry then did his best to collect himself.

"Joey," said Neecy in a weak, raspy voice. He turned around and walked to her side. He, again, rested her hand in his. Neecy looked him in the eyes, and smiled. "It's okay, Joey... it's okay," she said as she squeezed his hand in an awkward manner and with as much strength as she could muster. Joey attempted to speak. "No," she said. "Just sit here for a minute, okay?" she added. Joey nodded as he wiped his tears.

After a few minutes Neecy fell asleep and Joey remained until her mother entered the room. She saw Joey and ushered him from the room in silence and followed him into the hall. "What are you doing here Joey?" she said with anger in her eyes. Joey had no words. "I don't want to see you around here again, you hear me Joey?" she said in a stern voice.

"Yes ma'am," he said as this was all he could manage for an answer. He went to the elevator and pushed the down button. In the elevator Joey decided he was going to stay until he could see Frankie. He exited the elevator and headed for reception. The nurse looked up and could see he was distraught. "Excuse me, could you tell me what room Francis Marino is in, please?" he asked.

The nurse did not have the heart to deny his request so she looked up the name. "Francis Marino you said?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

A look of remorse came across her face. "I'm sorry, son. Francis didn't survive the accident. His injuries were too severe. His body has been moved to our morgue," she said then looked at Joey who was visibly shaken. "Are you going to be all right, son?" she asked with concern.

"Yes, ma'am," he responded in a robotic manner. He turned and exited the hospital. Joey sat in the hospital parking lot for hours. He sat with his mind deep in the past. All the times, good and bad, he and Frankie had been through as the hours ticked by. It was dark before he decided it was time to leave. He started The Deuce and drove home.

Donna lie in bed scribbling in her notebook. Thoughts of the near future engulf and occupy her mind — Friday night's meeting with Joey. She knew she had to keep her mind occupied until then or she would make herself crazy creating "what if" scenarios. This, in turn, would cause excessive apprehension and unwarranted nervousness and if allowed, her mind would create an entire lifetime with Joey including all the hopes and dreams and emotions, reactions and responses of situations that had not and never will occur. A complete fantasy scenario in her mind that will betray her and be used against her at any moment something goes wrong in the 'real' world. She then wondered how many places she could write the name Joey on her notebook cover without looking obsessed. There were six. Probably a good time to stop, she thinks to herself and puts the notebook under her bed for now.

"Donna!" her mother called from the other room.

"Yes, mama?"

"Could you come in here please?"

Donna walks from her bedroom to the living room where her mother sat knitting. "Yes, mama?"

"Are all your chores done for the day?"

"Yes, mama. All of them."

"That's good, dear. What did you do today?"

"I helped daddy at the shop. I went to Jackson for parts."

"Oh, that's good you're helpin' your dad during the summer. But you can have a personal life too you know. You should go out with your friends. Have some fun." She paused then continued, "So, Donna, any boys in your life presently?"

"Mother!" she blurted unexpected. Her mother never asked such a question before. And she knew that certain tone she used. It was the one of — the answer was already known before the question was asked — tone.

"Dear, I was a young girl once. I know what's going on in that head of yours," she said. Then pressed, "Well?"

"There's one boy, mama."

"Let me guess, he's in Jackson," she said searching yet knowing.

Donna's eyes lit-up with guilt and surprise as if a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Donna collected herself, "How did you know, mama?"

"Donna, you've been walking around here scatter-brained for days. You're obviously not here, you're mind is elsewhere. I told you, I was once young too. And you're my daughter. There's only one thing that makes a young girl act the way you're acting — a boy." She paused then continued, "And not just A boy but the boy," she paused and looked hard at Donna. She continued, "And you never go on part runs, especially to another town." Her mother stopped knitting, lowered her head and looked at Donna over her glasses. "Donna," she said as she waited impatient.

Donna lowered her head and eyes in response. "Yes, mama," she surrendered.

Her mother continued her knitting and changed to a more pleasant demeanor. "You know, I acted the same way when I met your father. He still gets me scatter-brained every once in a while," she chuckled. Then continued as her attitude changed once more to somber. "You be careful young lady. You're all grown now. These decisions are yours — good and bad. You hear me, young lady?"

"Yes, mama," she replied sullen as if on trial.

Her mother continued her knitting and began her third degree. "So, tell me about this boy," she inquired.

Donna stiffened and became evasive. "Mama I don't think he even likes me. He's real popular and stuff."

"Oh posh, tell me. What's he like?" she said with yet another change in demeanor to flippant.

Donna thought about how to describe Joey and she began to brighten as she straightened her posture and became animated. "Oh, he's tall and very charming. He's so kind and really smart," she stopped abrupt.

Donna's mother saw the twinkle in her eye as she thought about him. She felt a little more probing was in order. "That's it? That's all he is to you? Come girl, spill it! What's his name?" she urged.

Donna had not seen her mother like this before. She seemed so interested and almost like one of her girlfriends. "Joey," she replied.

"So he's tall and charming and kind and smart. Come, Donna, what's he really like?"

Donna decided to go for broke. If she was going to get in trouble she was going to do it for the right reason. "I think he's the strongest man I've ever met, next to daddy of course, and he's so sweet, mama," she melts a little when she thinks about him. "He's not like anyone I know, really. He takes no guff, from no one. And, like I said, he's smart — really smart. I mean he had me going a little for a while there, and you know I'm pretty smart and I had a hard time tryin' top him and..."

Her mother smiled and swelled with prided as she listened to her daughter's audacity, confidence and level of self-worth.

... "He has this determination that you don't want to go against. And he's a really good guy too. He's not mean or unfair. He's a bit gruff but that's okay and...

As her daughter described this boy, she seemed happy, full of life, full of hope and desire. Her eyes lit-up and sparkled. Her mother knows the sign of this affliction. She knows what it can do to a person and knows there is no cure and should be no cure. Her Donna has been afflicted with a condition called love and it is incurable.

... "and he's a really good driver..."

"He seems like quite a guy," she said as she cut her daughter off.

"Oh, yes mama. He really is!" she said prideful.

"And does Joey work? What does he do with his time?"

Donna recoiled and became hesitant, skittish, evasive.

"C'mon, Donna, what does he do?" she asked with a hint of resolve.

Donna took a deep breath, "Races," she quietly blurted as she turned her head.

Again, her mother's demeanor changed from best friend to concerned mother. "Oh, Donna dear. You know better than that. You know how your father feels about you goin' with a rodder."

Donna felt the need to defend, "But mama he's not like that. He's..."

"Dreamy?" she cuts her off.

"Mother, no!" she shouted as her attitude changed to one of attack. "That's a kid's term. Joey's not a kid and he doesn't do kid things. He's serious about his racing and he's real good at it and when he looks at me, I feel like I know him and..." she rambled.

Donna's mother knew this argument. It was the same the one she gave her father before marrying Donna's father. "Almost knew what he was thinking?" she chimed in.

"Yes! How did you know?" she said surprised.

"I know the feeling, dear," she said. She also knew there would would be no way to stop this progression if this boy felt half the way Donna did. Listening to his description and knowing his name, something occurred to her. "Donna, tell me, this Joey, he wouldn't be Jackson Joey would he?" She then spelled the following letters slow and determined, "A-K-A The Jackson Eliminator? Is this your Joey, Donna?"

Donna, feeling less brave, nodded in silence.

"Oh dear, oh dear," she repeated with concern as she lowered her knitting paraphernalia. She continued, "Donna, honey, how did you ever get mixed up with this boy?" she asked concerned.

Donna sat brief in deep thought as the entire scenario ran through her mind. "Well, I kept hearing about this boy who could really race. Everybody was talkin' about this Jackson Joey kid. The kids at school, the guys at daddy's shop and even daddy was talkin' about him. I had to see, mama," she paused and collected her thoughts. She continued, "So I went to a couple of his races and — I never talked to him and he didn't even know I was there — and after this last race I just wanted to say hi. That's all. Just say hi to this really good racer. I mean this guy is good, mama. You should see him he's..." she stopped herself realizing she was becoming caught in the moment. She continued, "He walked by me and I didn't say nothin' I just looked at him — he walked right by me — then he looked back — at me! He looked at me, mama! So I just went over to say it was a good race and stuff and when he looked in my eyes," I couldn't help myself, mama — it was so strange. I felt so comfortable, so... different."

"Like you'd known him all your life? Like he made you feel like a woman?" she said with monotone.

"Yes!" she said as her eyes lit-up. "And he was so kind and gentle. He wasn't like that with other people, not even the other girls. He made me feel special," she glowed with the memory of the moment.

"Like you were the only one that existed to him," she continued.

"Yes!" her eyes lit-up once more.

"Oh boy," she blurted with a tone of concern. Donna's mother knew this story — it was her story. She knew the outcome and what would be the result if that outcome were to be prevented, discouraged or hindered in any way — disaster for all involved. Yes, she knew this story all too well. "Okay, dear. You can go back to your room."

Donna stood dumbfounded, "I can? I'm not in trouble, mama?" she asked searching.

"Oh, you're in trouble dear. Just not with me," she confirmed.

A display of deep concern crossed her face, "With daddy?" she said sullen.

Her mother stopped her knitting raised her head and again looked over her glasses at her daughter. "You don't worry about your father. I'll take care of that," she said insistent. She lowered her head and continued knitting. "Run along now, Donna," she said conclusive.

Donna turned and walked back to her room with more confusion than in previous moments.

The morning sun streamed through the curtains as it entered the bedroom. Joey awoke to find Bonnie sitting on the edge of his bed, slumped over, her head in her hands. "Hey, squirt, what's up?" he asked still drowsy.

Bonnie turned to him with sadness in her eyes. "Is it true about Neecy and Frankie?" she asked.

The rush of despair began to creep in again as Joey's thoughts returned to yesterday. "Yeah, I'm afraid so Bonnie," he confirmed.

Tears began to stream down her face. "But why? I don't understand... why!" she shouted. She lunged toward Joey and wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him tight as she sobbed.

This was all too familiar for both of them. This scenario occurred two years prior, only worse, when she got the news her father was killed in a mill accident. This news brought back a flurry of past horrible feelings and memories.

Joey was very particular about whom he called friend and who could come around his home. All Joey's friends were not friends, they were family. For Bonnie they were more than that. They were her foundation. The news of Neecy and Frankie shook that foundation. Bonnie grew-up with Joey's friends. They were her friends and she loved and protected them, in her own way, as best she could.

As Bonnie clung to her older brother he rocked her slow and said words to soothe her for close to an hour.

Bonnie had calmed and backed away from Joey but was still quite upset. She sat on the bed and sobbed, though not as much. "Is Neecy going to be okay?" she asked.

Joey considered what to tell her and decided the truth would be best. "I'm not sure pumpkin. She's banged-up pretty bad," he said.

"Did you see her?" she asked concerned.

"Yesterday. She was still really weak," he said. He paused then looked at Bonnie and in a mock serious fashion and said, "You know that Neecy. She's one stubborn you-know-what. She'll pull through no matter what any doctor anywhere says — right!" he said with enthusiasm.

"Right!" agreed Bonnie a she forced a half-smile.

Joey decided it was time for a change of scenery. "Let's get some breakfast — whadaya say to that!" he continued the enthusiasm.

Bonnie looked at him and brightened-up with an idea. "Sugar Pops!" she offered enthusiastic as she raised both arms straight up.

Joey mimicked her motions by raising his arms as well. "Sugar Pops it is!" he concurred.

After breakfast he stayed with Bonnie a while to mitigate any lingering emotions and feelings. She soon became interested in seeing some of her friends and Joey encouraged the thought. Anything to escape the past twelve hours, he thought. He decided to follow his sister's lead.

Joey headed toward the door as he occupied himself with thoughts of today's priorities. At the front door he stopped mid-stride. What's today? he asked himself. He checked the calendar on the fridge. It's Friday! he confirmed. Whatever plans he had will have to remain plans as he had to get ready for tonight. He went to begin his rituals and glanced at the clock. It's only 9:35 a.m.! he thought. "Slow down, Joey. Get a grip, man," he said aloud.

The Deuce entered the A&W parking lot and Joey noticed bobby soxers galore. Aside from all the private festivities on a Friday night, this was the place to be. Crowds gathered in parking spaces but dispersed as soon as any boss car appeared and needed a brief place to rest and The Deuce was the boss. Joey picked a prime spot and backed The Deuce in. As always there were a few new to the scene.

A small crowd began to gather as all the rodders looked-on and smirked at the amazement of a legend. "Hey that is one boss machine, man!" came from a new initiate. "She sounds mean!" he added.

One of the car hops rolled up to Joey's window. "Heya, Joey," said Julie as she smacked her gum. "What can I getcha?"

"You guys are really busy tonight," he said.

"Yeah, I think the word is out."

"What word?"

She chuckled, "Why you silly boy. Word's out how you took Muggsy to the cleaners," she said then continued, "Hey I'm real sorry about Frankie. He was a real great guy, you know? We liked him a lot around here. He was funny," she paused then continued, "Hey how's Neecy? She gonna be okay, Joey? I know you guys grew-up together and all," she said.

"I don’t know, Julie. She's in bad shape."

"Well I hope she's okay. She's a lot of fun to be around and she's really mature, you know?" she said as he looked around and noticed her work beginning to pile up. "So can I getcha somethin' Joey?" she asked.

"I think I'll pass for now, Julie," he responded.

"Okay, doll," she said as she rolled away.

Joey sat in The Deuce and watched others watch him. Many girls passed by and said hello hoping he'll maybe show a little interest. This is an old game for him and he has no interest as he sits in anticipation of the only game he is interested — the only one on his mind as of late.

"Hey, Joey The Jackson Eliminator. What's shakin' bacon?" said Cooley as he approached The Deuce and leaned-in on the passenger window. Cooley is his last name but someone called him Cooley one day and it stuck as it does sound better than Simon. He is a pretty good mechanic in his own right and earned Joey's respect a while back the hard way — he helped Joey in a race when The Deuce was acting up and he and Joey worked for hours to fix an unfixable problem.

"Hey Cool. How's tricks?" he asked.

Cooley became animated. "Aw Joey, I fell into a heavenly machine," he said.

His curiosity peaked, "Oh yeah, what is she?" he asked interested.

Cooley points to a banged up, scratched up sleeper '34 Chevy.

"Is that your '34 Chev?" he said with sudden excitement. "I saw that when I came in. You got a bent eight in that?" he asked.

"If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'," he responded.

Joey had his attention on the '34. "She hopped?" he asked.

"You know that cool cat," he confirmed.

Joey climbed from The Deuce and walked toward the '34. He looked her over. "You mod the suspension?" he asked.

Cooley nodded. "You know it. Dropped and tightened," he said.

Joey walked to the front and lifted the side engine panel. The engine glimmered in the light. "That's a new 283!" he exclaimed.

"She's sweet huh? Still breakin' 'er in," said Cooley.

Joey stood there and was visibly impressed. "Where'd you get this Cool?" he asked.

"That's the crazy thing, it just fell into my lap. I was at the shop and this kid walked up and asked me if I wanted his old '34 Chev. I asked about it and it sounded like it had potential. He said he needed the money now 'cause he creamed his pop's car and his pop told him to sell his car to get the money to fix it. So's I threw a few bucks at him and he towed it right over. It was a mess but as you can see I massaged 'er up right!" he said.

"Where'd you get the 283? asked Joey.

"That's the best part. Some Clyde just bought one of those classy chassis Corvettes then totaled it! Jimmy at the yard told me it was there so's I went and pried 'er out and here she is!" he said.

Joey walked around the '34 again. "She looks like a runner Cool," he said.

"She gets me down the road," he said.

There was a little commotion over at the A&W and Joey looked and saw Donna had pulled in and was having trouble parking. Seemed the crowd was not impressed with her plain-jane ride and would not disperse for her to park. Joey headed for The Deuce. He climbed in, fired her up and pulled her out of the space and parked her in the drive and hopped out. He motioned Donna into his prime spot then climbed into The Deuce and maneuvered next to Donna's car as the crowd dispersed allowing him to park. His point was made. Donna will no longer have an issue parking at the A&W on a crowded Friday night. It also sent the message of who was priority in Joey's life. Dreams dashed and hearts broke that night and Donna, unwitting, had stepped on a hornet's nest.

Joey walked to the passenger side of the '52 Dodge and climbed in. He sat and looked at Donna. "Hi," he said.

Donna was busy as she soaked-in all that had happened. She was aware of Joey's reputation and guessed he ran the show to a sizable degree. No — he was the show. She collected her thoughts, looked him in the eyes. "Hi," she responded.

Joey got comfortable. "I'm really happy you could make it," he said.

"Me too," she smiled sweet.

"Let's go," he said.

"But we just got here, she responded confused.

"I know. Let's go," he insisted.

"Where?" she asked suspicious.

He smiled. "You'll see. Don't worry, it's very public — in a private way," he assured.

Donna pulled from the A&W lot and followed Joey's directions. It was not long into the ride when Joey told her to pull over as they entered an older neighborhood and the scenery was very picturesque and romantic. "Joey, it's beautiful here," she said in awe of its beauty.

Joey looked around nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it's not bad. Feel like a walk?" he asked.

Did she ever. She would walk to the ends of earth with this boy. "Sure," she said as she downplayed her emotions.

They climbed from the Dodge and moved to the sidewalk as Joey took the lead they walked silent each one awaiting the other to break the tension. Joey tried to be courteous and a gentleman and Donna was thinking the man would open conversation.

They strolled in silence down the dark lane as the leaves of the trees allowed for little light from the street lamps. It created a romantic scene.

Joey liked to be near Donna as she gave him the feeling of being needed and desired. It was unfamiliar but welcome, though he was unsure what to say to her. He had trouble focusing thoughts as she was so stunning, so breathtaking in the low light. He wanted her near and never felt the need to be tough around her, which was not his character but still, the feeling was not out of place and Donna did not seem to mind at all.

Donna could not quite comprehend how consuming these feelings for Joey were. It did not matter they were not talking. She liked being around him. She liked the way he treated her different from other people, even the other girls. He had a strength and she very much needed that in her life. With Joey, she felt safe.

They continued their silent walk for a few moments when Joey broke the tension. "Do you like summer or winter better?" he asked.

Pleased with the opportunity to talk, Donna gave this question some thought. This was important. Not the subject but how she responded. This could set the tone for the remainder of the night. Or worse, the relationship!

"I think I like summer best. I like being outdoors in the open spaces, in the warmth, feeling the warm sun on my body," she replied. Body? Why did I say body? I should have said face - warm sun on my face! she thought to herself. Donna stopped talking as she knew if she didn't she could say the wrong thing.

"Yeah, I'm a summer person too. Cold is restrictive for outdoor activities," he said. Now what do we talk about? he thought.

Donna kept the conversation alive. "Joey?" she said soft.

"Yeah?" he responded in-kind.

She collected herself. "I'm sorry to hear about your friends. It's so sad," she consoled.

Joey fought the feelings and memories that tried to push to the surface. "Thanks," he paused then continued, "Yeah, it is sad. Frankie was a great guy. I knew him a long time," he paused to collect himself. "The last thing I said to him was to be careful with the Model A. Wish he woulda listened," he said holding back the emotions.

"That guy was Frankie? The signaler? Oh, Joey I'm so sorry. I saw the way you guys were and I could tell you were real close." She was silent for a moment. "Did you know the girl he was with?" she asked.

His mind produced flashes of pictures of her as she lie helpless in the hospital. "That was Neecy. I've known her pretty much all her life. She's a sweet girl," he said.

Donna could sense his discomfort about this subject but felt she needed to say she felt bad for him and was there for him. "Is she going to be okay?" she asked.

Joey forced himself out of the pain as this was not the time. "I don't know. She's pretty tough... and stubborn," he said and his mood lightened as he formed an idea as he continued, "That's what I told Bonnie. Can't no one tell Neecy what to do not even the doctors," he said.

"Bonnie?" she inquired.

He decided to see how this would play out. "Oh, she's the other girl in my life." He let his statement linger with Donna to get a little rise out of her.

Donna's demeanor changed as a slight disappointment crossed her face. She knew there might be competition but she didn't know Joey would mention her by name! But she had to know. "Who's Bonnie?" she asked again as she searched her thoughts and tried not sound territorial.

Joey chuckled then decided to play it up. "Oh, Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie. She's the sweetest girl I ever met. We've had some good times together. We fight too sometimes but mostly we're pretty close. Yeah she's my little drop of sunshine," he laid it on thick.

Donna's heart sunk and she could not believe he was telling her about the other girl! She did not know what to say to all of this and did not mind fighting for what she wanted but how could she compete with a history? She played second fiddle to no one and she is not going to be part of any harem either! Donna stopped walking and as she looked down she spoke her mind. "Look Joey, I know you got girls all over the place and I don't mind a good competition but I ain't gonna be part of no harem here. I don't share my man with other women. So I think maybe this might have been a bad idea. I mean this Bonnie girl seems really special and I don't know why you're telling me about her but she seems pretty special to you and..." she rambled.

"Oh, of course she's special to me," he interrupted then bent down to look Donna in the eyes as she was still looking down. With his finger under her chin, he coaxed her head up. "Bonnie's my little sister," he smiled a sheepish grin.

Donna's face displayed a flash of realization then relief then a growing anger at Joey's obvious deception and toying with her emotions. She smacked him in the arm hard... twice. "Joey that was not nice what you did!" she said in anger as she hit him again.

Joey could not contain his laughter as he defended against her attack. He could see she was mad but also relieved. This was all he needed to know as he grabbed her arm and halted the assault. She was still rather upset when he looked into her eyes and with all the sincerity he could muster said, "I'm so sorry," he then smirked and she tried again in her assault but Joey had hold of both her wrists. She looked in his eyes and became lost as she dropped her guard and he let go of her wrists and placed his hand on her cheek as he looked searching in her eyes — she melted. Joey put his other hand on her hip and pulled her close, leaned-in slow and deliberate and kissed her.

They continued their stroll for some time and talked about their individual lives and history, their hopes, dreams and future. Are they cat or dog people and do they want a ranch or two story house?

Joey drove Donna's car back to the A&W and found activities in full swing as they parked in the same spot. It seemed Cooley and the other rodders reserved it for Donna's car.

Donna surveyed the scene and came to a conclusion. "You really are popular around here," she said.

"Well, I've just been around for a while, that's all," he shrugs it off. Donna knows it is more than that.

As they parked Donna could not help but notice the stares from a few of the girl groups around the parking lot. It was obvious they were talking or possibly plotting against her. After all, she was not one of them. She was from the other side of the tracks they way they saw it.

They climbed from the Dodge and Joey led her to hot rod central. A place where all the rodders gathered with their rods. Donna had an acute awareness of eyes trained on her. Normally they would be on Joey but she was of more interest tonight. After all, Joey never showed up with a skirt much less show her off. They approached the group and though Donna had grown-up around rodders she could not help but be a little intimidated. There were so many of them. She had never seen so much leather and greased hair in one place! A couple bikers were with them resting on their Triumphs but they seemed to fit right in.

Joey proceeded with the introductions: "Donna this is the gang. Gang this is Donna. I'm gonna get us a couple dogs and drinks. Be right back," he said and walked away.

He left me! she thought as she stood there feeling somewhat naked to the world and all eyes on her. A couple of the rodder girls came over to ease the tension and welcome her. After all, when Joey said you were okay there was no more discussion.

"Hey honey, why don't you come sit here and rest your dogs a bit," said a girl with too much makeup and not enough clothing. Donna sat at a table with the other rodder girls. They were all different in attitude and manner but all looked the same. Donna was not sure she was ready for a life like this.

"So, you're goin' together with Joey huh?" said a girl who looked just like the other girl that led her over.

Donna collected herself and braced for an interesting night. "Yeah, I guess we are," she said.

"You guess? Huh, I got news for you girlie. If you're here with Joey you're goin' together. Joey don't never bring dames here. And I mean never," said another girl who looked like all the others.

Donna looked at the girl. "Never?" she asked a little intimidated.

She leaned-in. “Never,” she said emphatic. “You look a little nervous doll. Don’t you worry none. Ain’t none of us gonna cause no trouble? We love our Joey. He’s like a brother to everyone you see here. The ones you gotta worry about are those prissies over there. They’ll eat you alive they will,” she said as she shot them a look of disdain.

“We ain’t ever seen you around here before. You just move here from somewhere else?” said yet another look-alike.

“I’m from Joshua county,” said Donna.

The girl became curious. “Oh, how’d you meet our Joey,” she asked.

Donna was not sure as to what or how much to tell these girls. She felt if they smelled she was holding out on them they might turn on her. “I went to few of his races,” she replied.

At that moment all the girls in unison said, oooooohhhhhh as if there were inside knowledge of something. A something Donna knew nothing of. “You were chasin’ our Joey weren’t you?” All the girls nodding their heads in agreement. The moment Donna said it they all knew. “That’s gusty, girl. Ain’t nobody ever got Joey that way. You must be somethin’ special. You rich or somethin?” she asked.

Donna started to become a little defensive. “No. I don’t have any money,” she replied.

Again, all in unison oooooohhhhhh they chanted in agreement of the next obvious question. “So’s you a little loose, you know, you give ’em a little somethin’ special to remember you by, right?” she said as she assumed.

It took Donna a few seconds to process what she was getting at. “No!, oh no, no, no I never, no I don’t think so. No, no,” she rambled.

The girl, getting the feeling Donna is holding out on her, presses. “So what’s it? What’s he see in ya? I mean you’re pretty and all but there’s gotta be more than that,” she urged.

Donne strained to come up with a reason when Joey walked up. He laid the tray on the table.

The girl decided to go to the source. “Hey Joey, hows come you chose this girl over all da others? What’s she got goin’ all dem others don’t? said the same girl who looked like the others.

“Because she’s Donna, that’s why,” he said as he stuffed a hot dog in his mouth and offered Donna the other.

The girl looked deep in thought then apparently agreed with the answer given and dropped the subject.

Donna was impressed with the command Joey had with his extended family. She could tell they valued what he said.

There was a commotion over by the gang. Joey noticed and walked over. There was an excited rodder going on about something and everyone was listening. He was telling the story of these two rodders who were going to have it out on Old Mill road soon. “Yeah, we gotta another drag happenin’,” he said.

“When are they racin’,” asked Joey.

“Right now! They just headed for Old Mill,” he said. Everyone ran to their vehicles to head over to the race. Joey motioned Donna over and she was happy and quick to comply. They climbed into The Deuce and they hurried to Old Mill road.

They all arrived to find the rods being lined-up for the run. Donna recognized one of the rods. “That’s Billy!” she exclaimed.

Joey looked. “Yeah, that’s Billy Watson. He’s pretty fast in that ’40 Chev. He’s shaved ‘er down a lot since I last saw ‘er,” he said.

“Yeah, well Billy works for my father,” said Donna.

“Oh, does he now. Well he’s got a whole shop behind him then. He should be pretty fast tonight,” said Joey missing the point.

It was obvious to Donna Joey’s train of thought was different than hers. It is all about the cars. It is always about the cars. “No, Joey, he works for my father,” she emphasized.

Joey caught on. “Oh, right. This could be interesting,” he said somewhat dismissive.

She could not believe his casual attitude. This guy had no fear or he had no clue. “Joey my father can’t find out we’re goin’ together,” she explained.

His attention was on the cars. “Why not?” he asked.

Incredulous, she said, “Why not? What do you mean why not? Joey you’re The Jackson Eliminator. My father races professionally. You stand for everything he’s against. Oh, and by the way, I’m his daughter,” she emphasized.

“So you’re ashamed to be with me?” he asked as he feigned stupidity.

Donna’s face displayed confusion as she tried to process this whole conversation. Then she saw Joey smirk. “You’re not taking this seriously. What if he finds out?” she asked emphatic.

Joey felt he pushed enough. He turned and stood directly in front of her and grabbed her hands and gave a gentle squeeze. He gave her all his attention. “I know you’re worried. And yes, I know it is serious. I also know that it is inevitable your father will find out. However, it would be best if we controlled how and when he finds out. But am I worried about what happens when he finds out? No, I’m not.” he paused then continued, “Would you like to leave? It doesn’t matter where I am as long as you are there with me,” he said and smiled.

Donna became lost in his eyes long before he had finished talking. It was funny, it was never what Joey said that got to her. It was his intention toward her, the way he looked at her, the way he treated her. As if she were the only one in his life — the only one that mattered. It was true what she told her mother. Now, more so. She had almost forgotten what they were talking about but then snapped-to and collected her thoughts. “I think we’ll be okay for tonight. If he finds out, he finds out,” she said. Somehow her father finding out didn’t seem so important now.

He looked deep into her eyes. Neither heard the roar of the rods as they shot from the start line. Nor did they hear the crowd as they cheered the winner. Joey leaned-in and kissed her there in front of the whole crowd.

Two of the girls that looked like the others saw the whole thing between Donna and Joey. “Now I know what she’s got that no others got — true love.”

“Aw, ain’t that a beautiful ting. Makes my heart just a flutter,” she said.

“Yeah, mine too,” said the other one.

Donna and Joey dated heavy over the next week. They saw each other every day and and most nights too and became very familiar with each other’s personalities and mannerisms and grew closer with each passing day, each passing moment. Always making time for the other, no matter the circumstances. Joey was forever the gentleman and Donna was the heart of the relationship. They each needed what the other offered and were a true couple, a team ready to take on the world.

There was only one thing missing. One thing both knew was inevitable and indeed one thing that was necessary.

The Deuce pulled onto a secluded, grassy spot adjacent the water line at the lake. They were surrounded by forest and all its earthly nocturnal music. The moon was high and the canopy of stars stretched before them. The lake was calm and looked of glass as it reflected the moon and stars. It was perfect. It was romantic. It was serious.

This was the moment both anticipated — fantasized, yet dreaded. Yes, it was serious. All would be told here and all would become clear as boundaries, both emotional and physical, whether self-imposed, or enforced by social stigma would be held firm or broken through determination, persistence and desire. A game of finesse, a game of subtlety. It was a new game they both knew needed to be played. A teenage right of passage — the ritual of parking.

Joey was confident, cocky with other girls but Donna was not another girl, she was his girl. He knew it the moment he saw her. This was not a distinction he had made with any other girl as all others were all others. She was his fragile china doll that required care in handling. Something to cherish. Something more than part of himself. In some ways, he cared more for her than he cared for himself.

Donna stood before her emotional precipice and Joey was the motivation to enter a realm of magnificent unknowns or remain an innocent observer — to play it safe. Donna knew the future was exactly what she made it. Here is where she wanted to be. Or she could easily go home and hide in the safety of her room guarded by her mother and father — as it has always been. Her mother’s words rang strong in her mind, she was in trouble. Not with any person, she was in trouble with herself, her conscience as her mother already knew. Knots began to form and tighten in her stomach. No longer could she stand the tension, the anticipation, the waiting, the wondering. “It’s so beautiful out here,” she offered as an opener.

Joey, seemingly lost in thought, responded, “Yeah, I used to come here to think.”

“About what?” she asked.

He looked thoughtful. “Whatever was weighing heavy on my mind at the time. I spent a lot of time here when my father died.”

“Becoming the man of the house that fast and in that way must have been terrible. That was a lot of responsibility to put on a young man,” she said with a hint of sadness.

“I was a kid,” he said,

Donna looked at him. “I don’t know that you’ve ever been a kid,” she said with a sparkle in her eyes. She continued, “I’ll bet you were runnin’ things from your crib,” she laughed.

Joey smiled. “I worked it out.”

“As you always do,” she said glowing.

“As I always do,” he agreed.

They sat for a moment in silence. Donna then laid a gentle hand on his and spoke soft. “I know we’ve not been going together for long and I don’t want to give the wrong impression here…” she halted mid-thought.

Joey sensed her trepidation. “There is no impression here. Nothing you say or do here or how you feel is wrong. You understand me?” he said emphatic. Feeling the weight of the moment, he continued, “Maybe it’s best we leave,” he said as he attempted to reach for the keys.

Donna squeezed his hand and looked deep in his eyes. “No,” was all she said.

Joey looked deep into Donna’s eyes and it seemed forever as his thoughts raced and feelings swelled from within and thought no other thing in this whole world that could make him feel the way he felt right now.

She became lost as she gazed into his eyes and could almost feel part of her inside him, there with him, with his thoughts and feelings, her thoughts were his. Knots diminished and were replaced with a warmth and flutter of excitement and anticipation. She felt herself being pulled toward him, as if she had no control, she could not stop even if she wanted to, and she most of all did not want to. A slow edge forward as if time itself were slowing for her to experience and enjoy the most wondrous of moments.

Their lips met and Joey quickly realized this was not just a kiss. This was passion. An electricity not felt before made this new, exciting, frightening and irresistible. They were engaged in a gentle embrace as their warm bodies fed off one another and Joey’s thoughts and actions seemed to follow a course; a natural course as if he were just a spectator, a bystander of his own actions. A heightened sense of tactile he felt, in detail, her entire form as her body pressed against his. He began a slow movement of his hand from Donna’s waist up along her torso and she in a gentle, instinctive, proper motion, resisted his advance. Mere moments passed, Joey, again, repeated the action. She but touched his hand, then released. Knowing her relinquish was wrong, she felt, somehow, it was so right as she traced his hand’s movements with her body in anticipation of its destination; in anticipation of his continued gentle caress.

With tender touch he guided her to a more comfortable position and she offered no resistance. Their eyes met which added to the growing swell of emotions of desire, yearning and lust. She felt his warm breath as he gently kissed her on the neck. Donna sensed her grip on rational thought began to slip away only to be replaced by a wave of new and exciting emotions as Joey experienced the tug from eons of instinct lead his thoughts as he pressed against her body and began a gentle bite between her neck and shoulder. She reacted with a deep breath and squeezed his arm, dug in her nails and became surprised at her own reaction, not knowing these feelings ever existed, that they would take control no matter her intentions. Unsure of the correct decision or proper action and overcome by a yearning she did not understand and how it could be so painful physically, she knew, instinctively, the only way to make it stop was to continue.

Donna stroked Joey’s hair in a frantic manner as he, losing control with each caress, with each kiss, responded with more intense strokes of desire as he furiously fumbled to undo the buttons on the back of her dress. She ignored him and continued with her own adventurous journey as she ran her hands along his taught body experiencing the trim athletic frame. Her young nubile form exposed, Joey’s lips caressed realms no boy’s lips have ever explored as instinct alone drove his actions to more daring heights. This only seemed to fan the flames of her desires as she pulled on his black mien and breathed heavy in his ear compelling his touch to move from her waist down her leg as he gave light, brief momentary strokes then wandered toward her inner regions. In a clumsy manner she grabbed his hand, paused briefly, then guided him toward its destination as she continued her frenzied passion leading her to the most important decision of her existence as she then, as if driven by a thousand generations, reached for him.

The next morning Donna prepared breakfast for her family. Donna’s mother was the first to enter the kitchen.

“Morning mama,” she said chipper.

“Good morning dear. Did you sleep well?” she asked.

“Yes mama, thank you?”

Her mother was not used to Donna so chipper in the mornings, not as of late. She became curious. “Donna, you were in a little late last night. Did you have car trouble?” she asked.

“I’m sorry mama. We were bowling last night and the last games were really close. I guess we got caught-up in the excitement,” she replied. Donna began to hum as she continued to set the table.

Her mother watched her close. There was a marked difference in her daughter’s demeanor. She was more relaxed than she had been for weeks. Donna turned around and set the silverware on the table. There, in an instant, her mother saw it. Donna was glowing! Oh dear, her mother thought. She looked once more to confirm. Oh my, she thought as she stared at her happy, glowing daughter.

Her father was the next to enter. “Morning, kitten,” he said.

“Morning daddy,” said Donna as she continued her humming.

Her father noticed her humming and looked at her mother with raised eyebrows in acknowledgement of her good mood. He knew she had been a little distracted and sullen lately and was glad to see she must have worked out what was bothering her.

Timmy, her little brother, entered last. “Morning Sport,” his father said.

“Morning dad,” he replied. He noticed Donna’s new demeanor as well as her humming. “Why are you acting wierd?” he said.

A look of confusion on her face, she replied, “What are you talking about, runt?”

“You’re acting like Mom,” he said matter-of-fact. Their mother stumbled with he coffee cup as she set it on the dish as it made an awkward audible sound.

“You all right dear?” asked father.

“I’m fine,” she said as she contained herself.

After breakfast Donna washed the dishes and her mother came into the kitchen, grabbed a clean dry towel and began drying the dishes and put them away. They continued in silence for a few minutes then her mother spoke. “Bowling huh? In our day we called it something entirely different,” she said.

Donna stopped washing with the realization of her mother’s statement. “Mama how di…”

“How did I know?” she blurted then continued, “For cryin’ out loud Donna, you’re brother knew. He just didn’t know he knew,” she said.

“Is that what he meant by that I’m acting weird statement?” she asked.

Her mother dried her hands and went over to the table and pulled out a chair. “Donna, sit down,” she demanded.

Donna dutifully sat for her mother. “Mama I…” she began.

“Ah” her mother cut her off as she raised a finger of attention. “Not a word young lady,” she demanded.

Donna knew this tone and there was trouble ahead, and given the nature of the subject she was expecting to be grounded till after death. Her mother sat across from her. “Now Donna, have you ever heard of the term ‘low-key’?” she asked.

Donna looked at her a bit strange. “Yes mama,” she said with apprehension.

“Do you know what it means?”

“Yes, mama.”

“Well I suggest you apply that to your attitude around here. You can’t be waltzing around here on cloud nine humming away unless you want to have a conversation about this subject with your father,” she was emphatic.

Donna’s face went blank and she shook her head slow-like. “No, mama,” she responded.

“If you’re going to do adult things, you need to act like an adult. You understand dear?”

“Yes, mama,” she nodded.

Her mother gave two light pats to her hand and stood. “You’re a woman now and eventually your father will find out. Be ready, okay, dear?” she said matter-of-fact.

“Yes, mama,” she responded.

As Her mother left the kitchen, she nearly had a nervous breakdown with the rush of new feelings, thoughts and responsibilities laid before her. This was worse than being grounded, she was now an adult!

Joey and Donna sat on the blanket staring at the lake. It was quiet and Donna spoke. “Apparently after what we did the other night qualifies me as an adult! I’m a grown-up!” she blurted out of nowhere. Joey studied her and saw she was in a quandary of having lost her youth. He chuckled, then he laughed which turned into a hearty laugh he continued for almost a minute. Donna had not yet heard his full-on laugh. She liked it, yet was not amused at the subject of which he was laughing. She gave a look of disapproval so Joey calmed. “I find no humor in this,” she said.

Joey realized the sensitivity of this subject and replied with the appropriate response. “I’m sorry, darlin’,” he said then paused. He continued, “I know this is a little confusing. It is for me too you know. I’m in new territory as well, and with you I believe I’m in a little over my head!” he joked as he gave her a loving gaze. Donna could not help but be disarmed by his look. After all he was charming and he was now hers. “I have some very bad news for you, though,” he said.

Donna displayed a look of concern and felt a tightness in her stomach. “What?” she said apprehensive.

“The other night did not make you a grown-up,” he said as he paused with dramatic flair. “No, afraid not. I’m afraid you were a grown-up long before that. You know how I know that? he asked playful.

It was obvious he was playing with her so she played along. “How?” she said blushing.

“Because I don’t go with girls, no, not Joey. I go with women. Women are adults. And seein’ as how you got me better than any of the others, that makes you a woman — an adult. That’s right, only a woman could get me the way you did. I’m not easy you know,” he smirked then continued, “Only a woman could do what you did. So you see, you were a woman — an adult, long before the other night. Pure logic it is!” he said in a playful matter-of-fact fashion. He paused then looked deep in her eyes and said, “You are a woman my sweet Donna and you are my woman forever and always,” he dripped.

Donna’s heart was racing, she leaned-in and gave him a passionate kiss then pried away before she lost herself and said. “I think that’s the sweetest thing that anyone ever said to me,” she said with tears in her eyes and had forgotten what she was concerned with just moments earlier.

Joey looked at her and said, “I want you to meet someone.”

She became alert. “Your mother?” she replied.

“Nope, someone infinitely more important,” he said and smiled.

Donna, a little thrown, was a bit perplexed. Who is more important than mom? she thought. Joey stood and held out his hand. She grabbed it and he pulled her up. They gathered their things and headed toward The Deuce. He offered no answer and she was not going to ask.

The Deuce pulled in and Joey cut the engine. They were at his home. Donna was still a little confused as to who was more important than mother. Bonnie came out the front door and waved to Joey. It hit her—his sister Bonnie. It made sense now. Joey waved back. “She’s a great kid. She’s still a little shaken from the Neecy and Frankie news though.”

“Oh, Joey I don’t know if this is such a good time to do this,” she said concerned. She continued, “To bring a new person into her life now. I don’t think that’s such a good idea. And to have to share her brother with another girl, I don’t know about this Joey,“ she said.

“It’ll be fine. Just be yourself — you know a woman grown-up,” he joked and smiled.

Bonnie observed as Donna stepped from the car. She assumed the person next to Joey was another boy. Something was wrong as Joey never brings girls he is seeing home — never. Maybe he wasn’t seein’ her. Maybe she’s here for another reason. That must be it, she concluded.

Joey and Donna approached the foot of the porch steps. “Bonnie, this is Donna,” he introduced.

“Hello Bonnie,” said Donna with her best manners.

“Hi,” she said as she recoiled a little.

“Oh, hey, I need to take care of something. I’ll be right back,” said Joey and he walked from the steps and disappeared to the side of the house. Bonnie and Donna looked in desperation as Joey disappeared. He really needs to stop doing that, she thought. Their eyes turned from where he was to each other. Donna, now the woman grown-up, as Joey was so eloquent in his description, decided to take the reins and break the tension.

So, Bonnie, are you gettin’ ready for the new school year? she asked awkward.

“I guess so,” she responded introverted.

Donna refused to be put in this awkward situation by Joey, so she decided to do something about it. It was obvious Bonnie was uncomfortable and this would not do. “Can you believe what your brother just did?” she said in mock anger as she put her hands on her hips in an animated move. “He just left us here alone! You don’t know me from Eve. and I don’t know you. How rude!” she mock ranted in a comical manner. Bonnie eased her apprehension. Donna continued, “I don’t know about you but I’m gonna give him a good tongue lashin’ when he gets back. I mean fair is fair — right?” she encouraged as Bonnie expressed a slight nod. Donna continued, “But anyway that’s neither here nor there. It occurred to me, since I’m here, that I have a little problem — a girl problem and I figure maybe if I tell another girl it might help. Are there any more girls around here I can tell that can help me?” she inquired.

Bonnie’s ears perked a little, “I’m a girl, you can tell me,” she said tentative.

“Oh, I don’t know Bonnie. It’s about your brother. I got a problem with him,” she said as she became animated as if to get an idea. “But wait, maybe you could help. You know him pretty good, huh?” she said searching.

“Yeah, we fight all the time. But he’s really good mostly,” she said.

“That’s kinda the way I see it but, I don’t know. He’s always thinkin’ about cars and stuff. We’re women we need to be thought about too, you know?”

“I know but he’s really good at cars…”

Donna and Bonnie were involved in conversation when Joey rounded the corner and saw the two girls as they chattered like old friends. That was a dicey move, he thought. As he approached they attacked him with a flurry of things he should do or could do better. Schemes sometimes backfire, he realized. He smiled at Donna, she smiled back.

Frank entered his shop and noticed Billy and Carl having a discussion about a race. “I tell ya, that ain’t gonna happen again,” said Billy.

“Why didn’t you check it before the race,” said Carl.

Billy shook his head. “I did. I checked everything just before. She must’ve blown during the run,” he said

Frank walks up. “Is this about the race you lost a couple weeks ago, Billy?” he asked.

“Yeah, in front of all those people too. What a time for the carb gasket to blow,” he said.

Carl chimed in. “It was crazy. There were a lot of people there. Even Joey and Donna were there. Man that was a blow-out,” he said.

It took a moment to register with Frank what Carl had said. “Did you say Donna was there with Jackson Joey, Carl?”

“Yeah, I didn’t know they were goin’ together,” he said.

Frank’s mood turned to anger. “They’re not,” he fumed and stormed out.

Billy turned to Carl. “You’re an idiot all day long, you know that, Carl,” he said.

Carl displayed a blank look. “What did I say?” he said.

“You have a big mouth that’s all,” said Billy.

Frank drove home with thoughts of Joey’s neck nestled between his hands. His car pulled onto the driveway and he made his way to the front door. He entered the house as Donna and her mother were doing morning dishes. “Donna!” he yelled in anger.

Her mother continued drying dishes. “Your father knows, dear,” she said with certainty.

In a panic, Donna dropped her dish in the sink. “What I do mama? What do I say, what do I do?” she said nervous and frenzied.

“I told you I would handle your father, Donna,” she said.

Her father stormed into the kitchen. “Donna what’s this I hear about you and this Jackson Joey punk? You two were seen together a couple weeks ago,” he yelled. “Well Donna?” he demanded.

Donna saw fury in his eyes. She could not remember ever being more scared. She stood silent unable to speak. Her mother spoke for her. “Frank she’s seeing this boy and that’s it,” she said matter-of-fact.

He was quick to retort. “Oh no she isn’t,” he protested. “Not while she’s under my roof,” he declared.

Her mother continued. “And they are more than just seeing one another. They’ve been intimate, Frank,” she declared.

Donna thought things could get no worse but her mother just ruined her life! She thought her mother understood and she went and made things worse! Donna felt alone—trapped.

Her father’s anger escalated. “You what!” he screamed. “I’ll kill ’em. I’m gonna strangle that punk with my own hands,” he fumed and was beside himself with anger and the thought of his daughter being touched by another.

Donna was shaking, she couldn’t speak.

Donna’s mother looked at her husband in a way Donna had never seen. She had looked at her pretty hard before when she was serious about something. It was just a look but you knew whatever she said, there would be no further discusion. But this look was different. It was a little frightening. “Frank, no,” she said. Her father started to walk toward her and stress his pull in his own household. “Frank… no,” she said with resolve.

Donna had never seen such a thing. She had seen fights where her father would win and ones where her mother would win. This was no fight nor was it even a discussion. Donna had never been so proud and so affraid of her mother.

Her father halted. She could see the way he looked at her mother. Quite angry yet, stood there. Frank knew, in the two words that his wife spoke, he had no ground with which to stand. He disagreed with everything that had happened yet had no ground as he knew he was going against a force much greater than he — nature. If there is one thing any man can learn in life, that is when nature has made up her mind, you would do well to go along. He knew he was out of his depth as this was the purview of the woman as it was territory mandated to her by Mother Nature herself. This had nothing to do with right or wrong, this had to do with affairs of the heart. In this arena, no man, no matter how understanding, caring and loving he was, had no authority here. There is no winning or losing, there is only that which is or is not. With Donna and Joey — it is and Frank now knew this. Still fuming, he turned and left for work.

Donna ignored the rest of her chores and went to her room and shut the door. She had never experienced such an intense scenario in her life. While the truth was out and it was over, she was more nervous than she had ever been.

The next day the phone rings and Bonnie answers. “Hello?”

“Hello, Bonnie?”

“Yes?”

“Hi Bonnie. It’s Donna.”

“Hi Donna! I’ve been keepin’ an eye on Joey for you.”

“You have? Oh that’s wonderful, thank you. Someone needs to be watchin’ him all the time!” she joked. Bonnie laughed. “Bonnie is he there?” she asked.

“Hold on.” She put the phone down and ran outside. “Joey!” she called.

He is under the hood of their mother’s car. “Yeah, Bonnie.”

“Donna’s on the phone.”

“Can you tell her I’ll be right there?”

“Okie-dokie,” she said and ran inside and picked up the phone. “He said he’ll be right in.”

“Okay, thank you, Bonnie.”

“Donna?”

“Yes, Bonnie?”

“Would it be okay if, um, I wanna, um, talk to you about stuff,” she asked.

“Oh, Bonnie, you don’t ever have to ask to talk to me about anything. You just start talking! You understand me?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do.”

“We’re girlfriends now and I want you to know I will do whatever I can if you need to talk about something,”

said Donna.

“Okay. Here’s Joey—bye.”

“Bye, bye,” said Donna as Bonnie handed Joey the phone.

“I see you’re building an army against me.”

“Someone has to keep you in check,” she paused then continued, “But I called because I need to talk to you about something.”

“Shoot.”

“Well, it appears word got out about us to daddy.”

“Oh, really? That was expected. Can’t hide forever I guess,” he laughed.

“I don’t think you understand — he knows, she was emphatic.

“Oh, this could get interesting.”

“Joey, this is serious. He’s not happy. I mean I’m his little girl and well — now I’m not so innocent. “And he wants to meet you.”

“I figured as much. When?”

“Tonight. He’s pretty upset. Mama tried to hold him off but he’s pretty insistent on meeting you now.”

“What time?”

“Seven.”

“Oh, that’s a bad time. I have a thing I gotta attend and, well you know, it’s pretty important and stuff,” he kidded.

“Joey that’s not funny! This is serious! Daddy’s really mad. I mean really mad,” she was emphatic.

“Of course he’s mad. I would be too. This is what happens when you have a daughter come of age.”

“And you’re not worried?”

“Worried? No.”

“Well am glad one of us thinks this isn’t bad. So I’ll see you at seven? Maybe a little early just to be safe?” she asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there before eight.”

“Seven!”

“Oh yeah, now I remember. I’m gonna write that down.”

“You’re tryin’ my patience on this joey. It’s not a joke.”

“No it’s not and I promise you don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Well I’m already worried, but just be there okay?”

“I’ll be there.”

“When?”

“A little before, hang on let me check my note here, right, a little before seven.”

“Joey?”

“Yes?”

“I love you, you dope.”

“I love you too sweetness. More than you know,” he said.

“I know a lot you know.”

“I know you know, you know?” he said

“I know. I’ll see you soon sweetheart,” she said.

“Okay, and I meant what i said.”

“You love me?” she beckoned.

“No, I’m gonna write the time down — silence on the other end — Oh and that I love you,” he confirmed.

“Bye,” she said smiling. He could here her smiling at the other end of the phone as she hung up. “God I love him,” she said.

The Deuce pulled onto the driveway and Joey cut the motor. Donna was waiting at the door and ran to The Deuce to give Joey his last minute instructions. “Okay, daddy’s a little calmer now. He’s still pretty upset but at least he can form a sentence now,” she said nervous.

“You’re not really helping you know,” he said matter-of-fact.

She looked down. “I know, I know. I just want this to go well. That’s all. You need to know what’s goin’ on that’s all,” she rambled nervous.

“You’re not nervous are you?” he joked.

Donna’s nervous eyes turned to a display that of anger. “Joey, I swear! If you don’t start taking this serious I swear I’m gonna… well I don’t know ’cause I cant think right now but it’s gonna be bad. Okay?

“Okay,” he said.

Donna then displayed a look of realization on her face. “You can handle pressure really well, can’t you?” she asked a bit impressed.

He looked at her and smiled. “You can’t win race after race if you can’t,” he chuckled.

Having a difficult time with this subject, she continued. “Just be at your best tonight okay, honey, please, for me?” she asked.

He looked her in the eyes. “Darling whenever It’s involving you I will always be at my best, you deserve no less,” he said confident.

She was not sure how it could be in her current condition but she began to melt and lose her train of thought. She recovered quick. “Don’t do that to me now Joey. This is serious,” she demanded.

“I can see that. I know that if we stay out here any longer we’ll be in trouble even more than we are now,” he said matter-of-fact.

“I know, I know. Okay, let’s go,” she agreed.

Donna entered her home and Joey followed. Her mother stood at the entrance to greet him. Joey looked her in the eyes and smiled. He noticed how much Donna looked like her and she is just as beautiful as her daughter. “Hello Joey,” she said. “Hello Mrs. O’Connor,” he responded. When Joey passed her to meet her father, Donna’s mother looked at Donna with raised eye brows and a look of impressed approval. Donna smiled and beamed in acknowledgement.

Joey approached Donna’s father, hand outstretched in anticipation of a handshake, “Sir,” he acknowledged him. Her father, reluctant, reciprocated. They shook hands and he noticed Joey’s firm grip.

Her father motioned to the chair. “Sit down, son,” he said as he wielded his authority.

Donna’s mother started for the couch and Donna grabbed her arm and led her to the kitchen. In the kitchen her mother addressed Donna. “Dear we should be out there. I would like your boyfriend to wake tomorrow in his own bed not one in the hospital,” she said concerned.

As serious as the situation was, Donna could not help herself and abandon Joey with her father as he abandoned her. “It’s okay mama. Joey likes this game. He played it on me with his sister and his friends,” she said.

“This is no game, dear,” she said with desperation.

“It is now, mama. Don’t worry he’s not worried, he told me so.” said Donna as they watched with baited breath from the doorway. Her mother was more than apprehensive so Donna kept an eye on her to keep her from interfering.

Joey realized he had been abandoned so he sat quietly while Donna’s father stood by the fireplace and rest his elbow on the mantle. “So, young man, what are your intentions toward my daughter?” he said as he leered.

“Oh, Frank.” Donna’s mother gasped in disappointment.

Tough first question, thought Joey. “Honorable, sir,” he said.

Agitated, he was not satisfied with the answer. “You’re going to have to give me more than that, son,” he said.

“You weren’t very specific with regard to intentions, sir,” he replied.

“No!” whispered Donna and her mother in concert. “I can’t believe he said that,” said her mother. Donna’s hand hovered near her mother’s arm in case an intervention of her mother’s impromptu interruption was needed. Her mother remained.

Still agitated, her father had to reposition himself. “Son you don’t seem to understand the serious nature of this situation,” he was stern.

Joey remained calm and without movement. “Yes sir, I believe I do. You want to know my intentions toward your daughter. And they are most certainly honorable. But there are many areas this could involve such as her future with me. Or her hopes, dreams, and goals and will I help and support her in them. And to listen and treat her as my equal especially in the areas of decisions we make together. There are many ways this question could be interpreted but I believe it was meant with regard to her general well being now and in the future. And I must say there is no one I have been enamored with more than your daughter. To say she is special to me would be an understatement indeed. I would not be so bold as to say I care for her and her well being more than you or her mother but I believe there in nothing I can think of I cherish and would protect and care for more than my family and that now includes you daughter, sir,” he said.

Donna and her mother stood peering into the living room stunned, dumbfounded with mouths agape in amazement. “Dear, if you don’t marry him I will,” her mother blurted.

“He’s a good kisser too, mama,” she whispered in excitement and as they continued to peer out.

Joey sat and collected his thoughts then spoke. “Sir, I understand your position and I’m rather certain that you may throttle me before the night’s out, but if can be candid here. Donna is a woman now and has been for a while. This is how this situation occurred. She is ready to start a life of her own. And I believe you and her mother knew this day would be here at some point. And that’s what is happening right now. We may not have handled it in the most cordial manner but we are discrete and I will never let any harm in any way come to her. I know you know my reputation and I’ll tell you now, your daughter means far more to me than any car or any race. And as you know, that is my life. You race and you know the life and what it takes to be a winner. I win. And I plan to win in a life with your daughter too,” he said.

Her father looked at Joey and said, “But you have no future, son. You’re a street racer. I race professionally. They don’t throw me in jail for racing. One bad race and my daughter is bailing you out of jail.”

Nodding in agreement, Joey responded. “Point well taken, sir. As of two days ago I am no longer a street racer. I have had offers from a few pros and I believe it’s time I got serious about racing. After all, I’m going to have to take care of a family at some point and I plan to be ready,” he said.

Frank looked thoughtful and his demeanor calmed as he could see this was a well-reasoned young man and considered the possibility of rash judgment on his part. Joey was correct in what it takes to win consistent races. It takes discipline and you have to know your business. This boy in front of him was not what he expected. Indeed there was a sense of respect for coming here and handling the situation the way he has. “Well son, I’m not sure Donna is ready for something like a family just yet,” he said.

Joey looked him in the eyes. “Whenever she’s ready I will make sure I can handle whatever she decides is best,” he said with conviction.

“Your father needs us. We need to go out there,” said her mother. The two scrambled to find some refreshments. Donna got a tray and they piled what they thought would be adequate.

Her mother entered the living room followed by Donna. who set the tray on the table. “Well what have you two men been talking about?” her mother asked cheerful. The two men stared at the tray. There were two tea cups, a salt shaker, a jar of mustard, a bowl of sugar, one spoon and three napkins. Donna and her mother looked down and noticed the discrepancy. Donna quickly lifted the tray off the table. “Oops, grabbed the wrong tray,” she said as she hurried back to the kitchen.

In one of his rare moments, her father looked at Joey and said, “Are you sure about this son? There’s still time to back out,” he joked easing the tension. Donna returned with proper refreshments and as she stood holding the tray, they chuckled. “What did I miss?” she asked confused.

The End

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