BASED ON A TRUE STORY:
In 1989, Tommy Clifford passed away at the age of 20, and his former co-worker, Rick Ciccone, believed it was a suicide. Two years earlier, Tommy, a summer hire at a land surveying company, experienced the tragic death of his...
When 22-year-old Rick Ciccone's 1985 Dodge Charger rolled into the 7-11 parking lot on the corner of Gloucester County Route 553 and Heston Rd., Rich Collins was already in the store. Rick, Don Canning and Tommy Clifford headed into the convenience store, where the older Rick Ciccone and the spirit of Tommy Clifford, dressed identically as he did that day in 1987, were waiting and observing.
Rich Collins was at the cash register, paying for his items, collecting his change. "Put a step in it, gentlemen," Rich barked, halfway out the door.
Tommy grabbed a Sunny Delight, holding the fridge door for Rick, who snatched a bottle of Diet Snapple. Rick went to the aisle where they kept the baby food. Tommy walked by. "Baby food?" He asked out of curiosity.
"Latest rage in bodybuilding, Cliffy." Rick responded.
"Ricky Rage," Tommy chirped with a wry smile.
Eating baby food had become a fad in bodybuilding circles. Some of the top competitors ate the stuff, believing it digested quicker, thus getting nutrients to the muscles faster. They also believed consuming tuna and tomato paste had some sort of anabolic effect. Still, Rick smirked back at Tommy, selected a jar of Gerber's chicken and vegetable, and followed Tommy to a refrigerated case filled with sandwiches, salads, etc. "These are awesome." Rick proclaimed, pointing to the shrimp salad sandwiches on white bread.
Tommy took Rick's advice and took one for himself. So did Rick, piquing Tommy's interest - Rick had a mini cooler packed with his lunch waiting in his car. "We're gonna burn some calories today, Cliffy." Rick nailed a perfect impersonation of Norm Peterson -- a bar patron on the hit TV series, "Cheers", who would often call fellow patron, Cliff Claven, "Cliffy" as well.
Tommy grinned, walked ahead of Rick, picked up a Three Musketeers bar from the candy display and proceeded to the register. Don had just paid for a large fountain soda. He walked out of the store and leaned against the side of Rick's car.
Tommy paid for his lunch and waited for Rick to pay for his. They left the store together. When they got to Rick's car, Rick pulled the driver's seat forward so he could get to his cooler. He put his bag on top the container of the lunch he'd already prepared. He looked at Tommy and held out his hand. "I've got room."
Tommy handed Rick the plastic shopping bag. Rick fiddled about until he was able to make room for Tommy's lunch. "Thanks." Tommy said as he slipped into the back seat.
Rich Collins had just backed out his pickup truck, and drove off the lot. A moment later, Rick and the rest of the crew were right behind him. They drove past the elder Rick and Tommy's spirit, who observed from the parking lot.
"Why are you showing me this?" Rick inquired.
"Just one of the things you did for me." Tommy's spirit responded.
"What, that?" Rick shot back incredulously.
"I agreed with you. The Flyers would have won with Pelle Lindbergh."
In less than a split second, they were standing in the middle of Aura Road.
****
Rich Collins sat in the driver's seat of his pickup truck, map and blueprint laid out across the steering wheel. The door was open to give him more space. Rick placed a pylon behind his Charger, standard procedure to alert passersby - and the police - that they were a work crew.
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