For some reason, I awoke hours before I usually did. The clear Oklahoma sunrise wasn't even peeking over the horizon yet. I hopped out of bed and threw on the nicest Western shirt I could find, along with a pair of rhinestone-studded jeans and my black cowboy hat. Mama was surprised to see me coming down the staircase this early.
"What's got you up this early, Veronica?"
"I don't know. I guess I just had a hard time getting to sleep." I shrugged and took a seat in my place at the table. Of course I knew why I was up so early. I was expecting them to arrive at any moment, the band that gave me the strength to get through each day. I just hoped Mama would be gone at work before they decided to make another appearance. I poured myself a bowl of Cheerios and wolfed down the bowl in nearly a minute. I needed to get back upstairs, and fast. If Mama saw them, I'd be grounded for months, not that I had any friends I could visit anyways, but still.
"Hungry?" Mama asked, fluffing up her hair.
"Very. I'm beat. I think I'm gonna go upstairs and try to get some more shuteye." I got up and placed my bowl in the sink on my way to the staircase.
"Oh. Well I hope you sleep well. I'll see ya when I get home. I love you!" I was already halfway up the stairs, taking them two at a time at a brisk pace.
"Love you too!" I called, now standing just outside my bedroom.
When I shut and locked the door behind me, I found the poster to be empty once again.
"Guys? It's me, Veronica." I said loudly. They emerged from my walk-in closet with wide eyes.
"It's good to see you again, Veronica."
I smiled at Maurice. "You too, Maurice."
He smiled in return. "Where are your parents?" Robin looked to the door like he expected one of them to bust into the room at any given moment.
"Papa's on a business trip and Mama leaves for work in an hour."
"Should we stay up here then?" Barry asked.
"I think that'd be best."
We all stood there for a few minutes, not knowing what to say. Finally, Robin went to my wall and examined the posters I had of him from back in the 60s. He smoothed out a corner that had curled over his face.
"It's hard to believe that's what I looked like back then, isn't it?" He asked no one in particular.
I went and stood beside him. "No, it actually isn't." He smiled that big-toothed smile that I love.
"Really?"
"Really." I gave him a quick hug and took a seat on my bed. "You guys up for another riding expedition today?"
They exchanged looks. "I think we're fine as it is, but thanks for the offer." Barry replied.
"Oh," I looked down sadly but cheered up again moments later. "You wanna go visit Oklahoma City when Mama's gone?"
"That sounds nice and all, but wouldn't you feel bad doing that behind your Mama's back?"
"Not at all." Barry gave me a stern look and I felt that I'd offended him. "I mean, what's the worst that can happen?" I held up my hands in a "What're you gonna do" gesture.
"How're we even gonna get there in the first place?" Robin chimed in.
"Well, you all can drive, so we're gonna take one of my Daddy's cars. Follow me!" Barry's jaw dropped like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard, but he followed his brothers after me, regardless. Mama was leaving just as we reached the kitchen, her tires kicking up clouds of dust from the driveway.
We entered the shed at the west end of our property and I undid the lock on the door before sliding it open and flipping on the three lights on the wall next to me. We walked into the shed and I looked behind me to check how they were doing. Each of the brothers had looks of astonishment on their faces.
I chuckled. "You're disco stars. Haven't you seen this all before?" I asked.
"We've seen a lot of fancy cars in our lifetime but not such an extensive amount as this." Barry replied.
We walked through rows of various luxury cars: Mercedes, Lincolns, Dodge muscle cars, Ford sports cars, and finally, Cadillacs.
"I think we should take my Daddy's old '70 Charger. He never uses that one anymore. It's just a collector's item now."
"I think these are all collector's items." Maurice breathed. My Daddy liked to collect old classic muscle cars and sports cars. My favorite of his collection had to be his 1969 Dodge Superbee. It was a rusty copper color and it had scoops on the side, making it look like a real racecar. I would give anything to take a ride in it someday. Daddy once told me that I can drive it when I'm older, if I can handle it that is. Mama told me she drove it through Chicago's bumper-to-bumper traffic and it was miserable.
We came upon the Charger, its bright orange color making it look like a setting sun. It was a General Lee exactly like the one used in the Dukes of Hazard movie, so it had the 01 painted on the sides and the confederate flag painted on the top with the General Lee logo banner next to it. The confederate flag just made it all the better since we were in Oklahoma.
"Wait here, I'm gonna go grab the keys!" They stood, wating by the car while I ran and got the keys. I tossed them to Barry once I reached the car, hopping into the backseat. Barry took the front seat while Maurice sat next to him, leaving Robin to sit in the back with me. Barry managed to maneuver between the rows of cars on our way out of the shed. "This is gonna be so much fun!" I exclaimed. The others just smiled meekly as we got onto the main road.
* * *
We drove for a few minutes Interstate 40 until we came upon the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center.
"Guys! You wanna go there? I went there with Daddy awhile back and it was a blast! There's so much history, not just about Oklahoma, but everywhere around America!"
I caught a glimpse of Barry looking towards Maurice with a questioning look, then finally back to Robin.
"I don't see why not!" He exclaimed, after receiving head nods from both of his brothers.
When we finally got into the museum and paid for our separate tickets, I felt nothing but the joy of being able to tour this iconic museum with my idols. Nothing else crossed my mind either, not even the realization that the boys could disappear at any moment like they had on the horseback riding expedition. I was too overcome with happiness for once to realize the consequences of my decision.
"Veronica! You coming?" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Robin, standing with his brothers by the famous End of the Trail sculpture.
I ran to catch up with them, and we began our tour of the magnificent museum.
Thanks for reading!:)
~~~**Peace and Love**~~~
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Stayin' Alive
FantasíaThe year is 1990 and Veronica can't get over her love of the band The Bee Gees. Her walls are completely covered with them. Posters, photos, records, tickets, and any other form of Bee Gees merchandise imaginable. When the posters on her walls star...
