Red Chevrolet

Rise and Shine

I woke up the next morning to the sound of Elvis Presley singing Heartbreak Hotel. And suddenly I found myself back in the truck, driving to Idaho with Elvis music. A rush of fury flooded my veins. Without waiting another second, I scrambled out of bed and went to the living room where I unplugged the device playing the King.

"Hey! You can't touch my stuff!" Hazel was suddenly there, infuriated that I had unplugged her iPod from the doc. She began to grab at the device and I held it up above my head where she couldn't get it. "Pepperwhit!" Her voice was full of anger.

"No! Hazel Reddish I am sick of your Elvis music! I listened to the oldies station the whole time driving here! All I ask is that you turn it off until I leave for hockey!" I yelled over her.

Hazel glared at me with squinty eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine." She grumbled.

Hesitantly, I placed her iPod on the table beside me. Hazel snatched it up with a grumpy look and then sulked off to the master bedroom. Being the gentleman that I am, I let her have it. Leaving me with the room with two twin beds. Fine by me though, I just pushed them together to make one. Make do with what you have, right?

I went into the kitchen and found it stocked with some regular foods. On top of the fridge there was a box of Frosted Flakes and I reached up and grabbed hold of it. I didn't know when Hazel had bought this food, but it's a good thing she did because I was starving.

After a quick breakfast, I changed into my hockey attire and brushed my teeth and then found Hazel on the balcony. She was sitting with her legs between the bars and her arms hanging out them too. Her gray eyes were staring out at the woods, as though waiting for something that would never come.

"I'm going to head out." I said softly, not to startle her.

"Sounds good. I'll see you afterwards." She said quietly.

"You don't want to come? Or at least have a ride into town?" I asked her, getting a little concerned. Maybe the friend she wanted to visit wasn't here, maybe her book character died, maybe she was homesick. I knew nothing.

Hazel looked back at me, "I'm okay. I'll walk if I need to go anywhere. Thanks for asking though, and good luck on your tryout."

I blinked, "alright Hazel, whatever you say. Do you have a phone on you? I'll write my number down and leave it on the counter. Call me if you need anything."

She grinned half heartedly. "Thanks Pepperwhit."

I nodded and then left the balcony. After typing in the address for the hockey rink, I got in my truck and was on my way. But I couldn't help but feel guilty as I left Hazel Maeve Reddish all by herself.