What if... (A Barely-True Short Story)

Movin' Right Along

What a long day!

I have just finished work, and I am slowly making my way to my car to head home. I'm tired, yet I know that I have plenty more to do once I get home. The sooner I get to my car, the sooner I can get home, and get settled.

I drive a Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (hey, at least it's not a minivan!) and it is my sanctuary. It has the best stereo system I own: 8 Fender speakers that include an awesome subwoofer. The whole car vibrates with some bass notes. And it has a turbo charged engine, so it's fun to drive. I get into the front seat and sigh, glad to have about thirty minutes to decompress and relax before I get home. I plug my iPod into the USB cable in my dash, start the car, and off I go.

As I make my way out of the small town that I work in, one of my favorite songs comes on my stereo. It's the 2011 live version of The Reflex by Duran Duran. And even though this town has a noise ordinance, and I will shortly drive right past the police station, I crank up the volume. The familiar Ta-Na-Na-Na's fill my car, and I smile. I love this song, I love this version, and it always makes me happy. And I absolutely have to share this blast of a song with everyone around me, so down go all four windows, plus I open the panoramic sunroof. Ah, warm sunlight filters into the car, and now I am blissed out.

The traffic light I had been sitting at changes for me to go, and I drive through the intersection, pass the police station (no I did not turn the stereo down), and make the left onto the next street. Now, am I singing? Absolutely! At the top of my lungs! Am I dancing? I swear I am one of the best car seat dancers around! Anyway, this particular street takes me past the entrance to the town parking garage. I'm always hyper aware of my surroundings there because I have had other drivers pull right out of the garage in front of me without looking. Yikes!

Down at the opposite end of the garage, near the next street corner, there is an entrance door for pedestrians to get into the garage. My eyes go there, and I see the group of people approaching it, but think nothing else. But then all of their faces turn to look at my car. Are they going to scold me for my loud music? As I get closer, something about them seems familiar. They've now fully turned to face my car as I am about to pass them, and recognition springs into my brain. My foot moves off the gas as my mouth drops open, and I am full on staring. No way, uh uh, not even possible! The car is slowly drifting, but I'm not even aware of it. I'm looking at those people who were looking at me. And I know them.

Suddenly, they all yell and leap towards my car, bringing me out of my trance. I whip my vision forward, see a car stopped at the stop sign in front of me, and my car is quickly approaching it's rear end. I stomp on the brake pedal, and my car abruptly comes to a halt, a moment before impact. Now adrenaline is coursing through my body, and I collapse back in my seat wondering what the hell is wrong with me that I wasn't paying attention. Oh yea. THEM.

I turn my head to the left, and see the small group of men still looking at me and smiling. THOSE men could not be standing there. What would they be doing in this little town? Why would they be here? Did I hit my head? Am I dreaming? A loud car horn brings me out of my thoughts, and I flinch, feeling my cheeks blaze scarlet.

"Fuck," I mumble, and look in my rear view mirror.

I see the angry driver behind me, and he's motioning to me, wanting me to go. But I can't. I can't drive away and not speak to the men over there. I NEED to talk to them. I've been waiting over thirty years for a chance like this. So, I pull my car to the side of the road, and let Mr. Angry Lexus zoom past me. I put my car in park, shut it down, and think that maybe me driving at the moment is a dangerous prospect. And once the Lexus is gone, I once more look to my left. Now, one of the men is crossing the street and coming towards me. Holy shit!

"Hiya," he says.

I just about faint. That lovely Brummie accent with that wonderful Brummie greeting. I am on cloud nine. He is grinning a salacious and positively devilish grin as he walks towards me, and I am absolutely on fire. When did it get so hot out? And when did my music get so loud?

I push the volume down button on my steering wheel so hard, that I'm kind of surprised that I'm not pushing it through the steering wheel. The stereo volume goes down so fast that it is suddenly silent. Now I can hear the blood rushing in my ears. But my eyes are still locked on the man that is now walking around the front of my car, and grinning at me. What is he doing?

He reaches the front passenger door and pulls the handle to open it. The doors are locked, so he fails. I immediately turn and slap the unlock button on my door, and hear all of the locks click open. My passenger door opens, as well as the door directly behind me. What the? Both Mr. Grin and one of his friends slide into my car and shut their doors. What the hell is going on?

"Hi. I'm John," grinny man says to me, offering me his hand.

I mechanically move my hand over, and slide my hand into his. He is still grinning at me as we shake hands, but my heart is absolutely racing in my chest. How am I shaking hands with him, let alone while HE IS SITTING IN MY CAR?!