Kookshow, Chapter 15: Departure

 

c. 2025 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(7-25)

 

 

On Sunday night, Kookshow Baby and I revisited our improv routine of bourbon, VHS tapes, and shared interests. This time, she invited me to join her in bed, which was yet another unexpected development. But upon waking in the morning, I was back on her davenport, under the saddle blanket. Apparently, my own inner gyroscope had stayed true to a course away from entanglements and temptations. Even though, while contemplating her natural beauty through a haze of high-proof liquor, I had been very much inclined to cross that boundary, with gusto.

 

A younger man would certainly have been overwhelmed with the prospect of snuggling next to such a fiery and fierce female, in close quarters. But upon looking in the mirror over her bathroom sink, I saw a ghastly, gray apparition instead of that youthful opportunist from yonder days. Stooped over with arthritic limbs, and appearing out-of-focus, due to failing eyesight and flagging stamina.

 

I had no right to take advantage of someone so lovely and unspoiled.

 

My free-spirited host was again at her stove, when I moved to the dining table. She had an 8-track cartridge of Slim Whitman yodeling from its under-cabinet perch. Her pigtails bounced gently, as she stirred a skillet of sausage gravy.

 

“Monday mornin’ was when yer buddy with the big-rig said he’d be back here at the abandoned drive-in, is that right?”

 

I cupped my hands around a fresh mug of coffee.

 

“That’s right. He didn’t give a specific time. Just said to be ready...”

 

Kookshow wiped a splash of flour from the end of her pointed nose.

 

“Well, I’ll just say this to that, Rawd. Y’all don’t have to leave to soon. I figure if ya want, we could all join forces here at Cult Radio A-Go-Go headquarters. Now, I don’t speak fer the DuFoes of course, but I’d lay money on there bein’ a place where ya would fit. I like the cut of yer jib, as my granny used to say!”

 

I hadn’t heard that expression used in many years.

 

“I appreciate your offer, most sincerely. But there’s a lot going on at home right now. As I said, plenty of loose ends left to be handled. Family issues, friend issues, I won’t bore you with details. Suffice it to say that lately, everyone I know seems to be in a hospital or a skilled-care facility. I am somehow in better shape than the rest, which might not be saying much, stumbling around with two disability canes. The irony of it is amusing though, in a dark way...”

 

The southern belle sighed loudly. She wiped a tear from her eye.

 

“Tiffany was right, Rawd. Yer one of us. I hate to think of ya bein’ stuck at that dump back in Ohio. I’ve lived in some hell-hole locales myself, when mama was strugglin’ to make ends meet. I know the drill. Life is a whole lot easier to take when y’all have somebody to share the ride. And to be honest, I haven’t trusted a man fer a long, long spell. But yer a different breed. I can feel it in my heart. Just like I knew that out there somewhere was a daddy that hoped I’d show up at his door, to say hello fer the first time!”

 

My jowls drooped a little. Yet I continued to sip coffee, and think.

 

“You feel something right now, maybe. In a week, or a month, or even a year, will it be the same? I have no clue. We definitely created a bond here, and I’m grateful for your hospitality. Count on me staying in touch. I’ll keep turning up, like a bad penny. Guaranteed...”

 

The scream queen giggled and stood up high, on her toes.

 

“Count on me! Gawdammit, men always say sappy shit like that. But y’all know how it usually turns out! Boots blazin’ and they’re outta Dodge!”

 

I reached across the space between us, with my right hand. The gesture made her pause, and go silent. My plea was given in earnest.

 

“Not this time. I swear on CRAGG the gargoyle. Not this time...”

 

Before she could respond, a rude sound of twin truck horns blasted through the trailer walls. My cargo carrier, Carter Polk III, had arrived on schedule.

 

Kookshow grabbed me with the forceful embrace of a lover bidding farewell to her soulmate.

 

“Ya handsome son-of-a-bitch! I’ve enjoyed these last couple of days. Like Jed Clampett used to say, ‘Ya’ll come back now, hear?’ Be strange if ya want, but don’t be a stranger!”

 

I had already stuffed my Army surplus rucksack with clothes and trinkets. But wished that there was more time for a hearty breakfast. Still, it made sense to travel light. A long journey across the continent awaited.

 

“Thank you, Ms. K! Say a prayer for the road, and its travelers...”

 

On the route back to Ohio, my professional associate did not have much to contribute. Perhaps that was due to the fatigue leftover from his work duties. Or maybe it was because I had stopped listening, miles before. In my head, a tune by the German group Yello kept repeating as if on an endless loop. I heard it over and over as we made our juggernaut over I-40, headed east.

 

“I told you lady

Take me for one day

Please don’t ask any questions

You know I can’t stay

 

I wish the wind was cold

I wanna hold you baby hold

Only in your arms I’m lost

Don’t look at me...

 

I know this is crazy

Let’s have a last drink

Don’t ask where I come from

And don’t ask what I think

I leave you, lady

Full of desire to stay

 

I wish the wind was cold

I wanna hold you baby hold

Only in your arms I’m lost

Don’t look at me...”

 

I must have been nodding to an unheard rhythm, because my partner at the steering wheel suddenly glanced sideways, and raised one eyebrow.

 

“What’s playin’ in there, dude? I can see that head boppin’ like there’s a song on tha iPod. Hah ha hahhhh! You’s an odd duck, but it’s all good!”

 

I shrugged without offering an answer. No explanation would have been descriptive enough to portray the conflicted emotions that were churning in the pit of my belly.

 

When we crossed the Colorado River, heartache took hold. I began to regret my decision. Yet I knew that my art was hanging in the balance. There were more stories to write, more tales to tell. That was still my mission.

 

Anything else was beside the point.