 |
Travis had
only one thing in mind for the end of their moonlight drive,
but Nadine was hooked on winning $500 from Rock Steady K-108
Radio. |
Travis & Nadine & Destiny
Sometimes You Win; Sometimes You Don't
By GINA GALLO
of TheColumnists.com
"K-108,
Tucson's Rock Steady Radio."
"Am I the eighteenth caller?"
"Sorry.
But thanks for calling Rock Steady."
"Shoot!" Nadine snapped her cell phone closed. "That's
six times I called now and I still ain't won."
"More like twenty-six!" Belching companionably, the
lanky man behind the wheel passed her a frosty can. "We
been drivin' around for two hours now. Why not just give it up,
Nadine? Ain't no way you got a chance to win."
Gulping down beer as bitter as the disappointment clogging her
throat, she chose not to answer. What would a gearhead like Travis
know about music anyway? Only thing he cared about was poking
around under the chassis of his precious car. Something she'd
never understand, considering it was older than both of them.
"Okay,
all you rockers out there. We have a winner. Juanita Combs of
Del Rey is our eighteenth caller and wins five hundred dollars!
Keep listening for our next rock steady jackpot song. As soon
as you hear us play "Satisfaction" be the eighteenth
caller to win. We've got another five hundred dollars to give
away to some lucky K-108 listener..."
"That's
me," Nadine muttered. "I'm gonna win that damn money
if it kills me." She leaned over to adjust the radio knobs,
turning up the volume. Not that they'd play the jackpot song
so quickly, but she wanted to be ready.
"Sure you are, darlin'." Travis knew better than to
argue with her, not while her lip was poked out and her eyes
flashed fire. But her mood wouldn't last. A few more beers, a
little tequila to seal the deal and she was sure to get friendlier.
After that, there'd be an entirely different jackpot with him
as the lucky winner. His arm snaked out to pull her closer.
"Come on over here, baby. Snuggle up to your man."
"How can I with that thing in the middle?"
"That thing happens to be a Hurst four-speed shifter.
It's a - "
"I know, I know. A classic. Just like this stupid car."
"Collectors'd pay big money for this car, Nadine. Not too
many `69 `Cudas like this one."
"Looks like some dumb old Plymouth to me." Still pouting,
she accepted another beer. "Most guys would want a new car."
"Most guys would give their eye teeth for a car like this:
383 hemi engine, four barrel carb...." But he knew she wasn't
listening. Not the way her head cocked to the side, listening
as the Doors segued to Fleetwood Mac. Nadine didn't care about
mag wheels or custom gold flake paint jobs. Only thing that'd
do it for her was winning the Rock Steady jackpot. Well, maybe
not the only thing. After four beers her lids were starting
to droop, and her mouth looked more luscious than ornery.
Turning off the main drag, Travis headed down a two lane blacktop.
Less drivers there, especially the kind that wore badges who
might see them passing the tequila bottle. Four songs and three
fingers of Gold later, Nadine was actually giggling.
"Gettin' warm in here, Travis." Her voice was a husky
rasp. "Maybe we should - OH NO! There it is!" While
Mick Jagger moaned over the airwaves, she grabbed for the cellphone.
"K-108.
Tucson's Rock Steady Radio."
"Am I the eighteenth caller?"
"Sorry.
But thanks for calling Rock Steady."
"Damn!" Nadine tried for a scowl but her lips felt
like jelly. This time, the cellphone slid from her numbed fingers.
This time, she let tequila wash away another loss.
"....and
our winner, Eddie Burdett, wins five hundred dollars. Keep listening
for our next Rock Steady jackpot song. As soon as you
hear `Hotel California'....."
Aretha
Franklin crooned through the speakers now, about heartbreakers
and lovemakers and do-right men, a cue for Travis to sneak in
some nuzzling kisses. Nadine didn't resist. Lingering at the
intersection, blasts of Aretha and their own 80 proof sighs hung
heavy in the air.
Slumped against the custom upholstery, Nadine let the empty bottle
fall. A signal for Travis that meant this particular jackpot
was well within reach. Shifting gears, he peeled out of the intersection
bound for someplace quieter, darker--the best place to claim
his prize. Hard to see where he was going now, not with the haze
or fog or whatever it was that had his eyes blurring. Or maybe
it was Nadine's kisses that had him cockeyed. In any case, he
needed to get off the road and down to business.
Two more turns--or was it three?--and he was nosing the `cuda
down a narrow road that bordered a wooded hill. Couldn't remember
ever being in this particular spot before but it didn't matter,
not while Nadine was purring along to some sweet love song. It
was a heady mix of sounds--alto sax and muffled heartbeats--that
fused together in his spinning head. Her lips curved, offered
like exotic fruit. He could already taste--
"THERE IT IS! Travis, quick! Get the phone!" Nadine
lurched forward, grasping frantically. "Hurry! I've got
to dial...."
"I'm gettin' real tired of this, Nadine!"
"SHHHH! Last time, hon. I promise!" With a pleading
look, she waited while the phone rang and the Eagles sang about
a place that could be heaven or hell. A good description of the
night so far, Travis figured. He'd been waiting for heaven while
Nadine gave him hell. This time, he'd make sure it was her last
call. He'd turn off the radio, and see to it that she sang a
different song altogether. One that had a melody and rhythm she
wouldn't be able to resist. If his eyes hadn't drifted closed
in anticipation, he might have seen hers widen, just a heartbeat
before her banshee scream. The one that drowned out the radio,
and the ringing phone, but not the roar of the eighteen wheeler
that barreled toward them down the freeway ramp Travis had parked
across.
"K-108,
Tucson's Rock Steady Radio. Hello? You're our eighteenth caller!
Hello......?"
© 2001 by Gina Gallo.
The cartoon © 2001 by Jim Hummel.
You can
comment on this column or contact Gina Gallo with an email to: talkback@thecolumnists.com