Coast-to-Coast

[Beach Boy]

Art stepped back to admire the chrome he was polishing. It was almost a shame to take such a thing of beauty out on the road. Under that boxy hood lay a big 500 horsepower Cummins engine that purred like a kitten, even when pulling the heaviest load. The cab of the Peterbuilt was framed by large dual stacks, dual fuel filters, and trimmed with lights that lit it up at night like a Christmas tree. However the nicest touch of all was the custom condo sleeper with Art's small street legal motorcycle strapped on the back.

Art felt the road pulling on him again. He'd had some incredible experiences travelling around the country. People wouldn't believe half the tales he had to tell. They were like something out of the X-files, or maybe the XXX-files Art laughed to himself. Actually the road could be lonely and scary at times... The elaborate design above his motorcycle was more than just mere decoration. It was a pentagram...

There was a story behind the talisman that he had painted on his truck. He still remembered the night like it had just happened. There had been the most incredible sunset over the Arizona desert. He had been driving down the road with the window open enjoying the breathtaking scenery when suddenly the sky morphed into the most terrifying electrical storm he'd ever encountered. The rain was coming down in torrential desert monsoon fashion. Then suddenly he saw her! An eerily beautiful figure running across the desert floor cloaked in a white streaming dress. He remembered slamming on the brakes. He remembered fighting the truck as it attempted to jackknife on him. He remembered her beauty. He remembered the pleasant look on her face as she stood gazing at him on the side of the road. And he remembered her dress seemingly change in front of his eyes and turn black... In terror he'd watched as her face had contorted into a gruesome shape. Her eyes had glowed red. He remembered the shiver that ran up his back. When he'd regained consiousness the storm had passed and he had been parked in front of an old pueblo style adobe house...

Art set the rag and polish down to answer his cellphone.

"I was wondering if you could help me out." Arts dispatcher Bill asked over the phone.

"Sure, what's up?"

"We have a driver that needs a ride back to New York and we were wondering if you might help out. Since you're headed that way."

"Sure" Art agreed then added "However.. you know I'm not going directly to New York. I have a couple deliveries along the way."

"That's fine." Bill said.

"Alright, then we can even take turns driving! What's his name?"

"Her name is.." Bill corrected.

-----------------------------------------------

Art - A truck driver from San Antonio Texas. He's in his mid-twenties but he's done well as a truck driver and he has his own "ranch" with horses and cattle. He is tall and slim with broad shoulders. He's always been a little shy around the ladies and has never married.

Other driver - She's young, adventurous, and independent. She hasn't been driving that long but she's a skilled and accomplished driver.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

Rap, rap

Bark! Bark! Bark!

An alarming sound resembling a dog greeted Bill at the door followed by attempts to quiet the dog. The shouts to the dog echoed throughout the apartment complex. Somewhere from across the complex, a deep voice shouted, “Shud up will ya!”

The door flung open.

A mop of jet black curls were wrestling with a Boxer from escaping out the door. When the black curls flung back, a heart shaped face and two blue eyes smiled up at him.

“Hi, you must be Art. I’m Tracy, your partner for the next 5000 miles.”

When she finally contained the beastly animal, she was able to greet him properly. The look of Bill’s face made her grin broadly. People were always amazed of her petiteness. Though she barely reached 5’1” barefeet, nobody dared to take advantage of her size.

“I have a special request if you don’t mind. This beast, who is really named Bruno belongs to my brother,” Tracy nodded to the boxer sitting calmly by her side, “was supposed to be picked up yesterday, but he seems to be delayed by god knows what or whom. Anyway can we drop him off at my sister’s in Dallas?”

“Please?” Tracy pleaded. Bruno cocked his head to one side and whimpered as if he was begging too.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

Bright eyed and bushy tailed, Bruno sat panting with his tongue hanging out and flapping.

"Yes Ma'm." Art sighed with a grin "I suppose we can. Dallas isn't that far, and we can't very well leave this feller here."

Art stroked the fur on the top of Bruno's head and smiled at Tracy. What a cute little thing! Bruno seemed to approve of him and wagged his tail vigorously. Those beautiful rosy cheeks highlighted her angelic features so that she didn't really need any makeup.

"My bags are just inside the door" Tracy gazed at Art with confident beautiful blue eyes. "If you're ready to get going."

"Sure.. um.. let me give you a hand." Art offered glancing inside.

The apartment was decorated with large comfortable looking colorful furniture and vibrant pictures.

"Nice place!" Art said reaching for the large duffle bag.

"I got it!" Tracy laughed half wrestling with him for the duffle bag.

Art made a move for a large hunting style sleeping bag but Tracy leaned into him and grabbed for it with her other arm.

"Well okay.." Art chuckled "I'll get the other suitcase and Bruno."

He grabbed the small suitcase with his left hand and took hold of Bruno's leash with his right.

Bark! Bark! The leash jerked out of Art's hand and the dog sprinted across the complex after a black cat that flashed around the corner of another building.

"Sorry!" Tracy exclaimed ackwardly taking off in chase, both bags still in hand.

Art stood for a second, holding the suitcase and feeling a little confused.

"Control your dog!" a deep voice shouted and Art turned to see a rotund figure, in jeans and a dirty white tee-shirt, glaring down at him from a second story deck in the adjacent building.

Speechless, Art took off across grass with the suitcase slapping at his leg.

"That's a bad boy!" Tracy reprimanded Bruno, who sat with his head down.

She had a firm hold on his leash, her bags were sitting on the ground nearby, and she was standing directly in front of the truck.

"I'm sorry, he's not usually like this.." Tracy apologized. Then changing the subject "Wow! Is this your truck?"

"It is." Art glowed with pride.

Art opened a side door on the sleeper shoved the suitcase inside and climbed in. Tracy tied Bruno's leash to one of the handholds and went back for her bags.

"What are we going to do with you feller?" Art shook his head at Bruno who seemed to be grinning as he sat there panting with his tongue hanging out.

"This beast is going back to Dallas." Tracy said handing Art her sleeping bag. He set the sleeping bag up on the top bunk.

"Where did you get that? Bad dog!" Art heard Tracy say and spun around.

Tracy was wiping a white object off on her shirt. "What's this?" she asked holding up an ancient looking crudely carved statue. "It looks like a fat little naked lady without any arms or legs."

"Don't touch that!" Art panicked then realizing that it was too late. "It's just a silly fertility goddess.. that I picked up in Canada. It's supposed to make people fall in love... or something like that." He could feel himself blushing. "I wondered what I did with that.."

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

“Erm.. not yet. It’s silly, just something I picked up at an open market.”

Tracy inspected Art closely. He’s young and cute, was obviously taught good manners and is a romantic. He’ll be snatched up soon. Oh yeah, probably by a young waitress who’ll jump into any passerby’s vehicle just to escape from some god forsaken small town. She’ll have him retire from the trucking business and force him to take a trade so he’ll be close to home and their 2.4 children. Poor, poor Art. If only she wasn’t too independent, she would snatch him up herself. But marriage and settling down wasn’t in her near future. No. Tracy was born a wanderlust and she’s out to see the world. Now if only she can save enough money to buy her own truck, so she didn’t have to depend on others so much.

“Well silly. It hasn’t worked because it was tucked away and lost. You can’t tuck love away like that. Here… why don’t you put it up on the dashboard, so it’s out in the open. Now love can find it’s way in here.”

Tracy placed the statue on it’s rightful place and hopped in her own rightful place in the passenger seat.

“Nice truck. I’m so grateful you don’t have any qualms with riding with a woman. Art told me he wasn’t too sure, but…”

Bruno poked his head between them and barked loudly.

“Lay down, Bruno. Lay down. If you don’t behave, I’m going to drop you off at the pound. Do you hear me?” Tracy barked back.

Leaning into Art’s shoulder, she whispered, “I wouldn’t ever do that. It’s the only means I have to make him behave.”

Tracy pulled a snack out of her pocket, and leaned back to hand it to Bruno. “Good boy. Now behave.”

Sitting back in the passenger’s seat, Tracy looked right at home. Her jeans hugged her hips neatly without appearing to be too tight or binding. Her white v-neck t-shirt was bright against her cobalt blue eyes and dark mane. A few splattered sprinkles across the bridge of her nose gave Tracy eternal youthfulness.

“Are you ready to roll?” Tracy asked, winking at him.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

"I'm ready, let's roll!" Art nodded enthusiastically. "We're loading in Fort Worth so how 'bouts we get the load then drop this feller off in Dallas."

Art put the big truck into gear and eased out onto the road. He loved listening to the sound of the Cummins engine whistle as he accelerated with each gear. He glanced over at the statue on the dash then at Tracy before pulling onto I-35.

"You can’t tuck love away like that.." Tracy had said sounding almost like the old shaman lady in Arizona. It brought back painful memories. He'd stopped at that open market in Calgary to get a present for Beth. He'd wanted to get her something special. And when he'd spotted the gypsy lady with a table full of trinkets, beads, and assorted treasures he knew that was where he'd find her something unique.

The gypsy lady, in her bright colorful dress, had looked at him curiously. It was almost as if she had read his mind or something. "You're looking for something to win a ladies heart, yes?"

Art had nodded and she'd produced the statue of a fertility goddess from an old wooden box under the table. He'd been a little shocked at the price but the gypsy lady had guaranteed that it was one of a kind, that it was a truely magical piece. And the story that came with the statue was something that made it worth the price even if it was just an amateurish knock-off. He knew it would impress Beth.

However things hadn't gone exactly as he'd expected when he got back to San Antonio. Beth had seemed strangely distant when he'd presented her with the present. And Art had thought he'd sensed a little pity in her look.. So he'd promised her he would take time off and they would do something special after one more short run, to Arizona.

The memory of the trip to Arizona was a weird one. It was almost as if it had never really happened. It had been so strange waking up parked in front of the old wrinkled shaman ladies pueblo style house.

Art rememebered asking the old lady if she knew how he'd gotten there. "Yes, you had a run in with evil.." she'd explained. But that was no explanation.

"You won't believe it but I thought I saw a witch yesterday." Art had told her.

"You did.." the old lady had nodded "..but it wasn't yesterday."

Then she'd explained to Art that a full week had passed since the night of the storm.

"How.. how did I get away from her?" Art had asked under his breath.

"You didn't.." she'd told him with a concerned look in her eye "You'll remember more as time goes on.. You've been playing with a magic of which you have no business!"

But he hadn't! Or had he? He hadn't been sure of what to think. However when the old shaman lady had given him a drawing of a pentagram, a talisman against evil, he had gone and had it painted on his truck in Tuscon. She'd told him many strange things. Things he didn't understand but that, she'd said, he would come to understand one day.

The shaman lady had told him, as he was leaving "You shouldn't keep your love locked away.. You need to allow yourself to love somebody."

What did she mean? He loved Beth! Sure he wasn't the most affectionate or romantic guy in the world. But he didn't want to do the wrong thing and goof things up...

It had hurt when he'd gotten back and seen the ring on Beth's hand... but he'd tried not to show it. "I'm sorry, but I really can't keep this." Beth had said giving him the little statue back. "I'm engaged now.. You're never around.. If I were married to you I'd always be alone.. And he's got a good job. He's an engineer!"

Art looked at the statue on his dash and felt a tear struggling to well up in the corner of his eye but he fought it back. He couldn't let his cute co-driver see him like this.. He glanced over at Tracy and she smiled at him with a penetrating gaze.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

Art’s face was a roller coaster of pain, hurt and something else… perhaps fear? There was something in his past. Something to do with love. Perhaps that’s why the doll was cast aside, lost like a remote control in an overstuffed sofa.

Tracy wanted to reach out to him and hug him. But she had to hold back and remind herself – do not get involved. He’s not your charity case. You have a goal, a future..

“Want to talk about it?” She asked. Fuck! She was doomed. How could she not ask? He looks so lonely and lost.

“No, not really. It’s a long story.” He answered, his voice hoarse, obviously choking back the tears.

“Well we have time. If you want to talk, I’m here. I’m not Oprah or Dr. Phil. I can’t promise answers. I can only promise an ear. Ok?”

He nodded. His chest rose high to take a breath.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” Art answered. Maybe he will. When the time’s right, after they get better acquainted. But how he can explain something he didn’t quite understand himself. He snuck a sideway glance towards Tracy. She was looking at the window taking in the arid landscaping racing past them. She looked so content with herself. It was amazing they had only meant just a short while ago and this is the second time he noticed how comfortable she seemed riding next to him.

Sensing his stare, Tracy turned to him. The smile she gave him was a heartwarming one.

“The road is beautiful.” She stated. “Normal people would just look out and see dry grass and a long empty road. I see a maze of opportunities. Every turn is a door waiting for me to explore. Every road sign is an invitation to new experiences. Such as the one coming up. Explore the UnderGround of the Natural Bridge Caverns. New Braunsfels, Texas. Who would have imagined Texas has caverns? Did you know that, Art?” Tracy asked, incredously.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

"I do" Art smiled. He welcomed the change of subject.

"You know I own a spread of forty acres just to the west of San Antonio. So I pass by here all the time. I've heard it's really something! Our own "natural bridge"! With a huge cavern one hundred feet below the ground. I hear they hold concerts in it! But I've never actually had the chance to come and check it out."

"Really?" Tracy gave Art an inquisitive look.

"Yeah, I've been pretty busy. I've got twenty head of beef cattle, and a couple Palominos, that I picked up at an auction."

Art glanced over at Tracy who nodded and gave him a reassuring look.

"I've got a full time hand who watches over my place while I'm gone." Art continued. "It's nice to have a place of my own to come back too. And a place to raise a family.... one day"

Art paused and looked over at Tracy again. She looked very content...and attractive. He imagined what it must feel like to be the lucky guy who got to tenderly kiss those soft cheeks and lips. His eyes drifted down to her breasts.. her hips.. her legs.. her... Art caught himself and jerked his attention back to the road. What was a girl like her doing riding with a loser like him..? She must have a serious boyfriend, or a fiance, he thought to himself. However.. it sure felt good having her along! He had that proverbial "warm and fuzzy" feeling that people always talked about.

"I was planning on marrying my girlfriend Beth.." Art started. He thought he caught a slightly hurt look in Tracy's eye and stopped.

"But it didn't work out.." He explained quickly, and Tracy seemed to relax.

"You were in love with her?" Tracy asked.

"Very much." Art said. "I met her at church. She's a super nice girl. You'd like her. She's a school teacher! My friends helped set me up with her. They felt that she would make a good wife for me."

Tracy gave Art a funny look.

"Oh I've had huge crushes on girls in the past but that was just... immaturity. Beth was more my type. My parents met her and they agreed I should marry her. And I'm not getting any younger!" he laughed nervously.

Art glanced over at the statue on the dash. "I got that as a present for her. I was so sure it was going to make things right.."

"Right?" Tracy frowned.

Art took a breath "It's not easy to meet people when you're always on the road.." Art waited a second. "I just wanted to get her something special.... That doll was supposed to...." Art found himself suddenly helpless as tears began streaming down his face.

Tracy started to say something then stopped as if she was suprised at the sudden strange show of emotion.

"..I guess I'm a loser..." His voice shook. He caught his breath. "No girls ever seem to want me.." Why was he telling Tracy this? "Even that stupid little fertility goddess didn't work... It's not like I'm driving truck to run from anything!"

Tracy gave Art a concerned look and he felt a little pathetic.

"I guess I didn't really love her..." Art took a breath, looked up at his CB and swallowed.

Art looked back down at his silly "fertility goddess", on the dash, with her stumps for arms and legs and ridiculously big hips and breasts. "I didn't love her." Art repeated "But I wanted her to love me..."

"Thank you Dr. Phil" Art chuckled and grinned meekly. He half expected to see a disgusted look on her face but instead her expression was relaxed and compasionate .

"So you're not with Beth now?" Tracy asked.

"No." Art shook his head. "Honestly, I've never really BEEN with any girl. I've always just been by myself.. But I have family down here."

Tracy leaned his way and put a hand intimately on his shoulder. Bruno raised his head, underneath Tracy's arm, and looked at Art first then Tracy.

"How about you. Do you have a boyfriend, a fiance?" Art asked cautiously.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

“Oh good God, no!” Tracy exclaimed in horror. Realizing had dramatic her reaction was, she added. “Er.. I’m not really dating anyone right now.”

Art shot a look at her and turned back to the highway. “Do you like men?”

“Sure, why not.” She answered, shrugging her shoulders. “I do. They make good company.”

“Are you a lesbian?” Art asked.

Clutching her stomach, Tracy roared out in appreciation. Bruno jumped up on her lap and whined incessantly. He didn’t know if he should wag his tail and join the merriment or protect her… from Art? So he gave her a wet kiss across her face.

“Bruno, your Auntie Tracy is a lesbian.” She cried out. Even Art caught the hysterics and laughed too. “Bruno, what do you think of your Lessie Tracy?”

Bruno barked in response. She gave him a big hug, then pushed him off her gently.

When the laughter finally subsided, Art commented, “Guess you’re not a lesbian, huh?”

“No, I’m not. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.” She answered with a wink. “No, I like guys too much. Love everything about them. The way they’re built, the way they walk, the way they take charge of a situation. I even like the gross many noises they make. I love everything about them. I just don’t want to be tied down by one.”

He gave her an inquisitive look. His silence lay heavy, making her extremely uncomfortable. Art had managed to extract more information from Tracy than anybody had. There was something about him. For some reason, Tracy was opening up to him too soon. Way too soon.

“So, what are you picking up in Fort Worth? Drugs, illegal Mexicans, porn?” She asked, laughing.

 

[Beach Boy]

"..I like guys too much. Love everything about them. The way they’re built, the way they walk, the way they take charge of a situation. I even like the gross manly noises they make. I love everything about them...”

Art felt his penis stiffen. His eyes watched in awe as her chest heaved and her erect nipples stretched her blouse slightly.

Tracy looked at Art fearfully and forced a grin "So, what are you picking up in Fort Worth? Drugs, illegal Mexicans, porn?"

"Drugs and pussy!" The words blurted out of Arts mouth and a devilish smirk spread across his face. His eyes studied Tracy's hips and luscious thighs under her perfectly fitting jeans.

"Sorry..." Art blushed a deep shade of crimson "I don't know what's come over me... We're just picking up a load of frozen vegeta..."

For an instant rain pounded hard against the windshield!

"Holy fuck!" Art cried out.

Tracy flashed him a look of concern.

"Pardon my language.." Art croaked "Did you just see that rain?"

"No.." Tracy shook her head "There's not a cloud in the sky.."

"RRRRRrrrr!" Bruno growled.

"Sorry!" Art gasped, taking his hand off of Tracy's leg and placing it back on the wheel.

Art exited the freeway went a little ways down a beat up frontage road and pulled into the temporary lot at the old rusty AmeriCold. He pulled the parking break on the dash and just sat there looking straight ahead.

"I'll go and find out what dock they want us in, if you want to stay with Bruno." Art said finally.

Art didn't wait for Tracy to answer. Instead he just turned, opened the door, and stepped out. The second Art was out of his truck he felt the bulge in his pants relax and he breathed a sigh of relief.

The trucks door clicked open and Tracy stepped out, leash in hand. " Go onnn!" Tracy laughed "Go on in! I'm just going to take Bruno for a walk".

"Yes Ma'am." Art nodded seriously then headed for the shipping and receiving office.

 

[Beach Boy]

I'm just bumping this thread so that it doesn't get deleted

 

[chanaud]

Was this guy for real? And if he was, why hadn’t he been snatched up by now? Tracy was absolutely flabbergasted by him. She was amazed by his displays of emotions and what seemed like utter sincerity. In the last hour, he had poured his heart to her. No man had ever done that. Not even her father. But Art. Art was different. And she had no idea how to respond.

Fortunately he pulled over for a pickup. A breath of fresh air will clear her head.

She laughed him off and made him continue his pickup. She needed to stretch her legs. Bruno whined at the first scent of fresh air. Before she took a step to lead, he had taken off, pulling her behind him.

After running a long sprint, Bruno slowed. He sniffed the grass furiously, looking for the perfect thatch for his business. Tracy looked around. The front of the warehouse was a dilapidated building. The paint was peeling, and the windows were boarded. The parking lot was bare. Not a soul was in sight.

Bruno came upon a wooden post, stopped, and lifted his leg. Holding the leash loosely, Tracy saw that the sign was dangling on a single rusty nail. She lifted it and read aloud, “Stuckey’s Goods”.

A strange breeze came out of nowhere and caught her by surprise. Bruno growled, the hairs on his back were rigid. Tracy shivered. Not from the cold, but from… what? She didn’t know. She felt caught in a strange time zone. So alone, abandoned. It was eerily quiet. Life was not apparent.

Then Bruno broke free. He went tearing after something and soon disappeared at the side of the building.

“Bruno?” Tracy’s quivering voice called out as she followed him.

No sound. Just dead silence.

“Bruunoooooo? Come to Auntie Tracy.” She called out again. She didn’t know what was louder – her shrill voice or her heart thumping like mad.

“Bruno, dammit. It’s not funny. Come here!” She demanded.

Still silence. The dark recesses of the building was narrow and pitch dark.

When Tracy stepped into the dark shadows of the building, something lunged out to her. She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Soon she found herself on her back with Bruno atop her chest and licking her face.

“Dammit, Bruno, you need to stop running away like that. The next time you do that, I’m going to leave you behind. You hear me?”

Bruno wagged his tail proudly as he lead the way towards the back of the warehouse. He was finished with his business.

As they reached the semi, Art was just closing the back gate. He smiled at them.

“Right on time. Hey Bruno, were you a good boy?” He said, reaching down to pet his big square head.

“What’s wrong?” Art asked as soon as he saw her frightful face.

“What did you pick up?” Tracy asked, her voice low with suspicion.

Art looked down at the manifest. “It says peas, carrots, and broccoli. I suspect they snuck some creamed corn while I wasn’t looking,” he joked.

“Dammit Art. You’re not telling me the truth. What are we doing here?”

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

Instead of answering Art, seemingly in a daze, just shrugged his shoulders and walked up to the front of the trailer and began meddling with the refrigeration unit.

"Art you're scaring me.." Tracy half whispered.

"GRRRrrrrrrrr.." A deep low growl came from Bruno.

"WILL YOU SHUT THAT FUCKING DOG UP!" Art's eyes lit up and he lunged at Tracy.

"Art..." Tracy's voice shook.

Art's eyes were blood red and his mouth was curled into a perverse smirk. Bruno stiffened and backed up slightly, and Tracy braced herself for the blow.

It was bizarre but Tracy found her attention diverted to a beautiful design, just over Arts shoulder, on the back of the truck.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Art's head twisted.

"Aaaaahhhhh!"

The ground swung up and hit Art hard.

"Oh god.." Art gasped.

The ground spun as Art hung onto the broken pavement struggling desperately against the sensation that he was on the verge of being flung skyward. Then the pictogram loomed up menacingly. Nausea overwhelmed Art... and everything went black.

-------------------------------------------------

"Art....ART!!... Are you okay?"

The bluriness in his eyes were replaced by tears. Tracy towered over him, tears streaking down her face too. Bruno's moist noise sniffed his face. Then a wet sandpapery tongue licked across his face.

"Tracy.." Art moaned ".. what just happened to me."

Tracy wiped her tears and raised her palms to the sky.

"What are we doing here Art?"

"I think..." Art pressed his fingers to his forehead, "..I was getting something for a friend in Arizona.. A shaman lady... At least I think it was for her.."

Tracy offered Art a hand. Back on his feet Art gazed quizically at the talisman on the back of his truck and felt a peacefullness wash over him. Art gestured to Tracy and they headed around to the back of the truck. He released the latch and together they pulled the door open.

Seated at the back of the trailer was a dirty medium sized grey wooden box covered with mold and grime. It bore an Arizona address.

"Hum.." Art murmered.

"I think we should get rid of it" Tracy said with urgency.

"I don't know.." Art disagreed "We have enough time to swing up to Arizona if we want to. I met an old shaman lady up there..."

Tracy gave Art a bemused look.

"Look Tracy" Art frowned "I don't know what just happened. And I don't know what this is doing here.. But we need to hurry if we're going to make our appointment and get loaded. The new AmeriCold, the one we were actually supposed to load at, is on the other side of the freeway. We can figure out what to do with this when we get there!"

Art closed the trailer door and caught Tracy staring at him like he was a madman. They just stood there for a couple of ackward minutes.

"I had a run in with a witch.." Art explained vaguely.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

Art was interupted by his ringing cellphone.

"Hello" Art said. "Yes, we'll be over at AmeriCold in five minutes... Yes... Yes... What do you mean?.... Well we could drive team if we had to... Yes I know... But Tracy needs to be in New York by next Sunday... Yes... I'll ask her... I suppose we could load in Phoenix... Yes... but I'd like to be paid something for deadheading up there... Oh okay... I'll ask Tracy..."

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

Uh oh!

The tone in Art’s voice did not sound good.

The mention of Phoenix made Tracy stiffen. She needs to get out of there. Away from Art. And whatever it was that lunged out to them and caused Art to turn rabid.

But when he hung up the phone, he looked at her with large wet eyes, she cried. Her head was telling her to run. Run as fast as she could. But her heart told her otherwise.

What to do? What to do?

She was in a dilemma.

“Tracy,” Art started.

Tracy held a hand to him and wiped the tears away. “I don’t know, Art. I really don’t know.”

Bruno was sniffing about, happy in his own world. Dumb dog, she cursed silently.

“You have a pickup. I’ll decide be then,” Tracy said solemnly. “That is.. it is a real pickup, right? We’re not going to have another occurrence like one we just had, right? Oh Art. You have to tell me what’s going on. Everything including the witch.”

Tracy shuddered trying to shake away the shivers, but the affect was just the opposite. Goosebumps filled her body, her nipples were hard as rocks.

“Come on,” Tracy grabbed Art’s hand and led him to the truck. Somehow, she knew she was going. She was sure of it without even hearing the whole story. He was such a lost puppy. It was clear in his teary eyes and slumped demeanor. And Tracy was always attracted to lost souls.

“Bruno, come on boy.” She called out harshly. You better come through for me, Bruno ole boy. You better save me from…. what? Tracy wondered silently.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

Art took a breath. "Okay so here's what's happening. The load we were supposed to pick up got rescheduled. They needed it earlier... Bill didn't think that it would be right to push us and have us drive it straight through to PA, like we were driving team.. Since you're along because you need a ride back to New York. So anyway, he gave our load to a team and now he wants us to deadhead, empty, up to Phoenix and pick up a dry load there. It also goes to PA and I'm sure we could get a load from there to New York....... So are you interested?"

Art was almost half afraid to look Tracy in the eye after his recent strange emotional attacks. He never cried! And he had strange "memories" of using bad language...

"I can understand why you might want to catch a ride with somebody else.. You must think I'm nuts."

Art looked down because he felt so ashamed and immediately noticed Tracy's shapely legs in her wonderfully fitting jeans.

"Oh Art.." Tracy sighed "What will I do with you.. Let's go and get the load in Phoenix! But you have to tell me about your witch."

"It's a deal! Okay, I'll tell you about the witch... Would you like to drive?"

"Sure!" Tracy smiled.

"And should we drop this feller off in Dallas first?" Art asked. "Unless you want to bring him along."

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

“Yes, thank you! I mean… are you sure you wouldn’t mind? Tracy asked. “I know he can be a bothersome at times. But when you get to know him, he’s a great dog. So loveable, protective…”

“Of course, I don’t mind. I wouldn’t suggest it if I did. Come on, Bruno. Your Auntie Tracy is going to drive.”

Bruno wagged and barked a few times in answer.

Tracy jumped behind the driver’s wheel. She looked so delicate and tiny in the big captain’s chair. But the glow in her eyes showed anything but intimidation.

She turned the key and felt the engine fire up immediately. The soft rumble was vibrating under them. She turned to Art and smiled. It was a smile of sheer joy.

“Do you know when to use each gear?” Art asked.

“I think so. Is this the brakes?” She asked, batting her long, dark lashes at him.

Shocked, Art shook his head. When he saw the sly smile on her face, he laughed with relief.

“Ok, ok. I’ll let you be. The warehouse is on the other side of the freeway.”

“Aye, aye sir!” She saluted to him.

Tracy worked the large steering wheel with smooth fluid turns. The truck answered and rolled into a comfortable speed. After a few minutes even Bruno seemed comfortable to lay down in his bed. Soon he was snoring away.

Five minutes later, the truck pulled into a busy parking lot. Men were carrying large palettes of boxed goods.

“Doesn’t look like any witches here,” Tracy muttered as the semi rolled into a stop. “But then they could be phantom employees.”

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

"Tracy, I'll take these manifests inside and see what's going on. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"No problem Art. Do you mind if I use your TV? Maybe I can catch the news."

"Sure, go right ahead. And there's a remote on top of the VCR."

Art headed inside and didn't reappear for almost a half hour.

"Well I've got some good news, at least for me." Art said climbing back into the truck. "I managed to get us a load of vegetables going to Phoenix. So at least we won't be deadheading it up there."

"So are you going to tell me about witch?"

Art grinned a little sheepishly.

"Well, okay... Would you like a burrito? I made them myself."

"Yes, thank you." Tracy smiled.

Art pulled a couple of large burritos of the refrigerator and stuck them in the microwave. Then he took a seat at the little table in his sleeper -- which more closely resembled an upscale moterhome than a truck.

"Alright, I'll tell you about my experience in Arizona with the witch."

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

“Should I be scared?” Tracy asked, her large blue eyes swam with apprehension.

“Honestly?”

Tracy nodded. She took his hand and held it gently. “Please be honest with me. Tell me what I’m getting myself involved in. I won’t bail just yet. I think you really, really need somebody by your side while you resolve this mystery of yours. And I think between us and Bruno on our side, we can take on anything.”

I hope, Tracy added silently.

Art gave her a hug. Tracy closed her eyes while they held each other for a long time. She really meant what she said. She believed in signs. The signs were never wrong. Somehow she was chosen to ride with Art, to be with him during this traumatic period in his life, and to help him of whatever is inflicting his mood swings. So she accepted this role in his life and then she’ll bail. Or what if he had an impact on her life. What if?

When they separated, Art cupped Tracy’s face. “Oh, thank you, thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me. I’ll tell you everything tonight.”

Then he kissed her softly. Their lips pressed together, mouths slightly open, tongues barely touching. Tracy’s heart leapt to her throat.

Rich released her. “Why don’t you watch tv while they finish loading. Then we’ll find a secluded area, so we can eat our dinner and take a short nap. We’ll drive all night to Phoenix, drop off this load and face my past.”

Stunned and breathless, Tracy sat back and just nodded. When Rich left the truck, she looked around the truck and realized how wonderful it felt despite what was going on. She picked up a cushion and hugged it. The cushion smelled of Rich -- a masculine scent of the woods and soap. She smiled broadly while she squeezed harder.

As soon as Rich left, he returned. He parked the truck at the far end of the parking lot. He breezed like a fresh of breath air.

They ate in silence. The burritos were delicious. Tracy was not only impressed with Art’s culinary skills, but he had used all fresh ingredients, including the herbs.

Then side by side, they fell asleep on his double sized custom built bed.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

"Please be honest with me."

How could he not? There was love and kindness in those bright blue eyes. Her wish was his command!

"...I think between us, and with Bruno on our side, we can take on anything."

Tracy's words played over in Art's head. He savored the words "us", "our" -- and "we"!

The air was crisp and sweet. Everything looked and felt so good that Art couldn't keep from smiling as he stode confidently over to pick up the papers.

"Beautiful day" The girl in the shipping and receiving office said.

"Sure is!" Art nodded and smiled.

He quickly signed for the load, took the manifests, and eagerly headed back to the truck. Without so much as a word he pulled the truck out of the dock and parked it in an out of the way spot. It was the perfect spot and Tracy and Art relaxed together and ate the burritos. In one of his few moments of brilliance he'd made them from a favorite recipe just before leaving to pick up Tracy.

There was such beauty and warmth in her that he wondered how he'd gotten through life without her by his side. So, this was what people meant when they talked about a soulmate?

Art slipped off his shoes and lay down.

"Mmm.."

Tracy lay down next to him and was asleep in a second.

Art gazed up at her bunk above them. We can store stuff up there, Art thought to himself. Then the soothing sound of rain lulled him to sleep. At least he thought he heard rain..

"I'll drive first." Art thought he heard Tracy say.

"kay" he managed then nodding back off to sleep.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

Art was sleeping like a baby. It was evident by the way his arm hooked heavily around Tracy’s waist and his soft breaths in her hair. And even when she pried his arm from around her waist, and rose from the bunk, he hadn’t even moved.

Poor, poor Art, she thought as she looked down at him. He’s been through so much trauma today. I might as well drive first. Then she wondered, what if Art mind. This is his truck, after all. She tried to shake him awake. He hadn’t even budged.

“Art, I’m going to drive first,” Tracy said. He answered with a murmur, ok.

Sitting behind the wheel was empowering. Tracy felt alive sitting in the driver’s seat. With the turn of the key, the engine roared. She felt the vibration of the engine under her seat, massaging her whole being.

The night was dark. There were only a few headlights on the road. Tracy was amazed how free she felt on the open road. Rain was slicing through the night air. The windshield wipers were on full speed. Still Tracy felt at ease. Easy enough to allow her thoughts to wander.

Art. He was a dear. So handsome. Fit too! Yes, she’s noticed how his jeans strained when he moved. His boyish good looks was a sharp contrast to his cut body. I wonder how he’s in the sack, Tracy smiled at the thought. Probably very thoughtful, always sure the woman is satisfied first. But is he naughty? Fun? Even risky? The thought made Tracy giggled. Her body stirred at the possibilities. A hand wandered to her neck, down her chest. The very tips of her fingers grazed her nipple. She moaned softly. The stirring increased. The nipple sharpened on cue. She pinched it. It took every will power she had to prevent a yelp to fly out of her mouth. Tracy wiggled in her seat. A rush of wetness formed between her legs.

Then a naughty thought crossed her mind. What if Art woke to find her playing with herself? What if another trucker happened to ride by her and see her pinching and tugging at her nipples.

Another moan escaped her mouth. This time it was louder.

Art shifted, then entered the berth. His hair was tussled and hung over his eyes.

“Feel better, sleepyhead?” She asked, with a flushed smile.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

The feel of the truck moving woke Art up with a start. But he relaxed when he saw Tracy driving. He got up combed his hair carefully and headed forward.

"Lookin good handsome" Tracy smiled

"Thanks!" Art beamed "There's a littl more pressure on me when I'm with a beautiful girl like you."

Tracy grinned and raised her skirt a little so Art could see her legs.

"I'll trade off with you, if you'd like."

"Sure."

Tracy pulled over to the side of the road. Art eagerly wrapped his arms around her, they embraced and kissed, then Tracy headed back into the sleeper berth and began undressing.

Art pulled the big truck carefully back out onto the freeway and began working his way up through the gears.

The windshield wipers squeaked back and forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth....... They battled the rain that was pelting the windshield so hard now that a virtual waterfall was running down the windshield. The dessert monsoon had quickly turned the day into a dark hellish night. Water splashed up in waves as the truck barreled down the freeway through the desert floor that was morphing into a flash flood condition.

"Grrrr.."

"Art?"

Tracy asked in an apprehensive voice.

Art angled the big truck into the median, into the center of the freeway, and passed the slowing cars ahead. There was a sickening sensation as the drive wheels broke traction and the tractor slid sideways as it sunk into the soft mud and the big fifty three foot reefer jacknifed behind it. Art shoved the accelerator to the floor, the drive wheels spun madly then grabbed. The tractor slid one direction and then the other while the trailer careened back and forth. The tractor bounced wildly up the shoulder on the opposite side of the freeway and headed towards an oncoming car.

"HONNNNNK!"

The trailer bounced then was pulled straight by Art's acceleration. Art aimed the truck at the next oncoming car. Somehow the driver missed the truck as the car slid sideways past sending up a wall of spray.

"Art?"

"Grrrrr.."

Art could feel his penis growing erect and hard. He increased his speed further and aimed the big truck head-on into the oncoming traffic.

"HONNNNNNNNNNNK!"

A pickup slid off the road.

"HONNNNNNNNNNNNN!!"

A stationwagon spun around out of control.

Art reached down with one hand and unzipped his pants to free his now fully engorged erect penis from his pants.

"HONNNNNNNN!"

She grinned perversely as she gazed at his beautiful huge swollen penis.

"HONNNNNNNK!"

Art reached down and wrapped his free hand around his huge member and began stroking. It increased in size.

"HONNNNNNNK!!"

It somehow seemed to double in size!

"HONNNNNNNN! HONNNNNNN!

Art ran two cars off the road at a time!

Art trembled with anticipation and his huge penis began to burn as her hand reached over, wrapped around it -- squeezing tightly and pulling hard! Art orgasmed hard and cum spurted up onto the windshield as the truck careened out of control and into the median again.

"Art!"

"GRRRRR..!"

The truck bounced up onto the freeway, crossed all lanes, and slid off the shoulder.

The witch let go of Arts penis and cackled with delight as the truck headed down a raised dirt road across the desert floor.

"ARRRT!!" Tracy's voice yelled.

"Ahhhh!!" Art woke, saw Bruno's face, and jumped three feet back into the sleeper. "Bruno.." Art laughed.

"Art, you awake now?" Tracy asked. There was definite relief in her voice.

"Yeah.."

"Well then sleepyhead, No more sleep walking, okay!" Tracy laughed

"What?"

"It was the weirdest thing.... You came walking up here.. and I suddenly realized you were asleep and pulled over. Then..." Tracy grinned broadly, "..then you called me beautiful and wrapped your arms around me!"

"I was having a strange dream.." Art said flushing and feeling a little chagrin.

Tracy laughed "I can believe it, you big lug. I had to carry you all the way back to bed! And I told Bruno to stand watch over you while you slept."

"Smart dog." Art raised his eyebrows.

"He has moments." Tracy grinned. "Don't you beast!"

Tracy scratched Bruno's head with her free hand and his tail wiggled vigorously.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

“What’s in your mouth, baby?” Tracy asked. She pried Bruno’s clenched teeth apart. “Drop it, Burno. Drop it now.”

Turning his head to one side, Tracy can see that it was Art’s little love goddess. “Bruno!”

With that, Bruno dropped it on her lap and backed away slowly. The goddess was full of saliva and fortunately undamaged. Using her shirt, she wiped it carefully. For some reason it meant a lot for the goddess to remain intact. Art sat on the cot observing her every move. She could feel his eyes burning for her. Slowly, she took her time. When she finished, Tracy sat close to him. The goddess remained in her open palm. Together with their heads held close, Tracy whispered.

“We don’t want to hurt… what’s her name?”

“Hmm… I haven’t given her a name yet,” Art whispered back. His hand reached out to hers. Together they were holding the love goddess.

“No wonder she hasn’t worked her magic. We ought to remedy that right now, don’t you think?” Tracy asked, her eyes were looking at Art.

“What about… LuLu?”

“Lulu???” Tracy snorted out. “No, she needs something more feminine than that. What about Roxanne?”

They drew closer. Bruno was forgotten. A magical pull drew them together. He smelled so handsome, his eyes were bright with lust.

“Roxie with moxie. She’ll be our moxie,” Tracy whispered ever so softly. Her lips were shiny, trembling. His breath was so warm against her soft skin...

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

Bruno ears pricked up and his head tilted inquisitively. "Woof!"

"Bruno!" Tracy laughed "Go to sleep".

Bruno's tail thumped on the floor at the sound of his name. He almost seemed to smile then he lay he head down and watched for a second before closing his eyes.

"Good boy!"

Tracy got up and closed the partition between the cab and the sleeper berth, leaving Bruno by himself between the seats.

"Now where were we.." Art said picking up the doll "Roxie with moxie.. Or LuLu with moo-moo!"

"Art!"

Art burst into laughter and Tracy joined in. They laughed until tears streamed down their cheeks.

"It's not really that funny." Tracy smiled "But to think some people take things like this seriously."

"I know." Art grinned "Look at those crazy hips!" He rubbed his fingers around the dolls hips.

Tracy, still a silly mood, got up and posed her hips with her feet crossed.

"Much nicer" Art chuckled running his hands down and around Tracy's hips. "Mmmm... very nice."

Art found himself moving towards Tracy, his hands reaching.. Arts hand caressed her hair as he moved his face closer to hers. His arms wrapped around her in a tender embrace. Tracy closed her eyes and Art closed his too just an instant before their lips met.

It was a soft tender and wonderful kiss. The way Art had always imagined a kiss should be. He could feel Tracy's hard nipples pressed close to him and the beating of her heart.

Art kissed her again with his eyes closed savoring the smell and taste of her skin. He felt totally full of life and an unexplainable intimate connection with Tracy as their bodies melted together.

 

[chanaud]

Tracy

Tracy was lost. Everything that had occurred before that very moment faded and was soon forgotten as she lost herself in Art’s embrace.

His hands roamed over her curves, and managed its way under her tight t-shirt and up her bare skin. His hands were a working man’s hands, large and calloused, yet gentle and warm to her skin, leaving her shaking slightly and wanting more.

“Here let me help you with that,” Tracy whispered hoarsely. While still kissing, she managed to lift herself up to a kneeling position and removed her top and tossed it aside in one contortionist movement.

“Better?” She asked, grinning and showing off her pretty pink bra.

“Oh yeah!” Art answered. Tracy grinned. He didn’t have to answer, because she already knew his answer when his eyes glowed with lust.

“Or do you like this better?” She teased while her fingers unsnapped the front of her bra and threw it behind her.

Art answered with a growl making her laugh. He was fun and sexy! Tracy knew she made the right decision by staying with him.

“Are you going to stare all day, or are you going to start paying some attention to me?”

Tracy answered for him by lifting a breast and feeding a nipple to his awaiting lips.

 

[Beach Boy]

Art

"Mmmm.." Art cupped his hands around Tracy's firm warm breast and tenderly put his lips around Tracy's proudly pointing nipple.

"Clunk!"

"Grrrrr..."

"What was that?!" Art pulled back in shock. His hands slid off of Tracy's breast and found their way down her body to her jeans.

"I don' know.."

Tracy looked around a little nervously while she began tugging at Art's shirt tails.

Art instinctively raised his arms as Tracy removed his shirt.

"Probably just something blowing around in the wind." Tracy said.

She nuzzling her warm soft cheek against Art's chest.

"Bruno will keep an eye on things." Art reassured.

He gazed into her beautiful dialated eyes then eagerly pulled her warm wonderful body against his, savoring the feeling of her firm breasts and hard nipples against his chest.

Art pushed her hair back slightly with one hand while kissing her softly down the side of the face. Tracy returned the kisses and Art put one hands around her back while the other caressed the curve of her hip and rear. They cuddled intimately.

Art's engorged penis was becoming rock hard and seemingly trying to force it's way through his pants and into those of Tracy's.

Tracy sighed "Maybe it's your witch outside."

She rubbered his back with her hands as they snuggled.

"You mean Laughing Lora?" Art asked between kisses.

"Is that her name?"

"I guess.." Art muttered as he unsnapped Tracy's jeans and began fumbling with the zipper.