A Little Drive - Chapter 7 and some thoughts.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5, Part 1
Chapter 5, Part 2
Chapter 6

Chapter 7 - Ciudad De Los Angeles.

As Charles left Monterey he debated visiting Judy at the coffee shop to say goodbye and decided against it. He thought that if he had meant anything to her, she would have said something to him that morning. He had hoped for a moment, the night before, that she might have even come along with him; but, that seemed silly now. Just because you have make love to someone doesn't mean they will love you and just because you spend a moment with someone doesn't mean they will drop everything and go on a trip with you. Charles thought about these things and past few days as he drove towards Los Angeles down the glittery Pacific Coast Highway. He drove through the beautiful hills and passed the serene beaches and thought about these things and missed all that was around him. He did become of aware of the scenery hours later, as he drove through Santa Barbara. He became aware of it just in time to come to a screeching halt at a red light.

At first he couldn't figure out how he got where he was. He thought perhaps while daydreaming he had meandered down an off ramp; but, then decided that there was in fact a streetlight in the freeway. The light changed and he continued down the road. A little while later he decided to get some gas and pulled off in a town called Thousand Oaks. 

After filling his car with gas he asked the attendant how far it was to Los Angeles. The attendant responded that it was just over a couple of hills.

"Great," thought Charles. "Los Angeles, Hollywood and Disneyland. Now this trip should get exciting."

He drove his car further and further, past the hills and then he was in Los Angeles County. He drove along looking at all the lights thinking how pretty the city was, like a million stars. Not far down the road he pulled off and into a hotel in Van Nuys which was not too expensive.

When he checked in with the clerk he asked where the downtown area was and the clerk told him that it was about 25 miles away down the Ventura Freeway. Charles was a little surprised as he had not expected the city to be so spread out and big.

Because of the lateness of the hour, Charles decided to get dinner and turn in early so that he could explore Los Angeles all the next day. He had a hamburger at McDonalds and picked up some beer, returning to his hotel. At the hotel the television was not working well so he just had the beers and smoked some cigarettes.

Sitting alone in the hotel room alone he thought about what Aunt Terri had said to him when left Monterey and he asked himself what things he was discarding. He thought about Judy and decided that it was he who left her and not she who had left him. He thought about the job and apaertment he had left just for a chance to see other apartments and people doing the same jobs that did in Sacramento. Then he began to think about his brother and sister in law and remembered the book that Dee Dee had given him. He went to his luggage and took it out.

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PIMPERNEL COMMENT:

That my friends is all I have. It is about one third of this particular story. After writing the rest of this story, I wrote a second about a girl and in the end I put the two characters together. My concept was two different stories, one about Charlie and one about a female peer, how their illusions about what is possible (he believing everything is possible and she believing nothing is possible) end up together. Charlie's experience is one of naïve hope continually dashed by reality.

As I typed this for you my dear readers, I was pained by my writing style 35 years ago. I do hope my writing is better now. I don't believe I am particularly suited to writing novels. I feel my plots are okay; but, I think my writing lacks emotional indicators for others.

Somewhere I have the other couple hundred pages that I wrote. I just don't know where. I have an old floppy disk that I put the stories on; but, I don't know if I can find it, if I have it or if it still works if I could find a computer with a floppy to read it. I gave you what I had and while I may be embarrassed by it, I hope you found it of interest. Take care.

Charles Manson is Dead

Charles Manson is dead. The words seem strange. His people killed Sharon Tate when I was about 9. He used to travel the same area that I lived in. His people would sneak into houses in the area and rearrange the furniture while the families slept. After he was convicted and it came out, my mother was freaked out knowing that they had been operating where we lived. It effected her sense of security. I had no such illusions. My father's job ensured that.

I remember the trial, what a circus it was. Every day in front of the courthouse, three young ladies would sit on the sidewalk protesting. When Charlie carved a swastika in his forehead, they did to. There are moments in this world where you cannot turn away, where we all look at the same train wreck at once. Watergate and OJ come to mind. The prurient, voyeuristic, knee jerk fascination with the slightest disgusting detail being discussed for days. Manson provided that level of entertainment.

Let me start by saying that I am glad that Charlie never got out of jail. There is a slight problem, he didn't go to jail for killing anyone. He went to jail for murders that others committed. He did not kill Sharon Tate or the La Biancas. Many murderers have spent less time in jail than he did. What made hi special?

Charlie grew up in the system, he grew up in jail, he grew up being abused and he got used to it. He used to say that we created him and to a degree we did; but, he failed to take responsibility for his choices. In the end, Charlie was jailed for the evil in his heart and not the evil that he did (and he did plenty). Charlie's greatest challenge to our beliefs was his accusation that we let evil happen to him as a child. On that issue, he was correct. We can argue over the options he had, our responsibility to take care of one another and our ability to have protected him; but, in the end, he saw us as those who allowed him to be abused as a child. He saw us as the evil ones, he never killed anyone and yet he saw us killing hundreds of thousands in Vietnam and he was the one that went to jail.

Who shall pray for his soul, who shall give forgiveness? God will, his challenge will be accepting it, accepting that he had no excuse, that he is responsible for his actions to himself. That can only be bought by forgiving others. Charlie did not make those young girls leave their homes, they left them on their own and he found them. He took them in and made them feel loved. He told them that they were the family after their own families had turned a cold heart to them.

A community is a type of family. If we reject the pain of others, a time will come and is coming when we create a society of Charlie's. I read that one of Tate's relatives said a prayer for him. I think she might just get what I am talking about and I am quite sure God will credit her forgiveness as righteousness.

UPDATE:

By the way, the idiots at the Washington Post referred to his as a serial killer. He was not. He is believed to have committed two murders with purpose, not thrill kills. He did not kill Tate or the La Biancas personally. He does not fit the profile of a serial killer. Son of Sam was a serial killer, Zodiac was a serial killer, BTK was a serial killer, Manson was a sociopath who influenced others into believing it was okay for them to kill people.

A Little Drive - Chapter 6

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5, Part 1
Chapter 5, Part 2

Chapter 6 - Judy

Charles woke up the next day at 9:30 a.m., more or less. He showered, dressed and had another soggy bologna sandwich and then headed to the hotel office.

"Hello Mr. Leed. Are you checking out? asked the clerk.

"No, I may be here one more day. Listen, can you tell me how to get to Hooper Street?" asked Charles.

The clerk told him how to get to get to the bank and Charles left. Two hours later he reached the bank and after some slight difficulty managed to receive his new traveler's check. He cashed on in and took a taxi over to the restaurant that Judy worked at. He sat down at the counter and Judy came up.

"How you doing today?" she asked.

"Oh, better than yesterday. The police found my car in Prunedale and I managed to get some replacement traveler's checks." he explained.

"Hey, that's really nice. What can I get you?" she asked.

"A coke and a burger will be fine please and could you tell me if there are any buses around here that go to Prunedale? Charles asked her.

"Not that I know of. You may have to go to San Francisco and take one from there", she said.

"Damn", he said, "I've got to get there by five or wait until tomorrow."

"I'd give you a ride after work but I've got to go to my mom's for dinner." she said. "Let me see if anyone here is headed up there".

Ten minutes later Charles was all set. He had a ride on an eighteen-wheeler headed for San Francisco.

After getting to San Francisco and taking a bus to Prunedale he got to the garage where his car was. They took him to see his car, or whatever was left of it. The left side of the car looked as it had been made from leftover pieces of a ship wreck. The metal was bent and twisted. Fortunately the doors opened and only the back window was broken. The interior was unchanged except for a couple of rips on the drivers seat. Charles was happy to see the radio was still intact. He loofed for the key but couldn't find them. After asking at the office he was told that the keys had not been found in the ignition. He then asked to borrow a crowbar so he could open his trunk.

The pain he felt as he pried open his trunk and busted the lock was not as great as the joy he felt upon seeing not just all of his possessions; but, also his spare key was still safely tucked away in his tool box.

After leaving the garage he picked up a lock and chain to secure his trunk which after meeting witht he crow bar no longer worked the same. He filled his car with gas and headed back to the hotel stopping along the way for dinner. After eating he went to another store and picked up plexiglass, an exacto blade and some wide duct tape. After picking up everything, he returned to the hotel and proceeded to fashion himself a new window for his car out of the plexicglass, tracing the shape of the window with a large piece of paper over the hole where the window used to be. He inserted the plexiglass window into the space and taped it firmly in place with the duct tape, both on the inside and outside.

As Charles was feeling better, and running out of money quicker than he had anticipated, he decided to leave for Los Angeles the next day. Before going to bed he repacked of his things and set them next to the door and then he went to sleep.

The next morning he filled his car up and refilled his ice chest with ice from the hotel cooler. After getting everything ready he went to the office to pay for his room.

"Let's see Mr. Leed, you've been here for three days at $105 a night, with taxes and charges that comes to $350.Will that be cash, check or charge?" the clerk asked.

Charles could feel the blood drain out of his face he mumbled the word "Cash". As he left he thought about how much he had spent since leaving his home and was shocked that the had spent much more than he had ever anticipated and had only travelled 225 miles. He decided that once he had spent half his money he would head back home regardless of where he ended up.

Charles drove over to Judy's coffee shop for one last breakfast in Monteray and to say good bye. Sitting down at the counter he was once again greeted by Judy's smiling face.

"Hi Charlie. I see you got your car back", she said.

Yeah, it's a little worse for the wear but still drives fine. I'm leaving for Los Angeles today and just wanted to thank you for all your help and get some breakfast in me before I go". Charles said.

"Too bad your leaving because I was thinking you might take me out for a drink after work, if you were going to be here for another day". Judy told him with a smile.

Charles ears perked up and as Judy left to serve another customer, he began to weight the pluses and minuses of sticking around a little longer. When she returned he told her that there was nothing pressing him to go and that he would enjoy the opportunity to take her out after she got off. It was decided that he would pick her up at three in the afternoon. After eating she told him that rather than waiting for her, he should look around and see more of Monterey.

He took her advice and visited Cannery Row, stopping goff at the many galleries and going into the Wax Museum. The best part of his tour he thought was the slide show on old Monterey at the Wax Museum. He was interested in knowing that the oldest government building in California was in Monterey.

When he returned to the restaurant he found Judy outside. He was not sure if it was her at first because she had changed into her street clothes and out of the saucy little dress uniform that she wore for work. It wasn't that she looked more or less pretty; but, that in jeans and a tee shirt she seemed somewhat different and perhaps for this reason he started feeling slightly more awkward around her.

They left to go to a local bar which was not too expensive; but nicer than the ones he was used to in Sacramento. As they sat sipping their drinks (she had a Margarita and he had a beer), he began to ask her about herself for the first time.

She explained that she had been born in Modesto, that her father was a truck driver and that after her parents divorced her mother had moved them to Monterey where an aunt lived. Judy mentioned that she had spent a year at college in San Francisco and had gotten discouraged and left, although she admitted that money had also been a factor. "I'm still paying off the loan I took out to go there", she explained.

While Judy was talking Charles began wondering what he should do next. He hadn't dated much and wasn't sure that if he had he would now what to do anyways. He wasn't sure if he should take her home or go on his way or if he should offer to take hor out somewhere, perhaps a movie. As he debated, she solved his problem by asking him over to her house for dinner.

He followed her in his car to a very nice house. It was not a mansion; but, was of fair size and looked as if it belonged in one of those old movies that takes place in New England.

As they walked up to the house, Judy began to explain that it was her aunt's home, that her aunt was nice; but, had some strange ideas about manners and etiquette. Judy also told him that her mother wouldn't be home for another hour because she was out with some friends bowling.

When they got inside, Judy yelled out for her aunt and as she did a woman of about 50 came down the stairs explaining as she walked that it was not necessary to yell. When the lady reached the bottom of the stairs Judy told her, "Aunt Terry, I want to introduce you to Charlie Leed, he's the young man whose car was stolen.

"I'm happy to meet you. I hope you have since recovered your car", she said to him.

"Thank you. I got it back yesterday" he informed her.

"Has Judy invited you for dinner? she asked.

"Yes, thank you. I do hope it won't be too much of an imposition." he asked.

"No, not at all. We love to have guests by for dinner. Please come sit down int eh parlor and have some tea, or do you prefer coffee?'

Charles said tea would be fine and then they all went into the living room. The room was large, bright and airy with flowered, lacey furniture like he had seen in a television show about English country homes. When Judy's aunt returned from the kitchen she poured Charles and her a cup of tea and gave a cup of coffee to Judy. She also offered him some odd looking cookies which tasted rather nice.

"Judy tells us you are on vacation. May I ask you what you do when you are working?, asked Judy's aunt.

The woman introduced herself as Terri and began to ask him another question; but, as she did a woman her early 40s. She was tow or three inches taller than Judy with red hair. She had a deep tan and heavy perfume. Her clothes were modern; but, not too flashy.

"Hi Terri, Hi Judy. Is this your friend with the missing car? she asked in one breath. As Judy said "yes" and was about to make introductions, the woman continued on. "I was so sorry to hear about that. I remember once when I was living in Modesto some guy tried to break into my husband's truck. Well, he sure got himself a surprise because my husband was sleeping in it at the time because of this fight we had. He just kicked that man's ass all over our front yard."

As the woman talked on he was able to learn that she was Judy's mother, Jane. He also learned that she had bowled a 150 and enjoyed drinking Vodka martinis. While she talked, Aunt Terri went into the kitchen and began to serve the dinner. A few minutes later, Terri returned and instructed everyone to go into the dining room.

Dinner was pleasant and one of the best meals Charles had ever eaten. The meal consisted of soup, salad, potatoes in some sort of cheese sauce, spicy green beans and Chicken Kiev. The conversation at the table was fairly light as Aunt Terri told Charles about Monetery's history. Jane talked about when she had gone to Las Vegas last and Judy talked about how she wished she were going across the country.

After dinner, Judy took Charles up to her room. "I'm sorry for making you go through that", Judy told him, "I love them both but I know that they can be hard to bear sometimes."

"No, not at all. I liked them both. As much as I'd like to stay, I think I had better get going if I'm going to get to Los Angeles tonight". Charles said.

"If I were you I would wait until the morning because the view of the coast is really beautiful during the day". she said.

"I would but I gave up my hotel room and it was over $100 a night and I'm just not sure I can afford to stay there again, I had planned on staying at places in the $50 range." Charles explained.

"You could stay here for the night and leave in the morning?"

As she said it Charels couldn't quite believe his own ears. "You don't think your mother or aunt would mind?" he asked.

"No, I have people stay over all the time. It's okay. Why don't you let me get changed and we can go out to a movie or something?"

Charles accepted her offer to stay the night and then started to leave the room; but, she stopped him saying, "You don't have to leave, just turn around".

Charles could feel his heart beat faster inside him as he heard her clothes hit the floor and only with the greatest effort in control could he stop himself from turning around to watch.

"Okay, you can look now." she said. When he did he found himself confronted by her obvious charms and sensuality. "Let me just tell them that we're going", she said.

The movie they went to see was a comedy about some guy who had died and came back to life as a parrot. His ex-wife buys the parrot and the parrot proceeds to interrupt her life by upsetting her lovers. In the end she ends up dying and is reincarnated as a cat and eventually eats the parrot. They both enjoyed the movie immensely. When the movie was over they went out to the car to go home.

"You know Charlie, you're one of the politest men I have ever met and I think you're attractive too." As she said this she continued to move closer to him. His eyes were filled with her and he could feel his body as it began to get more and more flushed. He decided to try to kiss her and moved to do so. The first kiss was slightly awkward and Charles was sure she would not want another; but, when she kissed him he was happily surprised. After a few more kisses, Judy said, "Don't make wait, take me home now".

Charles started the car unable to focus and drove off. At first he felt great thinking that he and Judy might enjoy each others company that night; but, as he drove along he began to think that perhaps Judy had only planned on going back to her house. He wondered if maybe she had hurried to get home because she didn't want the two of them to get carried away any further. He decided that he was right the first time when she reached over to touch him.

Once they had returned to the house, Judy led Charles up to her room. When they got inside the room, she lit two candles and began to kiss him. He kissed her back and caressed her back. It seemed so fantastic to him as she sat on her bed and then undressed in front of him.

Afterwards, while he lay in bed, she went downstairs to make herself a sandwich and watch "The Tonight Show". When he woke up the next day, she had already left for work. There was a note on top of his clothes telling him how she had enjoyed meeting him and how she wished him luck on his trip. As he read the note, he had the feeling that he was being discarded, a disposable person used once and then thrown away. The ended with her signature, address and phone number and the words, "If you ever come back here, look me up."

Charles got showered and dressed and went downstairs where he was greeted by Aunt Terri. "Hello Charles. I see you're awake. Would you like some breakfast before you go?" she politely asked. Charles was unsure of what to say and felt funny about how nice she was being. He was confused as he somehow still thought of himself as a teenager and as such had a problem with trying to understand why she was not upset about his sleeping in Judy's room with her.

Charles agreed to the meal and sat down at the table in the kitchen. Aunt Terri served him some pancakes and orange juice and then sat down across from him with a cup of tea.

"You shouldn't feel uneasy Charles", began Aunt Terri. Judy has had gentlemen stay the night in our house before. Where exactly do you plan on going for your trip, if I may ask?"

"I was hoping to go to Los Angeles and then to Texas, New Orleans, Florida and then up to Boston; but, I'm not sure now since I don't have as much money as I had expected any more."

"Do you plan on coming back to California", she asked.

"Yes, I do ma'am. I have a brother in Sacramento and will probably go back there when I'm done." he replied.

"When I was married", she said, "I lived in St. Louis and one year we decided to take a trip to California. As we were driving to San Francisco, we stopped in Monterey. At first, we thought what a wonderful place it was and it is, and we were so enchanted with it that we decided to stay. As the years went on, the newness and difference wore off and I discovered little difference between it and where I came from, except that we are closer to the ocean. It seems to me that one place is very much like another. People are the same as far as their relationships with one another and also as the community goes. The one thing that moving does is remove you from your friends and family, those you love, everything else is the same. Even the scenery is the same once you stop paying attention to it. And most of us stop noticing it once we have lived in a place for a bit. Think about that if you ever find a place that you love away from your home.

"I will. Thank you. Thank you for your hospitality too, also." After a pause Charles made his farewells and left.