Chapter 1

Eric fiddled with his satellite radio receiver looking for a different station. For the past two hours he'd been listening to the sixties but wanted a change.

He'd driven about a hundred miles without a break. Eric rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Man that fog sure is coming in." Eric turned up the volume hoping the loud music would awaken him better.

Ten minutes later, Eric turned off at a rest stop. He got out off the car just to stretch his legs. There was a slight chill in the air, as Eric walked around.
He stopped and watched a mini-van pull into one of the parking spaced. Out hopped a man with bushy hair and matching beard. The guy was in a hurry for the bathroom. Eric waited a few seconds. Then a woman who seemed to be a few years older than her companion got out of the van. She wore a yellow top and white pants. The woman wasn't wearing any shoes.

Eric's heart pounded watching these two people. "I wonder if they're meeting in the bathroom?" he thought to himself. He took a few steps away from the parked vehicle towards his own.

Just as he was about to get in his car, the man came back out. He was running his fingers through his coarse hair muttering something under his breath. His traveling partner also came up behind him. A few choice words were exchanged, but Eric couldn't make them out. He wasn't about to stick around.

Back in his car and on the interstate, Eric let out a long sigh of relief. The three hundred mile journey from South to North Carolina was only a third of the way complete. He hated driving, especially at night.

Just a few hours before, Eric had been sitting in his apartment living room. His girlfriend, Kerry called him.

"We need to talk," she continued.

"About what?"

"You know what."

"Actually I don't."

"Eric, don't bullshit me okay. You know exactly why I'm calling."

Eric leaned back on the couch. "Kerry, I honestly don't know why you're calling me at eight thirty at night."

"I'm breaking up with you Eric."

"What?"

"I didn't stutter you bastard. You heard me."

"I just don't understand it."

Kerry paused. "Eric, for the last three years I've been living a lie. We can't do this forever you know."

"What is it I did?"

"You figure it out Eric. Goodbye."

There was a click. Eric put down the receiver still staring down at the littered coffee table. Sitting on the edge was a crumpled piece of paper. He lifted and took a closer look.

It was a phone number of some girl he'd met a few months ago. Eric had been visiting one of his friends in North Carolina for the weekend. They decided to check out one of the local bars. As soon as the two walked in, Eric's eyes gravitated towards her.

She had long auburn hair just past her shoulders. The eyes, oh the eyes melted his heart immediately.

"Who is she?" Eric pointed.

"Oh her name's Elizabeth. Can't remember the last name. I see her in here all the time though."

"Then introduce me to her will you."

"You're with someone man."

"Just do it." Eric was adamant about meeting Elizabeth. There was something intoxicating about her.

After a few beers, Eric finally mustered the courage to go over there alone. He sat down and struck up a conversation with Elizabeth. They talked for several hours about all kinds of things. When it was time to go, Elizabeth gave Eric her number.

"If you ever get up this way again, give me a call and we'll hang out."

"Sounds like a plan."

Eric was brought back to reality when one of his favorite songs began playing. It was an upbeat tune which got him going again. The drive suddenly didn't seem as far as it actually was.

He rubbed his eyes once more. Eric's vision was blurry, which was an indication he needed to stop again. He found a small diner just off the interstate thirty miles down the road.

Pulling into the battered parking lot, Eric got out of his car. The bitter chill rattled his aching bones from hours of driving. "Better get inside," he said to himself.

The diner didn't look any better on the inside either. One of the fluorescent lights was about to burn out at any time. The counter was still piled with dirty dishes and a few of the tables still needed cleaning.

Eric found an empty spot towards the end of the counter. The barstool leather was cracked in different places. It reminded him of a place back home he used to frequent often. The place might have been a dump, but it felt safe.

He sat down with grace. Eric picked up a menu. It was greasy. "Is anyone here?" There wasn't an answer right away. "Is anyone here?"

Still no answer, so Eric decided he would get up and walk around the counter. He pushed open the double metal doors, peering inside. "Hello? I would like something to eat if possible?"

He heard the sound of a toilet flushing. The door opened and out came a woman who looked to be about five feet and was rather rotund. "Can I help you sweetie?" she had a deep southern drawl.

"I need some coffee more than anything."

"Well you just sit your hind parts down there and I'll fix you a hot cup sweetie." She had a smile on her face ten miles wide.

Eric reluctantly sat back down, this time further up the counter. He observed the well-built woman as she changed the filter and began brewing a fresh pot of coffee.

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" she asked in a flirtatious tone.

"What do you have ready to eat?"

"Just pie and maybe some old fries."

Eric shrugged his shoulders. "How about that pie."

The waitress winked. "You got it."

A few minutes later, the waitress handed over a steaming cup of java. Eric delicately took the piping hot mug in his hands and sipped. It was bitter. He added three packs of sugar and two creamers. He sipped again. Much better.

His newfound friend lumbered down the counter, lifted off the pie cover and then a plate. She brought back two-day old apple pie. "This going to do it for you?"

Eric nodded. "I think so."

"Just let me know if you need anything else sweetie." She smiled and returned to the kitchen.

A few minutes had passed when the door opened. Eric spun around and there she was; the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

She stood a little over five feet, wearing a pink prom dress and matching shoes. "Oh thank goodness."

"Something the matter?"
"I'm with my date and our car broke down about ten miles from here."

Eric set down his coffee cup. "I can drive you if you want."

Her eyes lit up like a Christmas Tree. "Would you do that for me?"

"Of course." Eric felt his dick quiver.

"Oh thank you so much." She smiled brightly.

Eric stood, yanked out his wallet, pulled out a five dollar bill and plopped it down. "Waitress?" He called out. There wasn't an answer. Eric directed his attention to the prom queen. "Let's go."

Outside the air had grown even colder. Night was settling in now for the long haul and so was the fog. It was much more difficult to see than earlier.