The Last Stop
It was three days into the week before the questions started. It wasn't like him to be absent for such a long time, and all over Canterlot High, the students began to speculate on the whereabouts of Longhaul, the bus driver. Rumors of him being sighted in town were about as sketchy as sightings of Bigfoot, and no one could definitively say the last time they saw him after Friday afternoon.
Principal Celestia was taken by surprise when Longhaul entered her office with a typed request for an emergency sabbatical of “indeterminate length, but no less than two weeks,” and when she pressed for a reason, all he would say was it was in regard to “personal business that needs to be dealt with.” She was reluctant until he had said he had arranged for his route to be covered by splitting it between the other drivers. With that knowledge, she approved his request with the admonition that he was to call either her or Vice-Principal Luna if he needed assistance with anything. He nodded and gave a half- hearted agreement before leaving the grounds that day. That was the last time he was seen on the grounds of the school.
Wild rumors began circulating throughout the school on the fourth day. “Is he sick or something?” “Maybe he's in the hospital?” “He did seem kind of down lately. He didn't try to – you know, did he?” “Did the cops finally find the clown suit in the closet and the bodies in the crawlspace?” None of which did anything to ease the minds of those that knew him the best.
It was Sonata Dusk that decided to investigate further. She notified Luna of her absence that day, and the reason why, and went of to Longhaul's house. Her mind played the events that led to their meeting – showing up at his home long after the Battle of the Bands, hungry and homeless, and how kind he was to take them in and help them get back on their feet. How he helped them find their 'inner voice,' as he called it, that allowed them to once again sing like they had when they had their magical powers. Sonata had sworn that some day she would return Longhaul's kindness when he needed it the most. She sensed today was that day.
Arriving at the house, Sonata rang the doorbell. She knew he was up at this time, workday or not, and she waited for him to open the door. The minutes ticked by, and still nothing. She peeked in, and saw two legs resting on the leg-rest of a recliner in the living room, clad in familiar grey sweatpants. She rang the doorbell again. The legs didn't budge an inch.
Sonata quickly made her way to the basement entrance, and crossed her fingers for luck with her left hand while punching in the combination on the keypad with her right. Only the sirens were given the code to this door, used while they lived there to come and go as they pleased. Sonata was still amazed at the level of trust he had given them, and how thankful she was that they never betrayed it. To he relief, the lock clicked and the door unlocked. Sonata stepped inside and made her way to the stairs.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and looked toward the recliner. The faint smell of alcohol hung in the air, and a partially-emptied glass of a brownish liquid sat on the end table near the recliner. She saw Longhaul, hair unkempt and unshaven, laying back with the feet raised, staring toward the ceiling. Every so often he would close his eyes and sigh deeply. Soft music wafted through the house. Sonata could see the dampness on Longhaul's face as the light from the partially-opened drapes danced upon the fresh tears spilling from his eyes. The song ended, and Longhaul opened his eyes. He saw Sonata standing there. Looking back to the ceiling, he said flatly, “I see you remembered the code.”
“Longhaul, what's going on?” Sonata asked, moving cautiously toward the sofa and sitting down at the end closest to him. “The whole school's worried to death about you.”
Longhaul snorted. “Yeah. I'm sure they are. Probably taking bets on whether or not I've been arrested as a sex offender.” He reached over and picked up the glass, quickly downing the contents. He shivered as the liquid slid down his throat, and returned the glass to the end table.
“I've never seen you drink at all, never mind start so early in the morning,” Sonata said, crinkling her nose as the acrid ethanol smell drifted past.
“Technically, I never stopped from last night.” He raised his recliner to a seated position and looked at Sonata. His eyes were red and puffy, and his voice cracked every now and then when he talked. “So what brings you by today?”
“I was worried about a friend. No one had heard from him for a few days and we were concerned.” Sonata eyed the now-empty glass. “Apparently, for good reason.”
Longhaul nodded. “I see. This isn't the same friend that's thinking the school would be happier if he quit driving bus and went back into trucking again, is it?”
Sonata gasped. “Why do you think you should go? No one would think that about you after everything you've done for us!”
“Oh, really?” He looked directly at Sonata. “You really think I don't hear the talk? The rumors about the 'real reason' I'm so close to you all? 'Look out for Longhaul the kiddy fiddler,' they say. Yeah, I've heard the talk, and I'm surprised no one's tried to have me arrested yet.” He turns back and stares at the ceiling. “Hell, maybe I should just pack it all in and go away, sell this place and start somewhere else.”
Sonata tapped out a quick text when Longhaul diverted his attention back to the ceiling, and when she had finished, reached over and lightly touched his arm. “They've said stuff just as bad about us, and about Sunset. We're still there. We love you, and we want you to stay.”
Longhaul sighed. “That's why I took this sabbatical. I really had to give this some thought, without distraction. And then,” he said, motioning to the empty glass, “I thought about it with ample distraction. I'm still thinking about it, and I still don't know what I should do. Part of me says I'd be a fool to leave, and the other part says I should.”
“Where would you go?”
“I could go anywhere, really. I've got enough saved to set up anywhere I choose to, and with the money I'd get from selling this place, I'd still have a decent enough cushion that I'd only need to work part-time to get some extra.”
“Speaking for myself and the other girls,” Sonata said solemnly, “we'd miss you bunches if you left. You've always been so nice to us. Especially Dagi and Aria and myself. I don't know what would have become of us had you not taken us in that night, and I don't want to even think about it. All I know is you do more good than you give yourself credit for.”
Sonata's phone buzzed, and she quickly read the message. “Vice-Principal Luna is on her way over--”
“No.” Longhaul shook his head. “I can't talk to her or her sister now. I'd definitely do or say something we'd all regret.”
“Are you sure?” Sonata asked. Longhaul nodded. “Not today at least.”
“Okay,” Sonata sighed, getting up from the chair. “I'm gonna have her bring me back to school so she doesn't have to feel she wasted a trip out here. Could we all talk on Friday, maybe?”
Longhaul was about to refuse, but gave it some thought. “Okay. I can do Friday. We can meet at the diner after school lets out.”
Sonata nodded. “All right. I'll let her know.” She wrapped Longhaul in a tight hug. “You better be there and in one piece. Should I stop by tomorrow?”
Longhaul lightly returned the hug. “Nah, I'll be okay. You just ... just worry about you for now. I promise I'll be there.”
Sonata reluctantly released the hug, and giving one more glance to Longhaul, went back to the basement door before her own tears started flowing.
Friday came, and Longhaul sat in a booth at the back of the Canterlot Cafe, idly picking at a basket of French fries. He really didn't want to be here, but a promise was a promise. He had made an effort to look somewhat presentable, going as far as to shave after showering, and his clothes were clean. He sipped at a soda and nibbled a fry. He really hadn't been all that hungry all week, and while he wasn't in the mood for a lot of food, he figured he could at least nibble.
His seat gave him a good view of the parking lot, and he watched as Luna parked her car near to the building. He saw her get out, along with Sonata and Gemini. Luna spoke to the two girls for a long moment, then straightened herself up and walked into the diner. She scanned the room until she saw Longhaul and walked over to his table.
Longhaul rose, and nodded. “Hello, Luna. How's things at the school?”
“They've been better,” Luna replied, and sat down. Longhaul sat as well. “I've been talking with Celestia about some distressing news Miss Dusk had relayed to me a couple of days ago.”
Longhaul knew full well what the topic of that conversation was, but decided to feign ignorance. “Nothing too critical, I hope. Although, I'm confident that whatever it is, you two will find a good solution.” He sipped his soda.
The waitress approached the table. “I'll have what he's having,” Luna said. The waitress nodded and scribbled on her notepad. After she had left, Luna said, “I doubt it this time. I don't even think we'd considered a contingency for such a problem.” She leaned closer. “Why, Longhaul? Surely, it can't be that bad. And, we can work with you to solve it if it is.”
“Luna ... it's not so much the issue of what's being said about me, hurtful as it is. I just feel I don't know my place in the school any more. I'm beginning to wonder if I even had a place to start with.” He picked up a fry and stared at it before popping it into his mouth. After swallowing, he continued, “I'm going to be honest, I don't feel I belong there any more. I feel like an outsider, a constant spectator, used when it's convenient for those involved, and forgotten soon after. I do what I can, sure, I make myself available for almost anything, but why should I continue to expend the effort when I can see it's not really wanted in the first place?”
Luna sat back and sighed. “Longhaul, we've been friends from the time I started at that school, and I can honestly say that your contributions are not only appreciated, but they've done more good than you could possibly know. Did you know that for the past week, I've had a constant parade of students come to my office asking if I knew anything about where you were, and if you were okay? You are definitely not an outsider. And, the students definitely have not forgotten about you. In fact, two of them are waiting outside, very concerned and extremely worried about you.”
Longhaul looked out the window at Sonata and Gemini waiting by Luna's car. “Did they ask to be here today?” he asked.
“I had asked them not to come today, not knowing what your state of mind was. They insisted.”
“I see.” He dropped his gaze to the table and sighed. “Your instincts were correct, I don't think I could handle seeing them today, at least not emotionally.”
Luna nodded. “I understand. So, tell me truthfully, are you going to leave us?”
“I don't know yet. I've been talking to some people, putting some feelers out, but time is working against me. I haven't driven truck professionally in lots of years, and that could limit my options as for employment. I'm also still working out just retiring, if I can afford to do so.”
Luna looked out the window. “Are you sure you don't want to see them? I do respect your feelings, and yet I also have to consider theirs, and I know they'd be crushed if they couldn't talk to you today.”
After a brief pause, Longhaul nodded. “Okay, they can join us. I'll pay for their food. And I've got your tab, too.”
Luna signaled to the girls, who came rushing into the diner and immediately wrapped Longhaul in a hug, which he returned. The girls sat down, Gem near Luna and Sonata next to Longhaul.
“So ... come to persuade me to stay, have you?” Longhaul asked when everyone was settled.
“I still can't understand why you're thinking about leaving us,” Gem said. “I also don't know what I would do without you to talk to when I had a problem.”
“Gem,” Longhaul said with a sigh, “there's perfectly qualified counselors at the school. Even Luna can help you along, her instincts are good and she genuinely cares about all of you. She's infinitely more qualified to help you than I could ever be.”
“So, that's it then?” Sonata asked. “It sounds like you've definitely made your mind up to go.”
Longhaul pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed. “I haven't been able to decide anything, and that's what's really upsetting me. I don't want to act rashly and make a bad decision. That's why I took this time, so could try to get my thoughts clear. At the moment, my thoughts are telling me that maybe I don't want to continue as a bus driver anymore – face it, the hours aren't all that great and they're starting to take a toll on this old man. But, then I look at what do if I do should I decide to leave? Do I have enough to retire? Will I need to get another driving job? Do I stay here, or go to another town? There's just so much to consider that I can't come to a clear decision.”
“Well, if you don't want to drive any more, why don't you become a counselor? Lots of the other kids come to you with their troubles now, it would seem the logical step,” Sonata suggested, with Luna and Gem nodding in agreement.
“Sonata, that's a great idea ... but, the main reason they come to me now is because I'm not a figure of authority. They know I'm not going to pass judgment on them, I'm not going to punish them, I'm not going to report them to the authorities, which I believe in certain cases counselors are bound by law to do ... I just give advice and they take or leave it as they see fit. That all would change if I made it official.” He flashed a wan smile. “Don't think I hadn't considered it, though, Sonata, it as a good idea, but not really for me.”
Silence reigned for a while, the only sound being the background noise of the diner, punctuated by the occasional slurp of a soda. Lune broke the silence by asking, “Longhaul, do I have your word that you will attempt no drastic actions? The way Sonata described how she found you that day has caused us great concern.”
Longhaul nodded. “You have my word. I don't think I'd have the energy to try anything anyway.”
“Not very reassuring, but I will accept it. And you will not just walk away unannounced, either, will you?”
“No. Whatever I decide will be announced, either to you or Celestia. I promise that,too.” Luna visibly sighed with relief. “How much more time would you like to decide?” she asked.
“Give me another week. Some things are becoming clearer and I should have some more information by then,” Longhaul said.
Luna nodded. “Very well, then. I think perhaps we should let you continue with your pondering. Just remember, you are to call immediately if you should need anything, even if it's an ear to listen to you discuss things, okay?”
“Okay,” Longhaul replied. “And, thank you.”
“Girls, let's leave Longhaul for now. I'm sure he'll be in contact soon,” Luna said pointedly to Gem and Sonata. The three rose from their seats and began to walk out of the diner, Gem and Sonata casting a sad, worried look back at their friend. Longhaul watched them leave, and after a moment, collected the guest checks and headed to the register.
Monday morning dawned bright and slightly cooler than usual for this time of year. The bright yellow school bus trundled down the road, signaling the beginning of yet another week. Gem stood anxiously, wondering who would be driving today. For the past couple of weeks, she had seen a progression of substitute drivers, all of them doing their best to complete a route a certain driver had memorized so well he could do it in his sleep.
The bus stopped, and the door opened. Gem recognized the familiar Stetson atop the driver's head. She smiled broadly. “Longhaul! You're back! Thank goodness, I was hoping to see you again!” she said, giving her friend a hug.
Longhaul gave a half-hearted hug in return. “Hi Gem, it's good to see you again, too.” His voice sounded flat, not the usual way he had sounded for the past few years.
Gem took her usual seat and asked, “Is everything okay? You still seem out of sorts.”
Longhaul closed the doors. “Nope. Everything's fine.” He tried a reassuring smile, that looked more sad than anything else.
“Okay, if you say so ... “ The rest of the ride went in silence, with the occasional student welcoming Longhaul back on his route.
At the school, Principal Celestia was working her way through the usual weekly paperwork when there was a knock on her door. “Come in,” she said, and Longhaul entered the office. “Good morning,” he said, “doing the usual Monday routine, I see.”
Celestia nods. “Yes, unfortunately that will never change, but it can wait. What can I do for you?” she asked, pushing the papers aside.
“Well, I'm afraid I'm about to add to your usual hassles.” He placed an envelope on her desk. “This is my intention to retire at the end of this school year, effective at the end of the last day of school.”
The news that Longhaul would retire at the end of the school year spread like wildfire throughout the school that day. The entire student body all reacted with a mix of shock, sadness, and in some cases, regret. But nobody was affected more than the eight girls whose lives had been affected by him the most. Gem had her life saved by him when he personally intervened in her attempted suicide, Raven had been inspired to become a better person after spending an entire Saturday afternoon cleaning his bus, the Dazzlings had been nursed back to health after the Battle, Sunset had his assistance in cleaning up the school after her own magical mishap, while Emerald and Twilight both had been reassured that being an outsider wasn’t a bad thing, when they’d transferred from CPA.
It was a sad, despondent group of girls that went to Canterlot Cafe after school that day. The bus ride had, once again, been spent in silence. The group took their places at their usual table by the window, but ordered nothing.
“I just can’t believe it,” Gem said at last, looking around at the group. “I know we’re leaving this year... but I hadn’t expected that he would follow us. It seems... it seems...”
“Too soon?” Raven guessed, as Gem nodded.
“It’s a pretty rotten situation,” Sunset agreed. “He’s been so despondent the last few weeks... and when Sonata told us all what she’d found when she went over there...” She trailed off.
“I want to find out which kids said those things about him,” Aria said, “And knock some sense into them.”
“That won’t help, Aria,” Adagio said. “Besides, what’s done is done. Half the school petitioned Miss Luna to try to get him to change his mind, and she said no. When they went to him directly, he still didn’t budge.”
“I just wish it wasn’t ending like this,” Sonata said sadly. “It’s not fair. And we can’t do anything to stop it.”
“No, we can’t,” Gem agreed. “But we can make the most of the time we still have with him. Let him know we love and appreciate him.” She placed a hand in the center of the table, and everyone stacked their own hand atop hers. “Break!” they said at once.
Months went by. The snows of winter moved slowly into spring, and each day went like it always had, with a ride from Longhaul at the start and end of every school day. And though the girls tried to be positive, they all knew they were fighting a losing battle. Everything they tried to cheer him up never seemed to stick.
At long last, the final day of school arrived. The day was warm, and Gem wore a plain white dress with matching pantyhose and tennis shoes as she waited for the bus to come. The seniors were meant to dress nicely, since they would be graduating the next week. All that was left were their remaining finals, and that would be that.
The bus trundled down the street in time, and Gem stepped on. “Hi Longhaul,” she said, smiling a little. “It’s good to see you.” Longhaul simply touched his Stetson, and nodded, but otherwise gave no reply.
When the bus stopped in front of CHS for the last time, the eight girls all said goodbye with the promise to see him at the end of the day, for what they all knew would be the last ride.
The students gathered in the gymnasium that morning for a last assembly. Principal Celestia stepped up to the mic, and spoke: “Students, faculty, and staff, I welcome you to this final day of the 2015-2016 school year. As I’m sure you all know, our graduating class has seen its fair share of... well, magical mishaps. No offense,” she added, glancing to the eight girls who sat in the front row.
“NONE TAKEN!” chorused Gem, Raven, Sunset, the Dazzlings, Emerald, and Twilight all at once.
As everyone laughed, Vice Principal Luna continued. “Nevertheless, while the last day of school is both a joyful time, it is also a solemn one. There are some students who, sadly, did not live to see this day.” There was a pause as every head in the room turned to the empty seat in the third row, where a magician’s cloak and hat sat. “And of course, for our seniors, it is a time of reflection. The friends they have made and the memories they have shared will last a lifetime, even while their time in these halls grows ever shorter. Before we dismiss you all however, we have one last request: as you all know, our faithful bus driver Longhaul will end his long tenure of service with us today. While we do not know his plans for the future, we ask that all of you, especially the senior class, pay your respects to him if you have not done so already. Otherwise, finish strong today, students. You have been given the tools to succeed, you must now make use of them.” Then the bell rang, and everyone filed out of the gym.
Gem had always been keenly aware of time. But even for her, there was something almost electric about the last hour of the last day of her last year of high school. With twenty minutes to go before the final bell, she filled in the last bubble on her answer sheet and handed it and her copy of the test to Mrs. Harshwhinny, who took it. Then she sat down and opened a book as she waited for the bell to ring.
By the time she got to the end of the chapter, a loud "BRRIIING" cut through the silence of the classroom, and then there was a mad rush to the door as the students all wanted to be the first out of the room. Gem and Raven waited for a little bit for the furor to die down, then entered the madness of the hallway.
Students slammed their locker doors shut with a sense of finality, particularly for the seniors. They ran through the doors of the school, whooping and hollering and promising to see each other over the summer. As they boarded the buses for the last time, the teachers and administrators stood in front of the entrance and waved goodbye.
As Longhaul's bus pulled up in front of Gem's stop for the last time, Gem rose from her seat and squeezed Longhaul tight around the middle, crying silently into his shoulder.
Finally she looked up, her eyes red. "I'll miss you," she said finally, taking his hand in hers. "You're the best bus driver in the entire world... And no one will ever be able to replace you."
She took out a piece of paper and wrote her phone number on it, then handed it to him. "If you ever need anything, call me. Wherever I am, I will come back for you. I promise." Finally, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, stood up, and walked down the steps.
Longhaul was able to wait until the final student had disembarked from the bus before his own tears started to flow. He knew the emotions ran too deep, especially among those he had grown to call friends, to be able to say more to them than he did. He had to watch in silence as they all said their goodbyes and moved along with their lives, whether to college for the graduating seniors or preparing for another year at Canterlot High for the rest. Another year, he thought, and this time it will be without me. He took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to control the flow of tears, all the while making the slow drive back to the school.
Celestia and Luna were waiting at the entrance when Longhaul pulled up and set the brakes. He gathered his personal belongings, what few remained from the frenzy of packing over the last week and a half, and after removing the key from the ignition, took the final steps from the bus. He mustered a sad smile. “Come to see me off, or just making sure I'm not stealing school property?” he joked.
“We couldn't let you leave without a proper goodbye, after all of the years you've put in here. That, and there's some final paperwork we need to complete before you go. Let's go to my office,” Celestia said, her voice slightly quavering. She still hadn't fully recovered from the shock that Longhaul had given her the day he dropped his retirement notice on her desk. Luna remained fairly stoic, knowing that if he thought it was for the best, and he had given it as much thought as he said he had, then it was best to let him continue on. However, as they walked through the main entrance doors and down the cavernous hallways, she flashed back to a similar walk she and Longhaul had made many years earlier.
Luna hurried up to the main entrance of Canterlot High, wearing her best blue skirt with matching blazer, and a lavender blouse with silk scarf neatly tied around her neck. Today was orientation day, two days before the official start of school and the day before the new crop of freshmen reported to learn their way around and also learn the way things worked in high school as opposed to the junior high they were so used to.
Luna stood in the atrium, looking around at the trophy case, and the maze of hallways leading who- knew-where. She was confused as to which way she should go and was just about to reach into her purse and get a coin to flip when an older-looking man in a battered Stetson approached. “Morning, ma'am, you appear lost. May I assist you today?” he asked, a smile on his face.
She sighed. “Oh, you're a lifesaver. I need to find Principal Celestia's office, it's my first day here.” She offered a hand. “I'm Luna, the new vice-principal.”
“Very nice to meet you, Miss Luna. I'm Longhaul, I'm one of the bus drivers. Come with me, I'll take you to the boss-lady's office.” Luna walked next to him as he pointed out various things along the way – naming the different specialty classrooms; pointing out the cafeteria and music lab; showing her the new floor in the gymnasium, with the Wondercolts logo at center court.
Along the way, he asked, “So, where are you transferring in from?”
Luna shivered. “I was a guidance counselor at Moon Academy. It didn't feel so much like an assignment but a punishment.”
Longhaul winced in sympathy. “I've heard some bad stories about that place. I'm guessing they were true, from the tone of your voice. How long were you there?”
“Four years, but it felt like a thousand,” Luna said wryly. “I was so happy when my transfer was approved to come here.”
Longhaul chuckled. “How time drags when you're not having fun. Well, after your time there, this place should seem like a veritable vacation. There's a bunch of good kids here, some troublemakers as anywhere I guess, but Principal Celestia gets them reined in quickly. Overall, nothing exciting ever really happens around here.”
The two stopped in front of Celestia's office. Longhaul knocked on the door. “Come in,” Celestia said from inside. Opening the door, Longhaul removes his hat. “I found her wandering around in the halls. She seems nice, I recommend we keep her,” he said in a jestful manner.
Celestia walked around from behind the desk and embraced Luna. “Welcome to Canterlot High, sister.” Luna returned the hug and grinned at Longhaul, who was standing there looking stunned. Sisters? Celestia never mentioned a sister before, he thought.
“Principal Celestia,” Longhaul said after a moment, “I can see everything's under control here so I'll take my leave now...”
“Oh yes, thank you Longhaul. And I told you, please call me Celestia whenever there's no students present.” Celestia smiled. “One more inspection of the buses?”
Longhaul nodded. “Just making sure everything is ready for opening day.” He mimed tipping his hat as he left the office. “Have a good day, Celestia ... Miss Luna.” He left the office and closed the door.
“Longhaul is a good fellow,” Celestia said, “and always willing to lend a hand. Don't be shy about asking him for assistance if you need it.” Luna nodded, and the two sisters began discussing school business.
Longhaul shook his aching wrist, still clutching a pen in his hand. “Y'know, I don't think I filled out this much paperwork when you hired me,” he said.
Celestia rifled through the stack. “They do this to make sure you did your fair share of it before you left.” She looked over individual sheets. “Okay, we have assignment of pension fund, receipt for school-issued property, return of keys, exit interview, so that leaves one more to go.” She pushed a sheet of paper across the desk to Longhaul. “This is the voluntary separation form, stating that you are leaving your employment of your own free will, and were not coerced into doing so by any other staff member or administrator. Once you sign that, your retirement is official.”
Longhaul sighed. This was truly it. Hesitantly, he placed the pen at the line and signed the paper. He placed the pen on the desk and slid his chair back. Standing up, he looked at the two sisters, one of whom was barely able to contain her sadness. “Luna, Celestia ... you've done a lot for me over my time here, and I cannot thank you both enough for your kindness and dedication. I will miss you both terribly.”
Luna wrapped Longhaul in a tight hug and began to weep softly. She was soon joined by Celestia, and the three stood for the longest time in the tiny office, just hugging and trying to staunch the flow of tears.
“You will be at graduation, right?” Luna asked when she was finally able to speak again. Longhaul looked between the two. “You still want me there?” he asked, somewhat surprised.
Celestia nodded. “We think it would be good for you and them. One more piece of closure for everyone.”
“Okay, then I will be there,” Longhaul said. The three walked down the halls one last time. After one more embrace, Longhaul pushed open the doors and stepped out into the late afternoon sun, walking to his car, not looking back lest he break down once again.
Turning the piece of paper in his hands, Longhaul hesitated once again. He didn't know quite what to say, but he knew he needed to make that call. Before he lost his nerve again, he punched in the numbers on his phone. The phone didn't ring on the other end, but instead went straight to voice mail. Probably doesn't recognize my number, he thought. He waited for the greeting to stop, then began to speak:
“Hi, it's Longhaul. I just wanted to let you know that I will be at graduation, so if you still want to see me, I'll be hanging around near the back of the seating area. I also wanted to know if you still needed a driver for that road trip you had planned with your friends. I talked to a friend that has a luxury motorcoach he's willing to let us use free of charge. Um, call me back when you get this message. Thanks.”
He hung up the phone and sat in his recliner. There was still so many things to think about. But, he thought to himself, not now. He sat back and turned on the stereo, and let the music speak for him.