Shane’s parents drop him off at the train station with money and instructions to take the train to his Aunt Sophie’s place for the holidays. The minute they drive off, he walks out again, leans against a pole, and throws out his thumb. Having just turned eighteen, he is, as he regularly reminds himself, now a fully legal adult and quite capable of having his own adventure. In the few days and nights it takes him to hitchhike all the way, he gets to know some very interesting people. Hippies, conmen, an ex-teacher ... and also the dog Jimmy. He learns there are more to people than meets the eye, and the world is rather bigger than his cosseted upbringing led him to believe. By the time he arrives at Aunt Sophie’s place, he has lost his virginity, acquired a dog and a cousin, and has the pleasing probability of a sweet summer romance to look forward to.

A Hitch in Time

I compare this with the scenario right before I left home. My parents are getting in the car. I’m already in the back seat, really upset, trying not to pout, trying not to say anything or act like a little kid, but that’s how I feel, like I’m four-six-eight years old and the only kid not invited to the party, or sent to my room because I laughed too loud, or had my hand smacked at the dinner table because my elbow was on the table or something…I catch Bob’s eye and he grins and winks at me. All was good again. Which one was reality, actually; how could they both be real? I don’t get it. Maybe I never will. Maybe it doesn’t matter. It just is.


Chapter 11